HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973-01-10-LBC-min.pdf LEXINGTON BICENTENNIAL COMMITTEE
Minutes January 10, 1973
The meeting was called to order in the Legion Room of Cary Hall at 7 30 p.m.
by the Chairman King Howard Members present were Linc Cole, Roland Greeley,
Tony Mancini, Dick Michelson, Alan Adams, Pat Wheatley, Fred James, Miriam Butts,
Rudy Fobert, and Steve Politi King noted that Steve is officially a member
of our committee and will serve as vice-chairman. King said that in the future
LBC can be a little more rigid in limiting guests to the meetings He suggested
that there be a cut off date for items on the agenda - the Thursday before the
meeting and the Friday before the meeting for guests King has updated the
membership list and Steve will update the organizational chart
King reported to the committee that today he was in receipt of copies of
memoranda dated January 8, 1973 over the signature of Donald G Rhoads, Major
USAF of Hanscom Field indicating that "on December 26, 1972 the Chairman of the
Concord Board of Selectmen had sent an invitation to local commanders for specific
participation in Concord on April 19, 1975 in the Bicentennial parade" This
unilateral action by Concord was not in compliance with agreements reached at
the November 16, 1972 meeting of the Bicentennial Joint Services Coordinating
Committee and so recorded in the minutes of that meeting issued over the
signature of Segard L. Jensen Jr , Colonel, USAF Commander L. C Hanscom Field
The appearance of non compliance, led LBC to request its Chairman and Linc Cole
to arrange a meeting with Mr Finigan and make a report at the next meeting.
Next King gave a resume of the preliminary meeting with the Appropriations
Committee on December 18, 1972. There was some discussion concerning A C. questions
and RcccivaLiuub iiug will have a draft of the a u meeting at the next meeting
of LBC
Dick has talked to the Director of the Masonic Order, Stan Maxwell They
are going to invite the President. Mr Maxwell would like to meet with LBC on
the 28th of February 1973
Pat Wheatley displayed the latest stationery design. LBC decided in
favor of the buff and blue colors With the address included at the bottom
of the page, this design was approved Pat will find out about rates for
printing
Mr O'Connell was welcomed at 8 30 The subject of the street signs and
direction signs was explored in response to the recent letter from Mr O'Connell.
He said he had no idea of the practicality of new signs but if the committee
thought it a worthwhile project he felt it would be constructive Alan Adams
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thought LBC should prepare a memo for the Selectmen. LBC should voice its
requirements King said that this proposal would be part of the committee
recommendations
Next on the agenda was a discussion of the site for the N.E Opera
Company performances In memos from the Board of Selectmen it has been urged
to encourage the N E Opera Company but leaves the problem of the site for
further investigation. Parking is a problem at the Lincoln Street site.
The problem of the site should be worked out with the Town Manager Town
Counsel has indicated that there is a way to solve this problem. Decisions
on other site needs have to be made There are other requirements for site
use which have to be considered Linc said that } a catalogue should be
made of the available land; what land is under what authority, future plans
for the site etc Roly Greeley said that the Planning Board had wanted to
do such a study LBC should write the PB stating their needs and requesting
such a catalogue Roly said he would contact the PB on this
At this point Barbara Morganstern, representing the Metropolitan Cultural
Alliance interjected the thinking of her group on the dispersal of cultural
activities She said her plans would sort of "Coreograph the town for the day"
There would be a large range of cultural activities to drain off some of the
concentration. King said that activities already planned for the weekend of
April 19 tax the capacity of Lexington, he hoped to extend the space of interest
over the year Barbara said she hoped to hear of concrete plans in specific
towns and to be able to propose to specific Federal agencies for funds King
suggested that she work with Miriam Butts on program ideas which LBC is considering.
Walter O'Connelldescribed the questionaire form ARBC as very subjective
It is prepared as an aid to evaluate requirements of the Bicentennial Committee
for someone in Washington who will be parcelling out money King will meet
with Walter on this
Mr O'Connellproposed a method to organize the task of the Bicentennial
Committee to work out the problems of logistics LBC should draw on operating
organizations LBC should talk to the Board of Selectmen so that the load can
be lightened and given, to the departments existing in the town; The Police
Chief should be responsible for vehicle safety; the Fire Dept for emergency
first aid and rescue etc
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Use
Use the Board of Selectmen for authorization. King responded that the initial
germ of that idea was created thirteen months ago in the formation of the MBLC
Captain Lima of the Lexington Police force is in charge of the public safety area
of LBC Mr O'Connell said that he was interested in expediting - cutting the
total job into pieces King will make this matter part of his meeting with the
Selectmen.
William Page of Workshop '75 and several members of the group came to inform
the committee of their thinking in regard to the Bicentennial. Mr Page gave the
introductory remarks He listed the criteria for their proposal as
1. celebrates - reapplies freedom cooperation and other historic concepts
2. permanent value to Lexington and broader community
3 help process of participation in government
4 will it excite interest a. group; b Lexington; c country
5 human fulfillment
He said that they had explored 4 project possibilities
1. public transportation
2. civic center
3 augmenting group dialogue (electronic polling)
4 rediscover patriotism
Mr Robert A. Harris discussed the reasoning behind the selection of "rediscovering
patriotism" as the project they had chosen. The slogan they proposed was "0 Beautiful '
for Patriot Dream" Patriotism, what is it? What mechanism would be used to develop
this theme and further dialogue? There could be a multi-media presentation contest,
high school essays, slide shows, movies, poems, songs and combinations of these
He would forsee judging in a pyramid - by schools, towns, states and National
The judges background would include those talented in the media also educators,
clergy and gov't officials A suggested time sequence would be to have a Revolu-
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speaker on the topic of the challenge to rediscover patriotism in April 1974, and
complete the National contest here in Lexington in April 1975 (or another month)
This would provide a revitalization of patriotism in its true and deepest sense
It could have a reunifying effect on a divided nation, something for everybody
which is creative and fundamental. It would focus attention on Lexington -
contests could continue even after the celebration. We would build on our past
glory instead of basking in our past glory
Bill said LBC might consider setting up a sub-committee King thanked him
and the group for an excellent presentation. He suggested that LBC work with
Workshop '75 as a group intact - it could be designated as a sub-committee if
necessary Holy Greeley said he would be the liaison with Workshop '75 There
was some discussion as to the practical aspects of giving impetus to the project
Rudy Fobert suggested active participation as well as intellectual participation.
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King asked that Bill put his proposal in writing for LBC and TCC and the Board
of Selectmen. LBC will study the project at the next meeting.
Roland Robbins, a noted archeologist showed the Committee examples of his
excavations and described the procedures he would use if LBC wanted to consider
discovering the foundations of buildings known to be on the Green in 1775 He
showed through slides the way he conducts his probes, through test bores and
"peep" holes and replaces all soil and marks of his day's work before he leaves at
night In order to determine the potential of historical interest under the Green
would take less than $1,000 He would want school youngsters to help, using small
numbers at a time, in any actual digging. LBC is very interested in such a
project After talking to the proper authorities on this LBC will again contact
Mr Robbins
The next meeting of LBC will be held in G-15 of the Town Office Building
at 7 30 p.m. on January 24, 1973
The meeting adjourned at 11 00 p m.
Respectfully submitted,
Becky Nussdorfer, Secretary