Soldiers Memorial Commission Meeting December 10, 2024

December 10th Minutes

Roll Call:

Laddy Rua
Kevin Thomas
Ken Harstine
Rick Purcell
Guests via Zoom:
Jorge Santiago
Joseph Zurhiede

Old Business
Building Status:
DAV and VFW have been relocated.
Rooms have been painted and windows cleaned.
Room 201 contents have been moved to the attic.
Room 200 is being renovated. Hampden County Sheriffs Department
Contents of room 200 and 203 will be moved to room 6 in the basement and room 107.
Room 201 is being renovated. VFW 25 needs to be moved to room 107 and shared with DAV. Items to be stored need to be tagged. These items will be moved to the old projection room.
Room 201 and 202 will be occupied by Race Street.
Room 202. Once floors are re-finished it is ready for move in.
Room 203. Safe needs to be removed to the basement.
Room 204 has been emptied and is ready for move in. Race Street will occupy.
First floor Veterans Services. Use basement space to expand Veterans Services.
Back stage spaces. Custodian space. Level 2 has custodial closet. Coed dressing room. An office space.
Aux Traffic Division in the basement has not been advised at this time.
Joseph: Race Street. Many of their customers are veterans. Room 200 and 201 have not been worked on yet. Room 202-204 are complete except for floor finishing. Some furniture will be moved in as early as tomorrow.
Mathew is still seeking funding for furnace repairs. Waste water from roof and return water from heating system are dealt with daily.
Jorge: Waiting for codes and keys. Code entry system frequently needs reset.
Locking restrooms for security.

Laddy proposed to create a volunteer office for veterans who are monitoring the building. Also proposed is a waiting room space.

Proposed to have an additional meeting with current tenants to discuss space.

Additional agenda items shelved for next meeting.

New entry control system has not been updated.

Internet access improvements. Ticket is in place to revamp the network. Hampden will work with the city Novus service internet.

Parking proposal. Work on more later.

FSI fuels and Lyle Electric will supply quotes for heat pumps.

Main hall light replacement. MIFA is providing help on updating the lights and sound in the building. Quotes are being requested.

City Christmas party December 20th.

Next meeting January 14th.

November 12th Minutes

Present:
Don Andrejczyk Present
Ken Harstine Present
Rick Purcell Present
Laddy Rua Absent
Kevin Thomas Kevin.m.thomas223@gmail.com Present
Joseph Zurheide. From Re-Entry Proposal

Pledge of Allegiance

October Minutes accepted

No new information on Re-Entry Proposal. Moving in mid December in the room closest to the editor in the former DAV room. Need to begin cleanup and repair work.
Propose to accept moving into the former VFW room adjacent to back. Unanimous approval. Detectives Beben, Summers, Emiteroi will be working in the building. Emiteroi works 4-12pm and normal day hours. Need to get keys and entry codes ASAP.

Welcome new commissioner Kevin Thomas. Coleen Chesimore is also a new commissioner but not present this meeting. Nelson Serrao also not present.

Clean up status. Sheriffs office will do cleanup

No new information on VA service space addition.

New new information on entry control systems.

According to Mayor the city will implement Internet access improvements. Not implemented yes.

Parking permit plans. What is the usage. What are the rules. What is the signage. How do we designate approved cars. Proposed sign for War Memorial parking lots. “Parking Only for War Memorial Business”.

Room air conditioner quote. They should consider putting in Mini-Splits.

No new information on steam pipe failure. Heat system will be manually drained during operation.

No new information on the main hall light replacement.

New Business

Need to revive audio system update program. Need at least one more quote.

Next Sunday Mountain View Baptist church will have a veterans breakfast at 10am at the church. In West Holyoke on US 202.

Next meeting on December 10th at 6pm.