NEWTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Minutes of November 10, 2008
Merrimac Savings Bank
Members present: Bill Landry Marilyn Landry
Karen O'Malley Mary Riordan
Ron Saunders Cheryl Saunders
Bill Moison Forest Reynolds
John Meserve Kathy Meserve
Irene Nally Nancy Wrigley
Pat Wonson
Bill Landry called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
Secretary’s Report – Mary Riordan
Kathy Meserve made a motion to accept the minutes of October 14, 2008. Irene Nally seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Treasurer’s Report – Bill Landry
Cheryl Saunders made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report. Marilyn Landry seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Old Business:
Final Report on Wine & Cheese Social – Kathy Meserve reported everyone had a good time at this year's event. Forty-four tickets were sold to individuals. Ticket sales and attendance was up 78% over last year. We had $3,145 in sponsors and ticket sales, $312.31 in expenses for a net of $2,832.69 proceeds for the event. Kathy extended a special thanks to Bill and Marilyn Landry for their help with setup, procuring the glassware and the slide show presentation with last year's pictures. Bill commended Kathy for her fine work as Chairperson for the event and John for his efforts obtaining Corporate sponsors. Thanks to the volunteers from the staff of the Merrimac Savings Bank for the wonderful job they did. Bill Landry reported that Jim Giannaitis indicated he would like to have a lamb
bake for the benefit of the Society.
Update on Schoolhouse Renovation – Bill Landry reported the top layer of the floor has been cut and is ready to be rolled up and removed. He asked Ron Saunders if we should think about updating the electrical outlets in anticipation of having display cases. Ron indicated we could do that.
Bill Landry spoke to reporter Jarret Banks about doing an article on our restoration for the Eagle Tribune. This will most likely happen when the project is further along.
Update on Corporate Membership/Donation drive – Bill Landry reported he sent a letter to the corporate members/sponsors of 2008 and so far has received responses from 4 totaling $325.
Hayford Carriage Ownership Status – Bill Landry reported the Conservation Commission has agreed to sell the Hayford Carriage to the Society for $1 with the condition that the carriage would be made available to other town organizations for display. Bill will get a Bill of Sale document to the Conservation Commission.
Pat Wonson thanked the members for the Society's donation to the Alzheimer’s Foundation in memory of Percy.
New Business:
Input for Planning Board re: Historical locations in Newton – Bill Landry reported he received an email request from Lisa Babcock, secretary to the Planning Board for input in identifying historic sites in town. The Planning board has received a grant to review and update the zoning in Newton. She sent him a map and asked if we could mark the location of anything the Society thinks is of historical significance. Bill thought we should identify the cemeteries in town as some are in the woods and not obvious. Pat Wonson suggested there is a book in the library on old houses in town. She will get back to Bill with more information within a week. There was discussion on whether we should identify houses without the homeowner's permission. It was noted that there is list of old homes in the
Society's 250th Anniversary booklet. Ron Saunders indicated he believes he has the second oldest house in town. Bill asked anyone with information to send it to him.
Correspondence:
None
Other:
Extend winter hiatus? -- Bill Landry suggested we move our first meeting in 2009 from March to April. He sited the weather would be better and we historically don't have much business in March. Bill Landry made a motion to schedule the first meeting in 2009 on April 13th. John Meserve seconded the motion. John Meserve asked when the lamb roast might be. Bill said Jim indicated it would be in the spring sometime. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Forest Reynolds suggested we clean the wagon and grease the wheels of the Hayford carriage. Irene Nally reminded everyone that the furniture from the Schoolhouse is currently in the barn so we may not have room at this time. Bill Landry indicated we would delay this until the floor at the Schoolhouse is complete and the items are returned to the Schoolhouse.
Bill Moison suggested if we could get display cabinets donated to the Society we should attach a plaque with the donor's name to the cabinet and that we should rotate the items displayed in the cabinets every two months or so.
Ron Saunders reported his neighbor, Wilton Avery, told him about the train that ran 5 trips a day on the Peanut Trail spur back in 1907. Kathy Meserve thought is would be interesting to have him come talk to us about this subject.
John Meserve asked if we should do a leaf cleanup at the Primary Schoolhouse like we did last year. Bill agreed this would be a good idea.
Next meeting is Monday December 8, 2008 at the Merrimac Savings Bank
Cheryl Saunders made a motion to adjourn. Bill Landry seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote. Bill Landry adjourned the meeting at 7:47 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Riordan
Mary Riordan, Secretary
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