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61-416 Selectmen's Meeting Minutes October 18, 1999 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, October 18, 1999 in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building at 7:30 p.m. Chairman Enrich, Mrs. Eddison, Mrs. Krieger, Mrs. Abbott, Mrs. McKenna; Mr. White, Town Manager; Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel; and Ms. Smith, Executive Clerk were present. Crèche on the Battle Green Mr. Enrich indicated the first order of business on the Agenda is the discussion of the status of the Ecumenical Committee's placement of the crèche on the Green. At our last meeting three weeks ago Reverend Cohen on behalf of the Lexington Clergy Association presented the proposal by the Ecumenical Committee to shorten the time period for display of the crèche on the Green to three weeks. Since that time, the Board has received quite a bit of mail and calls, more than on any other issue. Most of the comments have been sensitive, thoughtful and articulate. At the last meeting the Board was not ready to arrive at a decision. We wanted to think it through ourselves and allow an opportunity for input from the community. We have heard a lot, discussed a lot. All comments received have been shared with all members of the Board. Mr. Enrich asked that anyone who wished to comment keep their remarks to three minutes and that they try to maintain the tone and character and sensitivity of the debate. Several citizens spoke in favor of continuing the practice of allowing the crèche to remain on the Green. Others felt it should be moved to church property near the Green. Michael O'Sullivan and Jonathan Doran representing the Ecumenical Committee who are custodians of the crèche spoke of their offer to reduce the time it remains on the Green to three weeks. After public comments Mr. Enrich asked the Board members for their comments. A motion was made and seconded to permit the placement of the crèche on the Green for the 1999/2000 Christmas season for a three-week period. Mrs. McKenna felt no matter what decision the Board makes, it will continue to be a divisive issue. She walked the Battle Green and found many references to religion. She indicated she will be voting in favor of the motion; however, she feels the Ecumenical Committee should come to the Board each year for permission. Mrs. Krieger indicated she had arrived at a similar conclusion to Mrs. McKenna in the context of the strategic planning process, that is establishing some guidelines that are acceptable to the entire community that can be used to make decisions. We need to find a solution that is going to be neither a complete ban nor a status quo. We have made some progress. We will be voting on a permit for one year only. The Meeting Ground Committee itself says it is not the optimal solution. It is a difficult issue. Mrs. Krieger felt she is prepared to approve the request this year for three weeks as proposed by the Ecumenical Committee and hopes for a resolution that is more acceptable to a majority of the community.