West Bridgewater Historical Commission
Meeting Minutes
October 5, 2009
Called to order: 7:07 P.M.
Present: Commission Members Bob Bevis, Jim Benson, Joan McAndrew and Tom McAndrew.
Absent: Commission Member Anne Marie Sheedy.
In Anne Marie’s absence, Tom McAndrew agreed to record the meeting minutes.
Joan McAndrew updated the Finance budget report. She reported payment of $ 675.70 to Arcadia Publishing leaving a balance of $ 243.86 in the Historical Museum donation account. Joan also reported a balance of $ 450.00 in the operating budget account. Jim Benson expressed concern about the nature of the donation accounts as to whether they had a limit and are “revolving” accounts. Joan agreed to get clarification from the Town Accountant. A motion was made to accept the financial report and was passed unanimously.
The minutes of the September 1, 2009 meeting were passed unanimously.
Bob Bevis reported receiving a telephone call from a West Bridgewater resident regarding getting property listed on the Historic Register. When Bob was told the property in question was located in Plymouth he redirected the caller to the Plymouth Historical Commission. Bob also mentioned a newly passed ethics law that would require Historical Commission Members to pass a test. He had no details but said further information to come.
Under old business, Bob Bevis reported that the next living history videotaping of the three living Town Clerks is on the “fast track”.
Regarding the Drury Bell, Joan McAndrew reported she returned a phone call to a potential donor that the complete Drury Bell repair and landscaping would cost about $2,500.00. Joan also reported that to date Drury Bell donation account has had no donations.
Bob Bevis reported that there was no change in the status of the property inventory update. Bob also reported that he hopes to begin anew starting with his own property.
In regards to the Town Museum, Bob reported that on October 1, 2009 a West Bridgewater High School Intern took still pictures of the fire barn to be used as a “before” in order to document the creation of the proposed Town Museum. Bob also reported recent damage to the fire barn entrance and that he will discuss this with Selectman Mathew Albanese at the October 6, 2009 department head meeting. Jim Benson expressed concern over the preservation of documents currently stored in the fire barn. Bob Bevis agreed to invite Paul Stringham and Nancy Morrison to our next meeting with the goal of establishing a protocol regarding documentation, preservation and disposal of said documents.
Jim Benson reported that the West Bridgewater history book sales are proceeding steadily. He stated that the Old Bridgewater Historic Society wants to sell copies of the book at a discounted price with a portion of the proceeds benefitting OBHS. Tom McAndrew and Bob Bevis voiced some concern and after discussion no motion was made and no action taken.
The demolition of an old house on South Elm Street was brought up. Tom McAndrew and Jim Benson agreed to visit the site and take pictures.
Joan McAndrew, as WBHC representative on the CPA Committee, reported that she will attend the next CPA meeting on October 19, 2009.
Bob Bevis agreed to look further into the status of historic signs. A discussion followed about possibly considering the idea of a Historic District to include the Howard and River Street area. No action was taken.
In new business, Bob Bevis reported he spoke with Ronnie Snell regarding cemetery signage. Ronnie said that he would have to see the granite stones before any estimate could be made for etching into the stones. Bob agreed to follow up on this issue.
Joan McAndrew reported that Town resident Marilyn Raleigh has pictures of old Howard High School football teams that she could loan or donate to the Town Museum. Joan also reported that Mary Graf of WBCOA supplied her with some potential fundraising ideas for the Town Museum.
The Commission agreed that the next meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 2, 2009.
Meeting adjourned at 9:20 P.M.
Respectfully submitted by Tom McAndrew
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