0:00-10:00
Discussed blight and lead abatement in Danbury, thinking they would like to emulate Bridgeport.
What do you do with burned buildings? Community is having an issue with balancing needs of older buildings and costs. Call for compromise regarding historic preservation and cost of repairs for homeowners; Lead abatement is huge issue; Feel that historic properties will not be preserved unless compromise made regarding methods and standards; Discussing part lobbying efforts; How many members do we have? Let members know what intentions of group are; Let News-Times know they are back; Create small ad hoc committee to create mission statement; Should also identify short term goals; Trying to set next meeting; Goodbyes to several attendees that are going home; Note need to make a decision of everyone present would be willing to serve on board
10:01-20:00
Some members voice that they do not wish to be officers but are willing to serve on board; Board reached 15 members at one point, thinking at present 9 may suffice; Those present are officially a quorum; Request for suggestions of potential board members; Need to decide term limit decided to wait until they have a full board; Board President voted in for first year; Secretary voted in; Treasurer named; Decided to not let bank know they are a corporation unless attorney says they need to; Decided they should get attorney; Treasurer’s duties discussed; Decided not to get P.O. Box; 254 Main Street, 06810 is address; Decided need to redo brochure; Decide to increase membership rates; Discussion regarding saving money instead of spending a lot getting the organization going again; Opting out of long distance phone calls; Next meeting would like to decide on a program; Major activity in May Senator Dodd is going to come speak about historic preservation past-present-future, cosponsored with the city; Plan on asking Senator Dodd about restrictions discussed earlier in the meeting
20:01-30:00
Govt. surplus had an event at library; Suggestion voiced of hosting a event; Hearthstone Castle restoration commission was put together by city board; president also serving on that project; Union Station preservation also brought up; Meetings will be the 4th Thursday night of each month because that is the only night that the board president is available; Floor opened to questions that hadn’t been involved with the organization previously was started by Herb, grew into education, then became heavily involved in politics in 1984; Question to clarify role of educational goals of group (adults vs. children); One member announces self as archeological hobbyist; DPT used to educate realtors regarding how to sell old houses offered CEUs; What the group used to do for fundraising was asked; Creators of “Taste of Danbury”, fashion show at Tarrywile, host dinners, sold ad books; 58 thousand dollars at one point in acctl; Never previously worked with school children, never did archaeology related projects; Dream of doing an audio walking tour, for a small fee or for free
30:01-34:32
Would like to then expand on downtown audio walking tour to areas like Long Ridge; Board member that is an archeology hobbyist is also a photography hobbyist. Takes postcard views and takes photographs of same view as it looks today;
(Side B)
Mayor is “thrilled” DPT is reforming and the rail museum opening; Should have a table at “Taste of Danbury”; Discussing appearing at Danbury Railway Museum’s event; Paid for office through next October; Joking about how nice checkbook will look once everyone pays their dues; Next meeting March 23rd.