Public Forum on Living Shoreline restoration project at Galesville Park. See AA County Parks and Recreation site at http://www.aacounty.org/RecParks/public.cfm for more information
Galesville Memorial Hall Update
January 2008
In the two years since the Hall renovation the Improvement Association has sponsored holiday and ice cream socials, parties, celebrations and meetings in the renovated space. In addition, the Hall as accommodated community yoga, private parties, wedding receptions, graduation parties, club and other organization meetings. Beginning on January 12, the Improvement Association is hosting a monthly movie night in the Hall where folks can congregate to watch a film in a convenient and comfortable environment in the company of neighbors and friends. The Hall has truly become the community meeting place envisioned.
As with any historic structure however, the Hall continues to require upkeep and upgrades. The final punch list items from the major renovation were just completed. The kitchen roof needs major repair or replacement, the kitchen counters should be updated, the gas pipes feeding the hall need re-design, air conditioning units are essential for the Hall's comfortable use in the hot summer months, and shades should be installed to reduce utility costs. All of these items cost money -- money not in the Improvement Association's budget or bank account. Initial estimates for the necessary work exceed $17,000.
Consequently, we are asking you to help defray some of these costs. Your generosity in the past has helped restore and preseve this historic building that embodies Galesville's community spirit. We are asking that residents and association members contribute to the Hall's continued use. Please mail any donations to the West River Improvement Association, PO Box 104, Galesville, MD 20765. On behalf of the Association, we thank you for contributions to the Hall's maintenance.
President’s Report
April 2, 2007
This report covers the period from April 2006 to April 2007.
Activities and Accomplishments:
After several intense years of planning, fundraising, and labor to renew Galesville Memorial Hall, we have been intent on enjoying it, as this list of activities shows: Several members organized a music and talent night late last April in which many neighbors from Galesville and surrounding areas participated. The Parks and Grounds committee sponsored a May Basket celebration and a tea afterwards at the Hall where there were photos of all of the baskets. There was the annual winter holiday social followed by a New Year’s Eve Party with music provided for free by local R & B band, Riverside Drive. We had an Ice Cream Social in the summer. We held a wine tasting in cooperation with Homeport and our annual fundraisers—a spaghetti dinner in the winter and the oyster and ham dinner and bake sale just two days ago.
The Parks and Grounds committee also purchased new trashcans for the park, and began planning for stabilization of the shoreline and other park improvements. They also headed road and waterfront cleanups throughout the year.
Project Oysters-West River is ongoing with gardeners getting spat each year and placing their year-old oysters on one of the two sanctuaries we’ve established in the River. There is also more monitoring of the conditions of the river by the project, private citizens, the Riverkeeper, the Department of Natural Resources and the Smithsonian.
A disaster planning committee was formed and has met once. They are concerned with putting plans in place plans for Galesville for any number of possible situations, from hurricanes to terrorist attacks. Mr. Terishinski continues to represent us at Police-Community relations meetings, and we had local police in this year to talk with the Board.
We held a Special Membership Meeting so all members could vote on whether or not to proceed with a defense to the appeal by Nick Bassford/Bill Woodfield, et al, of the ruling against a liquor license at the property. The community voted to drop the matter.
WRIA requested a traffic study on Main St. The findings were that the eastbound traffic speed averages 39 mph eastbound and 37 mph westbound. The speed limit is 30. Because there have been only two accidents in the last 5 years, the State Highway Administration will take no further action. They recommend that we urge more policing of the street.
You’ve seen the banners on Main St. and Riverside Drive. Joan Bell was the driving force behind those—she raised the funds, purchased the flags, and hung them, and changes them seasonally with the help of her husband Peter, Jim Day, and Brian Czarnowski.
A small committee reviewed the bylaws and recommends some changes. Copies were available at the post office, at tonight’s meeting, and by contacting me. The most notable change is to hold our general membership meeting in October, so that our officers, board, work and budget can all begin with the calendar year.
Respectfully submitted, Cel Petro