by Jim Poinsett, Secretary

• Rex called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and made a few announcements before the lecture:
  • Saturday May 16^th will be a members only night at the observatory.
  • There will be a club trip to Cherry Valley State Park in Pennsylvania the weekend of June 19^th and 20^th.
  • Communiversity is April 26^th from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm
• Ira introduced the speaker for the evening, Luke Hovey and his talk on Supernova Remnants.
• The nominating committee announced the slate of nominees for office for next year:
  • Director – Rex Parker
  • Assistant Director – Larry Kane
  • Treasurer – Michael Mitrano
  • Secretary – Jim Poinsett
  • Program Chair – Ira Polans
• The club expressed it’s thanks to Ira Polans, Prasad Ganti and John Miller for filling in as the program committee since Kate Otto unexpectedly had to leave.
• The observatory committee has mounted the HB refractor using the donated Paramount on the existing pier using the mounting plate obtained by David Skitt. It is working well using a donated laptop and Sky 6.
• Bill Murray will advertise the pier from the Vermont donation to get it out of the club’s possession.
• There was discussion on a computer needed to operate the refractor.  The main discussion was between a laptop to be kept out near the refractor or a small form factor desktop that would be kept in the computer room. The possibility of theft or damage from visitors was part of the discussion. A proposal to purchase two laptops and Sky10 software will be presented to the membership for voting at the May meeting.
• The observatory staff will order stone for the observatory driveway and have it delivered. A work party will be needed to help spread it around.
• The Ioptron mount from the Dixey donation was sent out for an estimate on parts and service. The estimate came in around $450. The board approved $499 to pay for what was needed.
• The board also approved money for Bill Murray to buy a new 55mm Plossl eyepiece at NEAF if it is less that $250.
• Library books are to be listed in Sidereal Times and be given away.
• Super Science Saturday is May 9^th. Volunteers are needed to work the AAAP table.