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Selectmen's Meeting January 3, 1974 Mr. O'Connell informed the Board that formal notification has been received from the Department of Labor and industries with the names of five approved arbitrators on the grievance of James McLaughlin, DPW employee. The procedure calls for each of the parties to indicate the relative acceptabilities of the cross -off practice. We will ask the advice of Town Counsel. Senator Ronald C. MacKenzie met with the Board. ,Chairman Kenney: The reason the Board asked you to meet with us is to give you the opportunity for an informal report on matter§ coming up an Beacon Hill which would be of particular interest to us. Senator MacKenzie: We had a special session and bills have been filed on the energy crisis. Members of the General Court feel we should wait for guidelines from Washington but 1 don't agree with this. The Secretary of Consumer Affairs is doing an outstanding job of trying to pull state resources together. Because of the weather, it is not a crisis yet; we have an amount of fuel oil and a shortage of gas: A lot will depend on the Governor and a lot depends on asking citizens to cut down on speed and turn down thermostates. 1974 is election year for the Governor and at one time I recall we had all kinds of bills go through. The major concern of Lexington, as well as Burlington and Bedford, is the Airport. A statement has been issued by Crocker Snow, Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission, but 1 don't see much new in it. Massachusetts Port says quite often that this is all very much in the future, and they hope there won't be major objection because of shorter runways, Mr. O'Connell: I agree with Senator MacKenzie that it has just been re -stated and it is the same proposal. Senator MacKenzie: They originally said they want four airports to take a share and they will go to Secretary Altshuler, then make recommendations to the Governor, and have the Port Authority make recommendations. To date, Massachusetts Port has said nothing. Secondly, 1 would like to have comments from your Board on Chapter 1078, the new collective bargaining law which goes into effect July 1. I don't know what amendments would be suggested by the Massa- chusetts Selectmen's Association. Chairman Kenney: This is one of the items I wanted to touch on. Now, our position is we have to really find out how it is going to work. We see certain problems arising, such as binding arbitration. It is now the law and at some time in the future we would be requesting our legislators to support or file amendments. Senator MacKenzie: I felt that members should not have the rights to strike. That is one you have to watch very carefully. Mr. O'Connell: It seems to me that one of the stated purposes of this law and other legislation is to keep management or professional employees from being a part of other collective bargaining groups. With this legislation in effect, isn't it time the State took a look at unusual Fire and Police Chiefs' salaries? 379 DPW Union Senator MacKenzie Legisla- tive Action