THESE ARE THE UNOFFICIAL MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE BOARD.
Board Members Present:
Scott Perry, Sue Wilson, John Beaty, JoAnne Bennett, Marijke Dollois, Pat Farmer, Sally Newton.
Scott Perry called the Meeting to order at 5:40 PM.
Scott presented “This Month in History”:
From the diary of Joseph Pudvah
1897: Notes the Batleship Maine was blown up by torpedo. 260 supposed dead.
1902: Chas Bessey gave an entertainment with a victor talking machine at the hall tonight.
1903: Went to Emerys he gave a show with his magic lantern tonight 15 cents admission. Made $5.00. Quite a crowd.
Show and Tell:
Scott distributed a Vermont Weather Quiz for all present.
Recognition of visitors:
Scott welcomed Ken and Jaye Secor who recently moved to Longley Bridge Road and would like to be involved in the MHS. Ken was a heating systems contractor before retiring; he will take a look at the heating system currently installed at Pratt Hall.
1. Minutes of 01/11/07:
Sue made a Motion, seconded by JoAnne to approve the Minutes as written; the Motion was unanimously approved.
2. Treasurer’s Report:
Pat made a Motion, seconded by JoAnne to approve the Treasurer’s Report for January as amended; the Motion was unanimously approved. The January Treasurer’s Report now reads as follows:
Checking Account $ 1,002.63
Hays Scholarship CD 6,404.29
Capital Improvement Acct. 1,052.24
Anonymous Donor CD 5,063.43
Principal balance line of credit 8,000.00
Principal balance Heaton Mortgage $27,175.68
Sue presented the February Treasurer’s Report as follows:
Checking balance $ 752.85
Lalia Pratt Hays Scholarship CD $6,426.75 @ 4.21 %
Capital Improvements CD $1,054.24 @ 2.25%
Anonymous CD $5,073.24 @2.30%
Heaton House Mortgage $27,122.99 @ 6.49% fixed
Line of Credit $ 8,000.00 @ 10.25%
Marijke made a Motion, seconded by John to approve the Treasurer’s Report for February as presented; the Motion was unanimously approved.
3. Membership Update:
Marijke reported that four memberships have been received to-date for a total of $135.00. She will be ordering additional envelopes and letterheads for the upcoming membership drive in March.
4. Old Business –
A. Ongoing Projects/Events:
1) Concerts – Scott has been in touch with Steve regarding this summer’s program. There will be 3 concerts – 2 in July and 1 in August, consisting of a jazz, chamber music and “other” program. It was discussed to try and get subscriptions for the whole series. The application to the Vermont Arts Council can now be accessed on-line. Sue also suggested that Steve go on-line to the TD Banknorth website to apply for funding; apparently the bank generously underwrites programs provided by charitable organizations. Steve has also been contacted by Dee Pratt to organize a jazz concert in July in memory of Jim Pratt.
2) Speakers – no report. Scott will e-mail Sally possible programs provided by the Vermont Council on the Humanities Speakers Bureau.
B. Pratt Hall
1) Clock – The front side of the clock is still not working, but will be looked at when the weather is more amenable. Sue will check her records as to when Rocky was last paid and then bring his payments up-to-date. (Rocky winds the clock on a weekly basis and is available for minor repairs.)
2) Other repairs – Scott has the name of the contact of the Vermont Preservation Trust; he will pass this on to Bill McGroarty to discuss further repairs to Pratt Hall and what funding would be available.
C. Change to Bylaws/Board and Officer Terms
Scott made a Motion, seconded by Sue to change Article V, Section 3 as follows; the Motion was unanimously approved.
Current language of Article V, Section 3:
The term for a Director shall be three years and no Director may serve more than two consecutive terms. The Board of Directors will be divided into three equal classes so that no more than 1/3rd of the terms of Board Members expire in any one year.
Approved revised language of Article V, Section 3:
The term of a Director shall be for one year, with the exception of the Treasurer, whose term shall be for three years. The Board of Directors shall be presented and voted in at each annual meeting.
D. Archival Data Base – a demonstration will be given on Monday, February 12th at 5:00 PM as the Town Hall.
E. Fundraising Chair/Events
1) Annual Meeting/Auction –
Sue reported that Parma will be in charge of the food preparation for the Annual Meeting at Pratt Hall on Friday, June 22nd.
The tent for the auction will be put up on Thursday or Friday so that, if possible, it can also be used for the meeting. Sue asked several board members to be in charge of food, “runners”, cashiering, etc. for the auction. Requests for donations of good quality auction items will be put in the newsletter and the auction will be announced in The Courier and Buyers’ Digest.
2) DVD – Johnson State College students prepared a DVD on the History of Franklin County. The DVD sells for $15 and is available for $10 on orders of 10 or more. It was decided to place an initial order for 10 and promote the DVD in newsletters and on the MHS website. John made the suggestion to offer the DVD for free with a membership renewal of $75 or more.
F. VT History Expo – Scott will advise the VT Historical Society that the MHS will not participate this year.
G. County Meeting Feedback
Scott, Bill, Pat and Marijke attended a meeting at the Sheldon Elementary School in January of 5-6
Franklin County historical societies. The next meeting will be in October. This initial meeting was to get acquainted and exchange ideas for exhibits, funding and collections. The overall concern of the societies was funding of programs, building repair and maintenance.
H. Donations in memory of Jim Pratt received to-date total $335. Dee Pratt has mentioned that there is a provision in his will for funding of a specific project. It was discussed that this could possible be the replacement of the plexiglass on the stained glass windows (there are five left to be done at a cost of ±$600 each.)
5. New Business:
A. James Ouellette has proposed to offer his to assist with setting up a trust or other resources strategy.
B. DVD “History of Franklin County” was viewed at the end of the meeting
C. Correspondence
Scott accessed the TD Banknorth Charitable Program website and will apply for a grant of $27,000. This grant could be used to restore/repair the Heaton house for future exhibits or to pay of the mortgage if this is allowed under the terms of the grant. Sue will check this out with the person in charge. The Bank’s committee meets quarterly to decide which grant will be distributed.
6. Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 7:25 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Marijke Dollois