Hubbardston committee approves minutes, sets plans for Memorial Day parade

A Town of Hubbardston committee meeting (date not specified in the transcript) approved two sets of minutes and moved forward on logistics for the town’s Memorial Day parade, endorsing a modest honorarium for a trumpeter, confirming a master of ceremonies and noting several practical items — from trailer drop‑off timing to bell‑tower rope repairs and restroom accessibility.

The meeting opened with a routine review of minutes and two small corrections; the committee then voted by voice to accept the minutes as amended. A committee member moved to accept the records of the March 23 and March 30 meetings with the changes discussed; that motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Most of the meeting focused on parade planning. A committee member reported outreach to local music contacts and said the group needed to set an honorarium for a trumpeter. “A Google search for what you should pay a trumpeter doing taps for Memorial Day basically said between like 50 to 100, depending on how far they’re traveling,” the member said, and the group agreed that $50–$100 was reasonable depending on distance.

Organizers discussed additional musical options and student participation. The committee reviewed contacts at the Quabbin Regional School — including Tony Brown, Mr. Kelly and Julia Tuttle — to recruit singers, orchestra players or a student quartet; members noted the marching band likely would be unavailable because of other commitments.

Peter Walker was confirmed as master of ceremonies, and committee members discussed parade seating and whether the grand marshal, John Mason, would ride in a car or walk. A member said Walker agreed to perform the scripted introductions but would not wear his former uniform; the committee said they would confirm details such as whether the grand marshal’s wife would also ride.

Logistics covered several other items: the Lions Club had not yet decided on providing hot dogs or a food truck; the veterans’ trailer contact said the trailer historically has been dropped around 11 a.m. and could arrive the day before to be decorated; and the meeting house’s benches and a school’s lighter brown podium are available to use for the ceremony.

Two members inspected the bell tower and reported only a superficial hairline mark on the bell; they manually rang it and felt it was acceptable for Memorial Day use if the rope can be reattached and weather permits. The committee agreed to obtain new rope and to schedule a helper to reattach and test the mechanism before the ceremony.

On accessibility, members measured meeting‑house restroom doorways at 28 inches and concluded walkers would fit but wheelchairs would not; they agreed to keep a walker near the restrooms for attendees who need it.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn from the chair; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Votes at a glance • Motion to accept minutes (3/23 and 3/30) with two corrections — passed by voice vote (mover/second not specified in transcript). • Motion to adjourn — moved by the chair, seconded, passed by voice vote.

What’s next Committee members said they will continue outreach to musical contacts and the school, confirm trumpet arrangements and honorarium, finalize veterans’ trailer drop‑off time with the contact, procure rope for the bell and follow up with the Lions Club on food arrangements. Several logistics items remain to be finalized before the parade.