Mountain Lakes Centennial Steering Committee

Meeting Minutes, February 1, 2010

Committee Members Present:   Von Sternberg, Wargo, Bravo, Halpin, Barlow, Rusak, Terlizzi, Hayward, Thompson, Sullivan

1. Approval of Minutes:

The minutes from our November 30, 2009 meeting were approved, Blair and Mary Ann abstained.

A short recap of our van tour will be put on the website.

2. Centennial Neighborhoods:

Update on Jan 20, 2010 meeting- Pat & John

Tremendous enthusiasm at the meeting. 

Recommendations include:

-          Consider holding another neighborhood meeting, also communicate by e-mail

-          Display an enlarged neighborhood maps with flag & mascot at a few locations (Market, post office, library, Borough Hall, on website)

-          Keep a photographic record of the year, especially the ‘first picnic’ re-enactment

Next Steps- Debbie

Neighborhoods need to provide feedback on challenge criteria. Also a few changes are being made to neighborhoods, and finding the last few liaisons. Holding on a letter to neighborhoods until further Centennial details worked out.

There was much discussion on how to recreate the famous clambake photo.  It was decided that we would suggest that the neighborhoods hold a gathering “modeling the first picnic” on Memorial Day after the Mountain Lakes Day celebration. Could send out a save the date postcard with the photo on front and history on back.

3. Schools:  Kris & Chris

Minutes from the school subcommittee meeting with Dr. Kazmark on 1/20 were distributed.  Dr. Kazmark very enthusiastic and will establish a centennial liaison in each school to work with the staff. Subcommittee to set up initial meeting to review our plans for the year and potential ideas to date.

Pat plans to display a “Wall of Veterans” in bottom of the library for Memorial Day.  She will try to involve Frank Sanchez from MLHS and students.

4. Community Events:

Nancy Bigelsen, Kick-off Chair, requested that we change the event from 1/2 to 1/9 to encourage better attendance. We will leave the decision up to Nancy & her committee’s discretion. Kris, Pat or Debbie will act as liaison to the event.

 

5. Fundraising: Jane & Kelly

Commemorative bricks and stones- Goal is to raise $30,000 (300 families at $100). Their initial major fundraising plan is to offer “family plaques” with name and original move-in year for $100.  These could be incorporated into retaining walls, bricks, pavers, etc., located at a special centennial site. They met with Barry Lewis, Borough Manager, to review ideas, provide him with some of the proposed legacy projects and discuss any potential borough plans.

Plaques from the 25^th and 50^th are located in Borough Hall.

Merchandise- Considering a limited number (t-shirt, coffee mug, charm). Working with Carissa Wangsness.

Also, some interest has been voiced to hold fundraising cocktail parties.  Could be a good way to review our centennial plans and develop enthusiasm.  It was decided that our committee would not oversee this type of activity.

Blair reported on another potential fundraising idea, Luminaries, which has been very successful in Summit. They sell the bags with candle & sand for about $2-3 and all proceeds are donated to 5 designated non-profits.  Blair suggested that we use our proceeds to fund the Halloween celebration in the Village for 2011. 

The feasibility of the luminaries will be researched and discussed again at a later meeting.

6. Celebrating Volunteerism

A small group will meet with the churches first to determine interest and our direction.

7. Communication

Stephanie has gotten feedback from experts in town that our logo is not a strong enough image to use on logo wear, etc.  She recommended that we use a professional to develop one great image and use it exclusively.  Carissa is currently talking to 2 artists.  John Murphy, a graphic artist, will charge us about $1500 to design an original logo.  Blair offered the guidance of her husband, a graphic artist, to assist with the selection of someone.  Chris Sullivan set up a meeting with a Boonton Township artist today to get her advice and input.

After much discussion, the group consensus is to use our current logo as a starting point to create more of an artistic image. Our new “centennial colors” should be incorporated into the design and a font selected.  A new subcommittee was formed to research the logo: Jane, Kelly, Debbie, Kris, Chris

 

8. Committee Projects

History DVD- Stephanie will check with Andy Bulfer to see if this is in progress already.

Dust Jacket- HPC in process

Crossword Puzzle- Mary Ann will pursue

Blog, Facebook- Communications Committee will tackle this

Banner- Kris & Pat are currently working with Nickel and will report on the cost estimate at the next meeting.

One goal is to get more volunteers involved.  A list of ideas will be compiled.

Next Meeting:  March 1, 2010