Old NBHS Auditorium Restoration Meetings
Posted Friday, March 7, 2014 06:01 AM

AUD – Minutes of February 27, 2014

 

The Auditorium Restoration Committee met on Thursday February 27, 2014 at the New Bedford Public Schools Administration Building on County Street.

Meeting started at 6:30 p.m.

Mike Shea welcomed everyone

Craig Dutra, President of the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts, talked to the group about how the Foundation could help us. By becoming a member of the Foundation, we will be able to accept money from individuals and sponsors who then would be able to receive a tax credit. This would be done during our application process of receiving our own tax exempt status. The foundation does charge 2.5% for the services they provide. There were many questions from the group, but everyone seemed to understand that this is the only way we can move forward to start accepting donations for this project. Craig has offered to meet with us again if needed. The committee wants to make a decision on this at the March 20th meeting.

Attorney Eric Jaikes talked to the group about the process of applying for a 501 3c tax exempt number. It takes about 12 to 14 months from the start of the application to receiving the number. He talked about how the organization can be structure to meet the requirements of this application. There were many questions and Eric answered them all. We will have a small group of people review the application and have Eric look at it and advise us through the process. The committee’s goal is to have this application completed (or near completion) by the March 20th meeting.

Mike Josefek, Construction Committee Chair, gave his report on his area. At the January meeting, Mike Shea asked if he could contact a few trades’ contractors to obtain budget pricing for the interior restoration of the damaged plaster and wall surfaces. Mike solicited all of the local plaster contractors without success. One agreed to meet with him, but did not show. Also several painting contractors were called and he met on site with McCann & Sons Painting of New Bedford. Mr. McCann looked at the interior of the auditorium and concluded that the price would be between $50,000 and $100,000. The difference in price is due to the uncertainty of whether prevailing wages will be required to be paid. An estimated breakdown of costs in these areas are: Staging - $30,000, Painting - $100,000, Cleaning - $20,000, and Plaster Repair - $100,000. There are many other areas that we need to explore, for example - Fixture Restoration, Seat Restoration, Stage and Sound Equipment, Stage Lighting Equipment and Flooring.

Mike Shea talked about the sub-committees that this committee has suggested – Construction, Fundraising, Grants, Public Relations and NB Alumni Association. We have had 4 meetings so far, but we need to move forward on having people get involved on these sub-committees. I am reaching out to everyone to please consider participating on a subcommittee. At this point, we have the following people willing to serve on the sub-committees:

Construction                                           Fundraising                                        Grants

Chair: Mike Josefek                             Chair:                                                Chair:

    Gloria Clack                                          Beth Sylvia                                        

    Steve Rezendes                                   Nancy Otis Cusson        

                                                                  Paul Brightman

Public Relations                                     NB Alumni Association

 Chair: Mike Shea                                Chair: Priscilla Wade

                                                                  Doug Pfeninger

                                                                  Alice Pfeninger

If you are interested to serving on any of the above committees – please email me at oldnbhsauditorium@gmail.com.

Other Business: A question was brought up about the direction of this committee. Are we a committee to “Restore the Auditorium” or an “Alumni Association”. A great question. I started out forming this committee for one purpose – to restore the Auditorium. In the early planning and a meeting with some city officials – including Mayor Mitchell, it was suggested that we develop an Alumni Association during this process. All the work in contacting alumni to help in the auditorium project could be used for informing alumni about New Bedford schools. Therefore, we are organizing this committee under the umbrella of an “Alumni Association” and the Restoration of the Auditorium is the project under that title.

      IMPOTANT: When the committee addresses a project like the auditorium, we encourage people who may not have attended New Bedford Public Schools to get involved. You may have knowledge, expertise, or an interest in the project that would be of value.

Meeting ended at 8:00 pm.

Submitted by: Mike Shea        NEXT MEETING IS MARCH 20, 2014 – 6:30 PM