Norwood Historical Commission names a treasurer to handle Morse House donations
Summary
After administrative confusion over depositing small donations, the commission elected Kathy Burgess as treasurer to enable deposits into the town’s designated Morse House donation account and to steward modest bond and donation funds.
At the meeting the Norwood Historical Commission addressed a procedural issue preventing deposit of donations for the Morse House: checks and small cash gifts could not be accepted because the commission did not have a designated treasurer authorized to sign deposits.
Chair Judith Howard explained that a prior bond‑fund application ($500) had been approved for Morse House and that, in practice, payments and small donations needed a named signer so the town treasurer’s office can accept deposits. Howard asked the commission to nominate a treasurer; commissioners moved and seconded the nomination of Kathy Burgess. Burgess accepted the position.
Commissioners and staff noted small recent donations (one $20 donation and a $1 donation) and said the town maintains a donation account that staff track; a balance of $4.50 from prior small donations was discussed as part of the procedural example. Assistant Town Manager Michael Rosen and other staff agreed to help complete the paperwork and deposit the funds. Staff advised donors to consult their own accountants about whether a donation is tax‑deductible.
Commissioners also used the discussion to reiterate the commission’s longer goals for the Morse House — including rehabilitating the building as a public meeting space and potential archival storage — while clarifying the separate municipal operating budget for the commission’s modest annual operating funds.
Next steps: staff will update the town records to reflect Kathy Burgess as the authorized treasurer for the Morse House donation account and complete the pending deposits.
