Sturbridge’s 250^th Celebration Committee Meeting Minutes

MEETING DETAILS

Monday April 7^th, 2025 5:30pm

Sturbridge Town Hall, Julian Room

308 Main Street, Sturbridge, MA 01566

Meeting minutes taken by Megan Mooney

ROLL CALL 

The following persons were in attendance:

Joan Chamberland (JC)

William Chamberland (WC)

Richard Volpe (RV)

Megan Mooney (MM)

Derek Heidemann (DH)

Holice Turnbow (HT)

MaryLou Volpe (MV)

Leslie Wong (LW)

Sandra Gibson-Quigley (SG)

CALL TO ORDER RV called meeting to order at 5:32pm

REVIEW OF MEETING MINUTES DH motions to accept minutes, JC seconds, all are in favor

NEW BUSINESS

1. Rep Todd Smola Visit (WC):
   1. Banners across route 20 and 131 may hold liability due to high winds.  Rep Todd Smola followed up and reports there are standards regarding public ways with the state.  The state needs specifics around what we are looking for such as timeline (when and how long they would be up), size of banners, types of banners, types of signs, and location of banners/signs.  Rep Todd Smola offers to obtain the general guidelines, however reports specifics are easier to obtain and follow up on. Some guidelines may also fall under municipal guidelines and he will clarify which those may be.
   2. Parade on route 20 should hold no issues as long as guidelines are followed.  Rep Todd Smola will follow up to clarify the guidelines.  Committee will need to identify specifics such as dates and route. Committee plans to solicit individuals to join parade; Rep Todd Smola recommends soliciting now.
   3. Rep Todd Smola will obtain general guidelines for signs and parades, committee will also send Rep Todd Smola specifics as state may grant exceptions for the celebration.
   4. Committee estimates events will take place between Memorial Day and 4^th of July, signage would be posted prior to and during this timeline.  Parade would be the capstone of the events; committee unsure of date of parade as 4^th of July weekend may be very busy with other events.
   5. Rep Todd Smola considering filing an earmark in the budget to assist in this celebration. 
   6. Committee discussed vague timeline of when to make decisions by around celebration specifics; discussed possibly having specifics decided by 7/4/25 or at least by fall.
   7. WC to continue be contact for Rep Todd Smola
2. Introduction of new member- Sandra Gibson-Quigley:
   1. Sandra introduced; retired history teacher and is currently on Library Board and on the Tourist Association, board of Last Green Valley Society, and runs Historical Society with husband. Reports tourist association has money in this year’s budget that needs to be spent now; can also provide funds in next year’s budget.  Would consult with Terry Masterson to obtain budget; typically have $5-10k to award through community support and marketing.  “Experience Sturbridge” is the website run by Tourist Association along with social media platforms; STA can support marketing for the celebration.
   2. Decided to remove liaison with marketing; HT to liaison with Terry Masterson
   3. If we have anything to market just send to Tourist Association and they can post on website and social media
   4. Historical Society still working on putting together 250^th commemorative events for 2026.  This coming year there will be a presentation soon at Publick House regarding Sturbridge’s role in the Revolutionary War; also Walter Hersee is researching Revolutionary soldiers graves in Sturbridge.
   5. Next STA meeting is Wednesday 23^rd
3. Introduction of new member- Leslie Wong:
   1. Liaison with other departments of Sturbridge.  Reports anyone can use senior center for events; not just for seniors
   2. Reports she was a big part of planning the previous parade; worked with OSV, Publick House
   3. Reports cheaper to post flags around town rather than a banner.  Suggests flags be made by Globe Signs -John Cloutier and got sponsorships of the flags; there was bunting for the town’s 250^th; can do banners on any town building/bandstand
   4. Can use police departments electronic signage (there are two)
   5. DPW estimates about 50 telephone poles have the hardware to hoist a flag
4. OSV Knox’s Artillery event (DH):
   1. Mason’s were looking to do this in Fall; originally planning to this with OSV however it conflicts with  OSV programming.  OSV was planning on doing the Artillery event in January 2026
   2. Can offer space on the common for the Knox’s Artillery event for the Masons on October 12^th, 2025
5. Addition to project assignments:
   1. Special Events Committee- HT
   2. Cultural Committee – HT
      1. Meets in September but HT will reach out now
      2. Grants for arts, musical groups, big bands, dance groups
      3. Idea to offer Monday nights at senior center for cultural events
6. Project list assignments, updates:
   1. Liaison with Restaurants- JC
      1. Restaurants offered to join: Cedar St, Avellino, Sturbridge Seafood, Porterhouse
      2. Table 3 offered the triangle off Cedar St to host something
      3. Robin is going to write a letter of introduction to other restaurants to make the connection

1.  ACTION STEPS

• RV to send email request to Rep Todd Smola to request earmark in the budget for the celebration
• RV to attend the STA meeting on 4/23/25
• LW to confirm how many telephone poles are available for flags
• HT to reach out to Cultural Committee to request 250^th apply for grant
• MV to reach out to the Recreation Director to request they apply for grant to get the Army Navy Band
• All committee members to come to next meeting with ideas of celebration parameters; pick a kick off day and event and solidify ideas; events will end with the parade – parade date TBD.

NEXT MEETING: Monday May 5^th at 5:30pm at Town Hall, Julian Room

ADJOURNMENT  Meeting has ended – Speaker: Richard Volpe – 6:35pm

Minutes respectfully submitted by: Megan Mooney