Sheldon Historical Society
Board of directors
November 19, 2024
The Meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm, with Board Members Mr Crane, Mr Derry, Ms Derry, Mr Valenta, Mr Kaseoru, Ms Churchill present at the Sheldon Town Office; Mr McFeeters, Mr Smith, and Ms Mercure attending by video. Mr Norris, Ms Crane, Mr Garrow were absent. Ms Betty Cheny, Notary, attends at the request of Mr and Ms Derry.
Mr McFeeters took the chair. Mr Derry/Mr Crane 2nd moved the agenda be amended to consider the report of the Finance Committee first, in consideration of the time of the Notary Public whose presence is occasioned by the action of that committee. The motion was unanimously approved.
On behalf of the Finance Committee Mr Crane/Ms Churchill 2nd moved that the board of the Sheldon Historical Society accept the donation of $20,000 from Bryan Derry, subject to the terms and conditions of the donor as stated in the proposed endowment (on file); and the treasurer shall be directed to invest it in one or more Certificates of Deposit or Vermont Municipal Bonds rated A or better, of varying maturity, which investments shall be titled and accounted as the Derry Fund, within the Sheldon Historical Society Endowment Fund. The motion passed unanimously, and the Derry proposal was affixed with the signatures of all board members present, witnessed and ensealed by the Notary Public.
Ms Churchill presented the treasurer’s report (qv) and on a motion by Mr Crane/Mr Derry 2nd, it passed without objection. The revised budget format was approved on a motion by Mr Crane/Ms Derry 2nd.
Committee reports were offered: Ms Mercure reprised the Calcutta results, noting that the 2025 Calcutta is on the Abbey books for September 26th. Mr Valenta spoke for the Education committee, suggesting several ideas for engaging youth and families in our communities. Ms Mercure reminded the board of the early-learners’ visits to the museum this past spring, and hopes that can be built upon in May. Mr Smith will share his established contacts within the Sheldon elementary school with Mr Valenta.
Planning for activities, programming and special events needs to be developed in time for sufficient notice to be published. A summer/fall calendar of events should be available for distribution in the spring.
Mr Crane, speaking to the building program, indicated the projects are largely wound down for the winter. The final reporting for the Bruhn Grant is due. Mr Derry expressed concern about the status of the pending bridge replacement project: work on our road frontage must be coordinated with the plans for the bridge. Mr Crane will address this with the Selectboard and Town Administrator.
Open Hours for the coming season were discussed, and attendance was reviewed. Weekend hours drew 50% more visitors than weekday open hours. We were open only 21 days during the season. The importance of certain, fixed hours was clear: advertising our presence -and our services- requires predictability. Questions concerning signage on State or Town roads will be revisited in our next meeting. Rail Trail informational signs are also a possible expression of our outreach. Mr Smith will explore opportunities with VTrans.
Mr McFeeters discussed a possible Active Collections training opportunity sponsored by the Vermont Historical Society. He has submitted a proposal on our behalf.
Our next meeting will be Tuesday, January 21.
The meeting adjourned at 8:10
Respectfully submitted,
Andrew Crane, sec’ty