NEWTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Minutes of July 9, 2012
Merrimac Savings Bank
Members present: |
Bill Landry |
Mary Riordan |
Karen O’Malley |
Marilyn Landry |
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John Meserve |
Diane Morin |
Sally Woodman |
Barb DiBartolomeo |
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Kathy Meserve |
Mike Hughes |
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Bill Landry called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
Secretary’s Report – Mary Riordan
John Meserve made a motion to accept the minutes of June 11, 2012. Marilyn Landry seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Treasurer’s Report – Bill Landry
The Checking income was donations at the Open House. Expenses were for the electric bill and archiving supplies. The Money Market income was from interest. Kathy Meserve made a motion to accept the Treasurers’ Reports. Diane Morin seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Old Business:
Amesbury Carriage Festival – Karen O’Malley and Barb DiBartolomeo went to the Festival on Saturday. They felt that our carriage was in the best condition of the carriages that had not been reconditioned. Karen stated that we had a lot more information on our carriage than anyone else. A man, Karen thought was a judge, asked her if he could take a copy of our information. Karen suggested the next time we get some kind of easel to display the information instead of a table so it would be easy to read the information. Bill reviewed a Restored Vehicle in Use form we received from the festival. One of the items noted was the wheels were loose. Karen suggested we get the wheel tightened to prevent damage to the carriage. There was discussion on what to do to preserve the carriage. Bill reported that we won the People’s Choice Award for our carriage. Bill will send a press release on winning the award to the Carriage Town News and the Lawrence Eagle Tribune.
New Business:
Fall Festival Date – Kathy Meserve suggested the Fall Festival be held on Saturday October 20th from 4:30 – 6:30 PM. There was a question on when the LaBelle event was scheduled. The committee is going to visit the Flag Hill Winery to see what they have.
Other:
Reports of Curators & Committee Chairpersons:
Curators: Bill Landry reported Ron Saunders mentioned there is a lot of brush around the Marshall House and barn that should be cleared away. Bill Landry will send an email to Mary Winglass suggesting the Town remove the brush for the preservation of the buildings. Karen O'Malley noted there are vines growing in the barn and a tree hanging over the barn that should be removed. If the tree should fall on the barn, it would severely damage the barn, the carriages and other items inside.
Bill Landry reported Charlie Melvin looked at the broken basement window at the Marshall House and realized there are two broken windows. Bill Landry sent an email to the Town to request the windows be repaired to keep animals out of the building.
Historian: None
Archivist: Karen O’Malley reported she has finished accessioning and Barb DiBartolomeo has photographed the Grange corner and Table 1 except for one scrapbook. This scrapbook has a notebook inside it that said it should be kept with the scrapbook. The notebook doesn’t match the scrapbook it was in. She will accession it when she straightens it out. They will do the other tables in the Marshall House next. Karen would like to finish the project as soon as possible so new items could be accessioned and entered into the computer by the curators as they are acquired.
Programs: Sally Woodman reported we are ready for the July presentation – “Why Newton exists” Wednesday July 18th 7:00PM at the Town Hall. Bill has sent out the flyer via email and posted it in the usual places. We have received the grant from the NHHC. John Meserve made copies of the feedback survey and provided pens. We will encourage people to fill them out before they leave. Sally also received a feedback survey to be filled out by us. We will stay after the presentation to complete the survey.
Sally reported that all four of the presentations we identified for remainder of this year are not available. She suggested we submit our requests for next year in December. Bill suggested we submit them now if they will accept them. The Covered Bridges will be in July and Lizzie Borden in either September or November. John Meserve suggested waiting to see how this July presentation is attended before we book one for next July because July is a big vacation month.
Stage Curtains: Bill spoke with Chris Hadsell from Curtains without Boarders. She will provide assistance to us on submitting the grant. We will start on this in the next few months.
Correspondence: None
Next Meeting: Monday August 13, 2012 TBD. Bill Landry will check on having the meeting at Town Hall.
Barb DiBartolomeo made a motion to adjourn. Mike Hughes seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote. Bill Landry adjourned the meeting at 7:45 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Riordan, Secretary
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