West Norwalk Association Board Meeting
January 3, 2011
Minutes of the West Norwalk Association
January 3, 2011
Those Board Members present were: Joel Zaremby, Galen Wells, Regina Krummel, Linda Forcellina, Margaret Karl, Bob Wagman, Candide Valadares, and Anthony Carrano. Donna Dolle’, Peggy Holton, John Moeling and Gay Mac Leod were guests.
The President, Joel Zaremby, called the meeting to order at 7:35. Joel welcomed the Board and visitors to the meeting.
Galen Wells presented the minutes of the November meeting. Candide Valadares moved that the Board accept the minutes as presented. Linda Forcellina seconded the motion and the motion was passed unanimously.
Linda Forcellina presented the Treasurer’s report. The cost of the holiday party was not reflected in the report. The head count was estimated at 150 people which was very good attendance. Linda also presented a budget for 2011 and detail of expenses for 2010. She said that she had added to the cost of printing, sorting and mailing because it is likely that all of these costs will go up. Bob Wagman said that we should look at ways to save money. Bob then made a motion to accept the report as presented. Anthony Carrano seconded the motion and the motion was passed unanimously.
Linda then gave a report on the Ambassador Program. She had expected to make contact with the volunteers at the holiday party but that was not possible. Linda will be leaving for Florida soon but she said she would have a meeting of ambassador volunteers before she leaves.
Peggy Holton and John Moeling then made a presentation on behalf of the Norwalk Land Trust. The Norwalk Land Trust owns various parcels of land throughout Norwalk. The land is cared for and cleared by the Norwalk Land Trust, which raises about $15,000 to $20,000 annually.
Perhaps the best illustration of the success of the Norwalk Land Trust was saving Farm Creek. Farm Creek was a 10-acre parcel between two parcels owned by the Norwalk Land Trust. They obtained an easement from the city and the Hart property at the center of the 10 acres was bought at auction for 4 million dollars. The Norwalk Land Trust was given a right of first refusal. Through a huge grass roots effort, the Norwalk Land Trust raised the 4 million dollars. They showed the Board a two page spread in Forbes Magazine describing the effort with pictures of the land that was saved. The Norwalk Land Trust also runs a 4th grade program in Norwalk Schools that talks about environmental stewardship and then takes the children to Farm Creek.
They discussed efforts to clean up various parcels in Norwalk including several in West Norwalk and asked Board members to consider volunteering.
Joel Zaremby then thanked Peggy and John for the presentation and urged us all to help with the clean up of the parcels described.
The West Norwalk Association has acquired another Adopt a Spot location. Gay Mac Leod said she would take care of it.
There was then a discussion of the need for additional events for the West Norwalk Association. We now do the annual clean up, the Annual Meeting and Holiday Party. Candide and Anthony will work on ideas for a fourth event. Candide also agreed to look into the repair or replacement of the Entering West Norwalk signs.
Joel asked Chris Potts and Galen Wells to make a proposal about expanding the boundaries of the WNA and to reflect the change in the by-laws to allow a Board member to remain on the Board for more than 6 years.
Candide made a motion to adjourn and Anthony seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50.
Respectfully submitted,
Galen Wells, Secretary