HV Archive Videos

Below are videos from the Heritage Village Archives collection.  Click on any video to play it on this page. To watch it in a larger window, move your mouse over the video and click on the small 'arrow in a square' that appears in the upper-right corner of the video. This opens the video full size in its own window. To return, close that window or use your browser's Back button.

In addition to the summary shown under each video, you can download the full transcript of the video by clicking on the link under each transcript. Note: The transcripts are generated automatically, so there are likely to be typos and some transcription errors.

30th Anniversary Festival Opening & Dedication (1997)

This video documents Heritage Village's "Recognition Day" ceremony on August 12, 1997, held in advance of "Festival 30," a ten-day celebration marking the community's 30th anniversary. Heritage Village, in Southbury, Connecticut, was the first condominium organized under Connecticut law. The event, staged before a large audience of residents ("villagers"), honored guests, and the families and associates who planned, financed, built, and brought the community to life. After the national anthem, the program features official greetings, the presentation of a gubernatorial proclamation and a General Assembly citation, and extended tributes to the developers, architects, town officials, employees, and original residents.

The proceedings are led by emcee and Festival 30 co-chair Dr. Alvin Lasser. Speakers include David Balsza, president of the Heritage Village Master Association; Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Jodi Rell; State Representative Arthur O'Neal; Southbury First Selectman Alfia Candido; Ronald Borge (son of entertainer Victor Borg, whose former estate became the site); developer brothers Henry, Otto, and Louis Paparazzo; project planning director Bill Walker; former Governor (and former Congressman) Thomas Meskill; former Southbury First Selectmen Ed Veh, Sam Green, and Mike Kenny; resident-historian Mildred Crocker; Glenn Mars (representing his father, maintenance staffer Vern Mars); longtime employee Herby Moran; Master Association attorney Carl Peterson; and Festival 30 co-chair Alice Gross. Numerous additional residents, employees, merchants, and officials are acknowledged from the stage and audience. The garbled opening anthem and a few brief audience interjections appear from unidentified voices.

30th_Anniv_Festival_Opening_Dedication_1997.mp4                Full transcript: 30th_Anniv_Festival_Opening_Dedication_1997.docx

Walk-a-Round (2001)

This video records a presentation and question-and-answer meeting at Heritage Village, the retirement community in Southbury, Connecticut, introducing a community-wide property inspection program called the "walkaround." The session, televised on the community's Channel 3, is led by Walt Pascardi, chairman of the rules committee, who is joined at the table by Mike Como (landscaping committee), Bob Van Tassel (chairman of the safety committee), and Bill Gray (infrastructure chairman). Maintenance and management staff Mike Clark and Ted Wellerson also attend and answer questions, with Mike Clark explaining plans for a hazardous-materials and bulk-trash pickup and the village's drain-cleaning programs. The presenters explain the purpose of the walkaround — to observe and report on the condition of garages, the exteriors of units, and the grounds across all 2,580 units, organized into five teams of condos — while stressing that the inspectors are not a problem-solving team and that residents should use existing channels (cluster captains, presidents, rules committee, maintenance, security) to report problems.

The bulk of the video is a lengthy Q&A in which condo presidents, cluster captains, and residents raise logistical and substantive questions. Identifiable resident speakers include Bill Wright (Condo 23), Paul Fo (Condo 14), Herb Schwedik (Condo 4), Harold Levy (Condo 3), Elaine Hendrickson (Condo 19), Leola Lee (Condo 13), Shirley Burrows (Condo 3), Joe Marciano (Condo 18), Dave Fish (Condo 12), George Matrot (Condo 21), Lorraine Wallick (Condo 22), Ed (Condo 20), Len Vanlier (Condo 3), Harris Studel (safety committee), Juel Rogers (Condo 15B), and Nan Ruben (Channel 3 chair). Topics include inspection forms and procedures, hazardous materials in garages, shrubs and trees planted too close to buildings, clogged ground drains, missing gutters on fourplexes, locked garage cabinets and absentee owners, garage identification numbers, team coordination, and whether the budget can fund the corrections the walkaround identifies. A few additional speakers and brief interjections are not individually identified. 

Walk_a_round_2001.mp4                   Full transcript: Walk_a_round_2001.docx

Cable TV Meeting (1999) 

This video records a Heritage Village association meeting held in early 1999 in the activities building (Heritage Hall) in Southbury, Connecticut, called for the specific purpose of learning about a proposed cable television upgrade. At the time, the Heritage Village Masters Association owned and operated its own aging master-antenna TV system, and the proposal under discussion would have Charter Communications replace it with a new fiber-optic and coaxial system, rewire all roughly 2,580 condominium units at no cost to residents, and hold the basic rate at $3.60 per month (with only CPI-based future increases). The meeting opens with housekeeping notices and proceeds as a question-and-answer session between residents and a panel. Much of the discussion centers on contract protections, ownership of the system, land and easements, the loss of FM radio channels, channel lineups, service quality, franchise renewal, and the timeline for construction (a September 1999 start unless approved by the end of January).

The meeting is run by an unnamed woman chair (addressed as "Madam Chairman"). The featured presenter is attorney Melanie Howard, a former Department of Public Utility Control hearing officer who had done a similar deal for Farmington Woods. Charter Communications is represented by Ray Kowolinsky (regional VP of technical operations), Pete Cicerelli (regional VP of marketing), plus Tim Nagel, Jeff Kersh, and John Sutton (introduced but largely silent). The Heritage Village TV committee includes new chairman Bart Swift, former chairman Stan Samuel, George Moyan, the community's TV expert Jeff (Jack) Church, and Leroy Anderson. Identified resident questioners include Henry Peekoff (Condo 7), Gertrude Berman (Condo 5), Der Ashley (Condo 22), Connie Sabin (Condo 14), Anna, Harlon Breed (Condo 24), Val (Condo 8), Tracy, Richard, Clem, Bill Woodward, Olive, Art Bossley (Condo 21), Paul Fo (Condo 14), Ed Sue (Condo 20), Melanie Schuster (Condo 16), Bill Gates (Condo 17), Bill Gray (Condo 18), Art Kuchin (Condo 12), village manager Mike Clark, Nicholas Rebecca (Condo 20), a member named Hudson (Condo 15), and "Dick." Some speakers and crosstalk could not be identified and are labeled generically; several Charter answers could not be attributed to a specific representative and are labeled "Charter Representative."

Cable_TV_Meeting_1999.mp4             Transcript: Cable_TV_Meeting_1999.docx

Victor Borge Remembered

This video documents a centennial celebration of the life of entertainer Victor Borge, held at Heritage Village, the retirement community in Southbury, Connecticut, in 2009 (the 100th anniversary of Borge's 1909 birth). The program, sponsored by the community's archive committee, honors Borge as a former local resident who made his home in Southbury from 1952 to 1965 on his Vibo Farm estate. After welcoming remarks by an unidentified master of ceremonies, a short film narrated by an introducer (who identifies himself only as "Broman") shows classic Borge routines, including his improvised duet of Liszt's Second Hungarian Rhapsody with pianist Sahan Arzruni and his famous "phonetic punctuation" bit. The centerpiece is an extended illustrated talk by Borge's daughter, Janet Borge Crane, who refers to her father affectionately as "Papa."

Janet Borge Crane traces her father's life from his birth as Børge Rosenbaum in Copenhagen, through his musical training, early fame, escape from Nazi-occupied Europe, reinvention in America as Victor Borge, his long career (including the record-setting Broadway run of "Comedy in Music"), his family life in Southbury and Greenwich, his humanitarian work with Thanks to Scandinavia, and his death in December 2000. She also shares personal memories of growing up at Vibo Farm, thanks Mildred Gaelic and the archive committee for the invitation, recognizes her former riding instructor Glenn Morris in the audience, and credits her husband, Jim, who operated the projector and is quoted in the talk. Borge himself is heard performing in the film clips. The master of ceremonies and the film's narrator are not definitively identified. 

Victor_Borge_Remembered.mp4              Transcript: Victor_Borge_Remembered.docx

Bert DeForest — 4000 Stories (2010)

This is an HV Focus tribute and feature video produced at Heritage Village, the retirement community in Southbury, Connecticut, celebrating resident volunteer Bert DeForest. Opening with the program's signature "4,000 stories" theme, a narrator introduces Bert as a six-year resident known for taking on responsibility and following through. The bulk of the program is a series of testimonials from friends, neighbors, and fellow club members who describe Bert's tireless volunteerism across the Focus video group, the camera club, the garden club, his cluster (cluster captain duties on East Hill), and a charity training-school resale shop, along with personal anecdotes about golf outings and group lunches.

Identifiable speakers include Trish Palmer (incoming Focus chair), Jeff Church (the MATV technician for Heritage Village, self-identified), the regular lunch group of Bernie Ross, Jack Cochran, Charlie D'vor, "Echo"/Ekko and Marvin Shapiro, and Bert's wife Fay DeForest, who recounts the couple's 2004 arrival and Bert's progression in the clubs. Bert DeForest himself speaks near the end, reflecting on retirement and thanking his wife. Marvin Shapiro is named as the person who interviewed Bert and recruited him into Focus. Several other testimonial speakers — camera club members, garden club members, a charity-shop volunteer, a Pomperaug golf-club member, East Hill cluster neighbors, a long-time family friend, and the cameraman — are not clearly named and are labeled as numbered speakers or by role.

Bert_DeForest_HV_FOCUS_4000_Stories_2010.mp4       Full Transcript: Bert_DeForest_HV_FOCUS_4000_Stories_2010.docx

Borge Family Visit (2008) 

This video documents a September 6, 2008 visit to Heritage Village, the retirement community in Southbury, Connecticut, by the family of the late entertainer Victor Borge, who once lived in Southbury with his children for ten years. The family returned to their former home to record interviews for a PBS video about Victor Borge, timed to his 100th birthday on January 3, 2009. A PBS photographer and a DVD production crew filmed inside the meeting house while the host, a Heritage Village resident named Mildred who lives across the pond, narrates the occasion and introduces the visitors. Mildred recounts hosting two of Borge's children for dinner the previous evening and arranging a surprise reunion with Glenn Morris, the family's former stable boy, who arrived with a horse-drawn carriage.

The featured speakers are three of Victor Borge's five children: Ricky Borge (the youngest), Janet Borge Croll (who attended with her husband Jim Croll), and their younger brother Vi, who was born at Waterbury Hospital. They reminisce about growing up on the property, recalling a nanny named Gizela, an electric train that circled the cottage, a canoe and ice skating on the pond, the Victor Borge pool, snapping turtles in the lake, and the swans they were warned not to pet. The host Mildred conducts the introductions and conversation; Glenn Morris is named but does not appear to speak on camera, and Jim Croll is mentioned but not heard. 

Borge_Family_Visit_2008.mp4                         Full Transcript: Borge_Family_Visit_2008.docx

Pioneers Day (2003) — Heritage Village 

This video records a Heritage Village "Pioneers Day" gathering held in 2003 in Southbury, Connecticut, honoring the earliest residents of the active-adult community. The program opens with remarks from the community's developer, Robert Paparazzo, who recounts how he conceived and built Heritage Village some 35-40 years earlier as one of the first retirement communities in the Northeast, and credits the original "pioneer" residents with making it a true village. The civic association portion follows, in which Lori thanks the meeting's organizers, notes that outgoing president Sydney Held will remain an ex-officio board member alongside incoming president Freda Denmark, and presents the pioneers with lifetime memberships in the civic association. Sydney Held reads the alphabetical roll of pioneers as Lori and Stan distribute calligraphy certificates made by Charlotte Chamberlain.

The second half, coordinated by Frances Vos, features pioneers sharing reminiscences of the early days: Eloise Jasser on her daughter's 1970 wedding at the meeting house; Virginia Morgan on moving into Connecticut's first condominium in 1967 while under the age limit; Eleanor McLelen on the bazaar opening with a horse and buggy and an early LPGA tournament; Audrey Namowitz on the art, camera, and travel clubs; Marian Parker on furnishing the Woman's Club and early cluster friendships; and Sylvia Roberts on buying her unit in 1973 (closing with a poem by Nixon Waterman). Audience members add memories, including Bobby DeRosa (the Aqua Belles swim show), Janet (Pomperaug High School scholarships), Jerry Ivers (Southbury's centennial, bowling and the ambulance association), and Anne Bartface (early roads and the civic association ride service); another resident remembers pianist Lou Traferi. Centenarian pioneers Max Berland and Dr. Cooper (96) are recognized, and an unidentified speaker closes the business meeting with a note about archive materials. Millicent Charles, Magdalene Chusta, Freda Denmark and Bill Wallace are also named among helpers and participants.

Pioneers_Day_2003.mp4           Full transcript: Pioneers_Day_2003.docx

Rules Adherence Committee Public Presentation (2003) 

This video records a February 2003 public presentation by the Heritage Village Rules Adherence Committee at the retirement community in Southbury, Connecticut, introducing a comprehensive rewrite of the village's rules and regulations to residents in the room and to a television audience. The meeting opens with introductions of the committee members, followed by a slide presentation walking through the structure of the proposed rules — nine articles covering the preamble, responsible parties, definitions, the rules themselves, a schedule of fines, an investigation and findings process, an appeals process, applicable law and invalidity, and amendment procedures. Committee members stress that the categories are largely unchanged from the old rules but have been clarified, simplified, and — most significantly — made enforceable through a new enforcement and fines structure. They emphasize this is not the creation of a police force and urge residents to treat the proposal as a whole rather than nitpick individual items, and to take it back to their condo trustees for review.

Speakers include Walter, the master of ceremonies who introduces the panel and then leaves for a medical appointment; Bob Vanassel, chairman of the Rules Adherence Committee, who delivers the slide overview; and Connie Saven (also referred to as Connie Sabin), the committee's attorney "spark plug," who presents the rules, fines, and enforcement and appeal procedures in detail. Henry Beckoff offers a brief remark. Other committee members named include Dr. Eugene (Jean) Schlaggel (absent, in Florida), Lauren (Lori) Shapiro, and Anita Saven. During the question period, identified audience members are an unnamed forplex owner with asthma and emphysema concerned about hallway smoking, Elaine Hendrickson (Condo 19 president), Tracy Slack (Condo 11), Ray Sagali (Condo 20), Marie Gabriel (Condo 4), Jean Blocks (44C, Village View), Lauri Dorl (Condo 17), Herbert Garber (Condo 23 president), and Jack Zimmerman (a condo president). Others mentioned but not present include Connecticut official Richard Blumenthal, Ted Wellerson, and President Theodore Roosevelt (quoted).

Rules_Adherance_Committee_2003.mp4                       Full Transcript: Rules_Adherance_Committee_2003.docx

Armchair Presidents, Part 1 (2007) 

This is Part 1 of an "Armchair Chats" panel discussion recorded in 2007 as part of the 40th anniversary celebration of Heritage Village, the retirement community in Southbury, Connecticut. The program brings together four past and current presidents of the Heritage Village Master Association (HVMA) for an informal conversation about the community's recent history. Marsha, chair of the 40th anniversary steering committee, opens the event and introduces the moderator, Dagmar Vanselter, co-chair of the historical committee and creator of the Armchair Chats series. The four honored guests are Laya Howard (president 1999–2000, one of only two women to hold the office), Ted Wellerson (president 2001–2003), Bob Van Castle (president 2004), and Roger Giron (the then-current president, serving 2005–2007).

After detailed biographical introductions, Dagmar leads the panelists through the notable issues and programs of each administration: the Meeting House's listing on the Connecticut state register of historic places, a $30,000 restoration grant and the five-year preservation agreement, the air-conditioning and interior restoration of the Meeting House (crediting Ted, Roger's wife Leola, Sarah Cook, and the Winship Barn workshop), Laya's Women's Alliance and "Neighbor Helping Neighbor" program, the Ethan Allen Library expansion, the parking lot/amphitheater controversy, Y2K, Ted's "Why Can't They / Why Don't They" and walkaround and employee suggestion programs, the hiring of general manager Kevin (succeeding Mike Clark, with a search committee led by treasurer Alan Kristo), the Krueger Circle access road, Bob's Heritage Village Liaison Group with the Town of Southbury, the men's/women's club equal-access lawsuit before the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, and Roger's "Chats and Spats," open finance/governance/real estate forums, and the founding of the 40th anniversary committee. Other people named or referenced include Henry Paparazzo, Alice Gross, Dave Walls, Mr. Middleton, Bill Wilhelms, Sherman London, Andy Johnson, Carol Vantel, Larry, Arty, and "the Williams." A few brief banter lines from unidentified audience or panel members appear but are not individually attributed.

 Armchair_Presidents_Part_1_2007.mp4                          Full transcript: Armchair_Presidents_Part_1_2007.docx

Armchair Presidents, Part 2 (2007) 

This is Part 2 of an "Armchair Chats"-style panel held in 2007 at the historic Meeting House (built in 1740) at Heritage Village, a retirement community in Southbury, Connecticut, marking the community's 40th anniversary. A moderator interviews several past and present association presidents about noteworthy accomplishments and the challenges of governing Heritage Village. Most of the early discussion centers on Roger Gardana, who describes the initiatives of his administration (years 2005–2007), including the "Chats and Spats" communication program, open forums on finance, governance, and real estate, the search for additional revenue sources, the 40th-anniversary celebration, and a wave of capital improvements such as the Meeting House second-floor refurbishment, removal of underground oil tanks and conversion to natural gas, pool repairs, and the $100,000 swale project behind condo 18 that controlled silt runoff onto the Traditions condominiums.

The panel then turns to broader reflections on the value of the committee system, the question of whether the 24-member board of trustees should be reduced (with comparisons to Leisure Village West in New Jersey and the Town of Southbury), the cumbersome 1963 Unit Ownership Act legal structure, residents' desire to vote on the budget and directors, the proper future role of the president relative to the village manager, and advice for the next president. The session closes with humorous ghost stories about the haunted Meeting House and a George Bernard Shaw tribute to the departing guests. Identified speakers are the four panelists named at the close — Laya Howard, Ted Wellerson, Bob Vanassel, and Roger Gardana — plus an unidentified moderator. Many other people are mentioned but not present as panelists, including Sarah Cook, Marshia Brooker, Don Briggs, Alan Crystal, Bill Wilhelms, Bill Woodward, Jenny Muni, Henry Paparazzo, and volunteers Arty and Kay and Mr. Schwarz.

Armchair_Presidents_Part_2_2007.mp4           Full transcript: Armchair_Presidents_Part_2.docx 

30th Anniversary Flag Dedication (1997) 

This 1997 video documents the opening flag-dedication ceremony and a sweeping montage of activities marking the 30th anniversary ("Festival 30") of Heritage Village, a retirement community in Southbury, Connecticut. It opens on a glorious morning with the president of the Heritage Village Foundation and Master Association welcoming residents to the pre-festival celebration, followed by a singing of "America the Beautiful." Bill Woodward, president of the Heritage Village Civic Association, then dedicates a new flagpole and flag — contributed by many residents, condos, and groups — as a tribute to the village's 30th anniversary, after which the assembly sings "The Star-Spangled Banner" and the Foundation/Master Association president gives closing thanks.

The remainder of the video roams through Festival 30 events and demonstrations around the village: a men's club picnic and cookout, a swimming-pool synchronized-swimming and water-rescue demonstration, card games (poker and bridge), a computer club orientation for "newbies" explaining internet access through the Woodbury Telephone Company, woodworking and model-boat displays (Chris-Craft and Olympic-class sailing models, a cherry document chest), a square-dance demonstration with a caller, a photography club color darkroom tour, a French-language skit featuring characters Eleanor and Alice, the season-ending 1996–97 concert series with patriotic and choral numbers, a sailboat regatta won by "Fat Cat," an interview with a resident author named Mil about her book, a humorous reading of Art Buchwald's "prayer for tourists," musical performances including Victor Herbert's "Naughty Marietta" and a two-piano waltz from Gounod's "Faust" (the "40 Fabulous Fingers" with King, Irving, Jean, Charlotte, and others), and a Robert Frost poetry reading. Named or addressed individuals include the unnamed Foundation/Master Association president, Bill Woodward, Mil (the author), and performers and residents addressed as Daryl, Ruth, Harry, Ari, Janet, Bernie, Richard, Gary, Kyle, King, Irving, Jean, and Charlotte; composers and a columnist (Victor Herbert, Charles Gounod, Robert Frost, Art Buchwald) and skit characters (Eleanor, Alice) are referenced. Many additional residents, hosts, and demonstrators appear only as unidentified voices.

30th _Anniv.mp4                  Full transcript: 30th _Anniv.docx

Heritage Village Ten-Year Financial Plan (2007) 

This is a recording of a public Heritage Village presentation, held in Sarah Cook Hall and broadcast on the community television channel in 2007, in which the association's leadership lays out a ten-year financial and capital plan covering 2007 through roughly 2016. The treasurer, Bill Graph, opens the meeting and introduces the panel: village manager Kevin (Kevin Hellrigel), controller Eric Erikson, and Bill King, chairman of the long range planning committee. Eric and Kevin walk through the source-of-funds and expenditure worksheets, the effect on the HVF and HVMA reserves, the long range maintenance plan (roofs, asphalt paving of roads, walkways and driveways, termites, siding, painting, vehicles, and the pension change from defined benefit to defined contribution), a comparison of past assessment increases against the cost-of-living index, and a lengthy list of operating efficiencies. The core message is that holding maintenance-fee increases to 3% per year produces an approximately $10 million shortfall over ten years, which the association hopes to close with new sources of income rather than larger fee increases.

Bill Graph and Bill King then present "outside the box" revenue ideas, including taking over road plowing and security from the Town of Southbury, charging for billable and free services, a transfer fee (flip tax) on unit sales, tax-deductible and commemorative gifting (requiring 501c3 status), an on-site real estate operation, lifeline/medic-alert services, corporate sponsorships, grant solicitation, establishing a tax district, and a proposed health/fitness/recreation center to be funded from the equity fee reserve. Finance committee member Fran Owen explains the value of a formal reserve study for the years beyond 2014. Herb Garber moderates a question-and-answer session, reading written questions from residents and the TV audience and taking a few floor questions; identified residents include Jim Lawler, Gloria, Irene, Ros (Ross), and Allan (Al), plus an unidentified resident who has a heated exchange with the panel about governance and the zoning decision. Heritage Village developer Henry Paparazzo and former village figures are referenced but not present. Several floor and written-question speakers are unidentified.

HV_Trustees_ten_year_plan_2007.mp4                Full transcript: HV_Trustees_ten_year_plan_2007.docx

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The Heritage Village Library & Ethan Allen Cottage 

This is a "Focus" community feature program that presents a narrated tour of the Heritage Village Library, housed in the historic Ethan Allen Cottage, an original building dating to the early 1700s that was reputedly the home of Ethan Allen and was transported to Southbury, Connecticut from Litchfield. The video opens with song lyrics (Enya's "Only Time") over exterior views of the building, then moves through the library's rooms, its original 1700s fireplace and historic door with bullet glass, and behind-the-scenes operations including cataloging, book covering, shelving, the book sale, and the surrounding landscaping. The program also serves as an appeal during the library's patron donation drive.

The host is Ginny Dreyfus of "Focus," whose featured guest is Ruth Warner, the president of the Village Library, who describes the library's history, collection, and operations. Other identified speakers include volunteer Elayne Doherty and Janet Hansen, who heads the library's landscaping committee. Several additional volunteers narrate segments on the fireplace, rooms, cataloging, book covering, shelving, and the book sale but are not named on camera; these are rendered as Narrator/Guide and numbered speakers. Persons referenced but not heard include B. Norman (who makes the volunteer schedule), the Valentine family (who moved the building), Mr. Borga, Otto Paparazzo, and Henry Paparazzo.

HV_Library.mp4                Full transcript:  HV_Library.docx

WCAAA Medicare Part D Seminar (2005) 

This 2005 video records a public seminar held at Heritage Village in Southbury, Connecticut, explaining the new Medicare Part D prescription drug program just before its open enrollment and January 2006 launch. The standing-room-only meeting (the room's 248-seat capacity was exceeded) was jointly presented by three organizations: the Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging (WCAAA, repeatedly called "the agency" and "Western Connecticut Center on Aging"), the Town of Southbury's senior services office, and the Social Security Administration. An unidentified host (Chair) opens the meeting and introduces the speakers.

The principal speakers are Eric Friedman of the Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging, who delivers the main presentation on how Medicare Part D works (premiums, the $250 deductible, the initial benefit period, the "doughnut hole" coverage gap, catastrophic coverage, the late-enrollment penalty, Medigap plans H/I/J, ConnPACE, formularies, and enrollment mechanics); Jennifer Fierella, Director of Senior Services for the Town of Southbury, who describes local programs (the senior center, minibus transportation, the nutrition site, ConnPACE and tax-relief help, and home visits); and Robert Rodriguez of the Social Security Administration, who explains the low-income "extra help" subsidy, identity-theft precautions about Social Security cards, and general Social Security benefits. Eric Friedman names volunteers Dolores Weinens (also a WCAAA board member), Fred Fornier, and Sarah Martinez, and references senior center manager Carol Damon and Resident Relations Committee chair Eileen Bosley. During the question period one audience member, George Vakris, is identified by name; the remaining questioners and a participant addressed as "Doris" are otherwise unidentified audience members.

WCAAA_meeting_2005.mp4                      Full transcript: WCAAA_meeting_2005.docx

Winship Barn (2003) Heritage Village Woodworking & Metal Shops

This 2003 video is a guided walkthrough of the Winship Barn woodworking, model-building, and radio-electronics shops at Heritage Village in Southbury, Connecticut. An off-camera interviewer (the videographer) moves from bench to bench, asking each craftsman to introduce himself and describe his current project. Most participants give their names on camera, so the speakers can be identified directly. The featured makers include Dr. William A. (Alexander) Cooper, a retired Cornell Medical School surgeon who reproduces antique furniture (shown working on his 73rd piece, a curly-maple lowboy); model shipbuilders Dan Buckley (a 1776 frigate), Clem Sagali (Grand Banks dories), Bernie Bernett (Chris-Craft, lobster, and tugboat models plus a mahogany Mercedes-Benz model car), and Sal Reciti (USS Enterprise and a replica of his own Navy ship); woodworkers Jack Lavine (picture frames and a metal-lathe bud vase), Bob Bower (an 1880s family chair), Bernie Fester (a mahogany chest), Ellie Fishman (segmented turned bowls), and Bernie Hanland (bowls, a 1925 mail-truck bank, and nutcrackers).

The video also captures several visitors reacting to the shop — Adena Klein, Dolores Stell Fox (visiting her aunt Hilda Casper), young guests Alexa, Philip and Anna Stransky, and Joyce and Jim Cox of Oxford — as well as the upstairs radio-electronics section, where Lou Alangi, Mary Cersa, and Vincent Degener demonstrate amateur (ham) radio and PSK digital communication, including a live contact with Havana, Cuba. The recurring themes are craftsmanship, the satisfaction of making things by hand, and gifts the makers are building for their children and grandchildren.

Winship_barn_2003.mp4                 Full transcript: Winship_barn_2003.docx

Heritage Village Ten-Year Financial Plan (2007) 

This is a recording of a public Heritage Village presentation, held in Sarah Cook Hall and broadcast on the community television channel in 2007, in which the association's leadership lays out a ten-year financial and capital plan covering 2007 through roughly 2016. The treasurer, Bill Graph, opens the meeting and introduces the panel: village manager Kevin (Kevin Hellrigel), controller Eric Erikson, and Bill King, chairman of the long range planning committee. Eric and Kevin walk through the source-of-funds and expenditure worksheets, the effect on the HVF and HVMA reserves, the long range maintenance plan (roofs, asphalt paving of roads, walkways and driveways, termites, siding, painting, vehicles, and the pension change from defined benefit to defined contribution), a comparison of past assessment increases against the cost-of-living index, and a lengthy list of operating efficiencies. The core message is that holding maintenance-fee increases to 3% per year produces an approximately $10 million shortfall over ten years, which the association hopes to close with new sources of income rather than larger fee increases.

Bill Graph and Bill King then present "outside the box" revenue ideas, including taking over road plowing and security from the Town of Southbury, charging for billable and free services, a transfer fee (flip tax) on unit sales, tax-deductible and commemorative gifting (requiring 501c3 status), an on-site real estate operation, lifeline/medic-alert services, corporate sponsorships, grant solicitation, establishing a tax district, and a proposed health/fitness/recreation center to be funded from the equity fee reserve. Finance committee member Fran Owen explains the value of a formal reserve study for the years beyond 2014. Herb Garber moderates a question-and-answer session, reading written questions from residents and the TV audience and taking a few floor questions; identified residents include Jim Lawler, Gloria, Irene, Ros (Ross), and Allan (Al), plus an unidentified resident who has a heated exchange with the panel about governance and the zoning decision. Heritage Village developer Henry Paparazzo and former village figures are referenced but not present. Several floor and written-question speakers are unidentified. 

HV_Trustees_Ten_Year_Plan.mp4                          Full Transcript: HV_Trustees_ten_year_plan_2007.docx        

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