Historical Commission Meeting
Present: Adrienne Bachand, Sue Overbey, Sue DeBruin, Mark Conners, Mike Defalco, Bob Corry, John Curtis
Absent: Roseann B.
Meeting opened at 6:05pm
Mark provided dessert and refreshments as a celebration for being able to meet inside the gazebo as a board- a 4+ year project. Mark provided a re-cap of the board's accomplishments in the last 15 years- including (but not limited to) refurbishing the Civil War monument, placing 50+ plaques on historic homes and buildings, adding historic district signs, adding steerage rock sign, placing a Revolutionary War momument on the common, publishing "101 Things to Know About Brimfield", the Gazebo project, saving the Annex, and changing the face of Cumberland Farms to fit in our historic town center.
I. Appointments- Discussed recent developments regarding article 33 on the town warrant and that we are limited to 7 voting members per Massachusetts general law. Recommended no action or vote.
II. Book Project- Mike reported the numbers of books available for purchase at each sales location. Discussed having a table at Old Home Day to sell books. Sue D. will follow up on this.
III. Stamp Project- Mike reported that the US Stamp Committee notified him that they received his proposal and will meet to discuss it. The Oregon (Tabitha Brown)group sent a letter to them in support. There has been no response from Warren or Markey's offices in support of this project.
IV. Windmill- Mike reported about a meeting with Father Jack who will contact the Springfield Diocese about transferring the property/windmill location to the BHC. There was a survey done on the windmill but it can't be found. Mike contacted the town counsel with permission by the Select Board and it was suggested that once we have a survey and square footage of the property, to get back in touch and cc the Select Board on all correspondences.
V. Records- A committee will be formed after the town elections and a Select Board member will be chosen to join it. It will consist of a BHC member, the town clerk, the secretary to the SB, and a SB member. Mike reported that he will put information together for the Mass Roving Archaivist on what we are looking to preserve in preparation for a committee. Mike and Roseann completed a preliminary survey of the contents of the office, including a 1976 bicentennial flag, along with documents. Sue O. reported that the town of Wales had a similar storage problem and hired someone to come and catalogue and store documents/items in archaival boxes. The storage is held out of town, but information can be requested with a short turn around. Suggested asking Rod in the finance office for the name of the company that Wales used.
VI. Gazebo Project- Mark and Bob reported on the project overview and outstanding expenses. A report will be given to the SB on remaining projects to complete the gazebo project such as electrical, landscaping, and stairs to be built. A final accounting will also be provided. The electrical will be completed by Tantasqua by Tuesday 6/7. We are awaiting a final bid on the stairs. Mike requested that landscaping be a priority item and money should be committed to finishing the gazebo before the additional "wish list" items. Mike also suggested naming the gazebo. We discussed additional outstanding expenses such as our "Welcome to Brimfield" sign with the display case and town history, flag pole, and trash/smoking containers. Deposits have been given on the flagpole and sign. Joe Faucher joined the meeting to show the board examples of his proposed lettering for a "Brimfield, Mass" sign to hang above the gazebo steps.
Meeting adjourned at 7:10 with a motion by Sue O. and second by Mark