Executive Board Meeting President Jerry Francis called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Ted Goldsborough led the Pledge of Allegiance. Officers and Directors present: Betty Cannon, George Broseman, Phil Eidelson, Denise Francis, Jerry Francis, Ted Goldsborough, Alison Graham, Jack Hagner, S. Hamill Horne, Ross Mitchell, Dennis Montagna, Bruce Reed, and Joan Roberts Excused absences: Ann Bagley, Mary Keim, Jack Maguire, Bobbie McElroy Guests: Carolyn Graham, Jules Merron, and Bob Zimmerman The minutes of the September 28, 2004, meeting were approved as presented. President's Report: Jerry Francis commented on what is happening with theLower Merion Academy: Mr. Pat Guinnane, Director of Operations for the school district, prepared a memo for Dr. Haupt, principal of Bala Cynwyd Middle School, dated September 10, 2004, in which he listed maintenance projects completed at the Academy for 2003-4 and proposed for 2004-5. Proposed for this year on the first floor are to install wooden venetian blinds, replace wall lighting, replace counter tops, and repair stucco on the terrace/porch. Heating/cooling units will be installed so the Academy is independent of the middle school. Nominating Committee: Due to the resignation of Christine Jones as VicePresident, Ross L. Mitchell was nominated as Vice President to fill that officeuntil April, 2005. The motion passed. Treasurer's Report: Jack Hagner presented a Statement of Financial Position as of August 31, 2004 and the Budget for Year 2004. Page 4 of the Financial Report shows $30,646 overspent from the Restricted Funds account for the Academy renovations. The receipt of grant money from the state will correct most of that negative balance. Although not definite yet, we anticipate a few more grants from local organizations.Regarding sales of The First 300..., we anticipate selling about 200 copies this year. To date in 2004, we've sold 113 including sales by Borders in Wynnewood and Bryn Mawr, Barnes and Noble in Bryn Mawr, Character Development in Narberth, and Diane Publishing. Education: Ted Goldsborough said the 4th grade programs in the public schools completed their 8th year of Lenape lectures by Jerry Francis in January, Ted's speaking to a few classes about local history, giving 13 bus tours to approximately 625 fourth graders in April, and the Intergenerational Interviews in May. Ted gave a bus tour of Lower Merion Schools to new staff hired by the district in late August. On behalf of the Society, Ted attended his third Friends of Autocar luncheon in September, and Jerry gives lectures in Gulley Run to students from Bala Cynwyd Middle School. So far this year, Jerry and Ted have spoken to approximately 2,300 people during 38 talks/tours. Library and Website: In the absence of Mary Keim, Jerry reported that about30 books have been donated, which Phil Eidelson has cataloged. The website was updated with these books and with 250 to 300 articles from our Vertical File. Our October Milestones newsletter is on-line for the first time. Our site is receiving about 300 "visitors" a day. Lower Merion Township has donated several items including some scrapbooks ofmostly newspaper articles/photographs from the 1930's to the 1950's, copies of the Pennsylvania Manual, and several "railroad" atlases, the portable, folding type. Membership: Denise Francis reported that last week of June, 2004, seventy-five "second" notices for dues were mailed. Forty-three members have not responded, 14 of whom have not paid for two years and shall be dropped in 2005 if not paid. Currently, including 56 complimentary memberships, and we have 317 names in our database. Program: Because Ann Bagley is attending another meeting tonight, Jerry gaveher report. Our next program is a joint effort with Merion Friends Meeting on Education, Saturday, October 16th in the Academy from 1:30-3:00. Severalspeakers will make presentations during this forum. Pa. Senator Connie Williams will award us a presentation check for $20,000 to the Society (for a DCED grant we're awaiting) and $20,000 to Merion Meeting. On Sunday, November 14th, we'll have a free, walking tour of the architecture of West Laurel Hill Cemetery from 1:00 to 3:00. In April, 2004, a banquet for members only is planned for the Annual Meeting. In May, there will be an arboretum walking tour of West Laurel Hill Cemetery. In June, we'll have a joint program with the Haverford Township HistoricalSociety and Harriton Plantation. Public Relations: Due to the resignations of Christine and Dick Jones, we seek a chair of this committee. Sarah Francis helped edit our October "Milestones" but Sarah has relocated to New York City. Instead of using "mechanicals" and having Sir Speedy print the newsletter, which required a longer lead time, we switched to sending the articles and images via e-mail to Acquire, a desktop publishing company, in Ardmore. This method also enables us to put the newsletter on our website. The cost is comparable. Strategic Planning: Using flip charts, Jerry and Alison Graham, discussed the Society's assets and liabilities which are: Assets: Liabilities: Ideas on how to improve the SocietyÕs image and membership were discussed.A motion was made, seconded and approved that for the calendar year 2005 we will increase our membership dues to the following: "Student or Individual Senior" from $15 to $30 Also, two motions were made that will update our current By-Laws.Membership and Dues, Article III, Section 2 - add "Corporate" as a type of Membership. Dissolution, Article IX - New Wording: "In the event of dissolution of this Society, all of the funds (after the payment of debts), property, and historical collections shall go to and vest to an IRS code 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization such as the Lower Merion Library System or similar organization with a comparable mission selected by the remaining members of the Board of Directors unless directed otherwise." The above two motions were moved, seconded and unanimously approved . For these changes to take effect (cf. Article XI, Amendments to By-Laws), a second vote is required by the Executive Board. Therefore, on November 16, 2004, at our next Board Meeting, a second vote will be taken. New Business: Comments by Lower Merion Commissioner Bruce Reed: In recent months there has been a proposal by the township to demolish all structures on the north side (railroad side) of East Lancaster Ave. in Ardmore from the Township Building at 75 East Lancaster to Station Road. Due to the controversy this caused, $110,000 was paid to the Urban Land Institute (ULI) to consider pros andcons and make a recommendation as they did in Bryn Mawr. The recommendation is not to demolish. Although the staff is overburdened, eventually an update should be undertaken regarding the comprehensive plan. Areas of the township causing controversy at present include Ardmore's business district, Bryn Mawr regarding the hospital and M.U.S.T., Rock Hill Road, the M.U.S.T. overlay at R-5 stations including Wynnewood, Ardmore and Bryn Mawr, and Lankenau Hospital's zoning/access road. The meeting was adjourned at 9:21 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Ted Goldsborough, acting Recording Secretary
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