Logo for: Rotary Old Saybrook

OS Rotary Meeting 2/20/19

Pledge: Brian DeBlasiis
Prayer: Brian DeBlasiis
Song: no Bill, no song
Card Game: no card game

Happy Bucks: Raeleen was happy to be here, for our guest, Charlie for Meals on Wheels who is covering for Christina, Christina whose son Benjamin is getting married in 2 weeks

Announcements:
Bill O'Shaughnessy informed us of our next meeting's speaker Ann Lander of Literacy Volunteers, and a meeting March 7 evening when we combine with the Chamber at the Estuary 5:30-7pm.

Program: Susan W. Beckman, Economic Development Director

Susan spoke to Mark Caldarella initially about the Rotary Club providing support for an art gallery at the town hall which would feature local artists. The 70 foot long hallway is currently blank and they saw the potential. Susan reseached the idea and policies were drawn up. A proposal to the town selectmen in May was accepted. The cost to hang the artwork is $1500 and Eversource agreed to provide funding but only if they had a partner which is where we come in. Down the line, track lighting will be provided and the club will fund that ($3000-$3500). Art will be provided by artists from Old Saybrook but might expand to Westbrook and Old Lyme artists as well. The hallway is expected to be comleted by the end of May and the lighting by end of September.
     Susan spoke about Mariners Way, the area starting at Mystic Marketplace and stretching to Ferry Point. in 2012, the town started to look into grants for market research with a focus on 3 areas including 18 acres at the Custom Marine/Highline area. A second grant studied contamination and remediation. It was estimated that the cleanup cost would be about $1.5M which is not as bad as originally thought. Tax incentive finance (TIF) is a possiblity for a potential developer. The town would have to approve the plans.
     Susan said the town leadership wants feedback on where our priorities concerning business and enhancements should be so 3 meetings will be held at the Acton Library to gather ideas. She asked people to plan on attending one of the meetings: Tuesday March 5, 8am-10am; Wednesday March 6, 12noon-2pm or Wednesday March 6 6pm-8pm. The meetings are in the 3nd floor conference room. For more information, contact Susan Beckman at 860-395-3139 or email her at susan.beckman@oldsaybrookct.gov.

Other business:
      Come watch Old Saybrook shine in MOVE! at The Kate. The 2nd Annual Cultural Arts event will once again celebrate the talented dance, movement, arts, poetry, music and more on March 3rd at 2pm. By combining many of the ARTS offered in town and the surrounding shoreline communities, we will entertain as we celebrate all the diversity, beauty and talent. don't miss out! For more information go to: https://www.katharinehepburntheater.org

     The club and the Estuary Council of Seniors is hosting Chamber Connections (OS Chamber of Commerce) on March 7, 5:30pm to 7pm at the Estuary. Its a great networking opportunity and a chance to talk to people about Rotary! for more information, contact  Karen at the Chamber office, karen@oldsaybrookchamber.com. Food and refreshments provided. Cost is $10 if you pre-register, $15 at the door, $20 for non-members.

New Officers
Brian informed the club that we be electing new officers ( vote at meeting March 6) and now is the time to nominate or propose officers for the upcoming year. Brian recently sent out an email which said the following:

"I am asking that you submit nominations, either for yourself or for someone else to our Secretary, John Giannini, by February 28, 2019. He is CC’d to this message. John will e-mail the candidate names out on March 1st. The election will be held on March 6, 2019. If we have a contested position, candidates may give a brief statement at that meeting. To date we have received the following nominations:

President: Brian DeBlasiis
Vice President: Gary McCauley
Treasurer: Kathleen Callinan
Secretary: John Giannini
Sgt. At Arms: Joe Arcari

On a personal note, I would like to encourage each of you to consider running for an e-board position. No position presumptively belongs to any one person, including me."

There was discussion on forming a Membership Committee with the charge of adding to membership. Gary McCauley has taken charge of this committee.

Marty talked about progress made on an International Project in which the club would provide incubators to a hospital for pre-mature babies in Techiman, Ghana. John Donnelly is working leading the way and we qualify for matching funds from the district. The cost to the club will be about $2500.

Next Meeting: Wed Feb 27, Saybrook Point Inn, 7am
Program: Ann Lander, Literacy