NEWTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Minutes of October 13, 2009
Merrimac Savings Bank
Members present: Bill Landry Marilyn Landry
Forest Reynolds Mary Riordan
Ron Saunders Cheryl Saunders
John Meserve Kathy Meserve
Diane Morin Sally Woodman
Pat Wonson
Guests: Kevin & Amy Young
Bill Landry called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM.
Secretary’s Report – Mary Riordan
John Meserve made a motion to accept the minutes of September 14, 2009. Kathy Meserve seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Treasurer’s Report – Bill Landry
Marilyn Landry made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report. Cheryl Saunders seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Old Business:
Schoolhouse Repairs – Bill Landry reported the floor joists were in. The next step was to do the subfloor. Bill contacted Nick Giorgi about painting the ceiling. Nick said he would donate his time if we purchased the materials. Bill indicated the painting would be done after the subfloor was in. Bill asked Ron Saunders if he had the materials list for the electrical work. This work will also be done before the subfloor is in. Bill asked the members to consider cutting a window in the front wall of the back room. This would improve the air circulation and allow the heat and dehumidifier to handle the big room. There was discussion on whether to remove the small room completely. Bill Landry made a motion to put a window in the front wall of the back room. John Meserve seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
John Meserve reported that Unitil had cleared branches from around the power line going to the building. He suggested we should get someone to cut back the branches at the back of the building.
Grange Hall Stage Curtain – Ron Saunders reported there is nothing new on this issue. It has been put on hold until the Schoolhouse project is finished.
Report on Plan NH Day participation – Pat Wonson reported she manned a table with our information on Saturday. She said there were a couple of other tables inside the building with ours but no one came through the area. John Meserve reported he attended on Friday. He spoke on his personal opinion indicating he felt increasing commercial business by encouraging professional businesses would help reduce the taxes while not greatly increasing demand for town services. He felt that the Village concept was not supported by the attendees. Marilyn Landry and Kathy Meserve also attended on Saturday. They described a Community Center concept they saw. Cheryl Saunders indicated more information will be available at the Town Hall
.
3rd Annual Wine & Cheese Social status – Kathy Meserve reported the Wine and Cheese social is progressing. The wine for this year has been donated by an anonymous donor. We will have small glasses for people who want to taste several varieties as well as the normal size glasses. The committee will choose the artifacts to display at the event. The newspaper articles have been submitted and posters have been placed around town. Tickets can be purchased at the Town Hall, Library and the Merrimac & Newton branches of the Merrimac Savings Bank. The event will be on October 24th from 4:30PM – 6:30PM.
New Business:
Computerization of photos/documents -- Diane Morin and Mary Riordan will work with Karen O’Malley to scan or take pictures of documents and store them on CD or DVD. This will be a winter project. Pat Wonson suggested contacting Irene Nally as she has some experience doing this kind of project.
Correspondence:
Kevin & Amy Young (Re: Their home at 36 Whittier St) – The Youngs explained they were interested in finding out more about the history of their home. When they purchased their home they were told it was built in the 1920’s. Kevin thinks it was earlier than that based on the beam construction in the basement. He has researched his property at the Library and on the NHdeeds.com and has found documentation back to the early 1800’s. They asked if we had any suggestions on how to continue their search. Cheryl Saunders suggested they go to the Rockingham County Courthouse to look at the deed books that are not yet available on the web site. She indicated that reading some of these documents is difficult because they are hand-written. Bill Landry will get them information
on the New Hampshire Historical Society. They may have more suggestions on how they could proceed. Kevin described staircase behind a wall in the basement that seems to lead to a small hole with loose rocks at the bottom. The staircase is under the dining room. Some members suggested it may have been a root cellar. Kevin also found a 1973 Farm license plate buried in the yard. The number on the plate was 1778. He was wondering if that may be a specialty plate with the year the house was built. He also found a stone that is shaped like a headstone but there is no writing on it. Bill indicated that there is a cemetery behind Packard Meadows which abuts the Young property.
NH Preservation Alliance Annual Meeting Oct. 28 – Bill Landry received information on the free event being held in Derry. He will email the information to everyone.
Other:
None
Next meeting is Monday November 9, 2009 at the Merrimac Savings Bank
Marliyn Landry made a motion to adjourn. Mary Riordan seconded. The motion passed on a unanimous viote. Bill Landry adjourned the meeting at 8:10 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Riordan, Secretary
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