#831: Bronson Narrows

Meeting Dates

Dec 19 '08


Dec 19 '08

FOFE met at the home of Ros Strong and Sue Carlson. The meeting was opened at 3:05 p.m. by President Bruce Cameron. Attending: Bruce Cameron, Vice President Sue Carlson, Secretary-Treasurer Jo Cameron, Ros Strong, Frank Perkins, Tom Boudin.

The minutes of December 10 were approved unanimously. There was no Treasurer's report. [The FOFE treasury, now at The First National Bank of Damariscotta, remains at $4,866.24.]

1. Bruce reported that Claudia Coffin, Edgecomb's Town Clerk/Treasurer, has informed the Selectmen that a Fort Edgecomb Bicentennial Committee has never existed as a Town Committee, therefore its funds do not belong to the Town of Edgecomb. It was agreed that this no longer presents an issue.

2. Bruce then asked how to proceed on Sue's suggestion for a motion (on page 3 of the 12/10 minutes), to donate a portion of existing FOFE funds to the Town, on condition it appoints and duly swears in members of a new Town Fort Edgecomb Bicentennial Committee. Sue said she saw no reason to continue with it.

3. Bruce said that at the December 15th Selectmen's meeting, he had been ordered by them to turn over FOFE's money and for Jo and him to meet with them on January 5.

   Tom Boudin asked if we need an official retraction from the Selectmen.

   Sue suggested that, before the January 5 meeting, FOFE should send the Selectmen a letter requesting retraction. [of their insistence that FOFE turn over the funds.] Sue said that FOFE should be prepared to get something to them in writing as soon as possible. Bruce pointed out that the minutes of the December 15 Selectmen's meeting would not be public information until December 29 when they are approved. Bruce asked for a motion to this effect.

   Jo moved that FOFE not meet with the Edgecomb Selectmen until FOFE has had an opportunity to respond to the published minutes of the Selectmen's meeting of December 15, 2008. The vote was unanimously in favor.

   Ros asked if it were illegal for that news to be known before that time? It was agreed that the meeting had been reported in the newspapers, although the minutes could not be shared with Bruce at that time.

   Sue advised it was best for FOFE not to be proactive, but to let the Selectmen respond to us.

   Frank asked if there were not still money in the Edgecomb town budget for the Fort Edgecomb Bicentennial Committee? Tom advised to leave those funds alone, or let Claudia [inform us if our use of them is proper]. Sue said we need the Town's bulk mail permit for in-town mailings.

4. Bruce said that the Selectmen's topic on January 5 will be the letter by Becky Benton, who now claims she never wrote it.

   Jo said she would print out all the correspondence among the members of the then-FEBC committee concerning that letter, which had requested that the Town FEBC Committee be closed to be re-formed under FOFE.

5. Composition of Board of Directors: Andy Abello, a FOFE member, and Tom Tavenner, an attorney in Boothbay, have both agreed to join the Board of Directors. It was moved by Bruce and seconded by Tom to accept both as board members. Jo Cameron, as Secretary, cast the unanimous vote to approve their membership.

   Copies of the current and past minutes and a summary of the Bicentennial planning will be sent to each of them, with a welcoming note.

6. Shall we continue with the Bicentennial?

   Jo said, "Press on!" She presented a pared-down suggested plan for the celebration. The State can provide more picnic benches, and has also a small performance platform they will let us use. The picnic can be completely Bring Your Own (no alcoholic beverages permitted). The main attraction can be the Grand Muster of American Legion and VFW Posts and other military organizations, with costumed performers representing earlier wars, if we can get them free or for reasonable rent. The celebration can end with a Contradance. National and State legislators, County Commissioners and municipal officers of the several surrounding towns should be invited.

   Sue wondered if we should find an interior setting for the contradance, since June 13 will be at the height of blackfly season.

   Bruce thought there might be a possibility the Town would hold its own Bicentennial. The general agreement was "Let 'em." He added, that FOFE should also think on a long-term basis, as suggested in Becky's letter, to work on the Bicentennial of the War of 1812.

   Sue asked, do we have the resources? That is, the know-how to manage such a celebration? Bruce said we must form a new committee; Jo said, call it the Celebration Committee, so there will be no more confusion. She said we should also plan to participate in Wiscasset's 250th Anniversary, summer of 2010; ultimately, 2020, the District of Maine becoming a State.

7. Non profit status: Tom and Jo will work together on the 1023 application, which is for Recognition of Exemption. At present, we are approved as a federal non-profit organization, as long as our annual income is no greater than $10,000. We fully conform to the State of Maine's non-profit specifications.

Adjournment: 4:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Joanna M. Cameron

Secretary-Treasurer