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Executive Board Meeting Present: Jerry Francis, Betty Cannon, Anna O'Hora, Dennis Montagna, Denise Francis, Bruce Reed, Joanne Murray, Jim Easter, Ted Goldsborough, Ross Mitchell, Phil Eidelson, Bobbie McElroy. Excused Absences: Andy Amsterdam, Alison Graham, Jack Hagner Jerry Francis called the meeting to order at 7:39pm. Ted Goldsborough led the Pledge Of Allegiance. Minutes of the September 20, 2007 Board Meeting were unanimously approved. Treasurer's Report: There was no Treasurer's Report due to the fact that Jack Hagner was recovering from surgery. Jerry Francis did report that earlier this month Jack and Jerry did have a site visit to Diane Publishing Company to perform the annual book inventory. This audit went smoothly and a complete report will be forthcoming. After his recovery, Jack will draft the "2007 Financial Statement" of the Society's cash position and circulate it to the Executive Board. Jerry did report that our Merrill Lynch Monthly Statement showed a cash balance of $42,417 in our account. Cynwyd Train Station: Jerry gave the background of the leasing agreement between SEPTA and the Township of Lower Merion, then the Township sub-leased the building to The Historical Society. Parallel to these lease agreements, to pay for the construction work, the Township and Montgomery County each awarded a grant of $225,000 to the Historical Society. James Easter of JECB Construction will be the General Contractor for this stabilization Project. Jim presented to the Board, for their consideration, a "Tentative Sketch Plan" and "Scope of Work" for Phase One of the project. Broadlands Financial Group will be the administrator of the project. They will be responsible for the distribution of funds and will be performing monthly site visits to inspect the work in progress. The Cynwyd Station Park is located next to the Train Station. This site will be used as a Trail Head for the Cynwyd Trail which will connect into a network of trails. The complete story will appear in the forthcoming issue of "Milestones." Also, updates to these various projects, along with photographs, will be posted to our website and also to the Township's website. Based on community response, the stabilization of the Station and building of the Trail will be exciting projects. Education: In 2007, the Society gave thirty-one (31) lectures/events that had an attendance of over 990 people. Besides our usual school bus tours and intergenerational interviews, the Society was involved in the promotion of the township's 325th Anniversary. Of the more than a dozen events during this anniversary year, some of the highlights were the publication of a booklet that was distributed to every household in the Township and the Borough, an Interfaith Service held at Merion Meeting and the installation of a "Time Capsule" at the Township Administration Building. Library & Website: Ted Goldsborough has four (4) high school interns working on collection development. In 2007, our website had over 291,693 visitors! Ann Bagley has completed a transcription of "Lower Merion Academy" by Perry L. Anderson written in 1888. This document is now available full text on our website. Ted and Max Buten are working to get over 3,000 photos, from their collection, loaded onto the website. Membership: Denise Francis will be sending out the "Annual Dues" letter shortly. Program: Joanne Murray suggested an alternate format to our Annual Meeting at the New Tavern Restaurant. Joanne's suggestion was adopted; therefore, the April Annual Meeting will be a "Business Meeting" followed by an "Open House" at the Lower Merion Academy. The public will be invited, there will be games, live entertainment, and light refreshments will be served. Publications: Andy Amsterdam has self-published an historical atlas which is a collection of all the archival atlases of Lower Merion and Narberth. Andy should be congratulated for providing such a resource to the local community. Old Business: Our "Autocar Historical Marker," that had been installed at the Ardmore West Shopping Center in Ardmore, was struck by an automobile and badly damaged. Ted retrieved the marker, had it repaired at the foundry in Erie, PA and it is awaiting to be re-installed in the Ardmore area. This will be a Spring-time project. New Business: We paused to remember S. Hamill Horne. Ross Mitchell spoke of his great love for anything historical. Ross would like to raise some money to put a fence and stones around the Llewellyn Family Cemetery in Gladwyne and mark the area in honor of Hamill. The Board approved this proposal. Budget Committee: Jack Hagner and Jerry Francis were appointed and will be responsible to compile a 2008 Budget for presentation to the Board. Financial Review Committee: Phil and Anne Bagley were appointed and will perform the 2007 Financial Review for presentation to the Board. Nominating Committee: The Committee will consist of Jerry Francis, Ted Goldsborough and Ross Mitchell. They will recommend a slate of Directors for election at our Annual Meeting.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:08 P. M. |