Reporters
Sandy Brindamour, Joel Etra, Keith Fontaine, Jackie Kimsey,
Cal Lord, Anne Masterson, Chuck Seeman
Reporting this week — Sandy Brindamour
Bob Reed called the meeting to order.
Invocation by Larry Fowler
Fellowship with Jerry Silverstein
After sharing a few gems from the Internet, Jerry noted Rotarians who appeared in the news this past week: Booker DeVaughn said “no” to Three Rivers locating downtown; Jim Cronin proudly announced Dime’s continuing upward trends in loans and deposit; Mike Frechette once again said the problem with the latest school budget is not the expenses, but the revenues; and Elsie shared the upcoming expansion of the Otis Library that will serve the community well, long into the future.
Visiting Rotarians: Chris Albanese from Ledyard
Happy “B” Day: Dave DiBattista, 3/21; Ted Phillips, 3/22; and Vic Manych, 3/23.
Rotarians with Guests: Anne Sharpe with Joan Wessel
Rotarians on the Move: Sherm Bodner at the Norwich Sunrise Club on 3/12; Booker DeVaughn at the New London Club on 3/8; Harry Raucher (once again in the sunshine) visiting the Delray Florida Sunrise Club on 2/23 and 3/2; Duncan Stoddard shared friendship with the Groton Club on 3/6 and 3/23; and Joel Etra visited with the Putnam Club on 2/21.
Announcements
Bob Reed announced that the District Conference is scheduled between April 19 – 22, please call before month end to get an application or get it off of the web. Also, the District Assembly scheduled for May 10 is always a good experience for the new Rotarian or as a refresher for the seasoned Rotarian.
Paul Duevel reminded Rotarians who do have e-mail to consider receiving the RONE via e-mail versus snail mail.
Next Week’s Program – Author and historian, Bill Stanley, will present a proposal for Rotary participation in a Norwich Historic Site Sign Program.
Weekly lottery – Jim Dutton, Jackie Kimsey, Booker DeVaughn
Happy Dollars with Don Amaro
Dick Strouse shared the sad news that past Rotary President Joe King’s wife Betty, passed away. Mary Lou gave $6 in celebration for the NFA women’s team coming in first in all four women’s winter sports and proudly gave for the Men’s team winning the Sportsmanship Award. Mike Gordon gave to “gloat” over the luxurious week he shared with friends in Mexico. Cal Lord gave in anticipation of his Tigers going “500” for the upcoming season. Jerry Silverstein took this opportunity to share his horror story with the series of loaner cars given to him while his disabled car was repaired. Lou Carignan shared that Anne called from Florida to tell him what horrid weather she was experiencing to only have Lou tell her how BEAUTIFUL it was up North. Stan Lucas gave to share with all that he was going to be visiting his daughter Anna in Colorado in the near future.
This Week’s Program
Dick Strouse introduced Bill Sweeney, Assistant Planner for the City of Norwich. Bill explained that three years ago the City embarked on the task of updating the city’s map. With a $3,000 grant the GIS Project, “Geographic Info System,” was funded. The GIS is a computer-based program that designs maps. Norwich is utilizing primarily three types of maps: digital, spatial and analytical. Over 13,000 land parcels located on 18,000 acres have been digitized to provide optimum usage by the city, developers, engineers, and individuals. The GIS provides opportunities for developers and engineers to determine if potential sites are suitable for development, for regulatory review to determine types of permits required, for resource conservation planning, neighborhood revitalization projects and a quick and easy resource for individuals wanting information on their personal property. Using the GIS system today enables preliminary decisions about land use to be made almost instantaneously versus the month-long process used for over 30 years. Dick reminded Rotarians the GIS maps cannot be used in a court of law over land disputes.