September 2020 Veterans Council MinutesJerry Guilebbe called the meeting to order at 5:00pm.
Veterans council members present:
Jerry Guilebbe, President
Susan Moran
Paul Weinberg
David Perinchief
Bob Laws
Cory Paulette
Chuck Clark
Ron Genest
Advisory members and guests:
Ken McKay
Jan Pierce
Bruce Doig, Director of Parks and Recreation
Stephanie Bilotti, Chief of Staff
Reading and Approval of the Minutes:
Cory Paulette made a motion to accept the August meeting minutes provided they are amended to show that Ron Genest was in attendance. Motion was seconded and carried.
Financial Report
In 2018, two checks were written to the American Legion. One was for $1,000.00 for food for Veterans Day and the other was for $500.00 to support low income veterans. Bob Laws made
a motion to place this information on file. The motion as seconded and carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Plaques at the Beverly Middle School – David Perinchief spoke with Mike Collins, Commissioner of Public Services and Engineering, and the plaques are up.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial – Mayor Cahill reached out to Jerry Guilebbe regarding the tree and the cutting of the curb. The Mayor is still working on it. Phil Klimowicz, the Forestry
and Grounds foreman, does not want to kill the tree. During the design meetings, it was discussed that nothing should block the statue. The tree is getting bigger and bigger and,
in another year, it will be blocking the statue.
Council Member Appointment – Two council members are overdue for reappointment and two new people need to be added. Jerry Guilebbe and Ron Genest are due for reappointment. Jan Pierce
is interested in joining the council. Names need to be submitted to Martha Lewis, the Mayor’s secretary. Jan will submit a formal request to join the council. Ken McKay is no longer
living in Beverly and is not eligible to join the council.
By-Laws – Paul Weinberg is surprised that the city ordinance that set up the council does not mention money or control of money. David Perinchief will talk to the legal department to
see what needs to be added to the by-laws or if there is already something in place that needs to be put on paper.
NEW BUSINESS
Veterans Day – A small ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Plaza can take place with 6-foot seating, a limit of one color guard, and limit the crowd size to whatever the health department
feels is safe. The ceremony will be subject to weather conditions. Paul Weinberg suggested that when advertising the ceremony, there should be a statement indicating that because
of Covid-19, attendance is by reservation only. Bruce Doig suggested running these ideas past the Health Department and the Mayor’s office to get their approval.
Cory Paulette will order two wreaths, one for Odell Park and one for Vietnam Veterans Plaza. The invoice will be sent to David Perinchief.
Cemetery Flags - Flags at the cemeteries need to be cleaned up. A good portion of the veterans’ section has already been cleaned up at North Beverly Cemetery. Ken McKay is putting
together an excel spreadsheet of volunteers. The Legion Post will take care of the Beverly Farms Cemetery. Cole Street Cemetery will be taken care of. Central Cemetery will be the
biggest challenge.
Good of the Order
Vietnam Veterans Plaza - Cory Paulette asked Stephanie Bilotti how the name for the Vietnam Veterans Plaza is coming along. The granite provider would not take the necessary measurement.
Mike Collins has taken the measurement and he has some slight changes regarding the structure. He would prefer if Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza was on two lines instead of on one
long line. It makes more sense from an engineering perspective. The other piece is that he the granite that will run along the ground should not be polished because when it gets wet,
it will be slippery. He is looking into some other materials such as quartz or something similar. When he finds a more suitable material he will submit it for review. An unpolished
black granite would not be slippery but if it is not polished it does not look black.
Per Cory, the black strip of granite is supposed to say “All Gave Some, Some Gave All”. There is also supposed to be the original dedication plaque and a rededication plaque. David
Perinchief suggested using epoxy on top of the granite to give it texture and avoid it being slippery. Cory suggested having a working group committee meeting at the plaza to get everyone
on the same page. The attendees would be Mike Collins, Stephanie Bilotti, David Perinchief, Jerry Guilebbe, Cory Paulette, Chuck Clark, and Mayor Cahill. Stephanie will work on setting
up a meeting in the next two weeks.
Letter of Appreciation - David Perinchief send a notice to the Mayor’s office regarding a letter of appreciation for Dr. Kowalski. David will send a reminder.
Veterans Assistance - Paul Weinberg inquired if David Perinchief has been getting more requests for assistance from veterans since the beginning of Covid-19. Per David, it has been
holding steady. The
working veterans are able to collect unemployment and the nonworking veterans are using the GI Bill to go back to school.
Adjournment – Paul Weinberg made a motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded and carried.