AUGUST 22, 2007

ATTENDANCE: Peter Bondi, Chair; Erik Chandler; Douglas Hempstead;
David Park; John Kurtzman; Kathryn Martino; Deborah Mathies; Gail Wall; Charles Yost

GUESTS: Ralph Bloom, Joseph Robidoux, Friends of the Norwalk Museum; Chris Cooke, Lockwood Mathews Mansion Museum;
Jackie Lightfield, Yourct.com; Robert Koch, The Hour

CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Bondi called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

EVAN ROBBINS – BOY SCOUT EAGLE PROJECT PRESENTATION: BROOKSIDE CEMETERY

The Robbins’ family is on vacation. Evan informed Mr. Park that he had completed his presentation and will give his project presentation at the next meeting.

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES – JULY 25, 2007

The following corrections were made to the minutes:

Page 3: change “the Curator” to “a Curator”

** MR. PARK MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES AS CORRECTED
** MR. HEMPSTEAD SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE (1) ABSTENTION (MR. YOST)

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Mr. Bondi read his written report. He pointed out that last month he was asked to investigate costs for a cell phone for the Curator. He said that the City’s cost is $10.00 a month and 10 cents a minute. He said that he spoke to the Grants Coordinator about looking into an infrastructure grant for Mill Hill.

Mr. Bondi said that he spoke with Ms. Young, the City’s Summer Job Coordinator about the Intern being left alone while the Museum was closed. He said that Ms. Young did not have any concerns and was pleased with the way the Curator has handled the Interns over the past two years.

Mr. Bondi reported that the Curator is researching information about Klondike Park. The Curator will be meeting at Mill Hill to go over repairs to the various buildings.

The Friends proposal was submitted to the appropriate parties. The Union representative has declined the proposal stating that the Union will file a prohibitive practice because the Friends want to do the Curator’s job.

Mr. Robidoux said that he has been volunteering for various Norwalk organizations for over 40 years and has never run into a situation with so many roadblocks. Ms. Wall said that this proposal was supposed to go to the Land Use and Building Management Committee. Mr. Bondi said that he would take this up at their next meeting. Personnel took it to the Corporation Counsel. Mr. Hempstead said that the Land Use and Building Management Committee did not have an issue with the concept, and that is what the Friends gave to the Committee. He said that it takes a long time to get through the Law Department. He said that he believed that the Land Use Committee would take this up at their next meeting and then the Law Department will draft an Agreement. The Common Council wants to see a final document, not a concept.

REPORTS – BOARDS

FRIENDS OF THE NORWALK MUSEUM

Mr. Bloom distributed his written report. Mr. Bondi noted that a new exhibition and sale based upon the artwork of Norwalk Harbor by local artists will open on Sunday, October 14th and end on Sunday, November 18th. Mr. Bondi asked Mr. Bloom to bring all exhibits before the Commission for approval. Mr. Bloom pointed out that the exhibit is explained in the written report. Mr. Hempstead asked for a brief written format of the exhibit.

** MR. KURTZMAN MOVED TO ACCEPT THE EXHIBITION AND SALE OF ARTWORK OF THE NORWALK HARBOR BY RON GULICK AND RON TAYLOR TO TAKE PLACE BETWEEN OCTOBER 14, 2007 AND NOVEMBER 18, 2007

Mr. Hempstead asked if there would be any cost to the City. Mr. Bloom said that there would be none.

** MR. HEMPSTEAD SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

NORWALK HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Ms. Wall reviewed the written report submitted by Mr. Kuykendall, President of the Norwalk Historical Society. She distributed photographs of the Smith Street Barn and the Jail.

Mr. Park reported that weed whacking was done in front of the Jail; the Barn will be done next. The Curator made arrangements with Mr. Shockley to have the graffiti removed. There has been a problem with the fire alarm at the Jail and Mr. Eleck, the electrician has been notified to replace the alarm.

LOCKWOOD MATHEWS MANSION

Mr. Cooke reported that Laura Macaluso has been offered the position of Assistant Director/Curator at the Mansion. She will begin work on September 5th and will work part time for the first four months; Mr. Gerarden will stay on as the Temporary Executive Director. He has done a terrific job. After four months, Ms. Maculuso is expected to move into the Executive Director’s position and at that time, Mr. Gerarden will leave.

Klaff’s recently had their annual golf outing and the proceeds went to the Museum. Two films had tentative plans to shoot at the Museum, but they fell though. The Junior League’s Winter Fair is coming back to the Museum after an absence of several years.

Mr. Bondi asked if the new Curator can come to the Historical Commission meetings. He added that he would love to see the contracts that have been drawn for the movies. Ms. Gail asked if the movie contracts are based on the format of the Stepford Wives contract. Mr. Cooke said that they were; they want all of the production companies to understand the Museum.

Ms. Mathies asked if the former volunteers have returned. Mr. Cooke said that some came back immediately and the Gift Shop is now open.

REPORTS – SUB-COMMITTEES

FINANCE

There was no report this evening.

BUILDING

Ms. Wall said that the door on the Carriage House will be painted an historic color. She said that there was a small window of opportunity. Mr. Kurtzman said that he looked at the situation and the door is very old, but believes the wood will work with paint for a number of years. He said that the proper way would be to strip the door and paint is and do a restoration. Mr. Hempstead suggested that if they wish to do a restoration they should put it on the list.

** MS. WALL MOVED TO GIVE THE CENTER APPROVAL TO PAINT THE DOOR AN HISTORIC COLOR
** MR. CHANDLER SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Mr. Bondi reported that the Law Office bid has been extended to September 6th. They neglected to get enough qualified contractors to bid on the project.

Ms. Gunn-Bromley met with Fairfield County Restoration at Mill Hill today to discuss repairs to the Town House. Ms. Mathies asked if the Curator had been able to get the historic buildings under the City’s maintenance. Mr. Bondi said that the City changed their maintenance company without notifying a number of people and without going out to bid. Mr. Hempstead said that Mr. Lo will take up the matter of maintaining the historic buildings in September.

** MR. CHANDLER MOVED TO APPROVE REPAIRS TO THE TOWN HOUSE BY FAIRFIELD COUNTY RESTORATION AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $1,000
** MS. WALL SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Ms. Wall asked about the vacant apartment at the Jail. She said that it would be nice if the rent came back to the Commission to be used toward repairs and maintenance. The rent instead goes into the General Fund. Mr. Bondi agreed that the Commission should be able to use that rent money.

CEMETERY REPORTS

Mr. Park reported that he attended the August 2nd Planning Committee meeting and informed them that the Historic Commission has authority over Pine Island. He added that a car traveling on the road, hit the railing.

Mr. Park reported that he wrote to the State of Connecticut asking for examples of application that can be used for the application to designate Pine Island Cemetery a landmark. He said that the chains across the driveway to Pine Island Cemetery were stolen.

Ms. Mathies asked if they could get motion activated lights installed at Pine Island Cemetery. Mr. Park said that there is no electricity nearby. They could possibly get spotlights placed on the pole facing the Cemetery.

The Boy Scouts cleaned Kellogg Cemetery on Nursery Street.

NORWALK MUSEUM
MUSEUM POLICY

Mr. Chandler suggested postponing this item to the next meeting because this last version just came in today. Mr. Bondi suggested that as a Committee they go over the policy and then come back with a finished draft. Ms. Mathies suggested looking at the Barnum Museum’s policy.

Ms. Wall asked why the Museum vault was left open. Mr. Bondi said that Ms. Gunn-Bromley claims that it was not left open. Ms. Mathies said that it was open when she was here. Mr. Bondi said that Ms. Gunn-Bromley remembers locking it. Ms. Wall said that having the vault open has been an issue in the past. She said that it can not continue. Ms. Wall suggested installing an additional Sonitrol devise. Mr. Bondi suggested changing the vault combination.

Ms. Mathies noting that the walls were bare, asked what happened to the items in this room. Mr. Bondi said that Ms. Gunn-Bromley put everything in the vault. She took the pictures off the wall with the help of the Intern. He said that there were photographs on the table for years and asked why no one said anything. Ms. Mathies said that she was concerned about items fading from the sunlight; the shades should be drawn.

Ms. Wall said that the Commission has been asking for all of the items to be stored since 2005. Ms. Mathies said that it was silly to take the art work off of the walls. Mr. Hempstead asked if there was money in the account to paint the walls before the art work is returned to the walls. He asked if UV shades would allow people to look out. He said that he would like to see the art work placed back on the walls.

Mr. Bondi said that painting the room would be a monumental task. The art work will be returned to the walls and it will be mandatory to have the shades drawn at all times.

ROGERS-RITCH-MERRITT HOUSE

There was no report this evening.

MUSEUM CURATOR’S AND ASSISTANT TO THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION REPORT

Ms. Mathies asked if she was the only one who did not receive the Curator’s report. Mr. Bondi said that it was not sent to the Commissioners.

** MS. MATHIES MOVED THAT THE MUSEUM CURATOR AND ASSISTANT TO THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION’S REPORT BE SUBMITTED TO THE ENTIRE COMMISSION BY THE FRIDAY BEFORE THE MEETING
** MS. WALL SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Ms. Mathies suggested tabling this item until the next month so that the Report could be sent to all of the Commissioners.

Mr. Chandler suggested that Mr. Bondi read the report to the Commissioners. Mr. Bondi read the Report. The Commissioners discussed the project to sort the pottery shards. Mr. Bondi said that he wants them separated. He noted that he is trying to keep the cemeteries in order and keep the Museum open. Ms. Wall said that she was concerned that the Curator was spending a lot of time sorting the shards. She asked when the eight barrels of shards would be removed. She also asked how they arrived at the Museum. Mr. Bondi said that he brought them here.

Mr. Bondi reported that 8,800 objects were entered into the master data base. The summer Intern completed her stay here. Mr. Bondi reported that visitor ship is down.

OLD BUSINESS

There was no old business.

NEW BUSINESS

PROPOSED CHAIN OF COMMAND PROTOCOLS

Mr. Chandler distributed the document and asked for comments. He gave a brief overview of the reason for this protocol. Ms. Wall pointed out that this has been a long term situation. Mr. Yost asked why someone did not do anything. Ms. Wall said that this is not a new situation; there are at least ten motions asking for the Curator to do specific tasks. Mr. Chandler said that it sounds like the Curator has limited days. Ms. Wall said that she works full time.

The Commissioners discussed the document and made suggestions.

Ms. Mathies said that a unilateral decision was made by Mr. Bondi to take the art work off of the walls; this was not efficient. Mr. Chandler pointed out that this has been resolved. Ms. Mathies suggested that Mr. Bondi seek input from the Commissioners in the future.

ACCEPTANCE OF ITEMS

1. Glass Plate Negatives dated 1890-1900 donated by Mary Ellen Hauge

** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED TO ACCEPT THE ITEM
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

2. Stew Leonard’s Customer Cookbook

** MR. PARK MOVED TO ACCEPT THE ITEM
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

ADJOURNMENT

There was no further business and the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Rosemarie Lombardi
Telesco Secretarial Services

Norwalk Museum Report to the Historical Commission
For August 22, 2007 meeting

• The doorbell has been installed on the ramp door. This system is working well and we are looking to have another doorbell installed on the side door.

• The transition to MUNIS and the new purchasing system is going slowly. The museum is a satellite of the City system and not connected fully to the Munis support system. (It will never be able to be connected without the wires being laid.) However, this office is now processing all Historical Commission purchase orders as well as processing vouchers.

• The Extermination treatment for Mill Hill and the Old Jail will take place on September 1. Both the termite, Carpenter ant and Rodent treatments will be done at the same time. The exterminator will not need access to the Mill Hill buildings. I will be supervising the work.

• The Gate Lodge chimney repair work will start in September, when the weather is cooler. We should have a date by next week.

• Purchasing has sent the second round of Fitch Law Office restoration proposals out. They held the walk through last Thursday. The process we are following is directed and run by the Purchasing Department. The Commission will be able to review the proposals before the work is awarded.

• The ground floor fire alarm in the Old Jail is going to be replaced.

• Recreation and Parks have cut the brush from in front of the Old Jail. They have also agreed to remove the brush in front of the Barn as soon as they have the manpower to do so. I sent a visual reminder to Mike Mocciae last week.

• David Shockley, Neighborhood Improvement Coordinator for Redevelopment has agreed to have his men paint out the graffiti on the Smith St. Barn. The NHC has supplied graffiti remover and paint. The work should be done this week.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

• The museum was open for the SoNo Art Festival on August 4th (10-5) and 5th (11-5). We received a number of visitors coming in from the heat and to use our facilities.

• The Friends are continuing to have problems finding volunteers to work on Saturdays. The museum has been closed for the past two Saturdays.

• The Curator has submitted a draft of the Museum and Collections Policy to the Norwalk Museum sub-committee and looks forward to working with them on its further development.

• The Curator is managing the Museum collections, Archives, Reference Library and records. Many of the projects that have been planned based in part on the CAPS grant recommendations have been started and are now falling into place.

• There are now over 8,800 objects entered into the master (protected) database. The master database entries have been proofed. Please see the records from the database that has been printed to date. (The photographs have not been printed on this version of the report.) The database was started from scratch and has been complicated to design and implement so that it will serve the collection and museum well. As we find additional records with information this information will be added.

• Yahaira Martinez, the museum’s Summer Intern has completed her stay here. She worked hard and was very competent. Her work will continue to benefit the operations of the museum and this office.

• Visitorship to the museum continues to be down compared to previous years according to the visitor logs we keep. However, researchers continue to seek out and use the Archives at a steady rate; exploring genealogies, City records – Borough of Norwalk, City of Norwalk, City of South Norwalk and Town of Norwalk, reference books, houses and properties.

• I continue to receive, and answer when possible, email research inquiries with the assistance of our intern and museum volunteers.

• Plaza Management & Realty has refreshed the parking lot paint and reinstalled the signs that the Saturday night revelers break off.

• We received the offer of several donations. A sheet describing the donations and identifying the donor will be prepared in time for the meeting. The donations are available for review.

Respectfully submitted,

Susan Gunn Bromley
Curator

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