by Gene Allen, Secretary

A brief meeting was convened on Zoom at 1930. The session was not recorded.
In attendance were:

Rex reported that Michael Mitrano intends to retire, so we are seeking a replacement for his position of Treasurer. An accounting background and familiarity with Quickbooks is strongly desired, but none of us are aware of any potential candidates. He consulted with Leslie Kuchinski, Operations Director of Hopewell Valley Friends of Open Space (FoHVOS), who is a PhD astronomer and experienced in accounting. She recommended looking into Givebutter non-profit fundraising software. That prompted Ira to propose that we move to the NSN site which has provisions for managing membership and dues payments. Dave seconded that, and Mike praised the Club Express software used by the 300 member Delaware Valley Astronomers, which inherently interfaces directly with Quickbooks. Gene objected that we are discounting the work done over the past year by the New Website Committee and Member Jeff Pinyan who has volunteered to personally code it, saving us thousands. Apologies ensued, accompanied by complaints that they have no idea what is going on with the new website build and that our lack of a program for elementary students is a major failing. An appeal for candidates will be sent to the membership.

Commensurate with Michael’s retirement, he and Rex discussed returning to a universal membership year to greatly simplify the jobs of Treasurer and Secretary. It was only in 2022 that the Board decided to change from a universal year to the current system of a personal year based on when someone joined or last paid. The previous Secretary resigned over that change two years ago. Rex reported that we have a $30K balance and suggested considering elimination of dues altogether. Instead, we would just have a fund drive every other year. Discussion that followed came to something of a consensus that if we do retain membership dues, they would be due in January each year. Anyone who joined during January through June would pay the full amount, and anyone joining July through December would only be expected to pay half. There was no discernable consensus on whether to have dues or fund drives, and no action was taken.

Rex proposed purchasing a Celestron EdgeHD 14 telescope and an ASI2600MC Duo camera with some of our money. The Edge 14 can lock its mirror if an external Crayford focuser is added, and it could be used for both visual and camera observing. The Crayford needs to be set to its middle position and the scope focused with the primary focus, which moves the mirror. Then the mirror is locked and the Crayford is used to fine tune the focus.

Curiously, Tom Swords discovered that the C14 currently in the observatory, which already has an external Crayford focuser installed, also has a device installed to enable locking the mirror. It was purchased from an astrophotographer who had installed a Software Bisque C14 Locking Collar but left it unengaged. It would require some really long hex wrenches to lock the mirror on this scope, much less convenient than on the Edge 14, but doable. The problem would be trying to use it for visual observing, when the Crayford is unlikely to have enough range to accommodate focusing diverse eyepieces.

Michael Mitrano has been in contact with the appropriate personnel in the state park system, and reports that there is no assurance that our lease will be renewed when it expires in 2027. It has been just okay residing on state property. Approval of any changes is onerous and their maintenance of gates and roadways has been almost nonexistent. If we are forced to relocate, it would mean essentially building another observatory from scratch. That would likely require a grant of some sort. For grants one must usually demonstrate some benefit to the public. Mention of a former Western Electric site in Mount Rose. The comment was made that we must pay close attention to maintaining protected surroundings. We will try to investigate potential sites.

Victor has reissued the Gene Ramsey Memorial Plaque design with the photo upgraded by member Rich Sherman and will order it soon from Woodland Manufacturing. Discussion ensued about possibly renaming the observatory for Gene, as almost none of us remember what John Simpson did for the club all those years ago. The comment was made that naming an observatory for a person ties it to that era. Rather than change the name every few years, it is better to not give it a person’s name. We will henceforth minimize “Simpson,” referring to it simply as the AAAP Observatory.

With the engineering complex on the Princeton University campus towering over Peyton Hall, the demise of our longtime home seems imminent. Retired PU Professor Bob Vanderbei has no specific knowledge of the timeline but thinks destruction or rebuilding is 3 or 4 years out. He agreed to approach department head Michael Strauss to see what he can learn. Dave’s company is getting involved in the construction on campus and may be able to get a handle on the timeline. Somebody, somewhere, is the project manager and has a predicted date, whether or not it holds. Discussions were progressing on a move to the IAS when we were invited back to Peyton Hall. The current remote parking has proved to be a significant impediment to in-person attendance, while parking and the auditorium facility at IAS are clearly far superior. Rex will reconnect with member Lee Sandberg who holds a position at the IAS to see if discussions can be resumed.

Over the past several years we have accumulated a number of telescopes intended to be loaned to members, but none have ever been made available. Most are cluttering Dave’s house and those kits that have been assembled get cannibalized for various purposes. Storage is a big issue. There is none in the observatory and adding a storage building there would be great but once again it would take years to get state approval, if it were even possible. Mike pointed out that Delaware Valley only rents their scopes. A suggestion was made that we rent a storage unit nearby, perhaps at a facility on Reed Road. We also need to identify a facilitator for the program.

The meeting was adjourned at 2125.

Submitted by Secretary Gene Allen
February 7, 2025