HomeMy Public PortalAboutCrosby Property Advisory Committee -- 2022-11-15 Minutes MINUTES OF THE CROSBY PROPERTY COMMITTEE
DATE: Tuesday, November 15, 2022
TIME: 11:00 AM
PLACE: Remote Teleconference
PARTICIPANTS: Diana Lamb (Chair), Cate O'Neill, Peter Lombardi,
Adam Kibbe, Mark Flaherty, Richard Archer, Andrew Evans
Agenda Items
1. Call to Order - Chair Diana Lamb called the meeting to order at
11:01 AM.
2. Declaration of a Quorum - Diana declared that a quorum is pre-
sent.
3. Meeting Participation Statement - Diana read the participation
statement.
4. Recording Statement - Diana read the recording statement.
5. Approve Old Minutes - A motion to approve the October 2022
minutes was made and seconded. Approved unanimously. There
were no public comments.
6. Haunted Mansion Report
a. The event was a major success. Richard and everyone involved
received lots of positive feedback. It was tasteful and brought
many new people to the mansion. Best of all it was an all-ages
experience with a theme connected to the property itself. The
hope is that the event can be repeated in 2023.
b. There were 2500 tickets sold which was the maximum possible
given the hours of operation. The final accounting remains to be
completed but the take was about $26,000. Expenses of $4000
for supplies and $2000 for security brought the profit in at about
$20,000. Of this 25% went to the Nauset HS Drama Club. And so
about $15,000 goes into the mansion's revolving fund.
c. The success was owed to the hard work of many - the NHS stu-
dents, the Friends of Crosby, and, of course, Richard and Adam!
d. Richard intends to do a full debriefing of the various participants
soon. Some improvements could perhaps be made for next year.
Peter suggested that the ticketing platform could be upgraded.
Adam feels that more lighting could be added.
7. Property Manager's Report - Richard Archer discussed the follow-
ing issues:
a. Winterizing the cottages and the mansion is on-going - windows,
plumbing, carpentry, electricity, etc.
b. Several new fire extinguishers have been added.
c. Events being considered for next year:
i. Four weddings have been booked for 2023 - one each in July,
August, September, and October.
ii. Brewster in Bloom - late April
iii. Art in Bloom - Nauset Garden Club
iv. Brewster Historical Society jewelry show
v. Several small private events
vi. Two open houses per week (same as 2022 schedule)
d. The acquisition of the mini splits was approved at the Town
Meeting. The procurement process is beginning. It's hoped that
they will be in place be late winter or early spring.
e. Richard and the Friends will go through the archives to make a
timeline presentation and a promotional video.
f. Richard intends to actively pursue bids for the chimney repair
with funds from the CPC grant.
8. Friends 'Report
a. The Friends are considering a family event including entertain-
ment in mid June 2023.
b. The is no official hierarchy for the Friends group. The group is
about 20 or 25 with varying levels of involvement. It is required
that volunteers sign a liability waiver to participate.
9. Discussion of Rental Rates
a. Richard wishes to increase the cottage rental rates $200 or $300
per week. He will make a formal proposal for discussion and vote
at a December 13 meeting.
15. Discussion of Photo Shoot Rates - Richard has added rates and
rules for photo shoots to the rental fee schedule. There was a de-
bate about what would be an appropriate maximum number of
hours for a photo shoot. It is necessary to strike a balance between
the amount of money charged vs Richard's time and effort vs the
value of community good will. The goal is to get all the rates and
rules onto the mansion website soon.
16. New Business - none
17. Next Meetings - December 13, 2022 at 11 AM and January 17, 2023
18. Adjournment - The motion passed at about 12:03.
Respectfully submitted, Mark Flaherty