2008-07-08 Historical Commission Minutes

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Reading Historical Commission Meeting Minutes READING, MASS. Meeting called to order at 7:55 pm at the Town Hall Berger Room ZOOS S P- Q P 3= 0,6 Commission Members in attendance included: Virginia Adams Sharlene Reynolds Santo, Secretary Kathy Greenfield, Chair Karen Herrick Roberta Sullivan, Treasurer Angela Binda Minutes: • Minutes - Minutes were reviewed from the meeting of May 21'h.' Roberta moved to accept the minutes as amended. Virginia seconded. Approved 4-0. Minutes were reviewed from the meeting of June 6'h. Kathy moved to accept the minutes as amended. Virginia seconded. Approved 4-0. Minutes were reviewed from the meeting of June I e. Virginia moved to accept the minutes as amended. Kathy seconded. Approved 4-0. • Treasurers Report - Roberta reported that less than one dollar was returned to the town at the end of the last fiscal year (June 30, 2008). • At Wood End - Roberta reported that 1500 books (52 cases) remain in storage at the Wakefield Item, along with 38 cases at the Town Hall. Since the last printing just over 300 volumes have sold. We have a breakeven point of 835 @ $30.00 each. The Commission discussed ways to market the book more effectively and will seek additional storage space within the Town. Karen volunteered to check with Attorney Coleman and Latham & Latham about buying some books to give to new homeowners. Commission also discussed sending a letter to each Real Estate business in town regarding the book. Another suggestion was made to donate a number of books to the third grade classrooms, since Reading history is a part of their curriculum. Community Connection will also advertise the book. Roberta moved to reduce the price of the book from $30.00 to $25.00. Sharlene seconded. The Commission voted and approved 4-0. Kathy will arrange to get a case to the Hitching Post. • Commission Officers - Virginia moved to reappoint existing slate of officers for the 2008-2009 fiscal year. Roberta seconded. Approved 4-0. The Commission then discussed the idea of. letting Associate Members vote when necessary. Kathy will check how a decision on this could be made. • Friends and Family Day - Many people stopped by the booth. The Banner came out well and the tent was very helpful. The wind kept blowing things over and the power point presentation was difficult to see outside. Although it may not have been worth all the effort it did give the group good visibility. • Miscellaneous o The Commission received a call from a Mr. Woolaver of Chatham, MA, indicating that he has some Civil War items which he is thinking of donating. Virginia did speak with him and did some research to determine if these items are related to Reading. The Commission discussed its response to Mr. Woolaver. a Virginia met with the Town Planner regarding the plaque layout. They decided the plaques should be staggered off a centerline of the sidewalk. There will be 8 on the west side of Main Street, between Woburn and Haven Streets, and 2 on the east side of Main Street. • Meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm. • The next meeting is scheduled for August 5, 2008 at 7:30 pm