Sep 11, 2008 2 min read

During the meeting, project chairman Ed Chess reported that Edward Zalar, a machinist and a former student of the borough school, has agreed to prepare the bell for display. He will place the clapper, and weld and make other parts that are needed to display it.

The bell was placed on the former borough school in 1893, and remained there until 1978 when the building burned.

It was recently turned over to the academy for permanent display. It will be placed on a concrete pedestal at the rear of the building.

The directors also voted to eliminate the membership dues that have been collected since the Greene Academy of Art was formed in 1972 to restore the historic academy. The dues and donations were the major source of funds for maintenance and operation of the academy until now. There will be no dues collected after January 2009.

The academy is the beneficiary of two trust funds and is finally on a sound financial basis.

The directors noted that the restoration would never have happened had the general public not been behind it for the past 36 years. The academy will still welcome contributions for memorials or to honor someone.

Pete and Nancy Reynolds, who chair the Covered Bridge Festival, reported that the academy and courtyard will be filled with crafters, and the entertainment is scheduled. It will be held Saturday, Sept. 20 and Sunday, Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Complete details will be released soon.

The directors approved the Guesman reunion to be held in the Academy Aug. 30, and the purchase of railing and gate for the shed; and will have the patio sealed prior to the covered bridge festival.

The academy’s new president, Brice Hartley, presented a list of committee appointments for 2008-2009.

The next meeting will be Sept. 23 at 7:30 in the academy.