Provincetown Historical Commission
April 4, 2008
Minutes

Meeting called to order at 9:11am.
Members Present:  Stephen Borkowski, Polly Burnell, Stephen Desroches, Doug Johnstone,      Steven Milkewicz, and Char Priolo.
Members Absent:  Taylor Polites (excused).
Invited Guest:  Michelle (Crone) DeMarco was introduced to all.

1.  Review and Approval of Agenda
Priolo so moved; Burnell seconded.
VOTE:  5-0-0.

2.  Review and Approval of Minutes of March 21, 2008
Milkewicz cited that his absence of said date was excused.
Johnstone corrected spelling of DeMarco’s name.
Burnell moved to approve minutes as amended; Borkowski seconded.
VOTE:  5-0-0.

Dray entered the meeting.

3.  Public Statements
There were none.

David Gardener entered the meeting.

4.  History Summit Planning
DeMarco, invited to Moderate the Summit, was given a copy of the History Summit Presentation data.

Johnstone distributed the list of invitees, now at 30.  Some list corrections were made.  He’ll return with a rivision, next meeting.**

Dray announced the Masonic Lodge venue could not be used for the summit due to its not meeting ADA requirements; that since a quorum of several boards would be present, the public would be invited, hence such requirements must be met.  The date may still be either June 4th or 11th.

Priolo mentioned a town-wide Consumer Services Workshop being presented by the Chamber of Commerce on the 5th.   The 11th was then chosen as the date; in Town Hall Auditorium, from 10a.m. - 2p.m.

DeMarco asked what we wanted from the invitees, what we wanted to come away with; what we want people to get from us / HC? 
Discussion included:  A brief presentation from each group re: its focus on Town History / how it is used in their missions, how it facilitates what they do.   How they see their built (physical building) history in town, as well as their story (ephemora, cultural/oral) history manifesting itself in town. (Dray) 
That we originally saw this summit as our “coming out party”. (Desroches)
That positive outcomes would include learning how Town History actually supports the respective Boards’ missions; that some common connections be identified among Boards, that at least a loose unification be formed--with the HC presenting ourselves as the advocate to other Town Boards in their missions; that we, in effect, host an Historical List-serve (‘we’re having this problem--does anyone know how to solve it?”).
That, realistically, we (Boards) all have the same needs.

DeMarco surmised that the HC’s presentation should precede the rest, then common threads from each subsequent presentation could form a game plan for further action.

5.  Review of Town Meeting Articles
David Gardener requested that we visit Article 11 on the Town Warrant:  Since the HC representative (Steven Milkewicz) to the CPC, was the only vote against the amount granted PMPM by the CPC (we recommended 10K as opposed to the $25,760 that was awarded--in accord with our motion passed and noted in detail in the HC Minutes of February 29, 2008).  David commented that the Town Moderator would be asking on Town Meeting floor whether or not the HC makes a recommendation re: Articles 11.2. D, E, and F.  We did so, as follows; and chose not to issue a report:
 Article 11.2.D. -- $50K grant to the Provincetown Library
 Desroches moved to recommend; Borkowski seconded.
 VOTE:  5-0-0.

 Article 11.2.E. -- $50K grant to FAWC
 Borkowski moved to recommend; Desroches seconded.
 VOTE:  4-0-0  (Burnell recused herself).

 Article 11.2.F. -- $25,760 grant to PMPM
 Desroches moved to recommend; Dray seconded.
 VOTE:  4-1-0  (Milkewicz voting against).

6.  Role of Commission on Town-Owned Historical Buildings Rehabilitation Projects
Dray met with Lynn re: HC becoming the Town’s Building Commission.  She was amenable to same; and  mentioned that whether we had a single HC member be a liason to the BOS, or however else we envisioned the connection should be further discussed.  She will take our proposal to the BOS.
Our needs are that we want to know of and to have a say in advance of what plans for historic buildings are, at the RFP level, not after they are 90% finalized, and the HDC is put ‘behind the eight-ball’.  It’s about our being in dialog with the DPW and Lynn in an advisory / planning role; hence, making the regulatory role of the HDC more expedient.  We are most concerned with “character defining features” of Historic Preservation; and will use our liason work with the Library as an example of the work we propose to do.  We would ask Librarian Debbie DeJonkers-Berry to attend the projected BOS meeting to help inform.
Dray will follow-up with Lynn.**

7.  New Business
There was none further.

8.  Set Agenda and Date for next meeting
Set as Friday, April 18, 2008, 9a.m.

(** designates an Action Item)

Respectfully submitted, char priolo