Smith-Harris House Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
December 27, 2006
Present: Gary Lakowsky
Maggie Prokop
Denise Russo
Carol Marelli
Burt Hobby
Also Present: Gene Medley
Chairman Lakowsky called the December 27, 2006 Smith-Harris House Commission Meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.
1. Delegations. Mrs. Medley reported the First Colonial Presentation was held at East Lyme Middle School. A two hour presentation was done at the school on November 16. On December 20 the students presented their reports. Richard Waterman and Carol Marelli were present.
Kathleen Cietanno, Media Specialist and Social Studies Facilitator, is making arrangements for three more presentations. Debbie Beckwith took photos of the presentation.
The Commission was given letter dated December 19, 2006 from Kathleen Cietanno.
2. Friends’ of Smith-Harris Report. Mrs. Waterman was unable to be present, and there was no Friends’ report.
3. Ex-officio Report. Mr. Wilson was unable to be present, and there was no report.
4. Additions to the Agenda.
MOTION: Mrs. Prokop moved to add to this evening’s Agenda,
Standing Committee Reports, A1 Damage to Windowsills.
Seconded by Mrs. Russo. (5-0) Unanimous.
5. Approval of Minutes. Mr. Lakowsky asked for additions, deletions or corrections to the November 29, 2006 Regular Meeting Minutes of the Smith-Harris Commission.
The following corrections were noted: On page 3, item B, the first sentence change Mr. Marelli to “Mrs. Marelli.” On page 4 under item E, the motion was made by “Richard MacDonald”. On page 5, the first sentence to be revised as follows: “On behalf of the Smith-Harris House, Mary Cutillo agreed to be part of the Study Committee.”
MOTION: Mrs. Russo moved to approve the November 29,
2006 Regular Meeting Minutes of the Smith-
Harris House Commission, as amended. Seconded
by Mr. Hobby. (5-0) Unanimous.
6. Finance Report. Mrs. Marelli reported there remains $5,149.38 in the Smith-Harris House Commission Operating budget. Encumbrances in the amount of $246.58 are at the lumber yards.
A bill is forthcoming from Craig Mayer for Plexiglas which was not available through the lumber yards. Mr. Hobby agreed to sign off that the Nature Walk project is complete.
Carol Marelli requested reimbursement for fruit and pineapple for the cone tree, an electric cord cover and a case of hot cups for Home for the Holidays in the amount of $88.58.
MOTION: Mrs. Prokop moved to reimburse Carol Marelli $88.58
for expenses for Home for the Holidays. Seconded
by Mrs. Russo. (5-0) Unanimous.
7. Chairman’s Report. Mr. Lakowsky distributed copies of a draft Smith-Harris Budget and asked Commission members for input. After revisions the Commission agreed to submit a budget for fiscal year 2007-2008 in the amount of $11,125.
MOTION: Mrs. Prokop moved to submit an Operating
Budget to the Board of Selectmen for the
Smith-Harris House for fiscal year 2007-2008
in the amount of $11,125. Seconded by Mrs.
Marelli. (5-0) Unanimous.
8. Standing Committee.
A. House. Mrs. Russo suggested work parties to clean the house. She also suggested doing some touch up painting. Mrs. Marelli felt the rugs should be cleaned.
Mr. Hobby made suggestions on conserving heat in the house.
1. Damage to Windowsills. Mr. Hobby suggested using other methods to hang Christmas decorations to avoid damage to the windowsills.
B. Landscape. There was nothing new to report on landscaping.
9. Special Committee Reports.
A. Five River Consortium. Mr. Hobby reported there were many Christmas Programs this year.
The East Lyme Historical Society did not meet in December.
B. Home for the Holidays/Wassail Recap. Mrs. Marelli reported “Home for the Holidays” was a nice event. Many good comments were received from residents as well as out-of-towners about it. Final figures will be available after the wrap-up meeting.
10. Corresponding Secretary’s Report. There was no report from the Corresponding Secretary.
11. Old Business.
A. Windows. Mr. Lakowsky suggested cleaning the second floor windows and requesting that they be installed.
12. New Business.
A. Nature Trail. Mr. Lakowsky reported the Nature Trail looks good.
B. Election of Officers. The following 2007 nominations for Smith-Harris House Commission were presented:
Carol Marelli, Chairlady
Denise Russo, Vice Chairlady
Corresponding Secretary, Maggie Prokop
Finance, Gary Lakowsky
There were no other nominations. A vote was taken and the following officers were unanimously elected:
Carol Marelli, Chairlady
Denise Russo, Vice Chairlady
Corresponding Secretary, Maggie Prokop
Finance, Gary Lakowsky
Mr. Lakowsky thanked all Commission members for their help and support while he was Chairman. All Commission members appreciated Mr. Lakowsky being Chairman.
13. Adjournment.
MOTION: Mr. Hobby moved to adjourn the Smith-
Harris House Commission Regular Meeting
of December 27, 2006 at 8:20 p.m. Seconded
by Mrs. Prokop. (5-0) Unanimous
Respectfully submitted,
Frances Ghersi, Recording Secretary