Smith-Harris House Commission

Regular Meeting Minutes

February 27, 2008

Present: Carol Marelli

Maggi Prokop

Gary Lakowsky

Richard MacDonald

James Littlefield

Denise Russo

Beth Hogan

Also Present: Peg and Dick Waterman

Chairlady Marelli called the February 27, 2008 Smith-Harris House Commission Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Beth Hogan was welcomed as a new member of the Commission.

1. Delegations. Richard Waterman reviewed map of the Smith-Harris site. He stated he has been a member of the East Lyme Library Foundation for several years. He is aware that the library is interested in expanding.

He knows the Smith-Harris House Commission would like to preserve the land around the house. He showed boundaries he has recommended. Attached to the minutes is his proposal made to the library.

Mr. Littlefield did not see a need for expansion of the library because of the development of new technology. He added the Commission has discussed using this area for sleigh rides.

Beth Hogan stated this was all Smith-Harris land. Mr. Lakowsky stated according to Town Charter this Commission is responsible for the boundaries of the Smith-Harris farm.

Mr. Waterman reported the new library will not be built until the economic climate of the Town improves. Mrs. Marelli asked if the library is independent from the Town why is the Town erecting a building for it? When the Community Center was built they were fortunate to have the library placed in it. The Town will grow and more services will be needed. It will be necessary to control how the Town grows.

2. Friends. Mrs. Waterman reported the Friends were planning a Lemonade Social rather than a Tea. Since that time the Chairperson of that social became ill and is unable to continue as Chairperson. At the Friends’ last meeting, it voted to have the Tea. They have been informed the biddies are no longer available. Also the June 14 date is the State Day. There is also a possibility of having house tours and serving tea in some rooms. A donation for tea will be accepted. Judy Aldrich will speak on the development of the garden. June Major is willing to help. The next meeting of the Friends is March 11. A final decision will be made at that time.

A Plant Sale will be held on May 17. This event will be chaired by Judy Aldrich. Betty Purvis plans to have a Tag Sale on July 19. The Friends have approved the purchase of mulch for the garden. A suggestion has been made to have a tribute to the founders of the Friends of the Smith-Harris House. Mrs. Marelli stated a Tea cannot be held in May, because the prisoners will be working on the house. A tea/garden party can be considered. Mr. Littlefield expressed concern that the individuals expecting the normal tea may be let down. Mrs. Marelli stated we can have only an Open House.

Mrs. Russo feels participating in an Open House is a good idea. She did not feel serving a limited amount of tea within the house is a good idea. Servers would be needed, and we wouldn’t know how many would like to have tea. She recommended not having the Tea for one year. She felt the Open House should only be for those touring the house. She recommended considering lemonade in the barn or on the grounds.

Mr. Lakowsky felt if the Friends want to have a Tea or Garden Party, the Commission should accommodate them.

3. Ex-Officio Report. There was no ex-officio report.

4. Agenda Additions.

MOTION: Beth Hogan moved to add to this evening’s Agenda

under 11c. May workers. Seconded by Denise Russo.

(7-0) Unanimous.

5. Approval of Minutes. Mrs. Marelli asked for additions, deletions or corrections to the January 23, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes of the Smith-Harris House Commission.

MOTION: Mrs. Prokop moved to approve the January 23,

2008 Regular Meeting Minutes of the Smith-

Harris House Commission, as presented. Seconded

by Mr. MacDonald. (6-0-1) Motion carried.

6. Finance Report.

a. Current Standing. Mr. Lakowsky reported the balance as of this date in the Smith-Harris House Commission budget is $5,421.79.

b. New Reimbursements. There were no items for reimbursement presented.

7. Chairlady’s Report. Mrs. Marelli reported Gene Medley will present the Revolutionary War at East Lyme Middle School and would like funds for supplies.

MOTION: Mr. Lakowsky moved to approve the expenditure

of an amount not to exceed $50 to Gene Medley

for supplies for her presentation of the Revolutionary

War to East Lyme Middle School students. Seconded

by Beth Hogan. (7-0) Unanimous.

Mrs. Marelli reviewed a To-Do/Wish List for the Smith-Harris House with the Commission. A copy is attached to the minutes.

The Board of Finance will hold a hearing on the Smith-Harris House budget on March 18. All Commission members were invited to attend.

8. Standing Committee. There was no discussion on the Standing Committee.

9. Special Committee’s.

a. Plant Sale, May 17. Mrs. Russo agreed to meet with Judy Aldrich regarding plans for the Plant Sale.

b. Tea, June 14. The Friends will determine whether or not a Tea will be held on June 14.

c. Heritage Weekend, September 27 and 28. A subcommittee will be formed to discuss plans for Heritage Weekend.

10. Corresponding Secretary’s Report. Mrs. Prokop sent a thank you letter to Linda Sistare for her years of service on the Commission.

11. Old Business.

a. Loan/Gift Agreement. Mrs. Russo gave Commission members copies of draft Deed of Gift and Gift forms. She asked that they give her their comments prior to the next meeting of this Commission.

She felt the Loan Agreement is involved and needs much thought.

Beth Hogan stated if the item were donated to the Friends, the donor could take its value off as an income tax deduction. She agreed to draft a Memorandum of Understanding to the Friends.

b. Carpet for the Master Bedroom. Mrs. Russo reported to date she has not received a written estimate. The Commission chose Taft carpeting. She has received a verbal estimate of $2,200. Mrs. Waterman stated the Friends feel the carpet should not be wall to wall because of wear patterns. Mr. Littlefield contacted Mary Cutillo who informed him that research showed during this period of time wall to wall carpeting was used in homes of individuals with wealth. Mrs. Russo was concerned the carpeting might buckle. She did not feel the master bedroom would get a lot of traffic. Mrs. Marelli suggested having it made square and tacking it so it does not buckle.

MOTION: Mr. Littlefield moved to order historically accurate full

length carpeting for the Master bedroom. Seconded

by Mr. Lakowsky. (7-0) Unanimous.

c. May Workers. Gates Work Days will be held on May 8, May 20, May 12-16 and May 27-30.

12. New Business.

a. Barn Rentals: March 15, June 1 and June 8. Messrs. Lakowsky and MacDonald agreed to be at the house on March 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for the Lyme/Old Lyme Easter Egg Hunt. Carol Marelli, Richard MacDonald and Jim Littlefield agreed to clean the barn beginning at 9 a.m. on March 1.

Carol Marelli agreed to be at the house on June 1. Gary Lakowsky agreed to be at the house on June 8.

MOTION: Mrs. Prokop moved to approve the Youth

Center Easter Egg Hunt on the house grounds

on March 19. Seconded by Mrs. Prokop. (7-0)

Unanimous.

b. Alarm Call List. Mrs. Marelli reported Ron Bence has agreed to be first on the Alarm Call List.

c. Summer Hours, Guide Schedule & Pay. Mrs. Marelli gave Commission members 2008 Tour Guide Schedule beginning on June 13 and asked that they fill in dates they are available. There was a general consensus that the house will be closed on July 4^th weekend and Labor Day weekend. The Commission agreed to continue to pay guides at the rate of $8 per hour.

MOTION: Mrs. Prokop moved to open the house for tours

on June 13 and pay tour guides at the rate of

$8 per hour. Seconded by Mr. Littlefield. (7-0)

Unanimous.

13. Outside Meetings.

a. Five Rivers. Mr. MacDonald reported the Annual Five Rivers Consortium Meeting will be held on March 5.

b. Historical Society. Mrs. Prokop reported Wilbur Beckwith plans to write stories on the Lee Family. Clamshell and Granite will be re-printed.

c. CLG. Nancy Kalal is a new member of CLG. Beth Hogan agreed to check on the boundaries of the Smith-Harris House.

14. Adjournment.

MOTION: Mrs. Prokop moved to adjourn the Smith-

Harris House Commission Regular Meeting

of February 27, 2008 at 9:10 p.m. Seconded

by Mr. Lakowsky. (7-0) Unanimous

Respectfully submitted,

Frances Ghersi, Recording Secretary