Minutes of April 14, 2008
(Held at Merrimac Savings Bank)
Members present: Bill Landry Marilyn Landry
Mary Marshall Mary Riordan
John Meserve Forest Reynolds
Irene Nally Sally Woodman
Diane Moran Elisabeth Belsak
Mary Ann Lapierre Bill Moisan
Nancy Wrigley
Bill Landry called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM.
Secretary’s Report – Mary Riordan
Mary Marshall made a motion to approve the minutes of March 10, 2008. Marilyn Landry seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Treasurer’s Report – Bill Landry
Mary Riordan made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report. Irene Nally seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Old Business:
Repair of the floor in Primary School
Bill Landry reported he and John Meserve met with Todd Fitzgerald who took a look at the situation. There was some concern as to how much had to be done to meet code. Bill met the following week with Todd and Sam Zannini, deputy building inspector. Sam said he didn’t see an issue with the sills. He thought we could sister the wood on to the sills. Bill met with two local contractors, Rob Hayes and Dave Beveridge. They determined that the entire structure of the floor must be replaced. Bill expects to receive quotes on the job from both contractors. There was discussion on the building techniques used in the building.
Garden Tour
Mary Marshall reported that Sue & Ted Hardman, Don DiNofrio and Don Richards have dropped out of the garden tour for various reasons. That leaves us with 5 gardens. She suggested we cancel the Tour this year rather than have one that would not have enough gardens to view. She will inform the other gardeners of the cancellation. Marilyn Landry made a motion to postpone the Garden Tour until next year. Bill Landry seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Ann Miles – Carriage Barn Equestrian Evaluation May 18
Bill Landry received a brochure from Ann on the event. It is a clinic on the care of carriages as well as appraisers. Ann indicated we would be her guest. Sally Woodman and Diane Morin volunteered their trailer to bring our Hayford carriage to the event. Bill Landry and Forest Reynolds will be attending.
Ann Miles – Carriages in the Classroom program at Newton’s Memorial School
Ann asked Bill if we could bring our Hayford carriage to the school. Bill told her that our carriage is not in very good shape. He asked if Forest would consider letting us bring his carriage to the school. Forest agreed to it. Bill will find out more from Ann.
Historical display at Merrimac Savings Bank
Bill Landry reported the display had been up for a month. He will get together with Mary Marshall and Irene Nally to get items to display this month. The display will be change monthly. Bill thanked John Meserve for giving us the space in the bank. Forest brought some postcards, letters, pictures and a WWI uniform with gas mask.
New Business:
New Members
Diane Morin is our newest member. Bill Landry indicated that she was our 100th member. Marilyn Landry suggested sending a picture to the newspaper.
Form 990 filed with the state for 2007
Bill Landry reported he had filed this form for Non-profit organizations with the state. He also corrected the information the state had on our fiscal year.
2008 Property Tax Exemption and Charitable Org. financial forms
Bill Landry reported he had filed the Property tax exemption with the town.
Correspondence:
Ron DeNofrio re: First gay couple marriage in Newton
Bill Landry received a phone call Ron indicated he was the first married gay couple in Newton. Bill received a copy of a Canadian marriage certificate and picture of the couple. There was discussion on whether this was a recognized New Hampshire civil union and how did he know he was the first in town. Bill will check with Mary Jo at the Town Hall to see if they are they are registered and if they are the first on record. Irene Nally will hold the documents.
Fern Carlson ancestral research request (Eames Family)
Bill Landry received an email request for information about the Eames Family from Fern Carlson of Minnesota. She said they were in town in the 1700s. Bill sent her information on Elizabeth Eames buried in the Town Hall Cemetery and pictures of the gravestone rubbing that he found in the Town Hall records.
Eagle Tribune regarding local efforts to protect favorite places, historic buildings and landmarks from growth and development
Bill Landry received an email from the Eagle Tribune. He responded to them that we did not have any issues in this area.
Relatives of Rev. Nathaniel Day, who served many years in Newton, want to donate his 18th century diaries to the society.
Bill Landry received an email from Arthur Taylor writing for the Day Family. They had several diaries they’d like to donate to us. Bill told them we would like to have them. Bill Moison said there was a Day family that lived in the Lower Village, which is on Amesbury Road by the Mother of the Sea Catholic Church.
Other:
Clock from Gale Library
Irene Nally received the clock from the Gale Library. She believes it was in the Primary School house at one time and was moved to the library. It is a replica of a clock the time. Waterbury Clock in CT manufactured it. Mary Marshall made a motion to accept the clock from the library. Forest Reynolds seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Flags on Veteran’s graves for Memorial Day
Mary Marshall suggested we put flags on the veteran’s graves for Memorial Day as the Historical Society. She and George will put flags in the Town Hall and Highland cemeteries. They usually put them in the week before Memorial Day. She will let us know when they’re going to do it so anyone who is wants to can join them.
Sally Woodman suggested a historical wagon tour around town for a fee to replace the Garden Tour event. There was discussion on the usability of the wagon, the amount of insurance that would be required and the liability to the Society.
Marilyn Landry suggested we think of other events we could have to replace the Garden Tour and discuss them at the next meeting.
Mary Marshall suggested we think about having our annual potluck diner in August instead of December. She noted that Christmas was not celebrated in Newton until about 1830 but they probably had harvest diners and a gathering in August might be more convenient for the members. We will discuss it further at the next meeting.
Next meeting is Monday May 12, 2008.
Mary Marshall made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Marilyn Landry seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote. Bill Landry adjourned the meeting at 8:00PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Riordan, Secretary
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