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PLANNING BOARD MEETING ' July 8, 1963 A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board was held in its office, Town Office Building, on Monday, July 8, 1963, at 8:00 p.m. Present were Chairman Mabee, members Bryson, Greeley and Meyer, and Mr. Snow consultant. Mr. Donald M. Graham, Director, and Mr. Michael Greenbaum, BOSTON Chief of Transportation, of the Boston Regional Planning Project REGIONAL met with the Board from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. to discuss the project PLANNING and to answer any questions the Board might have in regard to it. PROJECT Mr. Graham said the project was organized around the 152 cities and towns within the circle created by the proposed loca- tion of Interstate Route 495• He said funds for the project were being equally shared by the State Department of Public Works and the Mass Transportation Committee created by the State legisla- ture. He also said that the project had two main objectives: the preparation of a preliminary comprehensive plan and the initiation of a continuing planning process at the state level. Mr. Graham pointed outthatthe project had two.serious ' weaknesses: the first being the policy committee of five members established by common consent and on which no local officials were represented; and second being that the State was not really committed to the project. Mr. Graham told in detail of the studies the project was undertaking, these consisting of gathering information, analyzing and forecasting, and of planning operation. He said that at the conclusion of these studies the project proposed to prepare a pre- liminary composite statement of policy of a regional plan. He stated that this sdatement would be a communications device,.em- phasizing highways and transportation. Members of the Board asked Mr. Graham if the basic informa- tion assembled during the project would be available to use. He said it would be available to all. Mr. Graham was also asked in what way planning boards might be of assistance in the project other than by cooperating in sup- plying what basic information they had. He said that localities could insist upon saving the project by bringing effective local pressure to bear on state agencies which would rather not be bothered with the project in the first place. From 9:00 to 9:40 p.m. the Board met in the Town Account- ant's office with representatives of the Appropriations and Cap- LONG RANGE ital Expenditures committees to discuss ways and means of pre- FINANCIAL PLAN paring a long-range financial plan for Lexington by a citizen's