Historical Commission
Present: Mike D., Sue D., John C.
Remote: Bob C
Guest: Matt W.
Agenda:
I. Brimfield Contact: We welcomed Brimfield resident Matt W. who expressed an interest in becoming an adjunct member.
II. Records Project: Mike summarized the project for Matt. Mike will be putting in an order for more archival boxes and sleeves.
III. Historic Plaque Program: Sue submitted the invoice for Joe Faucher to get paid for the template. Follow up is needed with Joe to ensure he received the check and to find out when we can submit orders.
IV. Newsletter: Mike described the Christmas newsletter and requested that if anyone has any ideas for the January letter, to get that to him.
V. Book Sales: Mike is out of books. Discussed visiting vendors to check on numbers, and collect any money. Sue will visit Apple Barn and Mike will check in at the library. We agreed to check with Cindy after the meeting on the sales at Hitchcock. Matt suggested the local antique shop as a possible vendor. We still have one listed on EBAY.
VI. Cannon Project: The current estimate is just under 20K, and the majority considered it high. We discussed the process for preservation and questioned the necessary steps. We questioned whether mechanical cleaning is needed and if a corrosion resistant agent is needed in addition to paint. We reviewed why we missed the grant application last year and why we need current estimates. We discussed also needing donations for the grant because it's matching. John suggested talking with the town of Spencer to see what they had done because they look good.
VII. Annual Report: Discussed that the 2023 report should include the grant, records project, flag, historical marker program, and cannon project.
VIII. Steerage Rock: Follow up is needed regarding this topic as we've received no response from the SB.
New/Old Business:
1. Mike discussed putting together a power point on Tabitha M. Brown and eventually putting it on YouTube
2. Mike will continue to look into building a website.
3. Discussed the Town Hall heat/working in there on the records project. Confusion on whether the heat is off or just turned down.
4. Discussed the Annex and possible plans that the town has for offices.
Motion to adjourn at 6:55pm