Meeting Dates
Sept 25 '08
Minutes for Sep 25, 2008 [Annual Meeting]
Present: President Suzanne Carlson, Vice President Roslyn Strong, Treasurer Ruth Bryant, Secretary Jo Cameron, Genealogist Cathy Orne, Rebecca Townsend, Bruce Cameron.
The first order of business was the election of officers for the 2008-2009 year. The current slate was accepted for nomination. The Secretary cast one vote to elect the slate unanimously. The Board of Trustees lacks a member. Bruce Cameron suggested Frank Perkins, Jr. The position will remain open pending a nomination and vote.
Treasurer Ruth Bryant reported a balance in May 2008 of $1,411.17; since then, $40 in dues and $4.09 in interest. The current balance is $1,425.26. The Treasurer's report was received unanimously. It was noted that three reproduction 1857 Edgecomb maps, valued at $15 each, were donated to the Fort Edgecomb Bicentennial silent auction in April. Dues of $5.00 were paid at the meeting for Lee Smith to be an honorary member.
The minutes of the May 22 meeting were tabled. The Secretary noted that it had been agreed to continue the examination of Edgecomb's industrial history through the coming year.
Comprehensive Plan: Sue reported a stimulating first public forum on the aspects of economic development and housing. Coming fora on October 9 and October 25 will cover natural resources and public facilities/services. Historical and archaeological sites will be included in the forum of October 25.
Fort Edgecomb Bicentennial
Bruce Cameron said that the Coastal Senior College has invited Tom Desjardin, Historic Site Specialist with the State Bureau of Parks and Lands, to present a course on American History from the end of the Revolution through the end of the War of 1812. This course will be coordinated with the Bicentennial.
Jo reported that Norman Buttrick, of the state archaeological team which excavated Fort Edgecomb in 1985, has expressed willingness to give a talk for the Bicentennial Lecture Series. Details are still to be determined. Jo recommended an honorarium of $100 be made to each speaker in the series, although certain speakers under consideration may expect more.
Pending Buttrick's availability, Jo said she would plan the Fall Triad evening meeting to also be the "opening gun" of the Bicentennial lecture series.
Current History Collection
Sue recommended that the EHS begin collecting materials of lasting significance from the recent era (1950 to present) lest they be lost to posterity. Among such materials should be included the original (1971?) Planning Board ordinance which incorporated a comprehensive plan; the 1991 Comprehensive Plan and the 2003 revision. Jo suggested the Bypass environmental impact statement and related materials. Sue and Byron Johnson have each taken extensive recent photographs recording Edgecomb conditions, which provide a continuum to the Ivan Flye photographs.
A policy should be developed for the collection and retention of such recent materials.
Oral History: Jo mentioned Veula Reed, Lee Smith and Bob Brown as valuable resource people.
Industrial History: A number of industrial archaeological sites were listed, for possible field trips:
| * | the mica mines on the Schmid Preserve were visited last spring, but the Camerons has a similar mine on their property, with the remains of mining machinery |
| * | the tidal mill on Mill Road; another on Parsons Creek |
| * | a salt pond and brickyard on Salt Marsh Cove |
| * | the cow pass which starts up the Eddy Road and runs under Route 27, suggested by Rebecca Townsend |
| * | granite quarry on Quarry Farm property |
| * | Poole's Landing? It is now in private hands, no longer a public facility |
Field Trips: It was agreed to try to visit as many of the brickyards as can be identified, subject to property owners' permission.
Genealogy: Cathy reported that there have been several inquiries, but very vague, concerning names too common for successful identification. Sue said that all these inquiries have come via the Town's website.
Website
Bruce Cameron offered to set up a website independent of the Town website, to serve both EHS and FOFE. Midcoast Internet Solutions, Inc of Rockland charges no annual fee to non-profit organizations, although there will be a one-time set-up fee of $50 and an annual fee of $20 to maintain the site name.
Ruth pointed out that EHS is not a federal 501(c)(3), but has State tax exemption. Fees could be split, with EHS paying its share to FOFE.
It was moved, seconded and unanimously voted to authorize Bruce to set up a website to serve EHS and FOFE.
We will need to create a suitable website url which identifies both organizations. EdgeHistFOFE.org? FOFEEHS.org?
Sue asked that Midcoast set up an e-mail filter so the site does not get too many spams. EHS.org and FOFE.org e-mail addresses might be set up to automatically relay messages to several appropriate persons, as is done on the Town's website.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:15 p.m. The next meeting will be October 23, at 2:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Joanna M. Cameron
Secretary