HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973-03-15-LBC-min.pdf LEXINGTON BICENTENNIAL COMMITTEE
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MINUTES - March 15, 1973
The meeting was called to order by the vice-chairman Steve Politi at 7 45
Members present were Dick Michelson, Roland Greeley, Alan Adams, Pat Wheatley, Carol
Murphy, Tony Mancini, Linc Cole and Becky Nussdorfer
Dick noted an error in the previous minutes on page one, third paragraph,
fourth line last word which should be changed to April instead of March
Steve read a letter from Roly Robbins to the LBC informing the committee that
he would contribute his services in performing the testing on the Green LBC is most
appreciative The police and DPW will be informed
Steve also read a letter from the Lexington Minute Men, Inc signed by
Robert Marrigan 1st Lt Executive Officer The Minute Men hope to have one major event
within the town of Lexington each month during the bicentennial year Marrigan included
a schedule of events as presently planned for 1975 and 1976 He will meet with LBC in
the near future to discuss this schedule and any other suggestions LBC may have LBC
decided to invite him to our April 25 meeting TCC is expected to be at the April 11
or (12th if town meeting is still in session) , meeting of LBC
A letter from Bill Page of Workshop '75 related the progress of his group in
talking to the TCC and the Lexington Historical Society Council It was agreed by Work-
shop '75 after discussion with these two organizations that it is too early to start the
lecture series they propose but they will contact the Cary Lecture Committee with their
ideas They will also contact the League of Women Voters to see if LWV would like to
participate in one or another of Workshop '75 proposals
Letters from Neil Cronin to TCC and from Eleanor Litchfield to Neil and
sent on to LBC revealed that it had been decided to reverse the route of the 1973 parade
so- that it will leave the Hayden area, go to Waltham Street, Marrett Road, to Mass Ave ,
and back to the Green and Hayden
Tony reported that to set up the foundation is about a weeks work but the
main problem is to know the purpose King had outlined the purpose as to receive cash
and objects in a tax free way Its powers could be defined broadly so that much discretion
could be used It has to be an independent corporation; it can't ask for state or federal
money It could receive money from private donation LBC felt that we should devote a
whole meeting to this Tony should draft the preliminary and bring it back to a future
meeting �
In discussion with the Appropriations Committee it appeared that the AC feels
the Bicentennial Committee should be given support of the Town meeting Linc phrased a
suggestion for a resolution which could be presented to Town Meeting as follows
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Whereas the Town of Lexington has a responsibility to our forefathers who
shed their blood in the cause of freedom
Whereas the Town of Lexington is a national historic site
Whereas the people of the country have a tacit invitation to visit us by
virtue of our history
It is resolved by The Town of Lexington that it has an obligation to host these
people
And therefore the Town of Lexington asks the Board of Selectmen to take
appropriate action
And that the Board of Selectmen charge the LBC with coordinating the
program
Steve, Linc,and Alan will work on the preparation of such a resolution, in conjunction
with Article 42
Mr O'Connell joined LBC to discuss some questions of logistics and
support for LBC in solving such problems He expressed honest concern for the
difficulties LBC faces in this regard The most difficult, he said was that part of
the logistics concerning control of vehicles and traffic they generate plus the related
parking problems The second is crowd control and protection. He feels that present
arrangements are cumbersome for LBC He felt that the Board of Selectmen would have
the better capabilities Discussion brought agreement that professionals in the pro-
tection and safety fields should be given the tasks they are trained for They should
be charged with the control and coordination of inter-town problems and thoroughly
defining their needs The memo from Mr , John Coughlin, Dept of the Air Force asking
for nominations to the sub-committee of the Joint Services Coordination Committee at
Hanscom Field and King's nomination of Chief Corr, Chief Spellman, Roland Greeley and
himself were studied in this connection It seemed a duplication of duties to some,
that this new committee could work in cooperation with the MBLC was suggested
Mr O'ConnelI feels that there are too many people going in different directions
However, he said he understands the need for the nominations better and that the letters
in reference to the memo could go out He strongly urged that a charge be made to these
men that they now are expected to move on these problems not just to study but to be a
working group, they should not wait for further signals
Roly asked Mr O'Connell about the problem of where the money for specific
planning costs prior to 1975 can be found He is specifically interested in acquiring
aerial photos of the 1973 parade to serve as aides in determining crowd and vehicle
distribution Several suggestions were given and Roly will investigate the possibility
of the use of a helicopter
The summary of LBC activities and plans which King had written was felt to be
too long Roly had written a draft of an outline for distribution to TM members LBC felt
this would be a clear presentation and shorter Roly said he would consult with King about
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this on Saturday
A letter from the Sheraton Motor Inn promising 75% of their room space to
LBC in April of 1975 was given to the committee by Carol Murphy
It was gratefully received
At the April 11 (12) meeting the New England Regional Opera Company
representatives will be invited
The meeting was adjourned at 10 30 p m The next meeting will be on
March 29, 1973 at 7 30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
11-52-1241-- ) ILL-LaJJOCL-o4L,
Becky Nussdorfer, Secretary