The East Mountain Neighborhood Association

Wednesday, April 21, 2004

Minutes

 

Attendees 48:  Nazih Noujaim, Cathy Filippone, Tony Loechner, Mr. And Mrs. Carl Santagati, Carol Lynne Penta, Marguerite Smith, Ned Mencio, Pam Mencio, Diane Barth, Maria Lopes, Dollyanne Martin, Claudette La Flamme, Peter Amedeo, Carol Amedeo, Connie Shea Copes, Laurine Ghent, W.F.D. Engine Co. #5( 3 representated), Larry and Ceil Davino, Bob McGovern, Harold Andrew, David Giacondino, Bill Hubbell, Maureen Mead, Gert Pryor, Art Pryor, Nancy Santarpia, Dick White, Richard Harrison, Dan and Vivian Lambariello, Donna Burnes, Debbie Langdon, Lynn Signori, Julie Stefanelli, Evelyn Carrah, Annette O’Toole,Joseph Padua, Alice Ribhorn, Bob Trotter, Jean Guisto, Mike Guisto, Nancy Ptak, Mike Ptak. 

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:10PM

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited

 

Mike Ptak thanked all for attending this evening.

 

Treasurer’s Report: The month began with a total checking balance of $3,310.84. 

Membership dues paid in April- /4350

Flag donations-$333

Advertising/newsletter income- $144.80

Tag Sale- $50

Ziti Dinner-$2,171

Neighborhood Council Dinner- $50

 Flower Donation-$100

Total Income $3,148.80

 

Ziti Dinner Expenses-$854.24

Net Income- $2,294.56

Ending checking balance- $5,605.40

 

Guests: We have a new neighborhood officer, Joe Padua, who replaces Bob Kennedy.  He can be contacted though the Community Offices.  He was informed that ATV’s are still destroying property.  The vehicles have been traced to Prospect addresses.

 

Dave Jacondino is the other guest this evening.  Dave is the new golf pro at the golf course and is the first PGA professional for this area.  Dave thanked us for inviting him and reports that there are changes in process at the the golf course, the first being modernization of the pro shop operation.  Players will easier access to the shop.  The golf course will be run in a more professional manner.  He wants nothing to happen to liquidate the golf course.  He’s been obtaining information and hearing word such as “ let’s protect our open spaces”.  Dave has a three-year master plan for 3 years and he hopes to impact the future of our area.  Nancy Ptak asked Dave if he teaches how to play golf and re responded that he gives 35 to 40 minute lessons at $$45 a lesson.

 

Flag Replacement:  There are three proposals for flag replacement offered to the members for consideration and possible approval.  There are 145 lighted poles in the neighborhood.  Flags will be purchased from the Flagman of America in Avon, Ct., as per approval at March meeting.  One complete flag set costs $25., brackets are $2.94 and replacement flags are $10.80.

The group unanimously voted for proposal #2 –to place a flag on every lighted pole in the East Mountain Neighborhood.  The plan is as follows. 

Purchase 75 new flag sets (75 * $25.)                                                   $1.250.00

Purchase 50 sturdy brackets (50 * $2.94)                                              $147.

Purchase 55 new replacement flags (55 * $10.80 )                               $594.

Use 15 flags from last year with repairs

Total                                                                                                       $2,616.

Funds reserved for flags ( in checking acct)                                         ($ 838.)

Ziti Dinner Profit                                                                                   ($1,273 )

Funds to be taken from checking acct.                                                   $505

 

Several discussions during the above noted discussion, i.e. Bob McGovern mentioned the possibility of using small flags such as those used in some towns, Engine 5 staff offered to help hang the flags again, Mrs. Ghent asked if there was insurance coverage for those who work on the flags.  Captain Farrell from engine 5 incidentally stated the t-shirts will be being offered by mid summer.

 

Tag Sale: Several advertising options were discussed for the upcoming May 1st tag sale. Jean Guisto will try to get the Mayor’s office to advertise on their web site; Robyn Adams and Tom Chute of the Republican American and WATR, respectively, will be asked to advertise.  The association will place a classified ad at its expense. A request was made for volunteers to make posters without response.  The rain date for the sale will be May 8th, the dumpster will be delivered in the morning and retrieved after the sale.  A bulletin board was offered to anyone with items too large to bring to the park.  The sale hours are 8m to 3PM

 

CPR Course:  A date has been set for the CPR course.  The course is being provided by the Engine 5 firefighters on Tuesday evening, May 18th at Our Lady of Lebanon Church where our monthly meetings are held.  The cost of materials is $12.  This is a  “Friends and Family” course. The “sign-up sheet was passed again for additional members who wish to participate. 

 

City- Wide Cleanup: On Saturday, April 24th there will be a citywide cleanup.  Mike will be participating in the event and Bob Mc Govern will conduct an East Mountain cleanup, all in honor of Earth Day.  Bob is looking for volunteers for the cleanup.  Mike will see to obtaining bags.  Mike will be available at 8AM.  Nancy Ptak will be Oscar the Grouch.  Mike needs a count of volunteers to submit to the mayor.  Frankie’s will provide hot dogs, Keith Schulz will be entertaining, and tee shirts will be distributed to those who take part in the cleanup.

 

 

Rosa DeLauro visit:  Rosa visited the neighborhood on April 7th and met with 25 people at the Wendell Cross School gym.  She gave a good presentation and spent about an hour and a half discussing and fielding questions. She would be willing to return  and those who met her would be happy to meet with her again.  Mike mentioned giving equal time to Nancy Johnson if possible. Pam Mencio reports that a thank you not has been sent to Rosa. 

 

The Scholarship:  Mike asked Ned Mencio and Claudette La Flamme about the progress on the scholarship.  They report that there has been response.  Mike stated that we will make the presentation at the June meeting.

 

Golf Course Committee meeting:  Larry Davino reports that there has been a meeting of the committee and that all members have received the report and are studying it. 

 

Flower Flag:  Pam Mencio reports that she has been to “The Flower Farm” to discuss purchasing flowers there for the flag garden.  She returned there because we obtained the flowers for the best price last year in keeping with our budget.  Joe Geary of the park dept has already promised to give us soil to replace what has eroded from the field over the winter.  She spoke of changes to improve upon the success of last summer. The flowers will have to be retrieved before Mother’s Day to be sure of their availability.  Pam also discussed the care of the flowers and weather conditions of the previous year.  She also stated that we must wait until after all danger of frost is passed before we plant the flowers.  A sign up sheet was passed for volunteers.  Requests for suggestions and advice were made.

 

 

Refreshments:  A sign up sheet was passed for volunteers to provide refreshments for the coming year, since the refreshments have, until now, always been provided by the same few people.  Tonight’s desserts are those left over from the Ziti Dinner.  Another sign up sheet was circulated for members to bring finger foods to the June meeting to celebrate the recipient of the scholarship, who will be announce at that meeting.

 

Drawing:  A fifty-fifty drawing was again done for flag purchase. 

 

Park Renovation:  Annette O’Toole asked the status of the plans for the park renovation.  Mike responded that the planning has not completed.  Rosa DeLauro was made aware of the plan and suggested that she look into obtaining some possible funding, as the state officials have been trying to seek out state funds.  Mike said we will not see the plan activated this year.

 

Knights of Columbus Trip:  T he knights are having a trip to Belmont Race Track on June 19th and it is open to all until the buses are filled.  T he cost is $58 per person.

Mike brought up the success of the Ziti Dinner, in that people stayed and visited and seemed to enjoy each other’s company.  He mentioned the possibility of a dinner dance and someone also suggested  the idea of a block party.

 

Newsletter:  Tony Loechner needs words ,i.e. articles, for the upcoming newsletter.

 

Mike reminds us that we should abide by the by-laws. This means to stay within the boundaries when spending money.

 

Shirts:  Mike Guisto spoke about purchasing shirts with the East Mountain logo, since some members wore them at the Ziti Dinner.  Mike needs at least an order for a dozen in order to purchase them.  They are available in any color.  A suggestion was made to include a shirt order form in the newsletter.

 

Mike stated that if anyone wants to purchase a flag of their own, it will be placed on the post nearest to that person’s house. 

 

There was a winner of the fifty-fifty raffle.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:25PM

 

Respectfully submitted,

Patricia Mencio