Minutes20110323

President, Dave Pasqualicchio Report:

The FVA staple is beautification. It is time to sweep, discard junk and have pride in your area and neighborhood.

· On June 9^th, the FVA will receive a wonderful recognition, the Spirit of Bristol Award, from the Bristol Chamber of Commerce.

· I would like to thank the “Village People” for your help with Nuchie’s sponsored Renaissance dinner. You are the best!

At the well attended meeting, the familiar face of Olga Baron Fronczak was spotted in the crowd; a great source of inspiration. A new face in the crowd is Amelia Goodfield, retired secretary of Greene Hills School. Also Olga Callender, not to be confused with Olga Baron, attended the meeting. Two Olga’s; can we find another?

· The post office is closed again and the Ritter property, Sawe’s plaza, has been sold. A good question for Kate, will the Post office reopen in Forestville?

· Have you read the Bristol Press feature story about the Mr. and Mrs. Anniversary couple, Helen and John Lobaczewski? It is a great photo and story about their prize, lake and home.

· Thank you Leo Bonola, Penny and Kit Critchley for setting up the Duck/FVA booth at the home show and special thanks to Penny Critchley and her sister, Sandy Gozzo, for their expertise and many hours spent in preparing and numbering the ducks. They are done and ready for this year’s race.

Sophie Owsianko, wife of the late Frank “the General” Owsianko, with her son Michael Owsianko and grandchildren, Michael and Ally, presented the Forestville Businessmen’s Association 1948 banner to FVA. The banner will be long cherished, respected and displayed at FVA meetings in Frank’s memory.

City Village Report:

· Questions for Kate: Is the Forestville post office closed for good??

Is a plan in place to address the continuing flood problems on Fredrick St. and Forestville Center?

· The flag pole in front of the post office has been repaired at a cost of $300.00.

Thank you, Silvia Arce, for the $100.00 donation. Now, we need a volunteer to raise and lower the flag.

· It is time to get the duck tickets sold and returned to Tom!

According to the latest report from Tom Dickau, the duck tickets are selling well this year. Tom will be selling tickets and shirts in front of Nuchie’s every Saturday until the race. If you need tickets to sell or have completed books sold, you may return them to Tom on Saturday. If you need to reach him during the week his phone is 860-583-1527 and his email is tdickau@sbcglobal.net

· 50^th Anniversary of the Mum Festival: Tom Dickau and Tom LaPorte have designed beautiful postcards depicting every aspect of the Mum Festival. Sold as a set of 5 postcards for $5.00, see Tom Dickau for purchase.

· Leo’s two minutes: Leo praised and thanked Mike and Dave Pasqualicchio for the free spaghetti dinner, enabling city residents to hear the Renaissance presentation about downtown development. It was a great time.

· Lucky Ed’s drawing: At this monthly membership drawing, the winner of 5 duck tickets was Penny Critchley.

· Paul Kowalczyk, website master of www.fvact.org , quietly gives his time with many facets of FVA, day to day business. Thank you, Paul!

· FVA has donated $500.00 to the United Way. Seven FVA members will attend the United Way Builders Reception on Thursday April 17^th.

· Greene Hills Golf tournament, May 14^th

· FVA Scholarship had very good response this year. The 15-18 scholarship submissions are presently with the committee for review and will be awarded at a Scholarship/Award assembly in June.

Treasurer’s Report by Nancy Blancette:

Nancy provided an in depth 2010 financial report, which is available for anyone interested in the breakdown of expenses, donations, fundraisers and membership. Savings balance is $35,524.66. There was discussion about the possibility of a CD or money market account to be opened at TD Bank. Nancy will explore that option.

Membership 2011:

Membership report: 80 out of150 residents have paid their dues as well as, 31 out of 45 businesses. Five new members have joined FVA. If you are not sure of your dues status or have any questions, call Marsha at 860-582-6245 or email mmtldml@sbcglobal.net. Please support FVA! Pay your dues!

If you know someone who appreciates the good work FVA is doing in the community, bring them in as a new member. Solicit your friends and in your own neighborhood.

FVA is the “Spirit of Bristol.”

Quinlan Park:

Marguerite Petersen received applause for her many hours of work and the great plan she designed for the park. FVA is waiting for DEP/ Wetlands/ Flood plain permit necessary, before we can begin phase one of the project.

Betty Boukus, State Representative and a active FVA member, volunteered to look into any funding which may be available, for this FVA project. Another member suggested the Main St. Foundation.

Supporters of Quinlan Park may buy bricks for $50.00 inscribed with the veteran’s name and branch of service. Supporters will also have the option of selecting items for memorial purchase, such as the bus stop, water fountain, flag pole, and benches.

Beautification:

· Spring is here!! FVA Annual Clean Up is scheduled for Saturday, April 30^th 8am. Many areas need attention. Your expertise in trash pickup or raking is invaluable. Help clean up the village! Our Forestville, our responsibility!

· Thank you, Donald Lockhart, for the quick response and repair of the FVA community sign. FVA inaugural project, the ‘Welcome to Forestville’ sign needs repair too. Don has offered to rebuild it.

Fundraising:

· Al Barnes Golf tournament will be held Friday, Sept 23^rd. Sign up a foursome now.

· Central Square Bricks: We have 28 bricks sold and hope to have them installed early summer, if we can locate a brick engraver. If anyone knows of such a person, please let us know, as our past engraver, Shaun Casey, recently retired. There is still time to buy a brick for $75.00 with family name, loved one, or 3 lines of your choice; forever engraved in Forestville.

· 7^th Annual Pequabuck River Duck Race will be held May 1^st. Children games, venders, food, music, and in addition, a craft fair is in included this year. Great fun for the family, with a festive atmosphere.

Correspondence report with Maryellen Holden, AKA Waddles:

· Notes of sympathy (passing of father) and thanks for the donation went to MaryJane Johnson and Paul Kowalczyk.

· Notes of thanks went to Sophie Owsianko for the banner.

· Thank you, Silvia & Desi Arce for the donation of the flag, and monetary donation to fix the rope/pole.

· Notes of Congratulations to Policeman of the Year: Craig Duquette and Police Explorer of the Year, Chelsea Steele.

· Received Thank you note from Terese France.

Waddles sends a huge thanks to every person that manned the duck booth at Wal*Mart. We sold 107 tickets in 6 hours.

Please notify FVA if someone is in need of recognition or sympathy.

FVA Coming Events:

· Duck Race and Craft Show, May 1^st

· Memorial Day Parade, Monday, May 30^th Now, accepting sponsors!

· Summer Concert, Tuesday evening, August 9^th.

Next meeting: Wednesday, April 27, 2011 - Nuchie’s – 6pm

Next Meeting: March 23, 2011 - Nuchie’s- 6pm