Tercentennial Commission

Gathers Information And Ideas

By Jan Howard

The steering committee of the Tercentennial Commission received proposed bylaws for consideration and heard committee reports and a presentation by Bart O’Connor of Abbey Tent & Party Rental during its monthly meeting October 28.

Mae Schmidle presented bylaws for consideration by the committee at its meeting November 25.

“The bylaws set a direction and policy for us to carry on our business,” Ms Schmidle said. “There is nothing constricting or inclusive.”

She said the bylaws include procedures for filling vacancies and changing the bylaws and list the duties of officers, among other items. “They give us latitude to operate in addition to the structure we need,” she said.

Chairman Dan Cruson asked members to go through the bylaws for any items that should be added.

Gordon Williams, who chairs the Volunteer Coordination Committee, said he would be sending out a letter this month to local organizations, clubs, and others. He has had feedback from 20 individuals who want to be involved in planning events for the celebration.

“Some have specifically mentioned where they would like to volunteer,” he said, such as the Newtown Scholarship Fund, which would offer a special scholarship for the tercentennial year.

Ms Schmidle and Scudder Smith of the Logo Committee reported on their progress in obtaining someone to create the logo. Curtis Packaging and Kenneth Swain, a graphic designer, have expressed interest. Samples of illustrations are to be ready for review for the November meeting.

Ms Schmidle said Curtis Packaging “is very willing to do this. They have an experienced staff. I was impressed.”

Other fundraising items were discussed, such as a pewter ornament with a tercentennial theme that would have value and meaning as a keepsake, an entrance badge that would give the wearer entrance to events, or a coin.

Discussion also centered about the creation of a website.

John Trentacosta is to look into nonprofit status for the commission and whether it is to the commission’s advantage to incorporate.

Ms Schmidle announced that Joanne Greco Rochman has expressed her willingness to be responsible for communications to the media. A comprehensive report regarding publicity will be made at the November meeting. Ms Schmidle is to act as liaison with Ms Rochman.

Brigette Sorenson, chairman of the Education Committee, discussed some proposals to educate school children about Newtown’s history, including a lecture workshop series, educational packets to be developed for teachers, and a trivia bee, in which students would participate after learning various historical facts about the town.

Also discussed were open-air events, such as a flea market and road race, and possible sites that would have space for vendors and parking. Ms Sorenson said she foresees such an event in 2005 in conjunction with the annual library book sale and Labor Day parade. The commission will look at possible sites at Fairfield Hills.

Also discussed in depth was a suggestion by professional photographer Claudio Basso for a book of 300 photographs of Newtown people that would be funded through sponsorship from local businesses and partially from the commission.

John Martocci raised the concern that not enough people would buy the book to make it cost effective. “It would need a $30,000 commitment,” he said.

Cindy Simon said the photographs should be of a cross section of town residents, 300 people who represent Newtown’s history. Mr Trentacosta questioned whether the book should also contain a history of Newtown, which was not proposed for Mr Basso’s book.

“What we have in mind and what he has in mind are different,” Ms Sorenson said.

Without knowing publication costs and because the commission does not yet have a budget, it was decided the commission could not give Mr Basso a financial commitment at this time.

During his presentation, Mr O’Connor, who has been in the special events business for 24 years, said his company supplies tents of all sizes and accessories as well as lighting, power needs, flooring needs, portable restrooms, and heating and cooling.

Mr O’Connor, a resident of Newtown, said his company recently provided services for Bridgeport Hospital’s 125th anniversary event.

“We can get involved with anything you need,” he said, including working with caterers and obtaining a sound system. The company is fully insured, he noted.

He said he would be willing to act as an advisor to the committee as events are planned.

No programs would be formalized until after the beginning of 2004, Chairman Dan Cruson said.