"Last August 7, we, the VCBS, were invited to a symposium held by the state's Historic Covered Bridge Preservation Committee; Eric Gilbertson, Warren Trip, Robert McCullough, Susan Scribner and others.
        "We were there, myself, Bill McKone, Ed Barna, Doug Porter and John Dostal, to discuss strategies, issues and problems involved with preserving our covered bridges.
        "Other participants were representatives from AOT, the Federal Highway Administration, and several construction companies active in wooden bridge restoration.
        "Representatives of the VT Agency of Transportation and the VT Division of Historic Preservation have been developing a preservation plan for covered bridges, along the lines of the plan they had developed for historic steel bridges.
        "The main item for discussion was the dilemma in preserving historic bridges when they are allowed to deteriorate until repairs result in the replacement of most or all of the original bridge. In some cases historic preservation may be better served by removing the existing bridge intact.
        "There was discussion of restoration techniques and testing methods to determine before the contractor begins work just how extensive repairs might be so that informed decisions could be made about how to proceed.
        "What should be done with a removed bridge? The bridge could be used as a feature of a park near its original site or possibly be moved to a covered bridge museum.
        "The VCBS was recognized by the other participants in the meeting as being a valuable resource to assist in preserving the historic covered bridges. The plan is to work with the towns who own the bridges.
        "One way we can help is to work at the grass roots with the towns to encourage them to sign up for the Historic Covered Program so that the bridges will get the basic maintenance they need so they don't deteriorate to the point where extensive repairs or replacement of entire bridges is needed. This works right in with our Bridge Watch Area Program.
        "I have copies of the hand-outs provided by the Symposium. One describes the Historic Bridge Program, Another introduces the covered Bridge Preservation Plan and the Covered Bridge Committee. A third document is the Programmatic Agreement between VAOT, VSHPO, VANR, and the FHWA. We need to understand this material if we are serious about protecting our covered bridges.
        "We were asked at the symposium what our organization's policy is regarding preservation, but unfortunately we were still in input mode and hadn't yet drafted an official position.
        "Well, I have a preliminary draft of a preservation statement here for debate and approval of the membership. When it's in its final form after the full membership meeting, we will have a VCBS policy on preservation.
        "The Vermont Covered Bridge Society Preservation Policy begins with the statement: 'The value of an historic covered bridge lays in the workmanship, methods and joinery of the original builders and the timber from Vermont's old forests used in the construction. This historic integrity must be preserved.'
        "Copies of the proposed statement are here along with copies of some of the handouts from the August 7 Symposium. I'm asking all interested people here to come take copies for themselves when this business portion of the meeting is concluded. Please get back to me with your comments and suggestions.
        "We Are beginning to work on the agenda for an all-members Annual Meeting in [November]. Every member who can't attend will be mailed a package including a ballot. On that agenda for approval will be the Statement of the VCBS Preservation Policy, approval of the organization's constitution and by-laws, and among other items, the election of officers. For this last we need a Nominating Committee."

Ron Bechard, Nomination Committee member spoke about the committee and asked for volunteers.
Two volunteers came forward; Marge Converse and Ruth Nelson. More volunteers, including a chair person, are needed to prepare for the Annual Meeting to be held in November.

Bill McKone, VCBS Secretary spoke of his research grant application and his efforts to promote a covered bridge museum:

        "Two significant initiatives that are underway are the VCBS application for $200,000 in research grant money under Senator Jeffords' Historic Covered Bridge Preservation Act and efforts to establish a covered bridge museum. We have been told that the decision will be made on the research grant "mid- September". The application for an additional $200,000 for the covered bridge museum has to be submitted by early November, but requires participation in a training session for the application process later in September before it can be prepared. This is for federal funding under the "free- standing Transportation Enhancement program" which will have at least $3.2 million available for grants on an 80/20 matching basis by summer 2001.
        "Preliminary discussions on the acquisition of the Windridge tennis camp facility in Jeffersonville have been very encouraging. It appears that we could lease the property with its large indoor tennis building, dormitory, and 20 acres of flat land on the edge of the village on favorable terms costing less than $10,000 a year with an option to buy at the end of 5 years.
        "This is a uniquely suitable property located centrally to a cluster of historic covered bridges in and around Lamoille County and within walking distance of two such bridges. Funding of such a museum would be greatly facilitated if we are able to apply any excess funds remaining from those earmarked for the repair of the Cambridge Junction/Poland bridge, but the stipulations on the use of that money have not yet been provided to the VCBS."

Mr. McKone followed with an interim Treasurer's report, the full report to be given at the Annual Meeting:
        "The VCBS is currently solvent and able to meet its financial commitments. Using very broad figures, we have taken in around $3,000 since our formation in February of this year. About half of this has come from memberships, including several life memberships at $100 each, and the remainder from generous contributions of up to $500 from our members. We have spent roughly $2,000 of this money on items such as registration as a non-profit organization with the IRS ($150 one-time fee), necessary office supplies, and the production and dissemination of information including the "Bridger", our newsletter. A more detailed financial report will be made available to the membership at the annual meeting later this year. We will, of course, welcome any input from the membership on any aspects of the financial operations of the VCBS."

Kathy Knight, Membership Committee chairperson, reported on the VCBS membership. Membership Report:
        As of the last roster update, VCBS has 99 memberships. Of the 99 memberships, 63 are from Vermont. Thirty-six reside in 14 other states. [NY (13), PA (4), IN (3), MA (3), FL (2), OH (2), and NH (2). CT, NC, WA, SC, ME, MO, and VA have one membership each.]
        Of the total, five are life memberships, and three are honorary life memberships.
        There have been 17 donations: Hale (7), Palmer (4), Tasker (2). One each: Powers, Town, and Burr, and one donation of $500 (the equivalent of two Whipples).
(The counts are memberships, not members; family memberships were counted as one.)

Jim Fearon spoke of Lyndonville's bridges.

David Guay presented the VCBS with a bound portfolio entitled "Paper Mill Covered Bridge, Reconstruction Record, February - 2000 Thru July - 2000." The collection contains 78 color photographs; eight by John Dostal and 70 by David Guay. Also included are nine historic photographs of the Paper Mill Bridge from the collection of Richard Wilson. Joe Nelson gratefully accepted the gift for the VCBS and placed it for viewing by members at the meeting.