Sachem Fund Board

Sachem Fund Committee 4/14/10 Room 335 Meeting Notes Attendees: Chairman Alderman Bill Nash, Co-Chairman Bill Quidgeon, Jr., Mohegan Tribal Member, Joseph Ruffo, Comptroller, Lottie Scott, James Gessner Jr., Mohegan Tribal Council and Bonnie Cuprak, Recording Secretary Not Present: Mayor Peter Nystrom, Peter Davis Director of Planning & Development, Mark Brown, Ambassador Mohegan Tribal Council Members of Press Present: no one 1. The Meeting of the Sachem Fund Committee was called to order at 6:35 P.M. 2. It was determined a quorum was present 3. A motion was made by Bill Quidgeon, seconded by Lottie Scott to approve the minutes of the January 27, 2010 meeting, Motion carried. 4. Joe Ruffo presented finance reports and reported the balance includes unspent funds that have been returned. The total of all available funds is $ 134,478.27 5. Chairman Nash made note of the floods that prevented the meeting scheduled for April 14, 2010. Discussion on the procedure now. It was decided to hear all testimony on the projects submitted and to hold off on any discussion of them until the next meeting. 6. Presenters heard were: a) Vivian Zoe and Alan Bergren are asking for a grant to have a painting generated through competition of Abraham Lincoln to be placed in the frame the city owns that originally contained a picture of The President. It would grant a prize to the chosen painter who would be chosen by an expert panel. The public would be able to view and vote on the paintings while displayed. This would generate interest in the painting and media coverage for Norwich. b) Deb Kievits of Bully Busters stated that they run a program for the children in the community. They run on donations, fund raisers and in- kind-donations. They would be more than willing to present a complete list of what the grant is spent on. c) Pat Fuery of the Chelsea Boat Club request a grant to purchase a  portable boat house to erect on land that they have been given permission to. The structure would stay in place all year. It is 60’ long by 40’ wide by 10’ high. They have a NFA rowing club now, have brought people from Mystic into Norwich and so Family Day through the club. d) Dennis Baptist of the VFW stated that the work done in the VFW hall would be available to the non profit local groups and is used by many now. If they replace the Ansell system, stove and electricity with hood modifications they would be able to help more. e) Anne Shapiro of CT Story Telling Center request so they can expand the number of schools they can do in a year, they do each school 5 xs in the school year. Last year they did the story of Norwich 350th years. f) William Champagne did not have a grant request. He wanted to tell the committee that the Atrium at NFA was being considered for the time line on the Story of the history of Norwich. g) Sherry Filiatreault of Children First Norwich stated that they have used the money for Touch a Truck Day, Family Day and Robin Hood Festival. Ms. Filiatreault was asked to present a list of activities if granted funds. h) Janice Thompson of Norwich Safety Net Team request grant money for the RX program they run out of Social Services. Ms. Thompson stated they helped 97 people in 2009 and 208 in 2008. i) Bob Farwell of Otis Library requests a grant to build the non-fiction collection. The collection is the lifeblood for the citizens of Norwich. With budget cuts the only way the library will make it is with grants. j) Peter Leibert of Norwich Arts Council requests a grant to match a state grant. They need the funding to complete the work on the building. They are working with NRZ and Rose City Reninance to create a viable art regional cultural service area. k) Liz Hall Hurley of Christmas Party requests a grant to aid in the Children’s Christmas Party which is 20 years old and Children’s Easter Party only 10 years old. She had 1,000 children last year that she ran out of food and gifts as only 500 signed up. The money would stay in the community through the purchases made and the presentation of the gifts. l) Sheila Hayes of NAACP thanked everyone for the funding last year. She stated that Juneteenth needs to be funded for the community as everyone looks forward to the full day of celebrations. They are also involved in programs involving math and science using 100% volunteers.  m) Marcelyn Dallis-Jones of Artwork Therapy requests funds to help people without insurance to participate in art therapy. She states people with all abilities participate and in a sense it brings people together. Ms. Dallis- Jones says she has 8 groups a week and they serve 40 to 50 people. n) Jack Malone of SCADD requests a grant for a front door at 313 Main Street. Said it is a special door. The door should fit the house and the house was build about 1850. o) Bassem Salahi of Lazizah requests a grant to buy the property adjacent to the property he already owns. He wants to beautify Yantic. He said he has people coming in from all areas to his store. p) William Champaign spoke on behalf of Barry Ellison. He said the Mr. Ellison was in the process of speaking with the architect to go over the plans. 7. Joe Ruffo told the group to let him know if anyone had any changes for the spreadsheet. 8. A discussion was held on Mill Enhancement Program, the Enterprise Zones map and finding a street boundary map. 9. Meeting tentatively set for May 5, 2010 at 6:00 P.M. Citizen Comment: None Meeting adjourned at 8:15 P.M. Respectfully submitted by: Bonnie Cuprak, Recording Secretary