Historical Commission minutes for May 5, 2021
Present: Sonia Morrison, Thomas Ragusa, Celeste Watman, Gail Gelburd, Judi Mabee , Diane Provenz
Guests: Melva Eidelberg, Geoff Pigman, Lynne Geane, Ellen Beck, Lauretta Harris, Charles Rosenblum, Hal Kobrin, Brandi Page
Called to order at 10 am
Meeting minutes April minutes approved with correction
Budget update – Items we hope to purchase: file cabinet, scanner/computer. We will need to rent a moving truck to pick up some of the items from the church that are being stored in Springfield. We could also see if we could get volunteers with pickup trucks to save some money. We will store them in Harmony Hall. We will need to pay Bonny $5500 she will send an invoice. Other professional services – records management consultants $7,000.
Computer/file cabinets $1,500. Recording assets $500. Postage/mailer $250 Research application fees and signage $2,000. Will need an undetermined amount to place photos on the fence of St. Paul’s, signage for the Knox Trail and a cover for the 65 mile marker. Business travel $300, Dues and memberships $500, Contribution to Circuit Riders $250.
Grant updates: Schoolhouse – we have not heard anything from town Attorney yet. Knox Trail Video – Jessica has a friend that has a drone that we may use.
Notice Otis Series- Gail suggested we work with Bill Hosley and get as many volunteers as possible to relay the history of St. Paul’s and how places of worship in other towns have been refurbished and re-purposed.
Otis Historical Commission website- A mailer is going out to allow people to sign up. Sonia advised we should promote our articles. At last count 123 people have read what we have currently published. The Otis/East Otis Facebook site gets lots of “likes and Lynn said our Facebook page has now been connected to it. Gail advised that number are important- it helps with grants. Geoff asked who can circulate the link to register to go on zoom meetings. It was suggested its on the Town Website and that’s where the link should be. He is checking on the acapella group.
St. Paul’s – Saturday morning, Lynn Gail, Diane and Larry Gould took pictures to show one of the crown pieces has fallen. Jessica will ask her friend with the drone to see what’s going on up there. Larry may have pictures but he hasn’t shared them with us. Geoff advised the drone operator will need insurance. Sonia asked if OPT has enough money to begin the architectural work. Looks like we will have to take care of it ourselves.
Town meeting Warrants- Sonia advised $42K town vote would guarantee cash flow on the schoolhouse. The town will get the money back once completed. Community center – warrant to keep name we voted on. It will be up to the town vote. Sonia asked if we should put together a statement. Loretta asked if there is an issue with grants depending on naming it a community center rather than an arts center. Gail advised the “use” is very important for grants – we need to show it has educational programming as well. A Notice Otis statement showing the future uses of St. Paul’s should be sent out at next meeting. Can the 70K be released? It will have to go back into the general fund otherwise. We should issue a mission statement. Gail told us using the definition of a community center should work.
The article regarding OPT taking over will be discussed at the OPT meeting.
Gail and Diane will work up our mission statement before the town meeting. It will be short and clear. Stories of the history of Harmony Hall and the Library where Eleanor Roosevelt danced should be of interest to all.
Lynn O’Brien will make a list for us of all the Commission has accomplished and we will provide handouts at the meeting. Geoff said we need envision St Paula and Harmony Hall working together,
Knox Trail – Tom is planning other hikes, The Otis Observer is planning an article in their next issue. He has also been in contact with a producer from the History and Discovery Channels.
New Business – OPT meeting will be held after this meeting. – We should set up an OHC meeting for the morning of the town meeting.
Hal Kobrin advised that the Planning Board is looking at the center of town as a whole – a combined area of historical and community significance. There are grants we can apply for such as complete streets to help the downtown Otis area and the East Otis areas to embrace this vision. Ellen Beck advised our members have done a wonderful and enthusiastic job of fundraising.
Next meeting June 1, 2021 at 10am
Meeting adjourned 11:06 am