The curator of the Wellesley Township Heritage and Historical Society room will get her first raise since taking the part-time position more than three years ago.
In a presentation delivered at council chambers on Tuesday night, Maitland outlined her accomplishments in 2013 and plans for the future, while WTHHS chairman Ron Hackett made a case for a $2 per hour wage increase. The increase will total $30 per month and $360 per year.
“Nancy has worked many hours on our behalf, over and above the 15 hours required each month, and she’s never had an increase in pay while she’s been with us,” said Ron Hackett.
![Wellesley Township Heritage and Historical Society curator Nancy Maitland’s contract was extended through 2014.[Will Sloan / The Observer]](https://www.observerxtra.com/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/post_news_archivist.jpg)
In her presentation to council, Maitland outlined the society’s 17 acquisitions for 2013, including an egg timer from Stahle Bakery; light and power commission minutes from 1917 to 1965; 69 issues of Wellesley on the Pond from 1993 to 1999; items from the 1982 Founders Day celebration; framed reproductions of postcards offering vintage views of Wellesley Village; and scrapbooks of Wellesley-related articles from the Milverton Sun.
Maitland also highlighted increased activity on the Heritage Society’s website (www.wellesleyhistory.org), with 190 unique visitors and 850 page views per month. Using information from the Ontario Genealogical Society, the WTHHS created a webpage on the topic of churches in the township before 1900.
In addition, the WTHHS’ Historical Room has been open on 11 Saturdays in 2013 and by appointment. Maitland told councilors that between 2 and 8 visitors come to the room on a typical Saturday, and she has responded to 20 research requests.
“People come to me from other towns and cities in the area, and they’ve printed stuff off from our website so that they know how to get there. It’s people that have made a real conscious effort during that time,” said Maitland.
For 2014, Maitland suggested several projects that fall outside the scope of her 15 hours per month. These include increasing the WTHHS’ social media presence (with items from the collection available on the photo-sharing sites Flickr and Instagram).
The contract renewal and wage increase passed unanimously, with no debate from councillors.
