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Smith-Harris House Commission Regular Meeting Minutes October 22, 2008
Present: Carol Marelli Denise Russo James Littlefield Gary Lakowsky Richard MacDonald
Also Present: Roxanne Althouse Mary Cutillo
Chairlady Marelli called the October 22, 2008 Smith-Harris House Commission Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
1. Delegations. Roxanne Althouse reported her son Jeremy built a nature walk on the house grounds as an Eagle Scout project. She asked if the Commission would allow her to place a small plaque at that site. She spoke to the Scoutmaster, and he had no objection to this being done. There was a general consensus of the Commission that this was a good idea.
MOTION: Mr. Lakowsky moved to allow Roxanne Althouse to place a plaque at the nature walk. Seconded by Mr. Littlefield. (5-0) Unanimous.
2. Friends. Mary Cutillo reported the Friends have purchased a spice box for the hearth cooking classes and shelves for Friends’ supplies.
Work Is being done to prepare for the Tree Festival and Wreath Sale.
The scarlet running beans have been pulled up. As soon as frost hits the gourds will be picked.
Mrs. Marelli commented that in regard to Heritage Weekend, she is unable to make a final report on expenses as there are still bills to come in.
3. Ex-Officio Report. There was no ex-officio report.
4. Agenda Additions.
MOTION: Mr. MacDonald moved to add item 7a Gifts for the House and Item 8a. Land Use to this evening’s agenda. Seconded by Denise Russo. (5-0) Unanimous
5. Approval of Minutes. Mrs. Marelli asked for additions, deletions or corrections to the August 27, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes of the Smith-Harris House Commission.
On page 2 under 8a. The first two sentences were revised as follows. Denise Russo has scheduled a soldier to come to the house. Carol Marelli suggested having Harriet Beecher Stowe or other Connecticut personalities.
MOTION: Mr. Lakowsky moved to accept the August 27, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes of the Smith-Harris House, as amended. Seconded by Mrs. Russo. (5-0) Unanimous.
Mrs. Marelli asked for additions, deletions or corrections to the September 24, 2008, Regular Meeting Minutes of the Smith-Harris House Commission.
MOTION: Mr. Lakowsky moved to accept the September 24, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes of the Smith-Harris House, as presented. Seconded by Mr. MacDonald. (5-0)
6. Finance Report.
a. Current Standing. Mr. Lakowsky reported $10,330.25 remains in the Smith-Harris House budget.
b. New Reimbursements. Mr. MacDonald requested reimbursement for Smith-Harris House Commission’s membership dues to Five Rivers.
MOTION: Mr. Lakowsky moved to reimburse Richard MacDonald $25 for membership dues for the Smith-Harris House Commission to Five Rivers. Seconded by Mrs. Russo. (5-0) Unanimous
Mr. Littlefield requested reimbursement of $17.44 for porch supplies for the Smith-Harris House.
MOTION: Mr. Lakowsky moved to reimburse Jim Littlefield $17.44 for porch supplies for the Smith-Harris House. Seconded by Mr. MacDonald. (5-0) Unanimous
7. Chairlady’s Report. Mrs. Marelli reported Marilyn and Stephen Falusi of Old Lyme have donated a 150 year old spinning wheel, and Dorothy North donated two wall plaques and a book from 1891 Man Without a Country and a book from 1911 Story of Peter and Wendy.
MOTION: Mr. Lakowsky moved to accept the above gifts to the house. Seconded by Mrs. Russo. (5-0)
Mrs. Marelli suggested that the Commission have seasonal displays, e.g. ladies accessories or textile tools, where the spinning wheel could be included.
The house has a new security monitoring company. Also the new insurance company asked for two minor changes, and the house passed inspection. Ron Bence is the first emergency contact person.
Mrs. Marelli showed Commission members a photo of a wreath the Friends ordered to honor Civil War veterans.
8. Standing Committees.
a. Land Use. Mr. Lakowsky asked that the Commission establish a Land Use Committee. He received a map of Historic Property Boundary of the Property Line for the house, dated July 16, 2008. The lower lane, buffer property and the pond were not included in this map. The nature trail needs to be defined. Since he felt these are significant for the house, he has asked for a full map.
MOTION: Denise Russo moved to include Land Use as a Standing Committee. Seconded by Richard MacDonald. (5-0) Unanimous
9. Special Committee’s.
a. Heritage Weekend
i. ’08 Wrap Up. The report has not been completed.
ii. ’09 Date, October 3 & 4. The Heritage Weekend Committee has recommended October 3 and October 4 for 2009 Heritage Weekend.
MOTION: Mr. Lakowsky moved to reserve the dates of October 2, 3 and 4 as set up and days for Heritage Weekend in 2009. Seconded by Mr. MacDonald. (5-0) Unanimous
b. Home for the Holidays. Mrs. Marelli reported the Downtown Merchants wish to take part in Home for the Holidays. The Committee met and found ways to save money. There will only be small trees. The Committee is looking for variety and creativity. Participants will need to purchase their own tree. Also smaller trees take up less space.
The Committee will next meet on October 24. A letter for groups will be prepared.
The Niantic Main Street and the Friends received $1479.18 each for last year’s event.
10. Corresponding Secretary Maggi Prokop was not present, and there was no report. Mrs. Marelli read thank you note received from Richard MacDonald for flowers sent from the Commission for the loss of his mother.
11. Old Business
a. Loan/Gift Agreement. The Loan/Gift Agreement was tabled.
b. “To-do” list. Mrs. Marelli would like the upstairs hallway floor painted. She would also like the storm windows checked on.
12. New Business
a. Barn Rental, November 1. Mrs. Marelli reported a birthday party will be held on November 1 in the barn from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mr. Lakowsky agreed to be at the house at 10 a.m. The barn will need to be cleaned prior to the party.
Carol Marelli will call Chuck Holyfield to request that he have the bales of straw removed.
b. Programs. Programs were tabled.
13. Outside Meetings
a. Five Rivers. Mr. MacDonald reported Five Rivers has not met, and he had no report.
b. Historical Society. There was a very good CCC speaker at the Potluck Supper.
c. CLG. There was nothing new to report on CLG.
14. Adjournment.
MOTION: Mr. Lakowsky moved to adjourn the Smith- Harris House Commission Regular Meeting of October 22, 2008 at 8:30 p.m. Seconded by Jim Littlefield. (5-0) Unanimous
Respectfully submitted,
Frances Ghersi, Recording Secretary
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