NEWTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Minutes of May 11, 2009
Merrimac Savings Bank
Members present:Mary Marshall Mary Riordan
Ron Saunders Cheryl Saunders
Myrtle Rogers Forest Reynolds
John Meserve Kathy Meserve
Diane Morin Barbara DiBartolomeo
Karen O'Malley
In Bill Landry’s absence, Kathy Meserve called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM.
Secretary’s Report – Mary Riordan
Mary Marshall made a motion to accept the minutes of April 13 2009. Cheryl Saunders seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Treasurer’s Report – Kathy Meserve
John Meserve made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report. Barbara DiBartolomeo seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Guest: Rob Hayes – Hayes Flooring did not attend the meeting.
Old Business:
2009 Dues are Due (Life Members excluded) – Kathy Meserve reminded the members that dues are due. She had an envelope for dues that Diane Morin will return to Bill Landry.
Schoolhouse Repairs
Floor – Ron Saunders reported that he, John Meserve and Bill Landry took the floor to the dump. Ron explained that they need to meet with Rob Hayes on how to remove the sub-floor. Ron suggested we may be able to reuse some of the sub-flooring. Ron commended Bill Landry on the job he did on removing and cutting up the floor. Ron suggested we use wide pine boards for the floor.
Electric – Ron Saunders reported he will put a stock list together and speak to Jim Giannatsis about the work to be done. Ron would like to do the electrically work before the floor is put down.
Ceiling – Ron Saunders reported the paint on the tin ceiling has bubbled. He felt it was due to moisture in the building. Diane Morin suggested we should repaint the ceiling after the sub-floor is replaced but before the finished floor is put down.
Marshall House Roof / Window Repair – Cheryl Saunders reported the insurance company has looked at the damage. The town has a $1000 deductible on the policy and they feel FEMA will pay the deductible as part of the Ice Storm program and the insurance will pay the rest. The hole in the roof of the Cobbler shop was supposed to be covered. The roof and window will be repaired as one claim.
Advertising Stage Curtain at Grange Hall – Ron Saunders reported he met with Polly Morse, a Grange member. She doesn't think it will be a problem for us to obtain the curtain but she needs to ask the Head of the Grange about it. There was discussion on where we would hang the curtain. Karen O'Malley expressed concern about it fading if we hung it in the sun. Mary Marshall asked if we could us it as a divider to extend the “wall” of the back room. Myrtle Rogers stated the Grange asked her to send a letter to Richard Brigham of Framingham, MA about the stage curtain. He originally sold the curtain to the Grange and she was contacting him to see if he wanted to buy it back. Myrtle has not heard back from him. She will update us at the next meeting. Ron
indicated there are pictures in the Grange building we may be interested in.
Ron Saunders brought a Granite State Grange Honor Roll plaque that the Grange donated to the Society. He will get a Gift form for Polly to fill out. Mary Marshall suggested Ron ask Polly for information about the people on the plaque. Ron will hold the plaque until the next meeting.
Spring Fund Raiser – Greek Lamb Roast – Kathy Meserve reported the committee evaluating the event determined there was not enough interest to make it worthwhile. Mary Marshall suggested we estimate what we need for expenses for the short term and decide if the current balance would make fund raising events unnecessary at this time.
New Business:
None
Correspondence:
New Hampshire Magazine RE: Town Landmark – Kathy Meserve reported that Bill Landry will submit information about the Schoolhouse.
Other:
Veteran's Flags for Cemeteries – Kathy Meserve reported that Bill Landry will get the flags to Mary Marshall the week of May 18th. Mary will let people know when she will be placing them in the cemeteries.
Next meeting is 7:00 PM Monday June 8, 2009 at the Merrimac Savings Bank.
Cheryl Saunders made a motion to adjourn. Diane Morin seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote. Kathy Meserve adjourned the meeting at 7:35PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Riordan, Secretary
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