Soldiers Memorial Commission Meeting July 8, 2025

Minutes June 10th:
Roll Call:
Ken Harstine
Laddy Rua
Rick Purcell
Colleen Chessmore
Nelson Serrao
Kevin Thomas

Minutes accepted. Rick and Kevin

Urinals upstairs. One operable one not. Need to be fixed or replaced. Waiting for new budget cycle.
Security System. Internal from Hackworth security. External cameras are maintained by Collens Electric, Installed last year. Need plan for guest tracking. HPD recommends that each door have electronic key code entry. Estimate $8K for budget. New PC for system also required.
Building monitors project. Volunteers are credited for hours worked on the city volunteer tracking system. Upcoming events are on a white board in the office. Cleaning is being done in an orderly manner now.
Lawn care is no longer being done by the janitors. Rick will connect with Wayne to try and get a veteran to do the job. Colleen will reach out to a lawn care service to see what can be done that way.
Electronic event board. (Tabled for new estimates)
Chandelier lamps. Replaced bulbs but still not working. Deadline moved out to November.
Chief Dietrich auditorium naming project. Name the basement instead. Not including the kitchen.
Audio system quotes. Nelson got the 2025 ATC quote. Norseman has been shown the building and is in process to get quote. MIFA is expected to deliver a third quote.
Air conditioners. Have been added to first and second floor rooms.
Floor refinishing. Still waiting for quote. Kevin
Floor cleaning machine still needs batteries. Expect to order batteries soon.
Need to schedule an attic cleaning day or days.
New business:
JFK Memorial. Our commission is potentially on the hook to ask for grants.
T Shirt designs.
Patriotic committee will create a report on the event. Opening plan changed on the day of the event. Honor guard did not come sufficiently early to be fully briefed.
Agree on shirt with single soldier at ease and War Memorial on front left. The back with the globe and WWI memorial. Need a rehearsal to clear up proper procedure. Seating worked well with only the dignitaries and chorus on stage.
POW table process. Confusion about things you read and things you do. Laddy would like more wreaths so that they can be given to the Gold Star families for placement on grave. Work to get Holyoke Families connected Medal of Liberty medals.
Next meeting July 8th, 2025.