WILLARD NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

 M I N U T E S 

Home     Newsletter    Calendar    Contact Us    Site Map

WILLARD NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

MINUTES OF MEETING AT BETSY ROSS HOUSE

THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2010

PRESIDING:  Steve Gray

ATTENDANCE:   8

CALLED TO ORDER:  7:02pm

With no quorum present and no guest speaker this month, members present nonetheless continued with agenda items as follows:

Minutes of the March meeting were checked and a Treasurer’s Report was offered, both being informally accepted by the group.

Beach Committee Report – Steve Gray reported there were hazards on Willard Beach, including a dock with steel protrusions.  He said he cooperates with the Parks Department (Mr. Erskine, Jr) to have large debris removed.  Steve also said about 200 plants of dune grass have been planted to replace some that have been lost to natural causes.  Additionally, he said that flies are an unusually bad problem this year, to which Wayne Ross concurred.  Wayne added that there are some new plantings in the Beach Parking Area on Willow Street.

South Portland Historical Society – Anne Ridge reported their Kite Festival was very successful and generated some income for the organization.  Also, there will be an online auction from May 30 through June 6 to benefit the Historical Society.  That auction may be accessed by visiting the South Portland Historical Society website.  See the “Summer in Maine Auction” link at their webpage: www.SPHistory.org

They have a grand opening event planned for July 4^th with the dedication of their new building scheduled.  Among the attractions will be an impersonation of Benjamin Franklin reading the Declaration of Independence.  Finally, attention is directed to the archives of all Kathryn DiPhilippo’s articles that have appeared in the South Portland Sentry newspaper as “A Window on the Past.”  Those articles can be located by going to the menu for them at the same webpage, “South Portland’s Online Museum.” 

The discussion turned to the need for a liaison to South Portland City Council.  It may be helpful for someone to facilitate community awareness of City Council agenda items that may be relevant to members.  WNA may seek to recruit a volunteer for this task.

SMCC Liaison - Sharon Newman sent a report that a new softball field will be constructed on the Parade Grounds.  Work on that is scheduled to commence before the end of May.  SMCC also intends to replace the deteriorated field fencing. She said they will survey the property line and consult with neighbors to make sure the new fence is correctly placed.

Questions arose concerning the concession stand on Willard Beach.  John Ridge volunteered to learn from the City who has gained permission to manage it. Steve Gray wondered if any graffiti has been noticed on the concession buildings, but Wayne Ross said he had not seen any.  However there was egg on the escalade.  Steve asked that anyone noticing graffiti contact him so he may quickly and effectively cover it.

With reference to social events, the WNA potluck for residents of Betsy Ross House was a big success.  Many more residents attended than in previous years.  They enjoyed an ample buffet, plus games with prizes.       Mrs. Fish (Deb Sandler) conducted a sing-a-long that was enthusiastically appreciated by everyone.  The resident Activity Director, Bob Bennett expressed a warm welcome to us and suggested we conduct the activity in the dining room area next year in order to accommodate all the attendees.  He said the tables could be rearranged to utilize the space.   

The discussion turned to a proposed festival at Bug Light Park, initiated by Ed Rowe.  Wayne Ross referred to Jay Reny, head of maintenance at SMCC, who assisted greatly in the past for Spring Point Festival.  Wayne also referred us to Steve Lupein who now works at UNUM, but who had helped to provide the electrical power for the Festival.  [For those new to this vicinity, Spring Point Festival was held for twenty-five years, while Wayne Ross was President of SMCC.] 

The plans for the August 19 Potluck and BBQ were next discussed.  Wayne & Betsy Ross will host the event once again this year.  However they expressed the need for additional people to help with the grill, and an additional grill is needed too.  Brian Durham agreed to assist with the grilling.  Anne Ridge offered to help at the membership table.  Betsy may have a pre-BBQ meeting to confirm all the help and needed goods are available. 

Betty Smith mentioned there have been rabid fox discovered in the neighborhood.  She alerts the community to be aware, particularly for the sake of pet cats.  Additionally, she stated there had been an assault on the Greenbelt Walkway around 5:30pm one evening, near the American Legion building. 

The meeting having gained a quorum at 7:28pm, a motion was then made for approval of the minutes from March.  That motion was given a second and the minutes were approved.  Likewise, the Treasurer’s Report was accepted upon a motion duly seconded and passed.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:06pm.

Respectfully submitted,

  Devon Gray, Secretary

WILLARD NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

MINUTES OF MEETING AT BETSY ROSS HOUSE

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009