VETERANS' MEMORIAL COMMITTEE MINUTES ( p1.)
June 7, 2007
Present: Tom Thompson, Barbara Currier, Pat Ford, Ed Ford, Harry Decker, Sandy Ray
Guests: Susan McCormack, Terry McCormack, Kim Gould
Absent: Russ Moren
Call to order: 7:25 PM
Minutes: Moved by Barb Currier, seconded by Tom Thompson and the vote was unanimous (6-0 in favor) to accept as presented the minutes of the April 11th, 2007 meeting.
Barb Currier moved, Ed Ford seconded and the vote was unanimous (6-0 in favor) to accept as presented the minutes of the March 20th, 2007 meeting.
Guests Susan and Terry McCormack attended the meeting to offer their support to the fundraising effort for the new monument. Albert and Alice McCormack were active fundraisers for the first memorial. Susan and Terry reported that a popular fundraising event was a bingo game. As it was the time of the depression, many of the prizes were home produced items. A 5 pound bag of sugar was a great prize due to the rationing of sugar at that time.
The temporary monument has been in place for several weeks. No particular comments about the location change. Many folks apparently did not even notice the change. The opinion reported at these meetings continues to reflect a preference of some Holderness residents for the memorial to remain at the library. Kim Gould asked about lighting the memorial. Ed Ford stated that if a flag is to be flown 24 hours a day it is proper to light it.
Ed reported that a meeting is planned for the next week with Sherry Gould to try to wrap up the name project.
Harry reported contacting Connie Ross, treasurer of the Holderness Historical Society re: the 501 c 3 status. The society does have that status and is willing to act as the receiver of donations for the memorial fundraising. A separate checking account will be set up for that purpose. The Historical Society will include information in their newsletter.
Ed Ford reported that the proper means of disposal of the old memorial is to respectfully burn the panels with the names with the remainder of the structure to go to the dump.
Ed will be responsible for seeing that carried out.
A suggestion was made that some kind of underground steel "bridge" be made to support the monument over the septic field to enable the monument to be relocated in the same location as the old one. Ed Ford stated that the Rock of Ages monument company recommends a full foundation under the memorial.
Memorial Committee Minutes (cont.) (p2)
Tom Thompson was asked to seek the advice of a local contractor re: possible problems of construction of an addition to the library if the new monument is placed at the current site of the temporary monument.
Harry suggested that the library might consider elimination of Historic Register designation to allow more options for the design of an addition to the library.
The following schedule for the project was suggested.
Nov. 11th of 2008 for monument dedication
Fundraising ready to start by Sept. of 2007
Harry suggested that a professional fundraiser be engaged to head up the fundraising project. He reminded the group that there will be several fundraising projects going on simultaneously: the monument for the new bridge over the Pemi, the amphitheater to be constructed along the river front in Plymouth, as well as an effort by Bridgewater Power and NHEC aimed at poison ivy eradication. He has an idea of someone to approach for heading up the veterans' monument and will report back to the committee.
Fundraising would need to be complete by June of '08 to allow time for construction of the monument. Currently the estimated "ballpark" cost is $60,000. The town has set aside $30,000 for the cost with the understanding that the $30,000 is to function as a subsidy to assist if the fundraising effort is unable to raise the entire amount of the cost of the monument and installation. Any unused town funds will be returned to the town.
Ed requested an update of the temporary name list now in place at the library to correct inaccuracies or omissions. The consensus is that money is an issue and this is only a temporary list.
Next meeting: June 28th , 2007 @ the library at 6:45 PM.
Barb Currier moved, Ed Ford seconded and the vote was unanimous (6-0 in favor) of adjourning the meeting at 8:30.
Respectfully submitted,
Sandy Ray, committee member
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