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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/04/2015 - Museums Bayham MUSEUMS BAYHAM Minutes of May 4, 2015 SPECIAL Meeting Bayham Municipal Office, Straffordville, Ontario Present: Chair-Bev Hickey, Vice Chair- Chuck Buchanan, Secretary- Lynn Acre, Matt & Anna Schafer, Ray Maddox, Susan Start, Albert White, Ron Bradfield, Mayor Paul Ens, Councillor Ed Ketchebaw. Regrets: Kimberly Legg CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Ens called the meeting to order at 6:55 pm thanking everyone for attending the meeting. AGENDA: This meeting was called at the request of the Mayor and Councillor Ketchebaw. Mayor Ens explained that 2 councillors have been meeting with various interest groups/committees to discuss the recent facilities report and to collect our comments/suggestions for options in moving forward. DISCUSSION: Vice-Chair Chuck Buchanan began the discussion by explaining that this committee's initial distress stemmed from the lack of communication and information from Council after the closing of the Edison Museum. As mandated caretakers of the Edison artefact collection, the absence of direction and information was alarming. Our most prominent question is "Will there be a 2015 season for the Edison museum"? Mayor Ens explained that a facilities review was undertaken in 2014, in which the Straffordville Community Centre was found to be unfit for public use and later the Edison Museum was found to have structural issues which led to a"do not occupy" order. Council is open to options for a temporary Edison display for this season. Options for 2015 Season: It was suggested that small displays could be set up in one of the following locations. 1. Eden Community Centre: Pro: This is a municipally-owned facility, has lots of display space and is secure. Con: There is no connection between Eden and the Edison family. Also it was noted that there is an interested buyer of this facility and if it were sold to new owners then rent would have to be paid. 2. Port Burwell Home Hardware: Pro: This location is highly visible and would be convenient for summer staff to oversee both museums & the lighthouse. There is lots of room for a large display. Con: We would have to pay the annual property tax on the building in return for its use. There is no connection between Port Burwell and the Edison family. It is unknown if the security of the building is sufficient to safeguard the artefacts. -2- 3. Marine Museum: Pro: This is a municipally-owned facility and is very secure. It would be convenient for summer staff to oversee the display. There is high visibility in Port Burwell. Cons: There is very limited space available for a meaningful display as the Marine Museum's own collection is extensive. There is no connection between Port Burwell and the Edison family. 4. St. Luke's Anglican Church in Vienna: Pro: This facility is located in Vienna and already has a clear connection with the Edison family. The building itself is historical in nature and could be considered an artefact in itself. The building is secure and has sufficient space for an appropriate display available at the back of the sanctuary which should not disturb the weekly worship services. Con: It is not known if the congregation would agree to such a partnership for the season. Financial compensation would have to be determined and summer staff would have to be given access. 5. Any other vacant building on Vienna's Main Street: Pro: High visibility. Location has connection to Edison story. Con: Financial compensation would have to be determined and summer staff would have to be given access. Removal of Artefacts from Edison Museum: Due to the current "Do Not Occupy" order on the Edison Museum, committee members were advised that they would need to be accompanied by a municipal staff person when entering the building for the purpose of removing artefacts for any future displays. Summer Students: Mayor Ens informed the committee that Bayham still plans to hire 5 summer students for the museums. Therefore if another site is chosen for an Edison display this season,there will be sufficient staffing available. Long Term Storage of Artefacts: Councillor Ketchebaw advised the committee to begin planning for long-term storage of the Edison artefacts in the event that the current building is sold. CHAIRMAN'S COMMENTS: Chairman Bev Hickey thanked Mayor Ens and Councillor Ketchebaw for calling this meeting and for opening the lines of communication again. The committee recognizes the enormity of the decisions that Council will be making and encourages them to take their time. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm.