Historical Commission

Sterling Heights Historical Commission August 12, 2021 6:00 p.m. Meeting Meeting held at the Upton House Museum Minutes I. Call to Order Meeting was called to order by Tammy Turgeon at 6:04 p.m. II. Roll Call Present: Cynthia Appleton, Nicholas Cavalli, John Connor, Douglas J. Harvey, Geoff Hoerauf, Meghan Mott (arrived after meeting started), Tammy Turgeon, Karen Turk, Garrett Gaina Excused: Bryan Wojciechowski III. Approval of Agenda Motion to approve the agenda was made by Cavalli, supported by Harvey. Motion carried. IV. Minutes of June 3, 2021 Motion to approve the minutes of June 3, 2021 was made by Connor, supported by Harvey. Motion carried. V. Communications/Reports/Correspondence A. Report from Karen Turk, PT Local History/Archives Librarian 39 people came thru the Upton House since the Commission’s last meeting in June. An air conditioner compressor broke and caused water damage to the Community Life room. Connor and Turgeon found it on Sunday when going to do a tour. Luckily the water was in the built in cabinets and there was not anything of value kept in the cabinets. The HVAC unit that broke is also the one that has the issue with not providing heat. Facilities is getting pricing to replace it. Ceiling will be painted soon. The remainder of the 2021 budget was used to purchase a formal men’s outfit, the sump pump alarm, and the audio tour signs. Facilities was contacted to install the signs. A physical copy of the catalog was printed. A panic button is available for those working at the Upton House to push if 911 is needed. Korean War photo books were given to the Commission from the Mayor’s office and will be stored at the Library. VI. Unfinished Business (Mott now running meeting) A. Historical Marker Program No new applications. B. Sterling Heights Traveling Box Box will be ready by September to circulate. C. Park and Canal Markers Turgeon will give sign to Kyle Langlois. D. History is Happening Now Display Exhibit is up now in the Community Center and will be up until Labor Day. Commission asked Turgeon to have information posted again on FB and city news. Connor will take the display down the week of Labor Day. Regarding other displays, Hoerauf has ideas and items for future displays. He will visit the Community Center to see what the case looks like. E. Upton House Tours – September and October Volunteers September 12th - Wojciechowski and Turgeon will contact volunteer Ronald Himmler October 9th – Turk, Cavalli and Harvey (open house style) October 10th – Appleton and Hoerauf November and December dates need one commissioner and then Mott will send out request to high schoolers for service hours (limit of 2 students per tour date) F. City Bus Tour program Project was filmed and is ready for release. Library will promote this week and program will be released on August 19th. G. Victorian Christmas Program  Appleton provided outline of program. Commission decided to film it instead of presenting in person due to possible issues with COVID. Hoerauf, Turgeon, Mott, Cavalli, Connor and Turk all volunteered to read parts of the program for filming. Appleton will set up rehearsal times. Appleton will contact SHTV to set up filming times since they do not all have to be at the same time. This item will be on the October agenda. H. Oktoberfest Tours This was already covered. Upton House Museum will be open on Saturday from 1-4 p.m. as an open house, not individual tours. VII. New Business A. Purchase Priorities for 2021/22 Commission is interested in purchasing a stove this year. Commission also suggested getting varsity letter jackets from the local high schools. B. Accession Committee Decisions The Commission will pass on the wheelchair as costs may be prohibitive to repair. The Commission passed on the piano since the house already has the organ. VIII. Communication with Citizens Appleton will give Turgeon information about updates needed to the Sterling Heights Historical Commission and Sterling Heights History web pages. Mott will be leaving the Chair position of the Historical Commission after this meeting. She will not renew her position on the Commission when it comes up in June. Appointing a new Chair will be on the October agenda. IX. Adjourn Motion to adjourn was made by Cavalli at 7:30 p.m., supported by Connor. Motion carried. Next meeting: October 7, 2021; Decorating for the holidays will take place on November 17 th from 5pm until finished.