Mystic Flag Committee Annual Meeting MINUTES

June 14, 2023

S&P Oyster Co.

The meeting was called to order by President Eric Garofano at 8:20 AM. 

Gregory Benoit offered the Invocation.

Minutes from the last Annual Meeting held on June 14, 2022 were distributed as part of the day’s agenda. There being no corrections, the minutes were accepted as presented.

Treasurer Adam Strelczuk distributed the Annual Treasurer’s Report for the period June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2023 which are included as part of these minutes. The report was approved as presented.

Flag Captain Richard Dussault reported that the flagpole base has been painted. Malcolm Taylor worked on the halyard and Russ Holly fixed the base after a car strike. Richard thanked Jack Hilbert and Jonathan Greene in assisting him in raising the flag on the Mystic Liberty Pole. 

MFC recognized Scout Troop #76 and thanked them for putting the flags out on Rte. 1.  Joel Hardink, Scout Master from Troop #76, said that the scouts have had monthly camp outs and did some white-water rafting. They had two Eagle Scouts this year. The troop was involved in the Mystic Half Marathon and the Mystic Outdoor Art Festival. To fill all the new flagpole sidewalk holes, the Scouts need 100 new flags and a larger trailer. The MFC will investigate buying 100 new sidewalk flags.

Eric Garofano reported that we have approximately 600 due paying members of the MFC. Eric also shared that the Endowment has had its ups and downs this year and shared the report with those present.

Furthermore, the new photo boards have been installed in Liberty Pole Square. A special thanks to the Charles B. Allyn Foundation for donating $2,650 for the property survey and to the Town of Stonington for contributing to the cost of the photo boards.

Eric Garofano presented the list of nominations for officers for the 2023-24 year which was approved as follows:

        • President, Eric Garofano

        • Vice President, John Kennedy

        • Vice President, George Sylvestre

        • Secretary, Linda Kennedy O’Toole

        • Treasurer, Adam Strelczuk

        • Flag Captain, Richard Dussault

        • Membership, Mark Densmore

        • Nominations, Debra Neuman

Linda Kennedy O’Toole read a memorial statement by John Kennedy on the legacy of Bob Cushman who passed on May 10th.  Many donations were made in Bob’s honor. 

Eric Garofano thanked those in attendance, S&P Oyster Restaurant, Mystic Seaport, Mystic Shipyard, Custom Marine Canvas, Troops 76 and 200, Densmore Oil, Town of Stonington, Mystic Rotary Club, Mystic Women’s Club, Mystic Lions Club, Mystic Knotwork, Russ Holly for their contributions to the MFC. 

Benediction was offered by Gregory Benoit.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:43 AM

Respectfully submitted,
Jonathan Greene, Secretary