|
Smith-Harris House Commission Regular Meeting Minutes August 27, 2008
Present: Carol Marelli James Littlefield Gary Lakowsky Richard MacDonald Maggi Prokop
Chairlady Marelli called the August 27, 2008 Smith-Harris House Commission Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
1. Delegations. There were no delegations.
2. Friends. Carol Marelli reported Mary Cutillo has informed her she has not heard from the appraiser yet.
Mrs. Marelli showed Commission members the carpet for the Master bedroom the Friends have purchased.
3. Ex-Officio Report. There was no ex-officio report.
4. Agenda Additions.
MOTION: Mrs. Prokop moved to add as item 11d. List of To Do Items. Seconded by Mr. MacDonald. (5-0) Unanimous.
5. Approval of Minutes. Mrs. Marelli asked for additions, deletions or corrections to the July 23, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes of the Smith-Harris House Commission.
The following correction was noted: Under those present Richard MacDonald should be added.
MOTION: Gary Lakowsky moved to approve the July 23, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes of the Smith- Harris House Commission, as amended. Seconded by Richard MacDonald. Mrs. Marelli abstained from voting. (4-0-1) Motion carried.
6. Finance Report.
a. Current Standing. Mr. Lakowsky reported $10,283.04 remains in the Smith-Harris House budget.
b. New Reimbursements. There were no new items for reimbursement submitted.
7. Chairlady’s Report. Mrs. Marelli agreed to obtain an estimate for removal of the bats in the barn.
She will work on scheduling the prisoners to help with some projects at the house.
Mr. Littlefield would like to write an article about his class determining the age of a fallen tree and prepare a slice of the tree for display.
8. Standing Committee.
a. Program Development. Denise Russo has scheduled a solider to come to the house.
Carol Marelli suggested having Harriet Beatrice Stowe or other Connecticut personalities.
Mr. Littlefield suggested Richard Spencer, who is talented and entertaining.
9. Special Committee’s.
a. Heritage Weekend, September 27 and 28. A work day has been scheduled for September 6 at 9:30 a.m. to prepare the house for Heritage Weekend.
Mr. Littlefield agreed to contact the Callahan’s regarding their availability for Heritage Weekend, as well as Sally and Paul Raffanello.
Mrs. Marelli reported Janet O’Connor has informed her the First Maryland is coming.
Fundraising for Heritage Weekend is now $3,150. A grant was received for $2500, $500 from the East Lyme Land Trust and $150 from Liberty Bank. The Lions are expected to also make donations.
House tours need to be scheduled. Commission members were asked to plan on being at the house during Heritage Weekend weekend.
There was discussion on whether or not there should be one person in each room versus taking people on individual tours.
Gary Lakowsky will make up tickets for the lamplight tours.
Buntings will need to be hung. Richard MacDonald agreed to be at the house September 25 and 26 for set up activities.
News releases will need to be prepared. Signs, posters and flyers will be needed.
Maggi Prokop agreed to take care of hospitality.
Jim Littlefield will assure that there is enough firewood. It was felt one-half cord is sufficient.
Glenn Pryor will be at the Opening Ceremony. Jim Littlefield agreed to host the Opening Ceremony on Saturday and Gary Lakowsky on Sunday.
Maggi and John Prokop agreed to stay overnight on Friday. Someone is needed for Saturday night.
Mrs. Marelli invited all Commission members to attend a Heritage Weekend meeting on August 29 at 11 a.m.
b. Holiday Program. Mrs. Marelli met with the merchants regarding the Holiday Program. It will begin with a Holiday Stroll. 38 Hope Street hopes to be involved with perhaps music in their courtyard. Commission members were invited to attend future meetings.
10. Corresponding Secretary’s Report. Maggi Prokop reported she sent a card to Judy MacDonald.
11. Old Business.
a. Loan/Gift Agreement. There was nothing new on the Loan/Gift Agreement.
b. Carpet for the Master Bedroom. Mrs. Marelli would like the carpet for the Master bedroom to be put down prior to Heritage Weekend.
c. Roof- Bids-Jim. Mr. Littlefield agreed to seek bids for the corn crib and barn roofs.
d. To Do List. Mrs. Marelli felt the shutters need to be cleaned, painted and hung on the house.
Painting projects are also needed.
Mr. Lakowsky agreed to request help from the Lions.
12. New Business.
a. Artifacts Display. Mr. Littlefield agreed to purchase Plexiglas from Cash Lumber for the artifacts display case. Mrs. Marelli felt the display case should also have a base.
13. Outside Meetings.
a. Five Rivers. Mr. MacDonald reported he attended a Five Rivers Meeting at the Customs House on September 18.
b. Historical Society. Maggi Prokop reported a descendant of the Lee House would like the Historical Society to research the genealogy of the Rudds. The Historical Society decided it was too much work and they cannot do it. It will be the 350th anniversary of the Lee House in three years.
The Huber house has been sold.
August 30 and 31 there will be dealers only Flea Market at the Lee House.
Mrs. Prokop reported the Historical Society will have a Potluck Supper on October 17 at 6 p.m. at the Yacht Club.
Historical Society meetings will be held on the third Tuesday of the month.
Richard Waterman will have a Lecture Series from September to January on the second Tuesday of each month.
c. CLG. The Historical Society has applied for grants. It was suggested that they combine the Lee House and the school house to one property. It was also felt that aerial photos should be taken of the Smith-Harris House to determine boundary lines. Mrs. Marelli stated there is an aerial view of the Smith-Harris property prior to the library being built.
Carol Marelli informed the Commission she has had discussion and written to First Selectman Paul Formica regarding boundaries at the house. Commission members would like to see the plan and weigh-in on it.
14. Adjournment.
MOTION: Maggi Prokop moved to adjourn the Smith- Harris House Commission Regular Meeting of August 27, 2008 at 8:15 p.m. Seconded by Jim Littlefield. (5-0) Unanimous
Respectfully submitted,
Frances Ghersi, Recording Secretary
|