HomeMy WebLinkAbout1971-02-18-TCC-min.pdf 437
TOWN CELEBRATIONS COMMITTEE
February 18, 1971
PRESENT Chmn Barnes, Mrs Litchfield, Messrs Lord, Gaughan, Fenske, and Mrs Hall
VISITORS Town Manager Walter O'Connell ; Police Lieutenant James Lima; Fire
Chief Walter Spellman; and Chief Marshal Edward W Turner
PATRIOTS DAY
Mr Barnes welcomed our visitors and asked them for any comments, questions, or
suggestions for this year's feastivities and for future celebrations
Chief Spellman announced that Bill Fitzgerald will again marshal our 5th Division,
and that the Lexington fire equipment will be dispersed around Town, as usual , in
a pattern which has worked well over the years
Lt Lima was advised of the mock battle to take place on the Green on Sunday,
April 18th; of the parade route; and of any police escorting that may be necessary
Final plans will be sent to Chief Corr in writing
The bus routes, established from previous years, will continue as usual The pos-
sibility of using a bus to transport guests from the Lexington Inn luncheon to the
reviewing stand was discussed A definite bus schedule will be set up in the near
future
After much discussion of the usual motorcade at the head of the afternoon parade, the
evening's consensus was that no vehicles will be in that parade, save one car for the
Honorary Chief Marshal and the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen
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1 Mr O'Connell asked the Committee if we felt there was too much commercial selling on
Patriots Day around town State licenses for selling are given to the peddlers, many
of whom are disabled veterans, and legally we cannot keep them out of town We felt
the local groups should have first choice, especially those who have had booths, etc
for years, and do charitable work with their proceeds He advised the committee that
if plans go according to schedule, the Central Block should be down and filled in by
Patriots Day, and if the owners permitted, that area might be available for booths, etc
Mr O'Connell suggested the Committee have a framing built to support a canopy or
tarpaulin over the reviewing stand in case of inclement weather
We have had acceptances from Clan MacPherson for $150 00 and the Linn Village Drum
Band for $ 150 00 We are holding the I C Rockettes of Salem's bid temporarily
Mrs Litchfield will ask Mrs Moyle to again cater our reception at the Old Belfry
Club following the afternoon parade She will contact Lawrence Stone asking that
he be our bugler for Patriots Day She will contact Mrs Mullins at Hanscom Field
to find out the correct protocol for the line of march, should our military and
civilian guests march
It was suggested that the president of the Lions Club be invited to our luncheon and
asked to ride with the White Tricorn Hat recipient The Committee feels the
arrangements should be left as they have been in years past
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1975 PATRIOTS CELEBRATION
Mr O'Connell feels the critical kick-off problem lies in the appointment of a
General Chairman This individual will be the key to a successful celebration
He would need to devote a substantial amount of time and energy to this endeavor
for the next four years He asked about appointment of a V P level man in a
national company based in Lexington for this job Mr Barnes suggested the Town
would strongly prefer a well-known Lexingtonian capable of handling the job
Mr O'Connell would appoint a General Committee of eight people to form the
planning committee under the General Chairman They, in turn, would have committee
members under each division Once the eight divisions were operating well , the
basic General Committee would act as an Executive Committee more or less
Mr O'Connell has sat in on several Concord Celebration Meetings of late One
startling fact was that Concord estimates the need for 400 special policemen to
handle the expected crowds in 1975
Mr O'Connell feels the celebration will need the advice of our Town's elders who
have been active in Town affairs over the years He would like to select one or
two elders for each of the eight divisions to act in an advisory capacity They
could be a real help to division chairmen and members
Mr O'Connell will meet with the Committee again soon in the hope that a General
Chairman for 1975's celebration can be named
Respectfully submitted,
Marilyn L Hall
Recording Secretary
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