CIA BOARD MEETINGS ARE HELD MONTHLY - IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND, CONTACT A BOARD MEMBER TO LEARN WHEN THE NEXT ONE WILL BE HELD (AND WHERE).
Thank you so much Don for these wonderful minutes! Hope to see you all saturday to lay planks, to attend Conscious Convergence with Don, and to enjoy the day!
CIA Minutes for July 12, 2010 Held at Lauren & Joe Lautner’s Yard
The group started by introducing themselves to the new agents namely Missy Melnick, Rick Kimber, and Jake Junda, Casey was not present
Present were: President –Lynn Nadeau , Vice President, Sheryl Levenson, Treasurer-Peter Bowen, Secretary-Don Orne , Clerk- Peter Frisch
Board members: Paul Levenson, Jon Alexander, Allie Blodgett, Alexander Falk, Bruce Greenwald, Krena Horowitz, Lauren and Joe Lautner, Roberta Levy, Amy O’Connor, Nancy Hamlin and a special appearance by Jim Keating.
1. Parking Lot: Membership: Our treasurer reported that we have 221 paid up members this year to date
Daily Parkers: we have taken in $1,816 since our last meeting, a new record said Peter B. our treasurer.
Guidebooks left: Bruce has a half a box left and a half a box in the shed, Lynn also has half a box.
2. Projects: car wash –Rick gave a report that the agents could offer to wash the cars parked in the parking lot for $10 each. Lynn mentioned that whoever washed the car could keep half the money.
3. Beach cleaning:Lynn mentioned bottle return idea
And letting the agents perhaps keep half of what they pick up and return for cash. Missy agreed to Chair the committee to recycle bottles and cans. It was mentioned that we have a Friday pick up of trash from the town and should put trash on the sidewalk and not leave it in the park.
Signups for beach cleaning: Peter B. mentioned that we have a list of volunteers that have not been called upon to help us with the park and beach cleanup and that list needs to be activated.
The fundraising letter (Peter F. follow up letter)
With regards to fundraising, Allie had a favorable response when she asked Ori Ron to use his house for a fundraising event. He suggested charging between $100 and $200 per person. Getting a date was mentioned in the fall for this important event.
Water: Rick Kimber mentioned that an extra hose was in the shed to reach the plants to water everything that needs watering. Peter B. said that the hose would be fixed at the lot.
Non Compliance with recycling: there is an issue said Lynn as to which town is responsible for pick up. The agents will pick up the bottles and cans on both sides and return them for money.
Guidebooks: will be given out from the shed to people who become members and other interested parties.
2. Treasurer’s report: Peter Bowen gave everyone a handout sheet with all the financial information on it. That information will not be reprinted here. It was mentioned that Dellisio would be given all but $750 of the $14,667 owed to him. Peter got a round of applause for the wonderful work he is doing as the new Treasurer and did say, “we made a bunch of money on the parking lot”. As part of Peter’s time, a vote was taken to accept Rick Patroski’s resignation from the board and it was done. Peter also said that the good weather is helping us a lot and credited the agents for selling memberships
He mentioned that we have done all our delayed filings with the IRS and that he paid $132.00 for late filing fee of SS in 2009. “We need to protect our non-profit status,”
4. A Time for thanks: Lynn mentioned that we need to send out thank you’s to the volunteers that helped with the cleanup of the park. Everyone was in favor of doing that. Roberta was singled out and given thanks for all her hard work at the parking lot by planting morning glories and sunflowers and picking up trash as needed. She said,”more rocks are needed from the beach and the trees need to be fed”.
Clerks reports: Peter F. said he would look into changing our account from the Marblehead Bank to somewhere else. Jon Alexander suggested the National Grand Bank and then putting the money in a Credit Union for better interest was mentioned by Peter. He will look into it for us.
Lynn said, “the bylaws are terrible, please make bylaws in accordance to our practices.” and Lawyer Paul Levenson agreed to do so along with Peter Frisch.
7. Don O-gave a brief summery of the next event at the Sun Circle on Saturday July 17th at 11am to noon called the Conscious Convergence. More explanation is online by googling those two words.
6. CIA Astronomer- Jim Keating -Jim spoke about setting up an Abenakis Society for the children of the towns to educate them about the Solstices and Equinoxs as well as the moon and stars in the night sky. He handed out a flyer and explained that Abenakis means, “children of the dawn”. Jim suggested having people go to Globe online and Star Count for more information. He then went into having Star parties. He spoke also of proper lighting in the park so that we can really see the sky and cut down on light pollution. He suggested we could work to influence the towns and the whole country using lights that shine down and where it is needed instead of up in the sky. He suggested we need these L E D lights at the park entrance and on the walkways. Jim is getting a rangers certificate to become a Sky Ranger and teach the people about the sky. He said of his students, “children want to learn for the sake of learning and not for a grade.” Jim is looking for a grant for changing the lights around the park and the town. He also spoke about each culture having its own story about the sky from the dawn of time. Many of those listening offered to join him in creating this Abenakis Society including Krena, Jake, Paul, Bruce, and Don.
7. Park:
Planks: Lauren mentioned that the Sun Circle Diagram should be laminated and put on site for information to visitors. She said that the plants need to be watered regularly and she will add another hose to the park. Jon asked, “what is the problem with the planks?”
Sheryl suggested that we donate a plank to the Town of Swampscott at our expense for their help
Peter F. said, “we need better thank you’s to people and towns.” A vote on a plank for the town of Swampscott was taken and passed. Lauren said that “the final grading will be finished after the summer, including creating the dunes, and matching Alex’s grade . We can’t lay all the planks now. I will get the bobcat with one guy and one machine and the project will be done this week.” Amy suggested we steer people towards buying a plank now.
Benches: Allie asked if there was anyone who still wanted to buy a bench. Repair , replace and renew is still a project in waiting.
Dog Friendly area: Fountain Bruce said the the plumber Mr. McCristan will be employed to plumb the fountain once the concrete is poured. Bruce said he would get this done within the next two weeks. Amy said, “we need a ceremony for the patrons who donated the money for this dog fountain. Sheryl added a thanks to Lynn and Bob Dillisio and the town for the repaving without a permit. A conduit for electricity was added for $678.50 which she is paying for.
Signage: Sheryl, Paul, Alexander, Bruce, Roberta
Alex brought copies of the Rules and Regulations for the park and gave them out. Some were laminated. He gave out a long version and a short version and small copies were given to the agents as well to give to parkers. Rick Kimber did say that the people who mess the park up with alcohol and other items that should not be there at night will not read or adhere to the rules . Someone noticed that the dates were reversed where it said no dogs from May to October should have said, October to May.
No mention of a party as yet for the committee and friends at the park, The park reopening should be by Aug 1 hopefully. No mention of press releases for anything other than the event on Saturday from 11-12.
Our next meeting will be on Aug 3 at 7pm Thursday-
MINUTES of Annual Meeting held April 26, 2010
Present:
Officers: President, Lynn Nadeau,Vice President Sheryl Levenson and new Treasurer, Peter Bowen, Secretary-Don Orne (new member)
Board members: Jon Alexander, Sylvia Belkin, Allie Blodgett, Alexander Falk, Bruce Greenwald, Nancy Hamlin, Karen "Krena" Horowitz, Joe Lautner, Roberta Levy and Amy O’Connor Also: Paul Levenson, Dennis Curtin, Joan McDuff, Susan Walton and Audrey Helzner
President’s report and introductions:
“We are in a good place. The skeleton of the new park has been constructed-the wall, the stairs, and the Sun Circle. We have a wonderful volunteer Board that has talent, wisdom, expertise and passion for our mission. We have weathered some disagreement, some dichotomy and even some acrimony and we are stronger for it. It was a tough winter and the storms have sent the water sluicing up the steps and creating a river through the park. These winter waters must be rechanneled. That is our main task this season…to repair the damage done and to figure out how to avoid future damage. The steps must be repaired at once for safety and availability to and from the beach. Once we do this, there are lots of ideas to make the park even more beautiful, useful and treasured. We have a responsibility to those who are differently able to make sure that they can get around the park and see the ocean from the park and maneuver around the Sun Circle.
 We were given $25,000 for a dog-friendly area which must be designed and built. Some people would like to see a shower at the lot. Some would like to see a toilet placed there. It would be wonderful to plant a garden in the extra parking lot which you will hear more about later.”
“We have had some retirements from the Board. Mary Casey and Liz Durstine-Lipkind. We greatly appreciate the time and energy that these retiring members have given to this community vision. We also have some new blood - Don Orne and Peter Bowen. We have plans in place for an active spring and summer.”
Treasurer’s Report: Peter Bowen
The full three page report was distributed to all present
The summary is included here:
M’head Checking M’head reserve UBS PayPal
Started 2010 $2,797 $14,067 $7,469 $5,026
Ending 2010 $5,940 $10,082 $8,015 $5,246
Total: 2010 $29,282
CIA Expenses from Checking account as of 4/26/10 $956
Seven memberships were paid by paypal over the internet so far.
Thank you Peter for all the time and effort getting the new year off on a firm and accurate financial note.
 Presentation of Slate of Officers for 2010-2011
Lynn Nadeau-President
Sheryl Levenson-Vice President
Peter Bowen-Treasurer
Clerk-Peter Frisch
Recording Secretary-Don Orne
Lynn called for a vote on the above list of officers and all present voted for the slate with none opposed
Lynn then called for a vote on the present list of the board to be re-elected and the vote was all in favor and none opposed
Park Plans: Bruce Greenwald
Bruce said, “We need to stabilize the wall first and foremost and line the back of the existing seawall to distribute the wave action.” Allie asked if we needed a new permit and the answer was no it is already an open permit. Bruce mentioned that there was extra material in a stockpile on the site to use for the project. Allie said, “we still have rocks in the parking lot.” Sylvia said that Cahill's equipment was in an unattractive place. She asked if his equipment could be parked elsewhere in a better spot through the summer She suggested that David park in our lot instead of on the beach.
Sheryl mentioned that the clean up is in the works on town property, and the town has an easement on our side, and Ory has given permission to have it parked on his side.
Bruce said, trash cans should be in a better place. Allie asked “hidden in the sumac?”
Amy asked, how often does the town pick up the trash? Sheryl said, they don’t do weekends until summer.”
Bruce said that Alex’s house property line is three feet in Swampscott and the plan is to provide a gentle slope coming down into the park. The walkways will be the highpoint and create a low spot next to the walkway to help with the water flow. Bruce emphasized that the first order of business is land forming the low and high spots. “Building a ringwall to protect the Sun Circle, we want to move the water as best we can."
Alex mentioned that Doug S. promised him a 50% cash donation and a 50% labor donation amounting to $20,000 total. Amy said, “Lauren still feels pretty good about it.” Alex said, “We should be grateful for any services from him at this point.” However, no one was able to confirm that he will be able to provide any work right now.
Alex added that the planks are going to be on top of the ridge, and Amy said, “The planks are yet to be figured out.” It was agreed that we should be getting a second quote from Dilisio.
Amy asked, “How much money do we need to finish the project?”
Alex added, “North of $50,000.” Allie asked, “Does the $50,000 include Lauren?” The answer was no.
Allie continued, “It bothers me that the rocks on the swag side aren’t big enough on the beach to withstand the storms against the wall. The rocks have worked their way down the beach towards Phillips Beach. Alex added that the rocks in the wall are 6- to 7-ton rocks and aren’t going anywhere. Bruce mentioned that 18-inch rocks will be used as part of the flooding solution. More discussion from various people on the rocks and park, but won’t be added here for sake of time and space.
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Lynn thanked Bruce for his wonderful presentation and then had a surprise.
"The Presentation (photos enclosed) From the State House and our State Representative Lori Ehrlich. “Let me read it to you and then let me say a few words about Bruce’s work.”
“He is being honored because of his contributions to the
community. We who have had the pleasure of working with him directly have seen him use his talent, creativity and expertise to make this project real. He spent countless days, hours and weeks to make this vision a reality. With unflagging energy and impossibly high standards, he designed the Sun Circle, travelled to Seattle to pick out the stone, worked with the Board and his beloved wife Krena to raise the money needed for the construction. Then he had to hire the contractors and oversee the construction. He has spent endless hours down at the Park answering questions from the countless visitors who are drawn to the site.
"But that is not the only reason for this award. He is being honored also because of his work on the Marblehead District Commission on which he sat for over ten years. He has worked to preserve and augment the beauty and glory of downtown Marblehead, to save the old building that had been the Harbormaster’s office and to move it to its new spot on the Salem wharf. He carefully took all the measurements of the Lee Mansion and turn those measurements into useful data that helped to create a virtual walkthrough for students, academics and visitors of this treasured building. Bruce, truly your accomplishments have made a difference to people.”
As Kahil Gibran wrote, “Work is love made visible. Your daily life is your temple and your religion. When you enter into it, take with you your all. You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.”
Bruce, thank you for giving of yourself. Thank you for your enormous contributions to the entire community.”
Fundraising:
2010 Guide to Beach Bluff Park
Karen "Krena" Horowitz said she and Lynn were using the old format from the 2009 publication using many more photos in black and white along with new information about the Sun Circle, the tides, flora and fauna and a fundraising section. Krena added that Sir Speedy in Boston was the printer again and that more ads are needed to raise more money. She added that the publication is already in profit by $2000, but that she hoped more ads would come in to help pay for the park repairs. They mentioned about 700 copies would be made available for members to distribute to at the park and at other sites including the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce kiosk. Krena has created a form for members to take and pass out to advertisers and that the $75 business card ad was the value of the year (an additional $25 will get the advertisers a CIA membership). .
The deadline for ads is May 10th to be ready for a June 3rd distribution. This is a major fundraiser ,and everyone’s help is needed for success.
The second fundraiser is:
A tie-in with the Spirit of '76 Bookstore in Marblehead for June 3rd from 6-8pm
featuring a book signing of the author Janet E. Spurr's book, Beach Chair Diaries. Krena said we would get 20% of the total sales for the night which will be a party as well as a fundraiser.
Summer Agents:
Kids to work at the parking lot as attendants for the summer have to be hired for $8 an hour. They must be 14 years or older. The lot is open from May 31st on.
Internet/Paypal:
Amy Connor gave a report on the internet connection. Now that we are set up with PayPal, more people can pay for their donations, contributions, memberships, and ads for Beach Bluff Guides for 2010. She also thanked the stuffers who helped stuff. She said, “We have 200 valid e-mail addresses.” She also suggested having advertisers put their ads up on the site and collect money from them for fundraising, providing a steady stream of money at no real cost to us. Thank you, Amy, that is going to make a nice difference. Great work!
The Garden of Eden -Dennis Curtin
Due to a time factor, Dennis showed one photo of one Monarch butterfly on his iPhone and that was the slideshow. Hopefully we will have time to see the whole presentation at some point soon. He is writing a book on Monarch Butterflies and spoke about tagging the monarchs and following them to Mexico. He said, “This was the worst year for butterflies in recorded history due to many factors such as not enough Milkweed along highways and chemical spraying of places where many butterflies fed. He mentioned the site,Monarchwatch.org to get more information and suggested we create a butterfly habitat on half of the parking lot to teach children and adults about the Monarchs. He wants to create the Marblehead/Swampscott Butterfly Garden and needs help and a possible co-chair for the committee.
The next meeting of the CIA will be on May 11th Tuesday night at Amy O’Connor’s house at 7:30 pm on 4 Hawthorne Rd. Swampcott
Allie mentioned that we have two members running for office in Swampscott with us. #1 Sylvia Belkin for Planning Board and #2 Amy O’Connor running for Elected Town Meeting Representative.
Good luck!!!!!
Events at the Sun Circle:
May 26 —13 Ahau event Mayan ceremony
June 21—Summer Solstice Sunrise ceremony 5:06 a. m. earlybirds
June 21—Summer Solstice Event 7:28 a. m. actual time of solstice
June 26—Full Moon low tide at 5:06
July 17—Conscious Convergence Event
July 27— Full moon low tide
Respectfully submitted, Don Orne - recording secretary
The Story of the Clifton Improvement Association and Beach Bluff Park:
Vision and Reality
(as told by Lynn Nadeau)
The CIA was founded in 1934 by a group of summer residents with a vision that included making Preston Beach available to all who lived in the immediate neighborhood. In 1945, five families donated five buildable lots to this neighborhood association. That land has been used for parking for Preston Beach ever since.
During the war years, there were lifeguards on the beach who instructed the youngsters from 10am until noon. Summer people and neighborhood people mingled and befriended each other on the beach. There were regular meetings of the CIA which resulted in the building of the Eveleth School.
During the 70's and 80's, the CIA became moribund but was revived in the 90's with meetings and projects including the building of the little shed on the lot.
Allie Blodgett remembers the day when I telephoned her husband, Donald, whose family had owned the land abutting the sea and Preston Beach, introduced myself and suggested that the vacant beach lot would make a nice park. Donald’s immediate response was, “I’ve been waiting 25 years for this call.”
After that phone call in 1991, lawyers Doug Nadeau, Paul Levenson and Steve Small worked with Donald to create Beach Bluff Park which sits on the Swampscott border. The process was lengthy; it involved the Swampscott Conservation Commission, the state, and the federal government. But it worked; the CIA received nonprofit status and the land was transferred. These two generous gifts of land demonstrate the community spirit, volunteer involvement and dedication that have characterized the CIA.
Since then, Beach Bluff Park has become a quiet oasis, used and loved by neighbors, commuters, and passers-by. Admirers of sea and sky enter the Swampscott park on a walkway of planks and wander the paths or settle comfortably on one of the benches. The parking lot across the street, in Marblehead, has a useful shed and water source. Lauren Lautner, landscape designer, has volutnarily organized the plantings of trees and bushes, grasses and flowers in both areas.
These properties have symbolized the CIA’s community spirit, volunteer involvement, and dedication.
Then in April, 2007, a wild northeaster’ wrecked the wall that had protected the park from the sea. Benches and walkways were swept across Atlantic Avenue. The native bushes and plants were flooded by sea water. It was a disaster!
Immediately, another benefactor with a vision stepped in. Alexander and Nora Falk, who had bought the house next door two weeks earlier, contacted me. “We see the CIA wall and our wall as one project.” Alexander announced. “If you like, as we plan our wall, we will ask our architects and engineers to also plan yours.” Since then the Falks have generously donated their time, their resources, and their financial support to see the walls protecting both properties completed. The two seawalls were completed in late spring of 2009.
Following that, the CIA will rehab Beach Bluff Park and the Falks will begin construction on their new house.
Lauren Lautner will design the new park. Her plan includes the placement of benches among peaceful walkways which will curve around small dunes. The Sun Circle, a stunning basalt sculpture created by architect and sculptor Bruce Greenwald, will nestle between the dunes and serve as a gathering place for small ceremonies. The Sun Circle marks the rising and setting sun on the horizon throughout the year for the edification of visitors.
Through private donations, the CIA is raising monies for all park operations including the new floodwall and the Sun Circle. The community has contributed generously to further the visions of those who have donated the land and those who donated their energies and resources to create an area for everyone to use and enjoy.
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