FINAL
Present for the Historical Commission and attending the meeting were: Jane Slater, Chair, Karin Wetmore, John Flender, Steve McGhee, Barbara Armstrong, Lenny Jason and Chuck Hodgkinson. Bette Carroll was absent. Nancy Cole and Noelle Colome of the MV Museum also attended.
The meeting came to order at 5:00 PM.
MV MUSEUM: After introductions Ms. Cole summarized the Museum’s two-year plan to catalogue and restore their collections of documents and artifacts. An archivist has been hired and the pace of the restoration project will rapidly increase. They hope to be finished by the end of 2013. Ms. Cole reviewed the conditions for last year’s CPA Historic Preservation fund appropriation that was approved by Chilmark voters and said she is requested the second $8,610 installment for the Town’s consideration at the April 2013 Annual Town Meeting.
The Commission asked how the cataloguing is organized. Ms. Cole explained all of the various collections of documents and materials will be catalogued by topic and this information will be available on line. The Commission asked if the Museum would re-visit Chilmark’s request to help restore the Nomansland Boat the museum has in storage – before it deteriorates beyond repair. Ms. Colome agreed to investigate this further.
After brief discussion a motion was made to recommend to the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) that it recommend appropriating $8,610 of CPA Historic Preservation Reserve Funds for this project at the next Annual Town Meeting. The motion was seconded. In discussion Chuck H. mentioned the CPC will hold its public hearing for all CPA fund requests on November 27, 2012 @ 6:00 PM. The motion came to a vote and passed unanimously with six in favor.
STONE WALL RESTORATION: Chuck H. reviewed a $2,500 cost estimate from Morgan Landscape and Stone to restore a stone wall along Middle Road near Tilton Farm Road. The Commission said this was for a project it wanted done last year and asked if the other two sections of stone walls were renovated. Chuck H. said no invoices have come through and concluded the work was not done. The Commission asked Chuck H. to research all three projects for review at the next meeting—before approving this estimate.
COUNTY COURTHOUSE WINDOWS: Chuck H. reviewed before and after pictures of the 26 windows that were restored at the historic County Courthouse. Last year each Town appropriated a sum of CPA Historic Preservation funds to pay for the window restoration. Chilmark’s share was $5,545. The County Manager is now requesting each town to appropriate an additional sum to restore the remaining 26 windows. The total estimated cost is $72,150 and Chilmark’s share would be $7,670. This is slightly higher than last year’s because the first installment was based upon a rough cost estimate. This year’s budget is based upon the actual cost to restore the first set of windows.
After brief discussion a motion was made to recommend to the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) that it recommend appropriating $7,670 of CPA Historic Preservation Reserve Funds for this project at the next Annual Town Meeting. The motion was seconded and with no discussion passed with five in favor and one abstention (Mr. Jason).
ADMINISTRATION: The Commission reviewed the proposed expense budget for Fiscal Year 2014. The total expense budget excluding staff salaries is $1,350. This is no change from the current budget for Fiscal Year 2013. Chuck H. explained the salary budgets are calculated by the Town Accountant and added to the non-salary expense budgets for the Finance Advisory Committee hearings that will take place in January and February 2013. A motion was made to approve the proposed FY 2014 budget as presented. The motion was seconded and with no discussion passed unanimously with six in favor.
MEETING MINUTES: The July 26, 2012 meeting minutes were reviewed and approved as presented by consensus.
NEXT MEETINGS: The next meeting will be on Thursday, November 15, 2012 @ 5:00 PM. There will not be a December meeting. Starting January 2013 the Commission agreed to change its regular meeting date and time to the third Tuesday of each month @ 5:00 PM.
With no further business to conduct the meeting adjourned at 5:50 PM.
Respectfully submitted by Chuck Hodgkinson, CAS.
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