The Lower Merion Historical Society

Executive BoardMeeting

Thursday, June 24,2010

The Lower MerionAcademy

Present: JerryFrancis, Denise Francis, Ted Goldsborough, Sarah Bonnice, Max Buten, PhilEidelson, Ross Mitchell, Joanne Murray, Steve Salinger, Jack Hagner, BruceReed, Ann Bagley, Doug Bagley, Bobbie McElroy.

Absent:  Andy Amsterdam, Leon Levine, Anna O’Hora, DennisMontagna.

Jerry called the meeting to order at 7:34 PM.

The Minutes of the January 21, 2010 Executive Board Meetingwere unanimously approved as written.

The Minutes of the April 18, 2010 Annual Meeting wereunanimously approved as written.

Cynwyd Train StationStabilization (Phase 1).  Stumpo Construction has been paid for their services thru 5/31. Broadlands Financial continues to do their monthly site inspection and written report. Ned Stumpo should finish his work by mid July. The SEPTA waiting room and bathroom will be ready and the 2^nd floor apartment is about finished. The apartment will have its appliances moved in, but can only be lived in when we get the “Certificate of Occupancy” from the Township.

The ejector pump and sewer line, which is SEPTA’s responsibility, remains an open issue. SEPTA has recently decided to pursue the formal public bidding process on their Electronic Procurement System with a turnaround of anywhere from 2 to 8 months. SEPTA said that they would try to speed up the process and possibly have the project completed by October 1^st, but there is no guarantee. The anticipated cost to SEPTA is in the ballpark of $60,000.

The motion was made by Ross Mitchell and seconded by Ted Goldsborough to authorize Bruce Reed, our solicitor, to contact Tom Ellis, et al. and ask for their help in expediting the installation of the sewer system. The Board unanimously approved this motion.

Cynwyd Train Station Caretaker (Phase 2) Doug Bagley is ready to move into the 2^nd floor apartment, but first we must have the “Certificate of Occupancy” which requires the completion of the sewer system.

Cynwyd Train Station Office Area (Phase 2) Jerry has met with and given a tour of the station to Heidi Tirjan (the Township’s Retail Coordinator) and Dave DeLuca (a commercial real estate agent) about what business would be best suited for the first floor office space. Whatever business moves in, it should support the nearby Cynwyd Heritage Trail.

Cynwyd Train Station PennDOT Grant (Phase 3) PennDOT has awarded a $325,000 Grant to SEPTA for improvements to the station platform and the connection to the Township’s Cynwyd Heritage Trail.  Jerry showed a sketch that was done by Dan Russoniello of Archer & Buchanan Architecture that illustrated these planned improvements.

Cynwyd Heritage Trail Update: cf. handout “Cynwyd Heritage Trail Phase I Implementation” dated April 29, 2010. In addition, Max, Steve, Sarah F., Jerry, et al. have visited the site of Clegg’s Mill and posted signs and survey flags to mark its location.  Hopefully other archeological sites will be unearthed in that area.

Preserve America Grant: cf. letter from the U.S. Department of the Interior dated April 23, 2010. This Grant was approved in January 2010, then rescinded in May 2010 and again has been awarded to the Township. It’s a $20,000 matching grant primarily to be used for historical signage along the trail. The Historical Society will work closely with the Township on this grant.

Capital Campaign: The Campaign has a 3 year timeline (2010 to 2012). The goal is $250,000. An outline of the Financial Feasibility Review for the Cynwyd Station Rehabilitation Project was provided.

Vertical Response: Joanne Murray is working on the Vertical Response electronic database to communicate with our broad audience of contacts. Initially, she has completed the conversion of the Historical Society’s membership database into this new format. When this new database system is completed, it will allow us a more economical way to communicate with our audience.

October 2^nd Banquet: Ross Mitchell is chairing a committee to develop plans for this fund raising event.  A location and program are to be developed.

Direct Mail Campaign:  Steve Selinger is working to secure the voter registration list for Lower Merion and Narberth. He is trying to finish by August 16^th.

Statement of Financial Position as of May 31, 2010: Jack Hagner presented the Historical Society’s Statement of Activities and Detailed Expenses for 5 months, ending May 31, 2010 with notes for each of the statements. A motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report, as presented, was unanimously approved.

2010 Budget: Jack presented this report. A motion to approve the Budget, as presented, was unanimously approved.

2009 Financial Review:  A committee, consisting of Ann Bagley and Philip Bagley, has reviewed the financial statements of 2009 and found the statements to be in good order. A motion to accept the Financial Review, as presented, was unanimously approved.

Education: Ted and Jerry hosted 16 lectures and events from January 1^st to May 31^st. Most were done by Ted and thanks were expressed to Ted for his dedication and energy.

Library: Ted Goldsborough displayed a collection of letters, written to Russell Byerley by Lower Merion High School students who were in World War II, that have been presented to the Historical Society. Farilyn Leopold has arranged these letters alphabetically and placed them in sheet protectors and into binders. Aliza Reese, a student volunteer, has made a database for all the pictures to combine them with the letters.

Website: Max Buten is talking to the organization that operates www://phillyhistory.org about storing the Historical Society’s pictures on their website. They could sell our images from their site. Max will find out how that will work. Ted and Max continue to take photos to be put on our website.

Membership: Denise Francis reported that 88 “Second Notices” were sent out on June 15th. There has been some response.

Program: Joanne Murray and Sarah Bonnice are working on a program for the Heritage Trail’s connection to the Cynwyd Train Station. They are looking into a walk along the trail with a visit to the Train Station. The program will probably be combined with the October 2^nd event. When the construction part of the trail begins, the trail will be closed, because heavy equipment needs to be used to hardscape and softscape the trail surfaces.

Public Relations/Publications: Arcadia Publishing has agreed to publish our book “Lower Merion and Narberth” by October 4^th. Jerry hopes that they will agree to push back the date, to before Oct. 1^st, to accommodate our Banquet.

Old Business:

* Upgrade to the HVAC in the Archive Room - A commercial de-humidifier was installed in the Archive Room on June 14^th. The unit is able to maintain a better humidity.

* Repair of the fireplace in the attic – on hold until the leak around the chimney flashing is repaired.

* W. Robert Swartz Collection – this collection is being reviewed on a time available basis.

* Repair and re-installation of the Lancaster Avenue Milestones #5 located near St. Charles Seminary – nothing to report at this time.

* Removal and re-installation of the Lancaster Avenue Milestone #9 located in front of Ludington Library. This stone has been moved to storage at Ashbridge Park until completion of construction on Ludington Library.

The Meeting was adjourned at 9:32PM

The next Executive Board Meeting is scheduled for

        Thursday, September 16, 2010 at 7:30 PM at the Lower Merion Academy

Respectfully Submitted,

Bobbie McElroy, Recording Secretary