HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-10-17-TOUR2-minTourism Committee, Town of Lexington
Minutes of Meeting held Monday, October 17, 2005
Meeting called to order 4:00 pm in Room 111 of Town Offices Building
Present: Chuck French, Bebe Fallick, Kerry Brandin (chair), Lou Sideris, Bill Scouler, Paul
O' Shaughnessy, Richard Canale, Dawn McKenna and Richard Pagett
The minutes of the September 12, 2005 meeting were reviewed and approved.
A review of financial and ridership data was presented by Masha Traber. Points
included:
• Basically good performance in 2005, leading toward The Ride operating on its
own proceeds plus private / business donations.
• Next season's Patriot's Day — This is coincident with Easter / Passover / April
school vacation. The service should be tailored around these holidays and take
advantage of the vacation week.
• Eliminate the Concord Depot stop — general agreement, must negotiate with
Concord on this. Possibly on call?
• General agreement to cut back from 5 to 4 tours per day, suggesting 10:30, noon,
1:30 and 3:00.
• Discussion on the length of season from Memorial Day to Labor Day. While it
was agreed that September is a low season for the LIZ, the committee expressed a
desire to see some service resumed and /or extended to the week following
Columbus Day to service Autumn scenery tourists.
• Bid for bus service — LR must begin negotiations, but MLTS (current supplier)
does not have buses larger than 26 capacity and LR needs greater capacity for its
most popular runs. There is also concern about vetting of drivers. Dawn took an
action to contact Carl Valente (Town Manager) about coordinating with other
bus contracts and seeking quote on 37 and 44 seat vehicles.
• Discussion on supervision of Battle Green Guides — part of the LR management
or separate?
o Costuming of LR guides — authentic donations needed.
• The Battle Green Inn situation was discussed. This will be taken up as a project at a
Special Town Meeting (zoning and redevelopment versus the need for local
accommodation in support of tourism, perhaps B &B style).
• Richard Canale provided and update on the Historic Road Conference and Scenic
Byways proposals.
• Battle Green signage strategy was reviewed, with concern on balancing information
against proliferation of signage. A proposal to install a storyboard style sign on the
Green with artwork by Christopher Bing was discussed. The style would be similar to
those employed in MMNHP, with a possible view from the Meeting House, behind the
British line. Expected lifetime of materials would need to be at least ten years.
• Walking tour literature and coordinated town Signage Project were reviewed.
• Kerry Brandin's term coming to a close. All members expressed great thanks to Kerry
for her devotion to the Committee.
• On motion duly made and seconded, Dawn McKenna was elected as new chair. Next
meeting scheduled for November 14, 2005 at 4 pm in Room 111.
Submitted by Paul O'Shaughnessy, recording secretary