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Smith-Harris House Commission
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Smith-Harris House Commission Regular Meeting Minutes January 23, 2008
Present: Carol Marelli Maggi Prokop Gary Lakowsky Richard MacDonald James Littlefield Denise Russo
Also Present: Gene Medley
Chairlady Marelli called the January 23, 2008 Smith-Harris House Commission Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
1. Election of Officers for 2008. The following nominations for officers were presented to the Commission for 2008: Carol Marelli, Chairlady; Denise Russo, Vice Chairlady; Gary Lakowsky, Financial Officer and Maggi Prokop, Corresponding Secretary. There were no other nominations.
MOTION: Mr. MacDonald moved to elect Carol Marelli as Chairlady, Denise Russo as Vice Chairlady, Gary Lakowsky as Financial Officer and Maggi Prokop as Corresponding Secretary for the Smith-Harris House Commission for 2008. Seconded by Mr. Littlefield. (6-0) Unanimous.
2. Delegations. There were no delegations.
3. Friends. Mrs. Waterman was unable to be at this evening’s meeting, and there was no report.
4. Ex-Officio Report. There was no ex-officio report.
5. Agenda Additions.
MOTION: Mrs. Prokop moved to add to this evening’s Agenda under New Business 13c. Prisoners’ Work Dates, 13d. Roof on the Corn Crib, 13e ADT. Seconded by Mr. Lakowsky. (6-0) Unanimous.
6. Approval of Minutes. Mrs. Marelli asked for additions, deletions or corrections to the December 12, 2007 Special Meeting Minutes of the Smith-Harris House Commission.
The following corrections were noted: On page 1 under those present the spelling of Richard MacDonald and Maggi Prokop.
MOTION: Mr. Lakowsky moved to approve the December 12, 2007 Special Meeting Minutes of the Smith- Harris House Commission, as amended. Seconded by Mr. Littlefield. (6-0) Unanimous.
Mrs. Marelli asked for additions, deletions or corrections to the January 2, 2008 Special Meeting Minutes of the Smith-Harris House Commission.
MOTION: Mrs. Russo moved to approve the January 2, 2008 Special Meeting Minutes of the Smith-Harris House Commission, as presented. Seconded by Mr. Littlefield. Mr. Lakowsky abstained from voting. (5-0-1) Motion carried.
7. Finance Report.
a. Current Standing. Mr. Lakowsky reported the balance in the Smith-Harris House Commission budget is $5,956.01.
b. New Reimbursements. There were no items for reimbursement presented.
8. Chairlady’s Report. Mrs. Marelli reported she met with First Selectman Paul Formica and Finance Director Anna Johnson for a preliminary review of the Smith-Harris House Commission budget.
She informed the Commission that the Town Engineer walked the boundaries of the Smith-Harris House property to determine how to establish it for the CLG.
She agreed to ask the Friends if they would be willing to have two clocks in the house serviced/repaired.
Mrs. Marelli felt it would be helpful for the House’s relevance within the Town to establish a program schedule of small events or classes which could be advertised and open to the public.
9. Standing Committee.
a. House. Mrs. Russo will receive estimates on carpeting.
10. Special Committee’s. Mrs. Marelli stated the Commission needs to work on the inside and outside of the house, programs and large events. She asked all Commission members to think about how this work can be divided.
11. Corresponding Secretary’s Report. Mrs. Prokop sent thank you letters to Cindy DeHaan for a punch bowl, Jack Fitzpatrick for cider, John and June Hoye for a New Haven clock and Beverly and Hank of Baystyles for their help with the trees for the Holiday Tree Festival.
A thank you will be sent to Linda Sistare for her years of service on the Commission.
12. Old Business.
a. Loan/Gift Agreement. Mrs. Russo will continue to work on the Loan/Gift Agreement.
b. Carpet for the Master Bedroom. Mrs. Russo reported carpet samples have been returned to the company with a letter from her requesting an estimate of the cost. Mrs. Marelli felt it may be helpful to be able to rotate the carpeting if it is not totally incorrect. Mrs. Russo requested an estimate based on it not being tacked down.
c. Holiday Tree Festival, 2007. Mrs. Marelli has not been able to meet with Candy Shapiro, and there was no final report.
13. New Business.
a. Resignation/Commission Vacancy. Mrs. Marelli reported Linda Sistare does not wish to renew her term on the Commission.
Commission members reviewed letter dated January 7, 2008 from Beth Hogan expressing an interest in being on the Commission. She is willing to work on grants.
b. Programs. Mrs. Marelli suggested that the following programs be considered: music, lecture, presenters, town history, and domestic items. She asked Commission members to think about three programs for the year.
Mr. Littlefield felt the Commission could use a list of sister institutions. Mr. MacDonald agreed to make available a list of Five Rivers’ members.
Mrs. Russo reported the Connecticut League of Historical organizations will have a program on February 9 from 9:30-12:30 p.m. in Vernon.
Mr. Littlefield reported on February 5 at East Lyme High School at 7 p.m. Dr. Pfeiffer will discuss Colonial Slavery in New England. Other topics for Historical Society lectures will be:
Rick Spencer will talk on the Election of 1856.
Jim Gordon will lecture on Dueling in Early Time
John Wilkes Booth
c. Prisoners’ Work Dates. Mr. Bence has informed Mrs. Marelli that prisoners are able to work on May 8 and May 20, May 12-16 and May 27-30. Commission members felt this would be a good opportunity to stain the barn, as well as work on other projects at the house.
d. Corn Crib Roof. Mrs. Russo reported the shingles are off the corn crib roof. She felt an estimate is needed to repair it. Mrs. Marelli mentioned that the porch roofs were also in need of replacement, and the barn roof had some leaks.
e. ADT. Mr. Lakowsky suggested obtaining estimates for a new alarm system. Mrs. Marelli agreed to determine what company is used for other Town owned buildings.
14. Outside Meetings.
a. Five Rivers. Mr. MacDonald reported Mystic Seaport moved 96 of its holdings to the Library Museum. They have a Research Room. It is a very good source of maritime history from the 1800s. They have ship plans from 1850. The general public is able to see it.
Five Rivers set up a website with a link to the Smith-Harris House Commission. It was suggested that the dates for Heritage Weekend (September 27-28) and the Tea/Garden Party (June 14) should be advertised on the Smith-Harris House website.
b. Historical Society. On February 5 at 7 p.m. at East Lyme High School there will be a lecture by Dr. John Pfeiffer on Slavery in Colonial New England. The following lectures will be held: on March 12 at 7 p.m. a First Person Narrative on John Wilkes Booth by Greg Bailey, April 11 a Pot Luck Supper at 6:30 p.m. at the Yankee Clipper Restaurant, on April 15 at 7 p.m. there will be a presentation on dueling by Civil War author Jim Jordan and on May 21 at 7 p.m. a lecture on 1856 Presidential Campaign by Professor R. E. Spencer.
c. CLG. There was nothing further to report on CLG.
15. Adjournment.
MOTION: Mrs. Prokop moved to adjourn the Smith- Harris House Commission Regular Meeting of January 23, 2008 at 8:50 p.m. Seconded by Mr. Littlefield. (6-0) Unanimous
Respectfully submitted,
Frances Ghersi, Recording Secretary
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