Plymouth's 400th Anniversary

Minutes of Public Meetings of the Plymouth 2020 Committee: 2010

MINUTES - Meeting of the Plymouth 400th Committee
Monday, February 22, 2010, 7:00 PM
Plymouth Chamber of Commerce Offices, Cordage Park, North Plymouth

Committee Members present: Peter Gomes, Chairman; Peter Balboni; Ben Brewster; Paul Bumpus; Paul Cripps; Ellie Donovan; John Mahoney; Gary Marks; Enzo Monti; Monica Mullen for Sen.Murray; Patrick O'Brien; Ed Santos; Ken Tavares

Absent: Kathy Babini (exc.); Jim Baker (exc.); Peg Baker (exc.); Tamson Burgess; Tom Calter; Vinny DeMacedo; Rodney Joseph; David Kirkpatrick; Butch Machado; John McDonogh; Paula Peters

Invited guests: Mark Stankiewicz, Plymouth Town Manager

Several members of the public

The meeting was opened at 7:00 PM by Chairman Peter Gomes.
Recognition was made of the numbers of the public who were present and who were made welcome.

Newly-appointed Committee member Peter Balboni, a local business man with a strong history of civic involvement, was introduced.

REPORT OF THE CHAIRMAN
Peter Gomes introduced Mark Stankiewicz, who was appointed in December 2009 as Plymouth's Town Manager. Mr. Stanbkiewicz voiced his strong support for the 400th Anniversary project and predicted that the year 2020 would be of major importance to the town and state.

Meeting with Board of Selectmen - Committee Discussion
A Committee presentation will be made to the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, March 2,2010. It will be organized and presented by Peter Gomes, Ben Brewster, and Ed Santos. Assisting with data regarding the Jamestown 400th celebration will be Monica Mullen. In addition to a status report, discussion will be directed toward principal concerns:

1. Given that the BOS is the appointing authority, what should be the practice in making appointments to and expansion of the Committee? Should recommendations originate with the Committee? Should there be a cap on the number of members? Should specific seats be designated as for specific constituencies (civic offices, historic groups, elected officials, etc.) rather than for the idividual incumbent? What role should sub-committees (and their members) serve in relation to the central committee, and what should be the practice in making appointments to them?

2, There is a need to spell out the financing of the project. The immediate question is the disposition of the $45,000 approved by Town Meeting. Expenses are already being incurred, particularly for professional consultants, but bills are not being paid. Is a designated fiscal agent needed? How can the expenditure process be simplified so that progress is not slowed because of ponderous bureaucratic procedures? On the larger concern over financing the 400th anniversary project,the bulk of the expenses will be met by fund-raising methods but it is essential the the Town contribute on a regular and ongoing basis not only for the sake of the funds but as an indicator of town support which many large-scale donors demand.

Peter Gomes summed up by saying that we need to know whether our services are appreciated. If there are any questions or differences they can always be worked out, but the support and backing of the Board are essential.

Participation of the Wampanoag in the Anniversary Celebration
Peter Gomes is drafting a response to the letter received in November 2009 from representatives of the Wampanoags and which was discussed at the January 2010 meeting.

It has also been suggsted that a representative of the Native American tribes in Virginia be invited to discuss their participation in the Jamestown celebration and make any recommendations for Plymouth's 400th.

Outreach/Cape
Provincetown is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Pilgrim Monument in 2010 and has extended an invitation to this Committee to arange an official Plymouth visit The response has been favorable and Peter will work with Jim Baker (Plymouth) and Jim Bakker (Provincetown) to settle on an appropriate date and event.

Committee members will be asked to indicate their willingness to participate in the visit.

Branding
Paul Cripps reported that meetings have been held with the TKO design representative but more specific presentations will not be made until some advance fees are paid.

Other Initiatives
There is a need to publicize the activities of the 400th Committee in order to build public awareness, and hopefully enthusiasm, for the celebration. Perhaps this can be done while preparing for and reporting on the meeting with the Selectmen.

It is also essential that events be firmed up for the year 2020, especially for the climactic events of August 1. Many speakers, orchestras, parade units, facilities, etc. are scheduled as far as 10 years in advance.

Public Comment
Ann Berry, newly-apponted Director of the Pilgrim Society, introduced herself and spoke from her previous position working on Jamestown's 400th Anniversary. She mentioned some of their activities which may be applicable to Plymouth's venture, and also offered to provide information for Monica Mullen's presentation to the Selectmen.

Rick Cone cautioned that Committee membership should not confine itself to those professionally or politically connected to the celebration but should include other community viewpoints which are interested in the action. It was suggested that the sub-committees could be utilized to this advantage.

Gary Marks reported on a survey done in the year 2000 which asked many prominent figures to list events which they considered to have major impacts on religion in the previous millenium.

The landing of the Pilgrims came in Number 8 because of its significance for freedom of religion and for the separation of church and state.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:45 PM.

NEXT MEETING
Th March meeting may not be held on the usual fourth Monday bcause of scheduling conflicts. The actual date will be circulated to the members when it is finalized.

-Enzo Monti, Interim Secretary