THESE ARE THE UNOFFICIAL MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE BOARD.

Board Members and Members Present:    
Scott Perry, Sue Wilson, Parma Jewett, Bill Branthoover, Marijke Dollois, Bill McGroarty, Jo Anne Bennett, Sally Newton

Scott Perry called the Meeting to order at 5:35 PM.

Show and Tell: 
a)    The following items were received from Betty Stanton for the archives: quilt, photos, letters.
b)    Joan Hall Smith, a grand-niece of C.T. Hall, with sister and husbands visited Pratt Hall with Bill Branthoover and paid for a membership. They were impressed with the preservation of Pratt Hall.
c)    The Imperial County Historical Society in California sent a letter informing the MHS they had a postcard of the Hectorville Bridge which they will donate. Scott to confirm acceptance by letter.
d)    Bill Branthoover showed a postcard from the late 1800’s of a Tub & Box of Nelson Hall Company – very unusual.
e)    Douglas Butler of Shrewsbury, MA donated ledger books of the Parker Store from Oct. 1898 and April 1900, as well as postmaster records of the local post-office. Bill will continue correspondence regarding future donations.
f)    Fern Perley, a cousin of bill Branthoover, donated a signed photograph of Gov. Madeleine Kunin and Merrill Perley at the signing of Housebill #8665 settling the boundary line dispute of Avery’s Gore between Enosburg and Montgomery – most of Avery’s Gore went to Montgomery.

Recognition of visitors:
    Ave Leslie

1.    Minutes of 07/16/08: Sue made a Motion, seconded by Parma to approve the Minutes of 07/16/08 as written. Marijke will provide Sue with an up-to-date list of concert series sponsorships.

2.    Treasurer’s Report:
        Checking Account    $    6,799.23
        Stained Glass Window fund CD    5,524.32 @ 1.74% - matures 10/24/08
        Capital Improvement CD    1,862.24 @ 1.74% - matures 12/10/08
        Lalia Pratt Hays Scholarship CD    6,834.69 @ 1.74% - matures 11/06/08
       
        Heaton House Mortgage     $23,810.60 @ 6.49% fixed – matures 12/20/10

        Concert series report:
            Sponsorships    $ 1,975.00
            Ticket Sales    2,092.00    $  4,067.00

         Concert costs    $  4,940.00
            Postage and printing    58.70    $  4,988.70
                Loss                   ($     931.70)

    There are about 3 sponsorships that have not yet been received, the major one of the Vermont Arts Council being $1,000.

Marijke made a Motion, seconded by Bill Mc to approve the Treasurer’s Report of 08/19/08. The Motion was unanimously approved.

3.    Membership Update:
Marijke reported the following:
    192 members - $ 9,220.00
      17 new members
   
Marijke will prepare for the next meeting a list of members who have not renewed since 2005.

4.    Old Business:

A.    Concert series wrap-up: All 3 concerts were well attended and the series is considered to be a success.

B.    August 22-24 Art Show/Member Appreciation Evening – Pratt Hall is ready for the art show; Parma will prepare the food and Sue will purchase the wine. Otherwise, no further report.

C.    Speakers –the 5th grade MES history teacher will be contacted regarding the Abenaki presentation. Otherwise, no further report.

D.        Pratt Hall/Heaton House – Scott asked Bill Mc to reconnect with Ann Cousins of the Preservation Trust Fund regarding grants available such as the Freeman Foundation Grant. Scott to follow-up with Grenier Pest Control after the Sept. 6th wedding.

E.    Insurance coverage – Policies are out there, but not cheap; there would have to be special riders for the stained glass windows. No further report.

F.    New Board Members – No further report.

G.        August 9th at Town Library - Betty Stanton’s presentation was well attended and interesting. It was videotaped by Scott.

H.     Butler Decorative Cloth – Bill Branthoover will send a donation receipt form provided by Scott to Douglas Butler.
   
I.    July 25th presentation “Connecting to Connections” at St. Albans Historical Society – Scott picked up some interesting information regarding preservation which he shared with the board members.

J.    Request from John William Meyer, a Middlebury College student working for the University of Vermont's Landscape Change Program, to scan all our photos in high resolution and save them on a CD; the subject of the project is “Changing Landscapes – now and then”. After further discussion at Motion was made by Bill Mc, seconded by Jo Anne Bennett to accept this proposal and cooperate with UVM. The Motion was unanimously approved.

K.     Mortgage principal reduction – No further action.

L.    Crate transport follow-up – the crate is still in Ohio. Sue will ask Gary Wetherbee if he could possibly pick-up the crate on his return trip from the west coast to Montgomery.

M.    Marion Towle project – no further report

N.    Old maps project – no further report

5.    New Business:
  
    A.    Pratt Hall interior – a discussion took place regarding the peg boards on the walls set up for the art show; it was decided to leave them up and only remove the four of the main walls if it was requested for a special event.

    B.    Book pricing – a Motion was made by Sally Newton, seconded by Sue Wilson to change the current price of $12.00 to $15.00 with an internet price of $18.00 for members and $21.00 for non-members; this includes $3.00 S/H; the Motion was unanimously approved.

    C.    Scott reminded the Board that next year will be the 35th anniversary of the MHS – could we do something special, e.g. at the July 4th parade?

6.    Adjourn: 

        Parma moved and Bill Mc seconded a motion to adjourn at 6:55 P.M.  Said motion passed unanimously.


Respectfully submitted,
Marijke M. Dollois