HOPE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
April 16, 2024

The meeting was called to order by President, Juanita Hunt, at 6:30 P.M. There were 12 members in attendance: Marie Berry, Juanita Hunt, Gwen Brodis, Margaret Morse, Ron Smith, Linda Black, Bruce Linthicum, Ann Leadbetter, Mary Ireland, Jim & Cindy DellaPenna, and Nancy Ford.

The President called for a vote on acceptance of the Secretaries minutes for November 21, 2023 that had been distributed to all members via email and posted on the HHS website - the motion to accept was seconded and approved.

Gwen reported as of the end of March 31, 2024, we have $288.56 in checking and $21,232.00 in savings. There was a motion to accept the Treasurer's report, which was seconded and approved. Gwen was asked if there had been savings, having gone through our first full winter using the heat pumps, versus keeping the home warm with oil heat. Fluctuating prices and a relatively mild winter make it hard to compare precisely, but this year's winter electric bill was $987 versus our oil bill for the previous year of $3,048. Ron asked if we might save even more if we opted for CMP's electric heat credit option - he offered to check into it further. Since we were on the subject of heat pumps, the filters need checking; they were checked last summer and did not need cleaning and they were checked again in January and still were fine. The filters should be checked in the spring and fall.

We continued with old business:

We had discussed the removal of the old safe last fall, but so far no ideas as to how to remove the very heavy sealed metal safe. Old minutes indicate the safe had been moved to the home in about 2007 from the Town Office where it had been in the basement and previously used by the School Committee; its prior history goes back to use at the Knox Mill in Camden. Please let us know if you have a suggestion or know of anyone able to help us dispose of this cumbersome and useless safe.

Old and new business:

Mary Ireland had a small memorial plaque made to be placed on the Barrister bookcase she and her family donated to the historical society some years ago.

Marie was thanked for painting the kitchen walls and ceiling over the winter and for reorganizing the upstairs. She pointed out new donated curtains in the Faith Hart Meeting Room. Gwen was thanked for upstairs cleaning. We were informed Rick Bresnahan had paid to have the driveway plowed over the winter, Jim DellaPenna in January shoveled the walkway and Marie took over in February. Ron Smith handled the cellar window coverings and will remove same this spring - a thank you to all and anyone missed.

We agreed to an April 25th cleaning and garage organizing day beginning at 8:30 AM. Our downstairs parlor and dining area needs a thorough cleaning and the windows all around need to be cleaned.

The small hot water tank in the basement is failing; we discussed options and took a vote relative to replacement. The motion to replace the hot water tank was seconded, but the majority in attendance voted negatively on replacement.

We discussed the need for a replacement leg on the oil tank, which had been recommended last year when the furnace had been serviced. Jim went down to assess and described the rusted leg as being on the wall side, it is a screw-in, but with a full tank of oil, a professional would need to repair it. This led to a discussion about whether we should simply end the use of the oil furnace, since the heat pumps are doing a nice job of keeping the home comfortable. The tank is over half full and needs to be drained, if we no longer intend to use the furnace. Juanita will call Maritime Oil to get recommendations regarding pump out - it would be nice if we could donate the heating oil to someone in need.

The dehumidifier was not used last year, do we still need it? There is a reluctance to remove it at the moment. Linda informed us there should be a specific dehumidifier function on our heat pumps when air conditioning is not needed. We need to review the instructions.

We have run out of space in the Veterans Cabinet at the Town Office. Suggestions are requested for expansion.

For upcoming functions this summer, Marie asked if we should order more "Hope" cards. We sold out of the original 50 ordered. There was a motion to purchase 50 more, seconded and approved to order 50 more cards. Instead of a raffle basket this year, there was a proposal to raffle a $200 Hannaford gift card. The motion to purchase the gift card was seconded and approved.

Lawn care will be done by the same company as last year and at the same price.

We will have open house every Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM in July and August. Marie will cover the first two Fridays and the last two. Juanita will cover the 3rd Friday in July and Cindy the 4th Friday in July; this leaves the first three open in August. Gwen stated that she and Donovan will be working upstairs on most Fridays during the summer.

Marie discussed some upcoming functions -

June 11th - Town voting day - HHS has bake & craft sale table
June 22nd - HHS lawn sale
July 20th - "Hope Days" after the parade HHS will man a table with some non-eatable gifts (other vendors will have food)

There will be at least two other functions later in the year.

Our regular meetings are held every third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 PM. We are looking for program suggestions. Also, we are always looking for helpers for our various committees, more community participation, and new members to honor our historical past.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 PM. Refreshments were served by Margaret and Juanita. Margaret made some yummy Oreo and cream cheese snacks and Juanita provided tasty applesauce cake.

Respectfully Submitted,
Cindy DellaPenna, Secretary