Commissioners refine approach to Nov. 14 preservation‑plan forum to prioritize clarity and hybrid access
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Summary
Elizabeth Watson and commissioners agreed to shorten slides and emphasize a poster‑based public forum on Nov. 14, balancing a brief presentation with substantial time for attendee questions and poster milling; commissioners stressed simpler language, hybrid accessibility for remote attendees and logistics such as mics and a laptop operator to gather remote input.
Elizabeth Watson, the consultant leading the draft Historic Preservation Plan, proposed a public forum format for Nov. 14 that balances a short presentation with extended poster‑based engagement. Commissioners and staff recommended simplifying slide content, emphasizing key objectives ("why preservation matters"), and providing clean poster images in the slide deck for remote viewers.
Discussion focused on hybrid accessibility: commissioners recommended two available microphones and a dedicated laptop operator to collect Zoom chat or remote comments during the poster milling portion so online participants could contribute. Some commissioners opposed lengthy slide decks and preferred a more conversational presentation and printed/digital handouts. Commissioners also discussed advertising to attract an audience and the practicality of staging posters in the Town House: number of easels, double‑sided handouts and a plan to rehearse AV and staging the day before.
Commissioners asked that posters and the slide deck be posted on the town web page in advance and that project staff coordinate with Minute Man Media to ensure hybrid audio/visual access. Elizabeth said she would pare down her slides to roughly 32 representing goals and benefits, provide the clean posters as slides for remote viewing, and be available to workshop the AV logistics with staff before the forum.