HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-11-12-MMC-minMonuments and Memorials Committee
Minutes of Meeting
November 12, 2015
Present: Bebe Fallick, Kathy Jacob, Charlie Price, Sam Doran (chair), Suzie Barry (Selectmen
liaison).
Item. Minuteman Statue and Minute Men Memorial Conservation: Barry spoke about the next
public information meeting, to be held next Wednesday. Being organized by the DPW. Barry
said the meeting would likely include some of the same informational approach as the last
meeting, in addition to updates from the DPW on the two available methods (bronze and copper
oxide). The Board of Selectmen are the final decision makers on the treatment or "color." Barry
said the DPW has said conservation will definitely not begin until after Patriots' Day 2015.
Minuteman, cont'd: Jacob repeated a suggestion made last month that an in- progress
restoration could serve as a good tourist attraction in summer 2015. Barry noted the DPW has
found a gunk - perhaps an epoxy - on the Minuteman's foot; they are not sure what it is or why it
was put there. Barry stressed this issue is the Monuments & Memorials Committee's first major
appearance in town government; the committee's voice will be highly valued and considered by
the Board of Selectmen as they make their decision.
Minuteman, cont'd.: MonCom will be invited to speak before the Board when they formally
take up the statue treatment issue, perhaps in January. MonCom should hold its vote on
treatment method and craft its formal recommendation to the Selectmen at the committee's
December meeting. A couple members noted they would be unavailable the first Thursday of
December; a new meeting date will be determined via email. Prior to the December meeting,
Doran will reach out to the Historical Society; Price will reach out to his contacts at the National
Park Service in Concord; Jacob will reach out to her conservator contacts; Barry will reach out
to the DPW to follow up on Doran's request for copies of all conservator reports that may exist
on the two monuments.
Item. Rajbhandary Memorial Flagpole: Barry reported no underground electrical digging will
be needed as an anonymous donor stepped forward after MonCom's October meeting to offer a
solar - powered flagpole light. The Selectmen approved the gift Monday after vetting by the
DPW. The light will likely be installed next week. Doran noted this is a speedy and highly
satisfactory solution to an important issue raised just last month.
Item. Monuments & Memorials Inventory: A rough draft was distributed via Google Sheets
prior to the meeting. Not all members could access it as not all have Google accounts. Doran
will email drafts as Excel files in future. Fallick suggested tapping into the Historical
Commission's Cultural Resources Survey to make use of similar entries already written
there. Doran suggested adding a column to the inventory spreadsheet for "who's responsible" for
maintenance of the respective monuments. Members were encouraged to add any other columns
necessary.
Item. Communications from the Public: Doran read an email from Sue Rockwell inquiring
about the history of the old water trough, now a flower planter, at Bedford and Reed
streets. Doran provided light history about the trough which was donated to the town by Moses
Joy and formerly stood where the Minuteman Statue now is. Those present noted it should be
added to the inventory.
Item. Next Meeting: Due to members' travel plans, there will not be a quorum available the
first Thursday of December. It was decided to email amongst the membership and find another
meeting date in December.
Respectfully submitted
Sam Doran