Otis Historical Commission
February 6, 2024 Minutes
ATTENDANCE: Diane Provenz, Gail Gelburd, Joel Myers, Hal Kobrin, Celeste Watman, Geoff Pigman, Jessica Provenz, Stephanie Skinner. The meeting began at 4:30 pm.
MINUTES: The January minutes were approved unanimously.
KNOX TRAIL: A motion was made and approved unanimously to move Jessica Provenz’s discussion of the Knox Trail video to be the next item on the Agenda. Jessica reported that an 11 minute video was made about the Knox Trail. There was a discussion about a possible March viewing of the video by the Commission. In the video, there are 3 historians who speak about the Knox Trail, and there is actual footage of the Trail. It was also stated that the video cost was $7,500. Not only does the video provide historical insight, it can be used in fundraising.
BUDGET: An order was placed by Gail to purchase toner, a printer, a label maker, and other office supplies. These items were ordered through Quill.
A motion was made and approved unanimously to hire LeBeau Appraisal Services at a maximum fee of $3,500.00 to inventory and appraise the items in the Otis Historical Commission’s collection, located on the 2nd floor of the Otis Library. His fees are $125.00 per hour for an on site visit, and $50.00 per hour for office work, and we will request an estimate before any work begins. We will ask him to begin work during the first week in April.
PRESERVATION ACTIVITIES: Diane reported that we are still waiting for an approval of the land transfer, and that we also need an underwriter’s approval. We want to thank Diane for all of her efforts in accomplishing this land acquisition from James Sienna to the Town of Otis. There was a discussion about removing the cushions from the Otis Cultural Center at Historic St. Paul’s, and we need to schedule the date with the Town so that the building is open. February 22, at 3:00 pm was mentioned as a possible date for the cushion removal.
Joel stated that the construction firm, LaRochelle is supposed to begin work in March at the Otis Cultural Center at Historic St. Pauls. The work includes the installation of a vapor barriers to control dampness.
There is no new information about the East Otis school because we have not heard from the Town. Joel also said that he is not the project coordinator for the school, and therefore, the Town does not have one person on the Commission to provide updated information.
There is no update from Tom Ragusa about the Knox Trail.
No work was done about signage.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: John Fontaine, from Fontaine Auctions viewed the OHC collection to determine if there are any items that might be worthwhile to auction. He determined that only the guns might be sold, and he asked Celeste to send him information about the firearms.
The inventory and appraisal of the OHC collection was discussed under the budget category.
Notice Otis scheduled a Zoom meeting on February 15th about the new Gould Farm restaurant, and on March 21st, Gail Gelburd will talk about Sue Moody.
Hal said that Steve Abdow will write a Memorandum of Agreement pertaining to the organ that was once in St. Paul’s. The Memorandum will include the costs of the organ restoration, and moving it. Hal mentioned that Steve volunteered to assist in the return of the chandelier, and the other chattels which were removed from St. Paul’s.
FUNDING AVTIVITIES: Stephanie, the President of the Otis Preservation Trust reported that $191,351.00 was in the OPT bank account, $12,000.00 in the Wells Fargo account, and that $24,123.00 was raised from the Annual Appeal. She also stated that from the $191,351.00 bank account, $118,000.00 was needed for our matching grant.
UPDATE ON GRANT ACTIVITIES: The Otis Preservation Trust will apply for the National Parks Service Paul Bruhn grant. The grant will be for the East Otis Schoolhouse, and the Otis Cultural Center at Historic St. Paul’s.
For the MPFF grant (Round 30) Gail stated that we need to ask the Town for a warrant of $100,000 for the match to this application.
The Otis Preservation Trust (OPT) received a response from the Fitzpatrick Foundation which mentioned that they will respond to the OPT request sometime in February.
NEW BUSINESS: Diane spoke about visiting historic sites in the Spring. The next meeting of the Commission will be held on March 5, at 4:30 pm.