West Norwalk Association Board Meeting
June 4, 2012
Minutes of the West Norwalk Association
June 4, 2012
Board members present were: Peggy Girard, Galen Wells, Ron Brown, Anthony Carrano, Gay Mac Leod, Candide Valadares, Ken D’Arinzo, Donna Dolle’, Martin O’Connell and Linda Forcellina. Sarah Kline and Carol Aikenhead were guests.
President Peggy Girard called the meeting to order at 7:38 and welcomed the Board and guests to the meeting.
Carol Aikenhead and Sarah Kline discussed the problems facing the meeting house. They hoped to have a fundraiser for the Meetinghouse Association on June 16. The Board agreed to lend them signs and to publicize the fundraiser with an email to our membership and on our website. The group has applied for a 501c3, but the financial situation is grim, especially because of expensive repairs that need to be done. Peggy suggested consideration of combining both associations in the future. There was no motion or vote on this idea.
Galen Wells presented the minutes of the May meeting. Linda Forcellina moved to accept the minutes and Martin O’Connell seconded the motion. The minutes were accepted as written.
Donna Dolle’ presented the Treasurer’s report. The total in the treasury is currently $5,703.04. She said also that she will keep the account at Wells Fargo and the mail at the post office because of convenience to her. Then Donna passed out a copy of her projected budget for the year. Martin moved to accept both the report and the budget. Linda Forcellina seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Gay Mac Leod reported that the two scholarships will be presented tomorrow night by Linda Forcellina at the McMahon Awards Assembly. The recipients are Dennis Warfield and Marialena Bazzano. Each will receive a check for $600.00. A picture of the winners will be placed on our website and Facebook page. Linda mentioned that there were four final candidates to consider and their applications were evaluated by Gay, Linda, and Regina Krummel.
We next discussed the Ambassador program. The Board spent approximately $283.00 in preparation of 21 baskets. Of the 19 delivered, only 3 families joined the association. Martin O’Connell moved to budget $250.00 for 2012 to continue the program for one more year. The motion passed. Linda and Gay will continue to prepare the baskets but will use smaller ones to lower the cost.
The contribution of $300.00 to Fox Run will be presented to the principal by Gay Mac Leod in the next week or so. She will arrange a picture for the website and Facebook page.
Peggy announced that the Mosque issue has been settled by the city of Norwalk Zoning Board.
After the malicious personal comments made about our president, Christopher Potts, and others regarding the Board’s position on the Mosque zoning application, the Board agreed that such remarks made about the WNA or individual Board members are harmful to the association as well as the individuals concerned. Therefore, the Board agreed to “unfriend” any postings/residents who make such postings. Isabel Hargrove, who posted false and malicious statements, will continue to be “unfriended” and Peggy will address this decision in an email to her.
Linda passed out a copy of a Letter to the Editor regarding the issue of a possible zoning change that would allow more box stores in Norwalk. She also mentioned that this concern is one that is listed in Master Plan for West Norwalk which Bob Wagman and Peggy Girard wrote and which is available to all Board members. Martin O’Connell said he would look into this matter.
Gay raised the issue of the condition of the area at the corner of Richards Ave. and Scribner where the association planted a tree. The grass is about 3 feet high, but the city does not have the staff to mow the area. Gay will continue to remind Parks and Rec about this need.
The next meeting will be held on July 9 at Linda Forcellina’s home at 6 Betmarlea Road at 7:30. Board members were asked to come up with ideas for the Newsletter so that the Board can discuss them at this meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:55.
Respectfully submitted,
Galen Wells, Secretary