HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-04-07 Human Relations Advisory Committee MinutesW.eling
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Minutes
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Human Relations Advisory Committee
Date: 2022-04-07 Time: 7:00
Building: Location:
Address: Session:
Purpose: Monthly Meeting Version:
Attendees: Members - Present:
KECEhVELU
TOWN CLERK
REACIN3, MA.
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2022 AUG -8 PH 4:0
Sherilla Lestrade, Sgt. Patrick Silva, Ally Dowds, Ashley Gross, Carolyn
Whiting, Carolyn Johnson
Members - Not Present:
Kyung Yu, Danielle DeVirgilio
Others Present:
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Carolyn Johnson
Topics of Discussion:
Meeting of the Human Relations Advisory Committee, April 7, 2022, 7:00 PM Via Zoom
Called to order at 7:03 PM by Chair Sherilla Lestrade.
Vote on Past Meeting Minutes
Minutes from 10/7/21, 1/6/22, 2/17/22, and 3/24/22 were approved with the following
changes to be made to 3/24:
1. Under library report remove first sentence.
2. Under review of upcoming events it should state that Carolyn W. has only received police
permit to date.
3. Carolyn J. confirmed that she will include copies of the HRAC letter to Burbank Ice
Arena, the Nichols/Stith letter, and the Burbank response letter at the end of the 3/24
minutes.
Following the vote there was some discussion about absent members. Sherilla mentioned
that Dani DeVirgilo's term will end and she has not returned attempts to contact her.
Sherilla also mentioned that Kyung Yu has been out of touch.
Carolyn J. stated that she isn't sure if or how she can move from associate member to full
voting member. Sherilla said she would look into it.
Police Report - Sgt. Silva
Sgt. Silva reported that he and Ally have connected and will make a plan to meet. He has
met with Sudeshna Chatterjee remotely a few times.
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Minutes
Sgt. Silva also reported that he spoke with Chief Clark about the Burbank Arena incident.
He conveyed that Chief Clark is supportive of the way HRAC handled the situation, and that
the Chief hopes any other non -criminal incidents in the future will be addressed in a similar
manner.
Library Report - Ally Dowds
Ally reported that We the People has been confirmed. Dates and times are May 13 at 2pm
for grades 3-5 and May 19 at 3pm for older grades. Sherilla mentioned that 3pm is too
early a start time for high school students because they get out of school at 3pm. Ally will
speak with the programming director at RPL to see if the start time can be changed to
3:30pm.
Ally shared her screen to give the group an idea of what the workshops will entail. The
younger group will be participating in a program called Wear Your Resistance. The program
will be connected to art and students will be exploring images of protest. The older group
will be participating in a competition -based program called Anatomy of a Protest. The idea
for this programming came from high school student walk -outs that happened last Fall. The
goal is to help students learn how to stand up for their values and use their voices
effectively.
Ally also reported that on 6/16 at 3:30pm the RPL will host Rainbow Run for Pride Month. It
will be a one mile fun run and Town Manager, Fidel Maltez, will attend. They are currently
working on getting all of the necessary permits. Sgt. Silva said he would be happy to
attend. Ally mentioned that the hope is this will become an annual event.
Sherilla reiterated that she is sending all of the library programming information to RPS
administration. Carolyn W. suggested working with the people who organized the Pride Car
Parade in June 2021.
Review of HRAC Letter to Burbank
The group agreed that no changes to the letter are needed, and that all HRAC members in
attendance at the 4/7 meeting will be signatories on the letter, with the possible exception
of Ally. Ally will check with the library director to determine if it's appropriate for her to be a
signatory. Carolyn W. asked if she can sign as an associate member. Sherilla answered that
Carolyn's signature is just as important as she is a member of HRAC. Sgt. Silva emphasized
that he wants his name on the letter so that residents are aware he is a member of HRAC.
Other Business
Sherilla suggested that the next HRAC meeting should be scheduled on 5/12 instead of 5/5
in case the upcoming Town Meeting extends to 4 nights. Sherilla also stated that she would
like the next meeting to be in person, preferably at the library. Ally said she would look into
holding the meeting at the library. The group also discussed the possibility of a hybrid
virtual/in person meeting. In addition, Sherilla suggested HRAC host a Meet and Greet with
Fidel Maltez on 5/13 or 5/20. She will contact Bunratty's.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:45pm by the Chair with Ashley Gross seconding the
motion.
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