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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-09-21 Celebration Trust Committee MinutesO 2 4 ~ ~ ~ b e h h 4 O 1644 E TS . 350d- NNIVF~=° - - . Minutes of the 40th Meeting of Readingis 350th Anniversary Celebration Steering Committee September 21, 1993, Tuesday 7:30 P.M. Berger Room, Reading Town Hall Committee Members in Attendance: Alan Foulds, Chairman, Paul Sweeney, Susan Theophanis, Nancy Smethurst, Ellen Stanton, Shirley Buzderewicz, Mary Williams, Everett Blodgett and Cathy Quimby. Also Attendina: Ken Latham and Anna Carroll, Directors of 350th, Inc.; Les & Irene York, Anita Valentine, Maurice Donegan and Dick McHugh from the North Reading 350th Committee, Don and Ponny Wood. Ed Palmer and Sandy Trainor were present for portions of the meeting I. CALL TO ORDER Alan Foulds called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. II. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS The minutes of the July 13, 1993 meeting were accepted as read. III. COMMUNICATIONS The North Reading 350th Chairman, Maurice Donegan, requested more information to take back to his committee, and volunteered to as- sist with the celebration in Reading. Inquiries from groups in- terested in participating in the parade and Jubileve were referred to the proper persons. Mr. Leslie York reported that several Scout groups were interested. Everett Blodgett reported Don Cripps has reportedly offered a $5,000.00 contribution towards the parade. IV. OTHER BUSINESS A. Sub-Committee Reports Everett Blodgett reported on the book issues that needed resolu- tion by the Steering Committee. The Reading Co-Operative Bank is a $5,000 sponsor. On motion of Cathy Quimby, it was voted to in- clude a full-page acknowledgment in the book thanking the bank for their donation and one-half page each thanking the An- tiquarian Society and the Cripps for their interest-free loans. Approximately 400 books have been pre-sold to date. The maps will be line-copied for better quality. On motion of Cathy READING'S 350th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION STEERING COMMITTEE TOWN HALL Q, 16 LOWELL STREET o. READING, A 01867 Page 2 Reading's 350th Steering Committee September 21, 1993 Quimby, it was voted that the 350th Committee file the necessary application to copyright the book. The publishing timetable is currently October 15th to the printer's. The method of disposi- tion of surplus books will be decided at a later date. The issues of whether or not books should be donated to various non- profit groups and how to acknowledge the work of the book com- mittee were briefly discussed. Books will be offered for sale at pre-publication prices until December 1 or until books arrive, whichever is earlier. Don and Ponny Wood presented their idea to hold a country-style dance event in November as a fund-raiser for the 350th, and they generously offered to cover any expenses incurred. Line, square and country two-step dances would be included. On motion of Cathy Quimby, it was voted that the 350th Committee accept the Wood's generous offer. Letters have been sent to all the bands in the region who might participate in a competition as part of the parade. A number of bands need a commitment by January. The Yorks will offer a trophy for the outstanding Scout. Judy O'Hare has access to very large puppets for the parade, but needs a long lead time to or- ganize their use. The Ball Committee visited Camp Curtis Guild, but found the cost and conditions of use prohibitive. The Field House was selected as the best choice, and a number of new members have joined the Ball Committee. On motion of Mary Williams, seconded by Ellen Stanton, it was voted 5-3 that the 350th Steering Committee pursue a Town Meeting warrant article to be allowed to serve beer and wine, subject to written confirmation of individual com- mittee member indemnification by the Board of Selectmen, such in- demnification to include liability for all 350th Steering Com- mittee events. Although it is assumed that the invididual members of the 350th Committee would be indemnified by the Town against any personal liability for any lawsuit brought against the 350th Committee and its members, the Committee members would prefer to see a letter to that effect from the Selectmen, especially where alcoholic beverages could be involved. Sandy Trainor presented an update on the 350th Walk-a-Thou event. The kick-off is at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 2 and Arnold Berger will be present. Lloyd Donald will be the DJ for 24 hours, and there will be a chili cookoff which will help to provide food for the walkers. Donation checks should be made out to Reading's 350th Inc. Tom McKinley has completed "Patriotic Variations - Yankee Doodle" for the 350th celebration. The Reading symphony will receive part of the music next week and will most likely begin rehearsal next month. Mr. McKinley will provide written documentation that he has completed his contract so that final payment can be released to him. Page 3 Reading's 350th Steering Committee September 21, 1993 Ellen Stanton reported on her follow-up calls to some of the small businesses. Most of the small businesses have equally small budgets but might be interested in contributing to the souvenir program. Specific sizes and costs for advertising would be helpful in getting contributions for the program. McDonalds and Marshalls would like to be involved, although a meeting might be necessary. Addison Wesley and Wes Parkers also need another letter and a meeting. Susan Theophanis has contacted the Board of Directors of the Multiple Listing Service, and she will con- tact the real estate offices individually. Mary Williams will meet with the Board of Directors of Rotary on Monday to discuss the possibility of Rotary producing the souvenir program. Ellen also reported that Clark Booth has volunteered to help out if necessary with an address about the history of the Town; also Karen Lanthier, a teacher at Parker, has been very enthusiastic about volunteering and has a period costume. Ellen also sug- gested that we need to have children more involved and one idea was to create a "living" birthday cake. V. NEXT MEETINGS - (we agreed to begin more frequent meetings) October 5, 1993 Tuesday, 7:30 P.M.; and October 19, 1993 VI. ADJOURNMENT - Alan Foulds adjourned the meeting at 10:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~e d Nancy L.aSmethurst, Secretary Pro Tem