HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-03-04 Cultural Council Minutes Town of Reading
X Meeting Minutes RECEIVED
TOWN CLERK
READING, MA
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Cultural Council
2019 MAY -6 AM 11: 38
Date: 2019-03-04 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Pleasant Street Senior Center Location: Arts and Crafts Room
Address: 49 Pleasant Street Session: Open Session
Purpose: Version:
Attendees: Members - Present:
Donna Schenkel, Nora Bucko, Mary Ann Kozlowski, Brian Kimerer, Rosemary
Lewis
Members - Not Present:
Nancy Ziemlak, Jane Soloway, Megan Fidler Carey
Others Present:
Kathy Natale
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Rosemary Lewis
Topics of Discussion:
Call to order at 7:00 pm.
Minutes were approved.
Treasurer's report: Jane was not present.
Kathy Natale has joined the council, but has not formally been sworn in. She will complete
the online training for MCC and the town's Conflict of Interest training. Donna and the rest
of the council welcomed her expected appointment.
Donna announced that the town manager notified her that the proposed budget for next
year includes a $5000 allotment for the Cultural Council to add to our grant money. This
still awaits approval from the Financial Committee and Town Meeting support. However, all
members present expressed gratitude and Donna will send a thank you note to Barry
Berman, who was instrumental in garnering this support by inviting us to present to the
Select Board in January.
MaryAnn presented a proposed press release. There was discussion about where this would
appear and how to distribute it. Nancy has managed the master email list and town website
in the past, and will likely be able to do this again. Donna mentioned that we need to
update the town website.
Brian and Megan will be working on a new Community Survey this spring with Nancy's help.
They will arrange to meet with her. The Survey starts in May and runs through the
summer.
Donna asked members to consider if we need to make any changes in the criteria and
priorities for grant consideration. If so, they need to be in place by August. After
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discussion and review of those currently in place, it was decided by a vote, to keep them as
is.
Donna asked members to think of inviting friends or acquaintances in the community to
become new members of the RCC. Currently, there are 2 open positions for associate
members, one of which will be filled by Kathy. It was suggested that we contact the High
School Guidance department to see if there might be a student who is interested in serving
on the council for a year in an associate member capacity. Donna will ask Megan to do this.
Donna, Nancy and Rosemary's terms will expire in June, 2020. Donna asked that someone
consider taking over chair position next year while she is still on the council to assist in the
transition.
The Newcomer's Table event will take place at the library again this month and there was
discussion about being involved. It was decided that we will not take part in this event.
Meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm.
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