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LEXINGTON BICENTENNIAL COMMITTEE
MINUTES - January 24, 1973
The meeting was held in Room G- 15 in the Town Office Building. Members
present were King Howard, Don Graham, Rudy Fobert, Steve Politi, Linc Cole,
Pat Wheatley, Holy Greeley, and Becky Nussdorfer Also present were Carol
Murphy and Mark Nichipor Betty Flynn of the Appropriations Committee clarified
some points with King before the meeting. She said that the AC is anxious to
have a more in depth picture of how the money is to be spent and the events of
the celebrations She understands that the LBC request at the present is "seed"
money
Mr William Sen, an interested citizen outlined his thoughts concerning
the celebration. He had constructed a chart which emphasized his concern about
the numbers of visitors due to arrive in Lexington and the lack of facilities
here He gave a description of the two gateway concept of arriving tourists - the
East at Logan Airport and the West at 495 or Route 128 He compared the methods
of Williamsburg in handling the visitors He suggested that Lexington High
School could have a float in the Rose Bowl parade in 1975 but would have to get
their request in now He said that it would be possible that the civic clubs
of Lexington would help raise the necessary money Linc Cole said that there
has to be some liaison with the airlines King Howard reviewed the progress
made so far with the logistics and the organization of the regional Middlesex
Bicentennial Liaison Council LBC is not encouraging publicity outside the
town.
At this point Don Graham was given the floor to report on the MBLC He
said that if he had been reporting a month ago he would have been rather
discouraged with progress but that since then he has seen some encouraging
developments He feels that the appointment of Chet Atkins as Chairman of
the State Bicentennial Commission and the fact that a new Director will soon
be named is a healthy sign. Governor Sargent has finally come alive. There
are four points to the package stated by the Governor a policy committee at
the State level on which four Secretaries will serve On the Executive Committee
Bob Bennett will head State Program; Lucey, Division of Tourism; Sidlauskas or
his replacement and J Sayers, Metropolitan District Commission. Mary Dobel
has been named full time assistant There is to be a master plan of State
activities by February of this year At the National level, John McGlennon
has been named to the Federal regional commission. He will be the regional
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representative t6 the Enviornmental Protection Agency The DPW is beginning
to pick up the ball. There will be a "fringe-parking" study related to bus
service There will be renegotiating with engineers those things with a
bicentennial impact. Don feels that now there is real interest by those with
authority and capability Public Transportation, Don said, will depend on
existing bus fleet, with minor additions Manpower is one of the problems
Railroads cannot be used because there is not time to construct the necessary
facilities or up date what is now available. Express bus service and shuttle
service can be used in the Lexington Concord area. Nick Nichipor suggested
an area set aside for cars with a shuttle service to points of interest
Linc said that he has proposed such a plan for Lexington-an intra town system
to tie in with charter service. Parking would be provided with mini- buses
There will be a meeting on Febrauary 5th on this subject, Cole said.
Don Graham continued by saying that the Council is now at the place where
they need a full time man - a coordinator to work with Federal, State and the
city of Boston. He has a meeting with County commissioner Tsongas next Tuesday
MBLC does not want to be under control of the county but perhaps could be given
a grant and some staff services The MBLC will continue its liaison with existing
agencies but not be a study agency Now is the time to produce Mr Cronin
is investigating overnite accommodations in dormitories for use in the summer
months The Eastern States Esposition may be able to offer campsites
King wondered if the Board of Selectmen should address a letter to the
Governor expressing Lexington's concern for the confusion and lack of ogranization.
Cole said he wasn't sure of reaction to such a move He would like to see what
Chet Atkins had to say
Mr E S Jones of Educational Service Program, Inc of New Haven, Connecticut
was introduced He described and demonstrated an audio system which could be
used in Lexington on a walking tour or as a guide on the green. He showed the
committee battery powered earphones and hand held activators Educational
service provides the total package and maintains the system. King pointed out
that the C of C has licensed guides Mr Jones said that a mix of the guides
and the service program works out very well He said that they would expect
the Historical Society to provide the facts and background material and they
would do all studio work and taping They could have the program ready inr
120 days, from the date of signing the contract King suggested that Mr Jones
contact the C of C as that organization has expressed interest in such a program.
Mr Campana of the Lexington Knights of Columbus outlined some thinking
he had done on the bicentennial In particular he was interested in a cyclorama
type display for Lexington similar to one in Atlanta, Georgia. He said he
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had originally thought the K of C could undertake such a project but realized
that it would be too large for their organization. He said the program in
Atlanta lasted about one-half hour and was a beautiful display and gave the
feeling of living history He also told LBC that the K of C facilities would
be open for the celebration. They were thinking along the lines of perhaps
lunches infoor or outdoors in the summer They will be happy to assist in aiy
way King asked Mr Campana to have the K of C submit their proposals in
writing to LBC
King reported that he and Linc had met with Mr Finigan of the Concord
Bicentennial Committee Mr Finigan said that there had been a misinterpret&
tion by a member of his committee in his absence He does want cooperation
with our committee. He inquired as to who is responsible for VIP invitations
and for coins or stamps Dick Michelson would be the contact for coins and
stamps King has written a letter to him giving him the information he needs
The Bicentennial Joint Services Coordinating Committee sent a list of the
military units which can be provided for the 1975 parade The TCC has gone
through this list and found it agreeable in every respect It has been agreed
that TCC will issue the VIP invitations for the parade units
King also reported the results of the meeting with the Board of Selectmen
last Monday They will support and approve the $50,000 They approved the use
of Lexington Department Heads for a public Safety Committee to work out details
of needs for the events in 1975 This group would meet separately from the MBLC
King will meet with Mr O'Connell about this also The Selectmen also gave
permission for Roly Robbins to probe the green. It would be understood that
this would be at no expense to the town and that Mr Robbins give notice of
the date of his probing to the town.
A recent meeting with Alan Adams, Steve Politi, and Doris Pullen produced
an outline for publicity for the Bicentennial.
Steve will organize a public meeting for March 4th at which time some
of the movies made in former years about the Battle and events of April 19th
will be shown.
The meeting adjourned at 11 p m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Becky Nussdorfer, Secretary