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61-223 Selectmen's Meeting Minutes November 2, 1998 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, November 2, 1998 in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building at 7:30 p.m. Chairman Enrich, Mr. Fenn, Mrs. Krieger, Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel, Ms. Crew Vine, Acting Town Manager and Ms. Smith, Executive Clerk were present. The Chairman explained that both Mrs. Eddison and Mr. Busa were out of Town on business and would not be attending this evening's meeting. Creché on the Battle Green Mr. Enrich introduced Reverend Helen Cohen of the First Parish Church and President of the Lexington Clergy Association. Rev. Cohen was asked to come to the meeting to explain efforts of the Clergy Association to address on a common ground the location of the creché on the Battle Green. Reverend Cohen indicated that the Clergy Association first worked on the matter in 1972. Then about three years ago we started talking about it again. There have been letters to the Minute Man and discussion of several kinds. We discovered even within the Clergy Association there are differing opinions. We do not want to get people to say yes or no, we want to get people together and approach the issue from various angles. The group we have put together is called "Meeting Ground". We have picked someone from the outside who is not a Lexington resident to help us. We will talk together, explore options and hopefully come up with something that will be satisfactory to all people. We are in the initial stages of it. We would ask that since we are approaching the season again that the Selectmen not take political action. Our group will do its best to come to a solution that avoids a political issue in Town. The participants of the "Meeting Ground" are representatives of the Knights of Columbus and the Masons, a variety of citizens who have expressed points of view for or against it, Rev. David O'Donnell of St. Brigid's, Rev. Cohen, and another member of the Clergy. Rev. Brian Dixon had been involved; however, he will be leaving Lexington at the end of the year. We will be advertising in the Minute Man and soliciting peoples comments along the way. Mr. Fenn said he thought that is a reasonable request. In the interests of the town this is where the issue belongs at this point. At some time this Board may make a decision. Board members expressed appreciation for the efforts of Rev. Cohen and look forward to a solution. Public Comments Mr. Steve Tripi said he thinks the $95,000 spent on facilities for the portable classrooms was unnecessary. Mr. Tripi also said he feels the newsletter report on the school capital project not only is misleading but also is a violation of the campaign finance laws.