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Minutes of July 14, 2008
Merrimac Savings Bank
Members present: Bill Landry Bill Moison
Mary Marshall Mary Riordan
Diane Moran Sally Woodman
Forest Reynolds Irene Nally
John Meserve Kathy Meserve
Pat Wonson Stuart Jones
Bill Landry called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM.
Secretary’s Report – Mary Riordan
John Meserve made a motion to accept the minutes of June 9, 2008. Sally Woodman seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Treasurer’s Report – Bill Landry
Mary Marshall made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report. Kathy Meserve seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Old Business:
Update on repair of floor in Primary School – Bill Landry reported 95% of furniture has been moved to the Marshall House barn. When the rest is moved Bill will contact Rob Hayes to tear out the floor. Bill hopes this project will be completed by the end of the year.
Results of Hayford Carriage evaluation – Mary Marshall reported our Hayford carriage is a “conservation” carriage. That means it has unique value to us and we should not try to drive it or replace any parts. They estimated a value of $5,000 for insurance purposes. Our carriage has most of its original finish and they suggested we try to maintain as much of the original finish as we can and only touch up the chips with water-soluble black paint. To preserve it we should wash it with water and white vinegar and a good light oil.
Update on Flea Market / Craft Market / Corn Roast – Mary Marshall reported she put an article in the Carriage Town News and 9 vendors have responded. Bill Landry showed a poster that has been put up around town and reported that George Marshall had put it on the unofficial Newton web site. Mary Marshall suggested we could re-paint the Garden Tour signs and put them up around town to advertise the event. She indicated we are going to need volunteers to set up and man the table. Irene Nally read the menu consisting of Lobster (each member will pay for their own lobster), pork barbeque, potato salad, green salad, pickles, corn (fresh picked by you), rolls and butter. Desert will be French vanilla ice cream with blueberry sauce or brandy peaches. The meal is for Society members; if vendors want to
attend they would pay a fee. Vendors will take care of their tables and setup. There is no charge to the vendors for their table space. We are suggesting they make a donation of 10% of their profit for the day or $40 whichever is less. Bill Landry indicated we have 4 tables at the Primary School House for the Society to use. John Meserve said he could probably get chairs from the Baptist Church. Irene Nally said the Library also has chairs. She would need advance notice to get them. Mary Riordan suggested that we do not accept any electronics donations, as they could be difficult to dispose of if not sold.
Transfer of ownership of Hayford Carriage to NHS - Bill Landry reported Nancy Wrigley got clarification of “mobile equipment” and the carriage is not mobile equipment, it is considered other property. If the town sells/give the carriage to the Historical Society, it would be covered under the town’s care, custody and control clause of the Town’s insurance. Bill Landry made a motion to pursue with the Selectman to either purchase for $1 or have them transfer ownership to us at no cost, the Hayford Democrat carriage currently in the barn of the Marshall House. Mary Marshall seconded the motion. John Meserve asked if we took the carriage off the Marshall House property, would it still be covered by the Town’s insurance policy. Bill Landry will check on that.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
New Business:
October Wine & Cheese Social – Kathy Meserve reported the date will be October 18, 2008. We could use the posters from last year and just change the dates. John Meserve is working on the corporate letter for corporate sponsors. Bill Landry said last year’s event was a success. Kathy Meserve asked it anyone new anything about Zorvino vineyards. She offered to go to the vineyard to check it out. Sally Woodman said she had purchased some of their white wine and it was good.
Pursue registration of Primary School on Historic Register – Bill Landry had seen an article about Pelham getting their old library on the Historic Register so they could be eligible for state and federal grants. He asked if the members would want to pursue this for our building. There was discussion about the requirements that would put on the Society on the future care of the building. Once it is on the register it cannot be removed. It was decided we would not pursue this.
Display at the bank – Forest Reynolds asked if we were going to continue with the display. Bill Landry said that the documents are in the back room of the School House and once we begin replacing the floor it would be difficult to retrieve them to display, therefore the display at the bank will be suspended until the floor is replaced. We would still be able to get artifacts to display at the Wine & Cheese Social.
Correspondence:
Email from David & Paula Hayford of WI regarding a possible visit by his sisters to Newton in October – They asked for information on the evaluation of the carriage. David indicated his sisters would be in the area in October. Bill Landry suggested that we could give them a similar tour.
New England Archivists Meeting Nov. 14 & 15 – Bill Landry shared information on the meeting at Simmons College in Boston.
Other:
Renewal for the NH Historical Society – Bill Landry received the renewal. The dues are $10. Bill Landry made a motion that we renew. Irene Nally seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Carriage Town News article re: R Anderson and his clean up efforts at the Primary School – Bill Landry shared an article from the Carriage Town News on Richard Anderson volunteering to clean up the yard of the Historical Society.
Plaistow Historical Society Museum – Bill Landry visited the Museum during Plaistow Old Home Days and described the museum.
Marshall House inventory – Mary Marshall, Irene Nally and Pat Wonson have begun inventorying the items in the Marshall House. They will review the list to determine which items to keep.
Forest Reynolds has a picture of the contractor from Newton that built first bridge over the railroad tracks on Rt. 121 in Atkinson. He offered to bring it to the next meeting.
Next meeting is Monday August 11, 2008 at the Merrimac Savings Bank
Kathy Meserve made a motion to adjourn. Mary Marshall seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Riordan, Secretary
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