Minutes of the West Norwalk Association
November 7, 2016
Board Members Present: Anthony Carrano, Brian Forschino, Rob Notley, Kristin Clemens, Isabelle Hargrove & Ken D’Arinzo were present. Ted Stepanoff was not in attendance.
Anthony called the meeting to order at 7:35pm.
Anthony will circulate the October minutes for electronic approval by the Board.
Treasurer’s Report – Ken D’Arinzo – Balance at $3,632.01 Does not reflect $250 for Oak Hills, $1,000 Dolce, $50 annual meeting, $116 to Stephen. Reflects the check for the newsletter. Shows all deposits from the annual meeting. Ken needs to check the post office box.
Oak Hills Park Authority – No one was able to attend the meeting. There is a lot of work being done. They have started to grade the Great Lawn in front of the Oak Hills Restaurant. Anthony is no longer a member of the Oak Hills Nature Authority. Adding continuous cart paths along Holes 8, 9 and 10.
CNNA Update – Isabel Hargrove – Not much going on. Ted offered to attend the CNNA meetings together with Isabel. CNNA is monitoring 280 Main Street. A new proposal has been submitted but it is not clear what is going to be built there. Also focusing on a proposed updated entrance from Route 7 to the Merritt Parkway. A lot of discussion about proposed changes to the 95/7 Mall plan. The CNNA asked Isabel about the West Norwalk Association being part of the CNNA Mission Statement. Isabel informed them that any decision would need to be agreed by the entire Board.
Annual Meeting
Total of 46 people not including Board members. We did like Oak Hills as a venue. Next year we to address the audio system. Need to address the set-up of the room. We should have had them open the full wall so the rooms were not separated. We need more chairs. We should also discuss how the appetizer specials.
With respect to the political component, we should not have Q&A during the speech session. Many people viewed that it turned into a political debate rather than an information session. People were upset that they viewed there was 1 person speaking for the charter revisions and 2 speaking for the charter revisions.
We need to keep our political views out of West Norwalk events.
Holiday Party
December 9th from 7pm – 10pm. Same room as last year. Anthony to Dolce about having 2 bartenders and more change. After party will be at the bar outside the restaurant and Anthony will speak to Dolce about drink specials.
Eliminate zip code and telephone. Change the date. Anthony will send Brian the template and Brian will print copies for the party.
Anthony will put up the signs. Two weeks before, will send out an e-mail blast and Facebook Page update. Postcards will be sent out before Thanksgiving. Board members should spread the word with their friends.
Kristin and Isabelle will run the 50/50. $1 per ticket and an arm’s length for $10. There will be a food collection. Anthony will bring the scholarship hat.
The Board decided not to have a December meeting.
Ken is the only Board member currently on the Bank account. Currently Ken enters the deposits and personal data into Quick Books. Stephen adds addresses, e-mail addresses, etc. to the database. Will discuss whether we could utilize the database to account for the money. Should discuss switching banks from Wells Fargo to Fairfield County Bank. Should also discuss moving the PO Box from Belden post office to Broad River. Anthony will speak to Ted about taking on the Treasurer role. This will be discussed at the January meeting.
Isabelle offered to take on the role of Corresponding Secretary. Isabelle has been notifying the Hour about things going on through the West Norwalk Association. Anthony will look for West Norwalk postcards.
February Social
Amar suggested a $9.99 West Norwalk Association Pasta Night. Anthony does not think this would be successful.
Should discuss having another cocktail event like the August event. Isabelle will speak to Amar. Could think about doing something for Valentine’s Day, maybe the Friday before.
The Five Mile River Group would like to put up posters at the Holiday Party. It looks like Norwalk, Darien and New Canaan are going to fund a water study for the river.
Anthony closed the meeting at 8:55 pm.