FLEMING - No cracks have formed in the Fleming Improvement Foundation since its maiden meeting four weeks ago.

Rather, the second meeting held Monday night in the town hall, only served to cement the commitment of board members and attendees further.

“We're encouraging people to brainstorm,” said John Sroka, who conceived of the registered, non-profit organization. The first of its kind in state history, the foundation is dedicated to the improvement of the psyche, and state of the Fleming community.

Pushed to the forefront of the meeting was the necessity of achieving awareness and support from the town.

“There are some checks, donations being held in abeyance until we get tax-exempt status,” Sroka told the board. “I just spoke with our attorney Dale Yates. We expect tax-exempt status in six to eight weeks.”

“Why don't we get a group of businesses together. What a great group of businesses we have here, the farms. Maybe if we get a $100 donation from them,” said acting vice-president Steven Pesarchick, adding later during the meeting: “But we should wait until we get tax-exempt. We could get in hot water. We should get everything in order, then when we get tax-exempt, run with it.”

Sroka informed the board that Welch Allyn would be interested in providing a grant to make smoke alarms available for those in need in the community.

“Psychologically, that might be a great kick-off for us for funding,” said Sheila L. Tucker, acting secretary. “Stress safety first.”

Providing warning triangles for the back of farmer's trucks who need them was mentioned also.

Earlier, acting board president Dave Ross complimented Sroka for the job he has done getting everything together, but said he has yet to receive feedback from Fleming residents.

“Everybody's been kind of quiet, and of course it's like any foundation - without any financial backing for it to be progressive - and it is a separate entity from the town, it's going to take time, I'm sure, to grow. We're still in our infancy,” he said. “I guess the first thing on the agenda is to get a committee together and decide how we're going to get some fundraisers going. Without an endowment it's necessary.”

“That first meeting went okay as it went. The gal from the Auburn Education Foundation gave everybody the understanding, because this is Greek to most of us, but we thought to help out the people of Fleming we're moving forward,” said Bill Balyszak, acting treasurer, prior to last night's meeting, adding: “There's a suggestion for safety, of getting people smoke alarms, that I'm interested in.”

Also on the agenda were the formation of a “Welcome Wagon Committee” to encourage new homeowners; senior citizen social events; health clinics; town awareness days; and family-oriented events.

The welcome wagon was determined a priority last night.

“We want to work out some game plans and some ideas,” said Balyszak. “And everybody's suppose to chime in.”

Formalization of by-laws and determination of a staggered election cycle of board members were topics up for discussion as well.

“A lot of fraternal organizations of the area, I read in The Citizen, are lacking in membership,” said Sroka earlier, citing the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs. “Times have changed and maybe the Fleming Foundation will be the vehicle, the hybrid, to encourage greater community participation for the betterment of our communities.”

Sroka encouraged volunteerism as the focus of the foundation, with fundraising a necessary component to employ possible programs.

“Government provides a lot of services, but the community well-being has never relied solely on government,” he said.