Meeting Minutes

March 16, 2005

Starksboro Historical Society
March 16, 2005

Starksboro Town Office
7:00 - 8:15 pm

Present: Peg Casey, Cynthia Guild Kling, Emma Lou Craig, Olive Phillips, Martin Lewis, Gerald Heffernan, Elsa Gilbertson, Dan Nugent, Alice Dubenetsky, Sarah Adams, Chris Runcie, Jim Runcie, Robert Stokes, Cecilia Bissell, Ruth Beecher

Elsa Gilbertson shared her expertise with historical societies in general. Gerald Heffernan shared his expertise with the Bristol Historical Society. Then we decided to form as the Starksboro Historical Society, and came up with the following positions:

President, Peg Casey
Membership Chairpeople, Sarah Adams and Emma Lou Craig Treasurer, Olive Phillips Secretaries, Ruth Beecher (minutes) and Cynthia Kling (correspondence)

Jim Runcie offered to check the bylaws, after we create them.

We decided to meet each month and created a partial agenda for future meetings:

create bylaws, officially elect officers, discuss future topics, investigate preserving the painted curtain and installing an elevator above SPL, discuss oral history projects.

Further discussion included the possibility of renovating the barn in back, perhaps meeting in the barn at a future meeting to clean as we talk. Dan Nugent kindly offered the use of his truck to haul stuff. Questions that arose: how can the barn be used? What is involved in fixing the structure? Who would be the financial benefactor?

The Historical Society discussion then shifted to a discussion regarding uses of the old Town Office building. How can it be used? One use outlined by Martin Lewis is a co-op made up of town residents selling their homemade wares, especially during the tourist season from May through October. Martin thought interested residents could pay a fee for overhead, and sell their goods, such as maple syrup, jellies, pies, knitted items, blankets, etc. Volunteers could staff the co-op, so a paid staff person wouldn't be needed.

Other uses discussed included a store, and office space. Issues regarding access and parking were discussed. It was decided that more advertising is needed. Dan Nugent kindly agreed to enlarge the existing sign to make it more visible from the road. Alice Dubenetsky mentioned that it would be possible to advertise in local newspapers as well.

Next meeting date was set for the Starksboro Historical Society on April 14th at 7:00 pm at the Town Offices.

Respectfully submitted,
Ruth Beecher