CITY OF NORWALK
HISTORICAL COMMISSION
NOVEMBER 28, 2007

ATTENDANCE: Peter Bondi, Chair; Eric Chandler; John Kurtzman;
Kathryn Martino; David Park; Charles Yost

GUESTS: Ralph Bloom, Friends of the Norwalk Museum; Patsy Brescia, LMMM; Chris Cooke, LMMM; Joan Peterdi, Center for Contemporary Printmaking; David Westmoreland

CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Bondi called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES – OCTOBER 24, 2007

The following correction was made to the minutes:

Page 4 – change Mr. Robinson to Ms. Robinson.

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

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Mr. Bondi reported that he met with Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Lo and they discussed hiring a handyman to perform various tasks at the historical buildings. This will be discussed further.

REPORTS: BOARDS

NORWALK HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Ms. Wall distributed and highlighted Mr. Kuykendall’s written report.

ACCEPT NORWALK HISTORICAL SOCIETY REPORT

** MR. YOST MOVED TO ACCEPT THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY’S REPORT
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
LOCKWOOD MATHEWS MANSION

Mr. Cooke reported that they are interviewing for an additional position at the Mansion. He also reported that the Junior League is back after an absence of 15 years. The Winter Fair was a huge success. An historical presentation took place last week and that was also a huge success.

Ms. Brescia said that they are embarking on a very exciting time at the Mansion. They have laid out a programming budget for next year. Ms. Brescia said that they will be asking for an increase in funding so that they can move forward with this programming. Their utilities and insurance costs are approximately $50,000 per year. Mr. Cooke said that they would like to request $50,000 to help defray on going expenses. In response to Ms. Wall’s question, Ms. Brescia said that they have not made a decision as to whether or not they will hold a gala fundraiser next year.

Mr. Bloom suggested installing insulation under the windows to break the air flow, which may help conserve the heat.

FRIENDS OF THE NORWALK MUSEUM

Mr. Bloom distributed his written report.

Mr. Bloom introduced Ms. Peterdi.

Ms. Wall asked Mr. Bloom how things were going with the Volunteers and Staff. Mr. Bloom reported an incident where the Curator removed the key from the handicap door. He said that door is a common area and puts the partnership in jeopardy. Ms. Wall said that she heard there was a problem with access to the telephone. Mr. Bloom said that there was no phone in the building and it is generally located in the shop. A Volunteer had to use their personal cell phone. People were calling in but they could not locate the telephone receiver.

Mr. Bondi said that there is a doorbell and that the handset got misplaced. Mr. Bloom said that he looked for the handset over the weekend and it re-appeared on Monday along with the key. The Museum Committee will meet to come up with guidelines.

Ms. Peterdi submitted a copy of their capital requests.

REPORTS: SUB-COMMITTEES

OPERATING BUDGET

Ms. Martino presented the operating budget. The Commissioners discussed recommendations.

** PARK MOVED TO APPROVE THE OPERATING BUDGET WITH INPUT FROM MR. WESTMORELAND REGARDING COSTS TO REPAIR DAMAGE TO PINE ISLAND CEMETERY
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

CAPITAL BUDGET

Ms. Martino said that part of the problem was that the City felt that the Commission did not do a lot of the work they requested funding for. Ms. Wall said that the Historical Society discussed getting estimates to improve the HVAC system and to purchase an air conditioner at the Town House. She said that they hope to have that ready for the capital budget. She stressed that it was crucial that they have supporting data with any requests for funding.

BUILDING COMMITTEE

Mr. Kurtzman reported that the east roof at the Mansion is rotted. Mr. Bondi offered to send the contractor who is working at the Fitch House to look at it and submit a proposal.

Mr. Kurtzman said that the paint does not look good. Mr. Bondi said that the painter has contacted Brandman’s.

CEMETERY REPORTS

Mr. Park said that he did not have an update from Eagle Scout, Evan Robbins.

Mr. Park reported that Pine Island Cemetery was vandalized. He asked Mr. Westmoreland to meet with him to do an inventory to determine which stones were vandalized. He also contacted Norwalk Police Officer Ouellette on November 23, 2007 to document the case. The case number is: 07-61613. Mr. Park said that he also e-mailed Chief Rilling to let him now about the vandalism.

Mr. Park said that he asked for more Police patrols and wants to pursue high pressure sodium lighting.

NORWALK MUSEUM

Mr. Chandler said that he e-mailed the Curator to inquire when, after the first of the year, they can meet to work on new programs.

ROGERS-RITCH-MERRITT

There was no report.

MUSEUM CURATOR’S AND ASSISTANT TO THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION REPORT

Mr. Bondi said that the Curator’s report was e-mailed to each Commissioner.

OLD BUSINESS

There was no old business.

NEW BUSINESS

APPROVAL OF PAINT COLOR FOR GATE LODGE ADDITION

The Commissioners discussed the paint color at the Gate Lodge. A swatch of color was presented.

** MR. PARK MOVED TO AUTHORIZE MR. MIKE MUSHKA TO PAINT TH ADDITION TO THE GATE LODGE
** MR. KURTZMAN SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

OTHER

Mr. Bondi said that he talked to Mr. Hamilton, Finance Director and Mr. Lo about hiring a part time (3 days a week) handyman to perform small jobs at the buildings that are overseen by the Historical Commission. This person will not do any plumbing or electrical work. Mr. Hamilton said that the salary will not come out of the Historical Commission’s current budget. The Handyman would answer to the Commission and the Curator would be responsible for conveying the responsibilities to the Handyman. A job description is being created and the Commission will participate in creating the job description.

Ms. Wall asked if the person would be a union employee. Mr. Bondi said that he would find out.

** MR. PARK MOVED TO APPROVE HIRING A PART TIME HANDYMAN
** MR. YOST SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Mr. Bondi asked the Commissioners to think about developing the job description.

ADJOURN

** MR. PARK MOVED TO ADJOURN
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m

Respectfully submitted,

Rosemarie Lombardi
Telesco Secretarial Services

Norwalk Museum Report to the Historical Commission
For November 28, 2007 meeting

• The Fitch Law Office work is nearing completion.

• The front steps to East Wall St. are scheduled to be repaired the weekend of Nov. 23.

• Weather has delayed the repair to the Town House chimney and the moving of the stones. This should be completed by the end of December.

• The Gate Lodge chimney repair work was completed.

• We have found used flat files for the Archives. They will be delivered at the end of the month.

• Additional quotes need to be obtained for the painting of the Conference Room because of the Purchasing procedure.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

• The AASLH-IMLS Connecting to Collections Bookshelf grant was filed with assistance from the NM subcommittee and Katherine Pytleski, grants coordinator.

• In talking to the City, a new pigeon deterrent that squawks like a hawk was discovered. Plaza Management has ordered one for the NM building. We trust this will work, as the pigeons seem to have come from the Haviland parking lot where one of these devises was installed. Plaza continues to scrap/clean the droppings weekly and is resolved to fix this problem.

• We have seen an increase in people interested in coming in to do research in the Archives.

• Once again this year we will be contributors to the Ridgefield Bank wall calendar and will be receiving a donation to the collections for our assistance.

• Two groups of high school students, one from Brien McMahon and one form NHS are working on projects and have made appointments to do research in the Archives.

• Work with the NM Sub-Committee is progressing on the Museum and Collections Policy.

• The accession records and master database continue to grow.

• When possible work has progressed in the Archives. Primarily this has been in the form of filing, organization and improving archival storage of artifacts.

• I continue to receive, and answer phone and email research inquiries.

Respectfully submitted,
Susan Gunn Bromley
Curator

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