ONE HUNDRED THIRD ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BAR HARBOR VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION CHARTER, BY-LAWS - and ROLL OF MEMBERS. BAR HARBOR AUGUST 17th, 1995 BAR HARBOR VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION TREASURER'S REPORT 84-85 85-86 86-87 87-88 88-89 89-90 90-91 91-92 92-93 93-94 94-95 TOTAL CASH ON HAND AUGUST 1 14,949.85 21,715.87 29,087.65 31,658.71 21,804.09 28,008.77 $27,716.33 $34,404.08 $8,040.80 $8,786.07 2,471.51 14,949.85 RECEIPTS; ENDOWMENT INCOME 6,806.24 8,026.85 6,928.33 6,274.62 6,419.59 6,584.87 6,167.37 6,203.55 6,541.40 6,430.54 6,220.51 72,603.87 INTEREST 1,400.06 1,677.20 1,595.78 1,760.94 1,681.54 2,226.34 2,063.11 450.47 306.85 185.54 111.49 13,459.32 DUES 181.00 83.00 87.00 529.00 31.00 130.00 45.00 230.00 60.00 50.00 70.00 1,496.00 SHORE PATH DRIVE 23,164.04 23,011.72 2,764.50 16,744.00 65,684.26 LOAN 15,000.00 12,000.00 27,000.00 FOUNTAIN COINS 5.94 74.50 55.00 135.44 GIFTS 5.00 5.00 1,661.00 205.00 1,876.00 FOR ENDOWMENT 2,500.00 200.00 2,700.00 SALE-FAWN POND 99,000.00 99,000.00 $8,392.30 $9,797.99 $8,611.11 $10,225.56 $8,337.13 $8,941.21 $31,439.52 $44,895.74 $9,672.75 $37,984.58 $105,657.00 $283,954.89 DISBURSEMENTS: SHORE PATH 104.00 179.25 4,619.78 16,883.35 386.00 4,261.94 20,462.00 69,432.00 0.00 37,004.00 153,332.32 HOW PARK 726.75 1,209.43 750.50 1,307.66 771.85 1,912.87 1,147.30 743.40 1,076.88 1,834.92 1,132.98 12,614.54 ACCOUNTANT 175.00 150.00 175.00 150.00 160.00 160.00 165.00 165.00 175.00 185.00 200.00 1,860.00 SECRETARY 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 500.00 INSURANCE 115.00 149.00 212.00 348.00 281.00 281.00 258.00 258.00 0.00 208.00 208.00 2,318.00 MISCELLANEOUS 82.03 355.28 107.77 180.42 212.45 23.65 354.21 560.62 80.20 67.22 153.50 2,177.35 LOAN REPAYMENT 7,500.00 2,500.00 4,000.00 14,000.00 VILLAGE GREEN 75.00 945.75 37.40 705.01 (43.34) 95.40 0.00 1,815.22 GLEN MARY 348.50 383.25 175.00 165.00 183.75 760.19 449.00 2,464.69 TOWN BEAUTIFICATION 1,028.99 1,859.60 2,888.59 TO ENDOWMENT 2,500.00 99,200.00 101,700.00 LEGAL 641/00 641.00 $1,626.28 $2,426.21 $6,040.05 $20,080.18 $2,132.45 $9,233.65 $24,751.77 $71,259.02 $8,927.48 $44,299.14 $105,535.48 $296,311.71 CASH ON HAND JULY 31 $21,715.87 $29,087.65 $31,658.71 $21,804.09 $28,008.77 $27,716.33 $34,404.08 $8,040.80 $8,786.07 $2,471.51 $2,593.03 $2,593.03 Ending Balances of Related VIA Accounte: Fountain Fund 2,108.59 2,161.91 Park Street Pleyground 1,019.82 3,615.36 2,863.37 Village Green 13,677.12 17,030.00 2,334.29 Village Green Endowment 5,529.44 6,944.78 7,675.64 SF GOLDTHWAIT TREASURER Bar Harbor Village Improvement Association Annual Membership V. I.A. 1994 - 1995 Life Membership Mrs. Grace Arnold Mr. Thomas Deegan III Mrs. Charlotte Bordeaux Miss Barbara Entzminger Mr. Leslie Brewer Mr. and Mrs. William Ewing Mrs. Barbara Cole Rev. and Mrs. Edwin Garrett III Mrs. Ruth Colket Mr. Edwin Garrett IV Mr. Lorenzo Creamer Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Goldthwait, jr. Mr. Phillip Cunningham Mrs. Sylvia Haraden Miss Debbie Dyer Mr. Bruce Jacobson Mr. and Mrs. John Emery Mrs. Dorothy Erikson Mr. Donald Smith Dr. and Mrs. John Hoche Hon. Edwin Smith Mr. David Paine Mrs. Ann Roberts Mrs. Virginia Shankel Mr. David Witham Village Green Contributors ( December 31st, 1994 ) Edenbrook Motel 125. Mrs. C. Lee Walton 100. Officers and directors elected '94 - 95 President : Leslie C. Brewer Vice President : Barbara C. Cole Treasurer : Sheldon F. Goldthwait Secretary: Phillip R Cunningham Directors: Ruth Colket Dorothy Erikson Lawrence Hadley Marilyn Hoche Gladys O'Neil Edwin Smith David Witham BAR HARBOR VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION 103RD ANNUAL MEETING August 18, 1994 THE 1994 Annual Meeting of the Village Improvement Association convened at 10:00 o'clock with fourteen members in attendance at the Bar Harbor Inn, Newport Drive. President Brewer asked for motions on the approval of the Secretary's and Treasurer's Reports respectively. MOTION: To approve the Secretary's Report as circulated in the Annual Report. so VOTED. Mr. Goldthwait reported on the various disbursements of the Association as listed in his Treasurer's Report. Mr. Goldthwait expressed gratitude on behalf of the Association to Mr. Brewer for his generous donation, as noted in the treasurer's written report under loan repayment. Also, a nine year comparison report, the treasurer had prepared, determined that expenses on the Shore Path over the nine year period amounted to approximately $153,000 while contributions for the Shore Path amounted to only $65,000. Estimated market- value of invested income amounted to approximately $160,000. MOTION: To approve the Treasurer's Report as presented and circulated in the Annual Report. SO VOTED. FAWN POND: President Brewer then introduced and circulated a resolution prepared by this Association's attorney and counselor, Nathaniel Fenton, for formal vote at this Annual Meeting for the purpose of the transfer of acreage, known as "Fawn Pond" and owned by this Association, to the Acadia National Park System. DISCUSSION: President Brewer reviewed the history of this Association's gift of deed from Charles T. How to the B.H.V.I.A. in 1906 and restrictions of the deed that the acreage be "forever wild", and provisions of deed "that should the B.H.V.I.A. want to divest itself of ownership". More discussion ensued including individual opinions by membership, directors, and officers of the Association about the offer of sale of Fawn Pond and its acreage to Acadia National Park System and incumbent advantages of selling acreage to the National Park Further review of chronological events concerning the transfer of Fawn Pond to Acadia followed. For several decades the perception of this Association's membership, and in keeping with the spirit of this Association's charter, is that Fawn Pond interests and restrictions would be better served in conveying title to the Acadia National Park System. Village Improvement Association Page 2 103rd Annual Meeting August 18, 19 FAWN POND: President Brewer introduced Mr. Bruce Jacobson from the Bureau of Land Management and Acquisitions of the U.S. Dept. of Interior, representing Acadia National Park. Fawn Pond and its approximate thirty-three acres has for some years been within the desired boundaries of A.N.P. and recently surveyed an appraised. Mr. Jacobson reviewed the appraisal process and the declaration of a certified offer to buy from the Association Fawn Pond and its lands for $99,000. MOTION: Upon motion seconded and passed, it was VOTED to adopt the followi prepared resolution and course of action: RESOLVED: that Bar Harbor Village Improvement Association sell to the United Sta of America for the price of $99,000 the premises located at Fawn Pond and described as conveyed in the deed from Charles T. How to Bar Harbor Village Improvement Association, dated Septemeber 24, 1906 and recorded in book 432, Page 473 in the Hancock County, Maine, Registry of Deeds, and be it further RESOLVED: that Leslie C. Brewer, President, be and hereby is authorized to execute, acknowledge and deliver to the United States of America in behalf of Ba O THIS TABLET Harbor Village Improvement Association good and sufficient deed to the COMMEMORATES THE GIFT BY CHARLES T. HOW premises described as conveyed in the deed from Charles T. How to Bar OF THE FAWN POND AND FORTY ACRES OF LAND Harbor Village Improvement Association, dated September 24, 1906 and TO THE BAR HARBOR VILLAGE recorded in Book 432, Page 473 in the Hancock County, Maine, Registry IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION 1906 Deeds, to execute and deliver any and all other documents necessary or o incidental to the consummation of the transaction, and to do such other and further acts as are necessary or incidental to the consummation of th above described sale. so VOTED unanimously. By way of additional business and after little discussion of the aforementioned resolution; motion was made, seconded, and VOTED: RESOLVED: that the prior resolution supercede any previous resolutions enacted by the V.L.A., concerning Fawn Pond, to date, and that it be further resolv upon contract acceptance and monies of $99,000 received, be added to V.I.A. endowment funds. GLEN MARY: President Brewer reported that he had appointed Mr. Jim Campbell, Committee Chairman, with authority to appoint others, for neighbors of Glen Mar to cut and clear as desired, the overgrown alders and scrub brush on property. was stated that not enough attention had been given to the woodsy area not care for under town contract. The Association continues to stand by committments of g of deed from Shannon estate, with the Town as a leased operator of the children pool An expression of thanks for help with cutting and care and work by Mr. Campbell and Mr. Soule for making Glen Mary more attractive and enlisting neighbors' support and help in this endeavor has been an act of this Association's spirit. Discussion included the consideration of the V.L.A. conveying Glen Mary to the Town, rather than upkeep by this Association, which tends to limit the ability and purpose of the V.I.A.'s work for improvements. VIIIAGE Improvement Association Page 3 103rd Annual Meeting August 18, 1994 SHORE PATH: Mr. Brewer reported on storm damages to the path, which occurred in the autumn '93 to the Nelson property, and nearby walls. Goodwin Contractors was consulted about repairs to the path and seawall, appraisals for work, and because of unusual dry winter conditions, repairs were authorized to commence. Repairs to the path and seawall were completed, and with Goodwin's contribution, other footings of nearby seawall were strenghthened, completing sixty-five feet of path for $27,000. President Brewer concluded his report on path conditions with special thanks to the Bar Harbor Inn for more repairs completed and paid on its portion; also that the path traverses over ten landowners and the Town, and that the Association should only concern its interest with the path and condition of seawalls. DISCUSSION: Continued discussion of the Shore Path brought about several questions, including the suggestion that the Association or Town obtain legal easements on areas the path traverses. This was dismissed by further consideration that it was the hopes and desire of the Association to continue co-operation and support with landowners on upkeep for historic path. Further discussion implied that unanimous support of all individual landowners may not be presently realized. Discussion of the path included talk of the abandoned MacNamara property and recent incidents, and it was suggested that the owners be contacted about blocking paths that meander from Shore Path and crosses nearby property. Discussion resumed on the accesses to and from the path and that signs did include posting the path closed at sunset. VILLAGE GREEN: Vice-President Cole, reporting for the committee, confirmed work progress would begin in the fall and reported on meetings held during the winter. Mention of relocating the clock sparked opinions expressed by members, directors and officers, which resulted in the following action: MOTION: upon motion, duly seconded and passed, it was VOTED: RESOLVED: that the Town Clock remain at its present location. HOW MEMORIAL: The President reported that hedge had been replanted and the memorial was being cared for in its traditional manner. BALD ROCKS: The Association holds title deed, and it was suggested that A.N.P. may be interested in its inclusion with the other Porcupine Islands. No further attention has ever been required. NOMINATIONS: On motion made, seconded and passed, it was VOTED: that the '93 - 94 slate of officers and directors be duly nominated to serve the Association for the '94 - 95 fiscal year. ADJOURNMENT: The Annual Meeting concluded with various discussion concerning certain contributors to the Village Green that may have been omitted from 102nd Annual Report, and the president requested those names and addresses at end of meeting. Meeting adjourned at 11:15 A.M. Respectfully submitted, Phillip R. Cunningham, secretary. Bar Harbor's Town Clock by Gladys F. O'Neil The Town Clock which stands on the sidewalk of Main Street in front of the Village Green is often admired and photogaphed by tourists, but Bar Harbor residents seldom seem to notice this antique timepiece. The funds for its purchase were given to the Village Improvement Association in 1892 by Mrs. William Tucker of Boston - an early member of the Association and her two sons. At an Association meeting in July of that year, a Special Committee on the Village Clock was appointed to find a suitable place for its erection by 1893. The next year the Committee reported that it had decided to place the clock on the tower of the Congregational Church by extending the tower twenty-five feet. This plan did not meet with everyone's approval and the long search for the right location began. During the 1894 annual meeting of the Association, vice-president Luere Deasy stated that the Association had accompished every task that it had undertaken except one. It had not been able to find a location for the Town Clock. A possible solution seemed at hand with the proposal of the construction of a town hall during the annual town meeting. If the hall could be built with a tower it would be a very appropriate place for the clock By the late summer, however, a site had not been selected for the town hall and it appeared unlikely that it would be built at all. At last, in the spring of 1896, the committee reported that it had reached a decision about the design of the clock which was to be built by the E. Howard Company of Boston. It was to have a dial on each side and it would be illuminated. They also requested permission from the town to erect the clock on Main Street. Mr. Albert Bee had agreed to have it placed in front of his store. It was erected there in July of 1896. In 1905 the town asked the Association to remove it because the narrow sidewalk seemed to crowded. As the Association was undertaking the improvement of the Village Green at that time, it was decided to double the width of the brick sidewalk along the eastern side of the Green and to move the clock there. It was necessary to wind the clock by hand and William Graham Sr. of Bar Harbor was one of those who carried out this arduous weekly task for many years. This chore was continued by his son William Graham Jr. as long as the clock ran. Through the years time took its toll, and eventually the clock was no longer accurate and finally it stopped running. In 1976, the Association had the clock painted and repaired. Today the Town Clock stands on Main Street, in front of the Village Green, as a nostalgic reminder of Bar Harbor's gracious past. The Bar Harbor Village Improvement Association desires to record its sense of loss experienced in the death of Gladys Franklin O'Neil in April, 1995. Mrs. O'Neil was a long time member, Life Member and director, since 1988, of this Association. Gladys is remembered for her committed appreciation and love of Bar Harbor - past, present and future. Serving many years as curator for the Bar Harbor Historical Society, Gladys has studied and researched the minutes, records, annual reports and committee activities of this Association many, many times. Gladys was a working director for the interest and good of this Association. Her work on various Association committees, and special attention to detail, is owing to her belief that improvement is not only possible, but necessary. Gladys O'Neil is also remembered for her good work in other community organizations. This Association further desires to record its gratitude for the legacy of the Gladys F. O'Neil Charitable Trust bequest to benefit the Association's work. The bequest is a challenge and prized not only for the sake of the continued work it enables us to do, but also for its significance as a memoriam to Gladys and her loving interest and community spirit expressed by her work in this Association. CHARTER LAWS OF 1891. CHAPTER 186 An Act to Incorporate the Bar Harbor Village Im- provement Association. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Repre- sentatives in Legislature Assembled as follows: SECTION 1. Parke Godwin, Fred C. Lynam, William H. Sherman, Morris K. Jesup, Robert Amory, Charles T. How, De Grasse Fox, Luere B. Deasy, Edward Coles, Serenus B. Rodick, Henry Sayles, William B. Rice, David A. Bunker, Elihu T. Hamor, Addie B. Higgins, Mary G. Dorr, Augustus Gurnee, A. W. Morrell, Ephi- genia Z. Place, Francis E. Wood, George W. Vanderbilt, Gertrude S. Rice, Louisa S. Minot, F. G. Peabody, Abby A. Potter, Francis M. Conners, John E. Clark, George M. Wheeler, Eugene B. Richards and their associates and successors are hereby in- corporated under the name of the Bar Har- bor Village Improvement Association, for the purpose of instituting and maintaining public improvements in the village of Bar Harbor and other parts of Mount Desert Island. SECTION 2. For the purpose of its in- corporation this Association may receive and hold real and personal property not exceeding fifty thousand dollars in amount; make contracts to be binding up- on itself but not upon its individual mem- bers; and make by-laws not inconsistent with the law for the regulation of its membership and its government. SECTION 3. The first meeting of this corporation may be called by any of the above associates, by a notice published two weeks successively before the time of said meeting in any newspaper published in Bar Harbor. SECTION 4. This act shall take effect when approved. BAR HARBOR VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION BY-LAWS (adopted 8-8-41; revised 8-15-91) PREAMBLE: WHEREAS, it is evident to all who are interested in the Village of Bar Harbor that some method of united action is needed in order to preserve the natural beauties of the place by ornamentation of the streets and public grounds of the village, by the planting and cultivating trees, and doing such other acts as shall tend to beautify, adorn and increase the attractions of the village and to promote the public welfare; therefore we have formed ourselves into an Association and agree to be governed by the following by-laws: O. 1: "This corporation shall be known as the Bar Harbor Village Improvement Association O. 2: "The following persons shall be members ex-officio of the Bar Harbor Village Improvement Association and free from obligation to pay dues: all municipal officers of the Town of Bar Harbor, including the Town Manager, the Superintendent of Acadia National Park, or his designee. Other members shall be such other persons as may be elected by the Directors. Annual Membership fees for an individual or a Life Membership fee for an individual may be established by vote at any annual meeting. D. 3: "The annual meeting of the Association shall be held on the third Thursday in August at some convenient place in the village of Bar Harbor of which due notice shall be given by the Secretary. Other meetings of the Association may be called by the President and shall be called upon written request of five members ). 4: "At the annual meeting, the Association shall elect by ballot the following officers: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and seven members to serve with the above as a Board of Directors of eleven, which shall include at least one member acquainted with the conditions in each of the following fields: 1) Finance; 2) Health and Sanitation; 3) Paths or Trails; 4) Public Grounds and Parks; 5) Town Building, Zoning or Planning ordinances. Special Committees may be appointed at any time by a vote of the Association or by the Board of Directors. BAR HARBOR VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION BY-LAWS continued: No. 5: "The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and its Board of Directors, and in his absence the Vice-President shall perform the duties of his office. The Treasurer shall have charge of all money and other property of the Association and at the annual meeting shall report in writing, supported by an account and vouchers for audit. He shall be the sole dis- bursing officer of the Association and shall pay out moneys only upon written approval either of the President or a member of the Board of Directors, except for usual office expenses. The Secretary shall keep a complete and careful record of all pro- ceedings of the Association and its Board of Directors, shall have charge of the books, records, and seal of the Association, shall give due notice of all meetings, shall send copies of the minutes of each meeting to all members of the Board of Directors, and shall take charge of the preparation of the Association's Annual Report. No. 6: "Deeds and contracts shall be executed by the President and Treasurer and shall be stamped with the seal of the Corporation bearing its name and the date 1891. No member shall be personally liable for any contract or debt of the Association.' No. 7: "Eleven members of the Association, or a majority of the members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum; and a quorum being present, a majority thereof shall control." No. 8: "These By-Laws as a whole, or any part thereof, may be repealed or amended by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at any official meeting of the Association, but notice of any proposed change shall be given in the call of the meeting. BAR HARBOR VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION BY-LAWS This 1995 Annual Report is dedicated to the memory of Gladys F. O'Neil and Sylvia Franklin, sisters, who loved this island and furthered the interests of this Association.