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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-09-21-TOUR2-minMINUTES Tourism Committee September 21, 2009 Room 111 Town Office Building Members present: Dawn McKenna, Bebe Fallick, Joanne Myers, Carla Fortmann, Kathleeb James, Richard Canale, Susan Bennett. Kerry Brandin, staff : Masha Traber, guest - Susan Yanofsky Meeting called to order at 4:05 p.m., Upon Motion duly made and seconded, the Minutes of 5/11 and 6/8 were approved. Susan Yanofsky discussed the proposed Hotel /Meals Tax changes, specifically asking us to attend and /or host meetings discussing these proposals. Dawn has sent a note to Aloft /Element and the Quality Inn for their feedback and these proposed tax increases. The deadline for public input is the Fall Special Town Meeting with the changes in effect by January 1, 2010. Town Meeting will convene on November 9, 16 and 18, 2009 to vote on these and other initiatives. The Committee agreed we would join the Center Committee in co- sponsoring an information meeting on this topic. Susan also presented some of the zoning changes being discussed currently by the Lexington Center Committee. Handouts of the specific changes were distributed. Discussion. A new map of the center highlighting the parking and pedestrian areas was shown. It is for the website and printed copies will be given to the merchants to give to their customers. An employee parking map will be separate. Volunteers, who attend meetings in the center, also have parking issues. Discussion. Richard Canale presented the early thoughts of the Battle Road Scenic Byway working group. Neighbor towns do not have Tourism committees. Help is needed as subcommittee members for Tourism, Roadway considerations, and Land Use planning. The goal is to be designated as a Federal Scenic Byway - Road to Revolution. Management plans for this road, considering not only tourism, but all uses and overall "look" are the first step. Selectwoman Jean Krieger has already asked Bebe Fallick and Dawn McKenna to be on these subcommittees to represent the tourism aspect and they have agreed to do so. Other members of this committee are encouraged to attend these upcoming meetings. Richard will notify Dawn of the times and dates. Dawn discussed the Antony trip to France and some of the proposals for events when the Antony visitors come to Lexington in April next year. Town Manager Carl Valente attended the French visit and was very impressed. There is discussion of a permanent site and monument to this sister city exchange. There are several groups involved and Dawn will keep this committee informed of these ongoing plans. Joanne Myers will not be continuing on this committee as she has moved to Maine. Dawn thanked her for all of her efforts. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the committee unanimously voted to ratify the email poll vote regarding transfer of $2499 to the Town from Liberty Ride operations. Dawn was asked the current status of the proposed sign for the Battle Green with the Christopher Bing illustration. She said Mr. Bing is still working on this. She will email the wording for the sign to members of this committee. Joanne noted that a larger interpretive plan for the Battle Green is in process. Susan Bennett asked what came of the suggestion to hire some professional help in this process. Discussion involved funding and perhaps asking the various neighborhood groups, residents around the Battle Green for donations for this professional consultation. There was some discussion of Charter bus services arranged through the town. Bus parking and time spent in Lexington are issues. The fees might need to be increased, but there was a question about what other towns charge. Carla is willing to make some calls for these fees. There was some discussion of a Liberty Ride customer who had some complaints about the coordination of this ride with the house visits. This needs further discussion. Meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. Carla Fortmann