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2024 Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the General Meeting

May 7, 2024

Call to Order: Today’s meeting theme was “Let’s Fiesta at the May General Meeting”. There were Mexican snacks and refreshments during the social hour of the meeting as well as dancing around the Mexican hat and breaking open the pinata! Ole! The meeting was called to order at 12:30 with 49 members in attendance. The attendance sheet is attached to this document when filing for records.

 

Guests: Kristen Klecan guest of Margaret Fuller

 

Special Guest Speakers: John Seeman & the Salem High School Robotics Team and Rob Hannon, President of Field of Dreams Park, Salem, NH

 

Collect and Pledge of Allegiance:  Patti invited all members to stand and recite the Club Collect followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.   

 

Moment of Silence- For member Helen Villemeire who passed on 4/24, Sandy Demers’s husband who passed on 5/2, and Sheila Casey’s husband who passed on 5/7.

                                                                                                                   

May Birthdays – Birthdays were celebrated for Paula Senia, Melody Pelletier, Marilyn Hamel, Elaine Sincavage, Ann Rowe, Darlene Danielle, Peg Parrot and Karyn Emerson.

 

President: Patti Drelick welcomed all the members and introduced GFWC-NH President, Beth Roth to speak on the upcoming Annual Meeting and Unity Awards presentation dinner on May 17-18, 2024. Beth also reported that the GFWC International President Deb Strahanoski will be the guest speaker at the event.

Patti informed the members that one of our Club’s Unity Award Nominees has won under the Education and Libraries category. Deb Fauth and Nancy D’Agostino who will be giving their award to Salem Family Resources. Patti also thanked all the members that donated feminine products for the Women’s VA Center in Manchester.

 

Vice President- Rachel Kingston, thanked everyone and stated it was her honor and pleasure to serve as Vice President for the 2022-2024 term.

 

Recording Secretary- Norma Lapointe stated that the March and April Minutes were e-mailed to all members before the meeting. Marilyn Susek made a motion to approve the March minutes. The motion was seconded. Kathy Scalia made a motion to approve the April minutes. The motion was seconded. March and April minutes were approved.

 

Corresponding Secretary- Sandy reported that Sympathy cards were sent to Sandy Demers and Sheila Casey. A Get-Well card was sent to Connie O’Connell. Thank you cards were received from Bridging the Horizon and NH

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SAWC General Meeting Minutes May 7, 2024 continued

 

Women in Service, for our monetary donations. A thank you card was received from Sandy Demers for our thoughtfulness on her husband’s passing and from Lois Mireles for the Flower Hugs she received.

 

Treasurer- Cindy Hunzelman reported that the income for the month was $209.73, expenditures for the month were $8,204.93 and the balance of the operating checking account is at $20,495.64. The total of all cash accounts is currently $88,702.00.

 

New Member Initiation-Five new members were initiated by President Patti Drelick. The new members are Dianne Chapdelaine sponsored by Donna Mason, Cindy Curd sponsored by Joanne Cuomo, Mary Daniell sponsored by Shamim Calcuttawala, Dee Stikeman sponsored by Kathy Redmond and Margaret Fuller sponsored by Maria Baribeau.

 

Arts & Culture- Rob Hannon, President of Field of Dreams spoke of the upgrades at the park, long range

goals of replacing the playground, concert calendar, and ribbon cutting of the new pavilion. He was presented with a $2,000 check towards the upgrade efforts.

 

Civic Engagement- Laura Andolino thanked the members that brought in feminine products for the Women’s VA Center.

 

Environment: Anne Reynolds reported that the SAWC garden on the Rail Trail is looking great and there will be a spring planting May 22, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.

She also thanked all the volunteers that came out for the Town Clean up on April 11, 2024.

 

Education & Libraries- Rob Seeman and the Salem High School Robotics team members spoke of the program at the High School and the competitions they compete in. A $1,000 check was presented and the team invited the SAWC to send a representative to their Team Gala on 6/3/24.

 

Nominating Committee- Dolores VanBlarcom introduced the Nominating Committee and reported that 63 ballots were cast for the 2024-2026 elections. All candidates were voted in for the new term.

President- Patti Drelick                               Recording Secretary- Elaine Sincavage      

Vice President- Jaimie Baker                     Corresponding Secretary- Shamim Calcuttawala  Treasurer- Cindy Hunzelman

 

Nominating Committee

Laura Andolino                                 Rachel Kingston

Joanne Cuomo                                  Connie O’Connell

 

Upcoming Events:

All upcoming events were listed in the May General Membership Agenda (attached to this document when filing for records.)

Meeting adjourned at 1:33

 

Respectfully submitted by:  Norma Lapointe, Recording Secretary

       Minutes of the

     General Meeting

    April 2, 2024

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Call to Order: Today’s meeting theme was a “Cultural Celebration” with members preparing delicacies from their various ethnic backgrounds for a delicious buffet, and a DJ with festive music for all to partake in dancing. The meeting also included featured guests for “Spotlight on Arts & Culture Committee.” Festivities began at 11:45 with music and dancing. President, Patti Drelick welcomed all and called the meeting to order at 12:05 with 51 members in attendance. The attendance sheet is attached to this document when filing for records.

 

Guests: Cindy Curd guest of Joanne Cuomo, Nancy Easley guest of Susan Mothon, Margaret Fuller guest of Maria Baribeau, and Sara Gieryn guest of Julie Weymouth.

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Special Guests:  Sue McLoughlin of SCTV, Tommy Demers of Get Down Tonight Entertainment, Jennifer Onello of Merrimack Valley Philharmonic, Joe Munday of Salem High School Performing Arts Program, Chrissy Caron of Arts Academy of NH, and Kelly LaBlond and Aimye Haroutonian of Birches Academy of Academics & Arts.

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Collect and Pledge of Allegiance:  Patti invited all members to stand and recite the Club Collect followed by

the Pledge of Allegiance.      

                                                                                                                     

April Birthdays – Birthdays were celebrated for Bobby Coffey, Sandy Demers, Marian Vollmer, Kathy Moreschi, Danielle Rish, Kathie Redmond, Brittany Talbot, Betty Gay and Beth Roth.

 

President: Patti Drelick welcomed all and thanked the members for all the Easter candy donations at the previous meeting which enabled the Club to donate 307 Easter eggs to children in Salem, Pelham and Derry who participate in the End 68 Hours of Hunger Program. GFWC-NH President, Beth Roth was introduced and spoke and urged Members to attend the upcoming Annual Meeting and Unity Awards presentation dinner on May 17-18, 2024.

 

Spotlight on Arts & Culture: Joanne Cuomo and Shamim Calcuttawala thanked the Committee members for all their hard work in putting together today’s Cultural Celebration. They spoke of the Organizations that the SAWC supported during the year and presented donations to the Organization guests that were present:

  • Salem High School Performing Arts $500, ~Birches Academy of Academics and Arts $500, ~Arts Academy of NH $500, and the ~NH Philharmonic Orchestra $500.

  • Creative Writing Contest Winners were announced: Short Story Category 1st Place- Maria Baribeau, 2nd Place- Shamim Calcuttawala, 3rd Place- Karen McKallagat. Poetry Category 1st Place Susan Hopkins. All winners received gift cards as prize awards. After the spotlight on Arts & Culture concluded,  raffles were drawn and prize baskets representing cultural backgrounds were awarded as prizes to the members.

  • Environment: Anne Reynolds reminded members of the upcoming Salem Town Clean-up on April 11, 2024, from 10:00-12:00.

  • Upcoming Events:

  • All upcoming events were listed in the April General Membership Agenda (attached to this document when filing for records.)

  • Meeting adjourned at 1:40 p.m.

  •  

Respectfully submitted by:  Norma Lapointe, Recording Secretary

       Minutes of the

     General Meeting

    March 5, 2024

 

 

Call to Order: President, Patti Drelick, welcomed all, and a special welcome to Beth Roth, Madame President GFWC-NH. The meeting was called to order at 12:22 with 48 members in attendance. The attendance sheet is attached to this document when filing for records. Today’s meeting was featured as a “Spotlight on Education and Libraries.”

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  • Guests: Veronica Shelley guest of Sue Raymond, Joyce Crocco guest of President, Patti Drelick,

  • ​

  • Special Guests: David Voegele of Salem Family Resources and Sue McLoughlin of SCTV.

  • ​

  • Collect and Pledge of Allegiance:  Patti invited all members to stand and recite the Club Collect followed by

  • the Pledge of Allegiance.    

  •                                                                                                                        

  • March Birthdays: Birthdays were celebrated for Maria Camerlengo, Saphya Lotery, Audrey Mosher, Connie O’Connell, Ann O’Sullivan, Lori Perry, Karen Roulston, Roseanne Silver, and Deb Slein.

  • ​

  • New Member Initiation: Members present for Initiation were: Elaine Sincavage, Karyn Emerson, Kathy Marullo, and Amy Moldoff.

  • Vice President: Rachel Kingston reported that we have one new member, Danielle Risch bringing the new total to 110 members. The LEADS candidate chosen for GFWC-NH is Donna Maskwa.

​

Recording Secretary: Norma Lapointe stated that the February 6, 2024 Minutes were emailed to all members before the meeting. Sue Phillips made a motion to approve the minutes. The motion was seconded. The minutes were approved.

 

Corresponding Secretary: Sandy Carlson reported that the Club received thank you’s from the following:

  • Flower Hug Project- Derry Police Department, Greystone Farms Staff and Residents, and Brittany Talbot of The Residences at Salem Woods.

  • Poll Worker’s Snack Baskets- Town of Hampstead.

  • Monetary Donations- Merrimack Valley Philharmonic, End 68 Hours of Hunger- Derry, End 68 Hours of Hunger Pelham, Hope Center Food Pantry and Bridging the Horizon.

  • Scholarship Request- A request was received from Audrey Mosher’s granddaughter.

  • Various cards were sent to the following members: Thinking of You, Suzanne Labreque, and Roseanne Silver. Get Well to Susan Raymond, Claire Brugnani, and, Jean Malisos. Sympathy to Maureen DiPalma. Eighteen Well Wishes were delivered to Weston Moss and Twenty-Nine Valentine/Random Acts of Kindness cards to Meals on Wheels.

  • A Thank You was received from Susan Raymond for flowers and a card.

  • Treasurer: Cindy Hunzelman reported the balance in the Operating checking account was $34,592.08 and the total of all the cash accounts on 2/29/24 was $102,275.90. The income for the month was $1,094.83 and the expenditures were $8,161.11.

  • Honorary Member: Jean Malisos was presented with her pin and certificate today.

 

Education & Libraries Spotlight:

Highlights for today’s spotlight were:

In honor of Women’s History Month, Susan Mothon, a member of SAWC and the Salem Historical Society performed a narration on the life of Alice Hall, the Head Salem Librarian from 1924 to 1966.

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David Voegele, the Executive Director from Salem Family Resources was a guest speaker for today’s spotlight and was presented with a $500 donation from the SAWC.

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Darlene Daniele thanked all the Committee Members for their efforts during the year on the completed projects and commented on the upcoming donations and events:

  • Meet the Author- There will be one more event at the Kelly Library during the April school vacation.

  • Scholarship Donations- There will be a $250 donation to Dollars for Scholars and $500 SAWC to any applicant who meets the requirements for the donation.

  • Library Appreciation Week- A donation will be given to the Kelly Library during the week of April 7-13.

  • NH Birdie Blast/Salem Family Resources- SAWC donated $1250.00 to be a Co-Sponsor of the fundraising event for Salem Family Resources in their efforts to raise $10,000 for their organization.

  • Salem HS First Robotics Team 6324- A donation of $1000 will be given towards their program.

  • Pinwheel Gardens- Pinwheels will be placed after the April 2nd meeting at the Haigh School and Centerpoint Church.                                                       

Arts & Culture: Joanne Cuomo reported the main focus of the committee is the upcoming April Spotlight Meeting, celebrating “Taste Around the World.” If you would like to contribute a favorite ethnic dish for this event, please fill out the orange flyer on the table. Tickets to see Beautiful, the Carole King Musical on April 20th at the Palace Theatre are available for purchase, please see Joanne for details.

Civic Engagement & Outreach: Sign-up sheets are available at this meeting for the Homeland Heroes Great Gatsby Gala on April 27th at Castleton Center.

 

Health & Wellness: Linda Molchan thanked several of the members for their sewing efforts on the Comfort Bags, and reported there will be a program of Sisters Helping Sisters for our Members who are full-time caregivers for their loved ones.

 

Upcoming Events:

All upcoming events were listed in the March General Membership Agenda (attached to this document when filing for records.)

Meeting adjourned at 1:35 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted by:  Norma Lapointe, Recording Secretary

 Minutes of the

 General Meeting

February 6, 2024

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Call to Order: President, Patti Drelick, welcomed all, and a special welcome to Beth Roth, Madame President GFWC-NH. The meeting was called to order at 12:48 with 53 members in attendance. The attendance sheet is attached to this document when filing for records. Today’s meeting was featured as a Valentine’s Party meeting. Thanks were given to all members who brought in snacks for the Poll Workers that were distributed on January 23, 2024, to Salem, Pelham, Atkinson, and Hampstead polling sites. Members were also thanked for today’s donations to complete the Health & Wellness project of Comfort Bags. Cards were signed by the members today for Random Acts of Kindness Day and will be distributed to the Rockingham Nutrition Program and Weston Moss. A special thank you to Peg Parrot for making the Valentine’s dessert for today’s meeting and the entire Hospitality Committee for all their hard work in the setup of the meeting. One new member joined in January, Dianne Chapdelaine, now bringing the membership total to 109.

 

Guests: Danielle Risch guest of Sarah Friend and Sue Buonnano guest of Stephanie Stone.

 

  • Special Guests: Doug Devine, Director of EMS at the Salem Fire Department, and Mike Gordon, Salem EMS Coordinator were both present to receive a donation of $1,000 from the Club as well as present a Hands-Only

  • CPR workshop immediately following today’s Club meeting.

  • Collect and Pledge of Allegiance:  Patti invited all members to stand and recite the Club Collect followed by

  • the Pledge of Allegiance.                                                                                                                            

  • February Birthdays: Birthdays were celebrated for Maria Baribeau, Susan Hopkins, Reanna Lombardozzi, Karen McKallagat, Katie Monteiro, Kelly Moss, Sue Phillips, and Pam Wellman.

Recording Secretary: Norma Lapointe stated that the January 9, 2024 Minutes were emailed to all members before the meeting. Shamim Calcuttawala made a motion to approve the minutes. The motion was seconded. The minutes were approved.

​

Corresponding Secretary: Sandy Carlson reported that we received thank you’s from the following:

  • Caregiver Holiday Treat Hugs Project- Pelham Good Neighbor Fund.

  • We Care Emergency Bags- Lois Mireles and Stephan Ciulla.

  • Hampstead Historical Society- Monetary donation of $250.

  • NH Children’s Trust- Monetary donation of $500.

  • Flower Hug Project- M. Elaine Benedict and Sharon Wooster.  

  • Various cards were sent to the following members: Thinking of You to Patti Drelick, President, Kelly Moss, and Bev Johnson. Happy Birthday to Weston Moss and Get Well to Helen Villemaire.

  • A Thank You was received from Rachel Kingston, Vice President for flowers and a Get Well card.

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Treasurer: Cindy Hunzelman reported the balance in the Operating checking account was $41,658.36 and the total of all the cash accounts on 1/31/24 was $109,091.99 The income for the month was $246.87 and the expenditures were $5,237.50

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Honorary Member Pinning Ceremony: Honorary members present to receive their pins and certificates today were Sandy Demers, Dolly Falco, Audrey Mosher, and Marilyn Suszek.

 

Unity Award Nominations: Patti reported our Club has nominated seven individuals for the following CSP program areas; GFWC Arts & Culture – NH Academy of the Arts, GFWC Civic Engagement & Outreach – James Carey, St. Ann’s Community Outreach, GFWC Education & Libraries – Deb Fauth and Nancy D’Agostino, GFWC Environment – Larry Belair, GFWC Health & Wellness – Jessica Szweda, GFWC Advocates for Children – Bridging the Horizon, and GFWC Domestic & Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention – Bethany Cottrell, Brigid’s House of Hope. 

                                                             

Arts & Culture: Joanne Cuomo reported the main focus of the committee is the upcoming April Spotlight Meeting, celebrating “Taste Around the World.” If you would like to contribute a favorite ethnic dish for this event, please fill out the orange flyer on the table. Plans are developing for a group to go to the Palace Theater to see Beautiful-The Carole King Musical. More details to follow.

 

Civic Engagement & Outreach: Deb Slein reported that the following donations have been completed in February: End 68 Hours of Hunger (Derry)- Granola Bars and Monetary donation of $550, End 68 Hours of Hunger (Salem)- Cleaning Supplies of $750, Homeland Heroes- Blue Star Sponsor of $500 for the upcoming Gala Fundraiser, and Pelham Police Dept. Appreciation Snack Bags of $200.              

 

Health & Wellness: Linda Molchan reported that the H&W Committee will be going to Silverthorne after this meeting to read a Valentine story and do a Valentine activity. Linda is coordinating a “Towel Bib Project” for Silverthorne residents. Sewers are needed for this project. Please contact Linda for details. Linda also briefly spoke of heart health for February Heart Health Month.

 

Education & Libraries: Darlene Daniele reported that the next “Meet the Author” event at the Kelley Library will take place on February 29, 2024. Local author Julie Nichole will be reading her children’s book “In My Heart.” SAWC Scholarship applications will become available on March 1, 2023. Please see the website for details and applications. The SAWC has been invited as V.I.P. guests by the Salem High School Robotics Team to the Robotics Competition on March 1st & 2nd. If any member is interested in attending, please see Darlene for details.

 

Communications & PR: The 2023-2024 Yearbook will be distributed to all members today.

 

Environment: The next committee meeting will be on February 29, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.

 

Nominating Committee: Dolores Van Blarcom, Immediate Past President introduced the Nominating Committee and spoke of the nominating sheets on the tables along with the officer duties from the Policies and Procedures of the Club. Nominating sheets should be turned in to the Nominating Committee by 2/29/24. Ballots for the upcoming election will be mailed out the first week in April.

 

Hands-Only CPR Demonstration: Today immediately following the meeting.

 

Upcoming Events:

All upcoming events were listed in the February General Membership Agenda (attached to this document when filing for records.)

Meeting adjourned at 1:35 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted by:  Norma Lapointe, Recording Secretary

Minutes of the General Meeting

January 9, 2024

 

Call to Order: President, Patti Drelick, called the meeting to order at 12:15 with 37 members in attendance. The attendance sheet is attached to this document when filing for records.

 

Today’s meeting was featured as a Hot Cocoa Social and spotlight on Civic Engagement. Thanks were given to all members who brought in snacks for the Poll Workers to be distributed on January 23, 2024, for the NH Primary Election. Members were also thanked for baked goods that were collected and donated last month for the Caregiver Holiday Treat Hugs.

 

Guests: Gay Newman guest of Maria Doyle, Katie LeClerc and Jean Manthorne guests of Susan Mothon, Diane Chapdelaine guest of Donna Mason, and Susan McLoughlin of SCTV.

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Special Guest: Doug Devine, Director of EMS at the Salem Fire Department.

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Collect and Pledge of Allegiance:  Patti invited all members to stand and recite the Club Collect followed by

the Pledge of Allegiance.                                                                                                                            

January Birthdays: Birthdays were celebrated for Christina Baroni, Georgette Cutress, Carol Demers, Grace Frittatta, Jarlene LeBlanc, Jean Malisos, Susan Mothon, Phyllis Seccareccio, Marilyn Suszek, and Bonnie Wright.

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January 9, 2024 Patti reported in Rachel’s absence that we are at 108 members with 2 new members in December and one in November. The new members are Amy Moldoff, Karyn Emerson, and Karen Lowe.

​

Recording Secretary: Norma Lapointe stated that the December 6, 2023 Minutes were emailed to all members before the meeting. Linda Molchan made a motion to approve the minutes. The motion was seconded. The minutes were approved.

 

Corresponding Secretary: Sandy Carlson reported that we received thank you cards from the following:

  • Caregiver Holiday Treat Hugs Project- Charlotte Wolfe, Lois Cooper, and the Greater Salem Caregivers Organization.

  • Center for Life Management- Jean’s Place for socks donated to the residents of the home.

  • St. Joseph’s Food Pantry- 400 Reuseable bags for food donations to patrons.

  • St. Anne’s Food Pantry- Monetary donation of $250.

  • Palmer Gas & Oil- The second monetary donation of $250 to aid their customers in need of assistance for their heating payments.

  • Flower Hug Project- Dale Capuano

Various cards were sent to the following members:

  • Sympathy card to Georgette Cutress, Thinking of You cards to Kathy Marullo, Kelly Moss, Dottie Randall, and Paula Senia. Get Well card to Rachel Kingston and Birthday card sent to Weston Moss

  • ​

Treasurer: Cindy Hunzelman reported the balance in the Operating checking account was $46,648.99 and the total of all the cash accounts at 12/31/23 was $113,816.23. The expenditures year to date are $18,072.51.

Honorary Member Pinning Ceremony: Postponed to our February 6, 2024 meeting.

 

Civic Engagement & Outreach:

“Spotlight on Civic Engagement” is today’s theme and Deb Slein spoke of the four Support Categories of GFWC CE &O. Handouts were given to members emphasizing all the Organizations that will be receiving our support along with the percentage of monetary donations each Support Category will receive.

  •  Doug Devine, Director of EMS for the Salem Fire Department was the first speaker and discussed the need for Emergency Preparedness. Doug will also be presenting a 45-minute CPR, 911, and AED training session to members after the February 6, 2024, General meeting. Maureen Hanlon and Donna Mason of the CE & O Committee explained the We Care Bag Project and displayed the contents of the bags that will be distributed to 75 members of the community who are deemed in need.

  • SAWC member Trish Earle, President and founder of Bridging the Horizon was the second speaker and reviewed the various outings her group organizes for their clients with special needs. A Hand-out for the upcoming Winter Wonderland fundraiser was distributed to the members.

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Arts & Culture: Joanne Cuomo reported the Creative Writing Contest deadline is February 20, 2024. The Photo Contest deadline is January 26, 2024. There is a sign-up sheet at this meeting for the concert Czech Mates on April 28, 2024, performed by the NH Philharmonic. Taste Around the World will be the A& C theme at the April General Meeting. More details to follow.

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Health & Wellness: Linda Molchan reported that the H&W Committee will meet on January 22, 2024, at the Kelley Library and the toiletries for the Comfort Bags will be assembled that day, all are welcome to join in this activity.

Volunteers are still needed at Silverthorne and encourage all if they have free time to please join.

​

Education & Libraries: Patti reported that the “Meet the Author” event at the Kelley Library was very well received and another event will take place during the February school vacation week.

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Communications & PR: Patti encouraged all members to please log their hours to update the 2023 hours and continue to log for 2024.

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Upcoming Events: All upcoming events were listed in the January General Membership Agenda (attached to this document when filing for records.)

 

Meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted by:  Norma Lapointe, Recording Secretary

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