CITY OF NORWALK
HISTORICAL COMMISSION
FEBRUARY 27, 2008

ATTENDANCE: David Park, Chairman; Peter Bondi; Eric Chandler; Joseph DiIrio; Kathryn Martino; Gail Wall; Charles Yost; LaTanya Langley (7:32 p.m.)

GUESTS: Marilyn Robinson, former Chair, Historical Commission

CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Park called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

WELCOME TO NEW COMMISSIONERS – Joseph DiIorio

Mr. Park welcomed Mr. DiIorio to his first meeting. The Commissioners introduced themselves to Mr. DiIorio.

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES - January 23, 2008

The following correction were made to the minutes:

Page 4: last motion should read - abstentions Ms. Martino and Ms. Langley
Page 5: first paragraph, second sentence should read – Volunteers are provided when the Curator is not here or on her days off.

** MR. CHANDLER MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES AS CORRECTED
** MR. BONDI SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

A. COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

The Commissioners discussed the Committee assignments. They are as follows:

Building Committee
John Kurtzman, Chair
Peter Bondi
Joe DiIorio
David Park

Cemetery Committee
David Park, Chair
Kathryn Martino

Finance Committee
Kathryn Martino, Chair
Charles Yost
David Park

Museum Committee
Peter Bondi, Chair
Eric Chandler
LaTanya Langley
Charles Yost
David Park

** MR. BONDI MOVED TO ACCEPT THE COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
** MR. CHANDLER SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE (1) VOTE IN OPPOSITION (MS. WALL)

B. HANDYMAN POSITION

Mr. Park reported that the Personnel Department ran an ad for this position and received 50 responses. He described the interview and hiring process and announced that Anthony Mauro was hired for the position. He began work yesterday. Ms. Gunn-Bromley is the point person and he has already helped out a lot and has other projects planned. Mr. Park asked the Commissioners to let him know if there are other tasks that should be assigned to Mr. Mauro.

Ms. Wall asked about Mr. Mauro’s experience. Mr. Park said that he has extensive experience in all of the trades and also has historical restoration experience. The Personnel Department did not permit the hiring panel to keep a copy of his resume. Ms. Wall asked if all of his references checked out. Mr. Park said that he believed the reference checks were conducted by the Personnel Department.

Mr. Park said that the public hearing for the demolition delay for the West Main Street property was successful. The property owner answered questions from the public and was cooperative. It appears that the property owner has a good relationship with the neighbors.

REPORTS – BOARDS:

A. NORWALK HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Ms. Wall submitted the written report dated February 27th. Mr. Chandler asked about the status of the barn tagging. Mr. Park said that the graffiti has been removed.

B. LOCKWOOD MATHEWS MANSION

There was no report this evening.

REPORTS – SUB-COMMITTEES

A. FINANCE

The Commissioners discussed the City’s funding recommendations for the HVAC system at Mill Hill. Ms. Martino will e-mail Mr. Hamilton, City of Norwalk Finance Director to ask him to explain his reasoning for not fully funding the project.

B. BUILDING COMMITTEE

Mr. Bondi reported that they have to re-bid the lighting project at Mill Hill because they only received one bid and the City requires two bids if the project costs over $5,000. Ms. Wall asked if they could break out the bid package into smaller phases. Mr. Bondi said that he will look into other scenarios they could use to expedite the process.

Mr. Bondi said that they are waiting for the School House plans and a proposal for the Gate House from Mr. Levy.

C. CEMETERY REPORTS

Mr. Park reported that Mr. Westmoreland is getting prices for restoration work at the Kellogg Comstock Cemetery. Mr. Park met with Eagle Scout Evan Roberts who is soliciting donations for his project at Brookside Cemetery. He will begin work during the spring break.

Ms. Langley joined the meeting at 7:32 p.m.

Mr. Park said that they are working on Pine Island Cemetery. A request for $20,000 was put into the capital budget for lighting to help discourage vandalism. The Parks and Recreation Department received a quote for $15,000 for two poles. Ms. Wall asked about increased Police coverage. Mr. Park said that Chief Rilling said that he would increase patrols at the Cemetery.

D. NORWALK MUSEUM

Mr. Bondi said that the Committee met and discussed having a sports exhibit based on Norwalk athletes and Norwalk sports programs. They would like to get an oral history from Norwalk’s senior athletes. He said that they believe the exhibit would be exciting, would get a lot of participation from the athletes and would bring the public out to talk about their experiences. They plan to open the exhibit in late March.

Ms. Wall said that generally, exhibits are discussed and approved by the Commissioners.

** MR. BONDI MOVED TO APPROVE A SPORTING EXHIBIT TO OPEN AT THE END OF MARCH 2008
** MR. CHANDLER SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE (1) ABSTENTION (MS. WALL)

Ms. Robinson explained that there are times when an idea may be questionable and that is the reason for running it by the entire Commission. Mr. Bondi thanked Ms. Robinson for getting the grant for the bookshelves; they will be a great asset to the Museum.

MUSEUM CURATOR’S AND ASSISTANT TO THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION REPORT

The written report was not discussed.

OLD BUSINESS

There was no old business.

NEW BUSINESS

A. BET OPERATING BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:30 P.M. ON MARCH 13, 2008

Mr. Park announced the BET meeting.

Mr. Chandler said that Ms. Mathies resigned from the Commission because she is moving. He said that Ms. Mathies has been a member of the Historical Commission for a long time and has done a great job. Mr. Park will send her a letter of thanks. He said that the Common Council thanked Ms. Mathies during their last meeting when they announced resignations.

There was no further business and the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Rosemarie Lombardi
Telesco Secretarial Services

Norwalk Museum Report to the Historical Commission
For February 27, 2008 meeting

• The building committee is working with the Historical Society to determine the design of the door replacement.

• The painting of the Conference Room is scheduled to begin on Feb. 26.

• The two small electrical jobs at Mill Hill will be completed on Feb. 28.

• The electrical RFP has gone out to bid. There were two companies at the walk-through.

• There was a good turn out at the Capital Budget P&Z Public Hearing with many willing to get up and speak in support of the Commission’s budget.

• The Norwalk Museum has been selected to receive the IMLS Connecting to Collections Bookshelf from the first round of applications. (Institute of Museum and Library Services)

• The Museum locks have been changed per the direction of the Chairman and the NM Sub-committee based on the Procedures Manual. Keys were assigned to the Friends of the Norwalk Museums for the Museum and Gift Shop. Mr. Bloom signed for the keys on February 15.

• Plaza Realty installed new battery back-up thermostats in the Merchants’ Court and the Conference Room and Management after they discovered the temperature in the Merchants’ Court was 53 degrees. They have made a big difference.

• It appears that the sewer gas problem that has plagued the building on and off for the last seven or so years has been solved.

• The NM has welcomed several new volunteers and returning volunteers. The NM is now listed on the Voluntary Action Center website and was mentioned in the Volunteer Corner of The Hour last Thursday.

• The Friends of the Norwalk Museums held their monthly meeting last Wednesday beginning about 5 and ending sometime after the Curator left at 5:45.

• The FNM have not volunteered at the NM since December 23.

• Interest in the Archives is strong. Researchers working on the NHS plaque program have found the collections helpful.

• The number of accession records entered into the Master Database continues to grow.

• When possible, work has progressed on the Archives and the collections.

• I continue to receive, and answer visitor, phone and email research inquiries on a daily basis.

Respectfully submitted,
Susan Gunn Bromley, Curator

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