The Branford Electric Railway Association Annual Meeting

Trolley Rides: 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM at The Shore Line Trolley Museum
Meeting: 1:30 PM at the Old Stone Church, East Haven

All members are invited to join us for the Branford Electric Railway Association’s Annual Membership Meeting. The day begins with trolley rides at The Shore Line Trolley Museum from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM, followed by our official meeting at 1:30 PM at the historic Old Stone Church in East Haven.

At the meeting, we will review the past year’s accomplishments, discuss exciting plans for the future, and conduct the annual election of officers. This is your opportunity to stay engaged with the direction of the Association and connect with fellow members who share a passion for preserving trolley history.

Lunch will be available at a suggested donation of $10 – variety of wraps and soft drinks will be available.

2025 Trustee Candidate Bios

Rebecca Lavoie:

Rebecca is an Archivist with the Winthrop Group. She holds an M.L.I.S. from Long Island University and B.A./B.S. from Salve Regina University in French and Elementary Education. Her work includes accessioning and processing both physical and digital materials.

Prior to joining the Winthrop Group, Rebecca worked at the New York Transit Museum and Columbia University

Teresa M Kennedy:

I have been a member of BERA for 25 years (#2888). During that time I have volunteered in most departments, with one exception being visitor operations (which will happen in the 2026 class).

Now that I am retired, I look forward to being able to devote more time to the Museum and I hope to use my experience working with both large and small organizations toward this purpose. If elected, I plan to spend several months “learning the ropes”. Beyond that, I would like to help:

Identify and help deal with any issues holding up the Vision 2020 campaign – COVID-19 and its aftereffects meant that the campaign did not gain anywhere near the momentum of the “Elevating the Collection” campaign. Elevating the Collection keeps a large part of our collection from being flooded. Now we need to add fire protection and visitor amenities as well as completing the outfitting of the new shop in Building 9

Get the Museum back to a sound financial condition so that visitors and others can continue to benefit for generations to come.

Improve the Museum’s outreach and communication with both the membership and the general public.

2025 Annual Meeting Day Agenda

Morning at the Museum

10:00 AM – Museum Opens

• Light refreshments & trolley rides

11:00 AM – Unveiling of the National Registry Historic Marker

11:30 AM – Annual Memorial Service 

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Afternoon at the Old Stone Church

12:30 PM – Lunch and Fellowship
Pre-registration is required

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1:30 PM – Annual Business Meeting

Old Stone Church, 251 Main Street, East Haven, CT

1. Call to Order and Welcome – Roberto Tillman, President
2. *Approval of Minutes from 2024 Annual Meeting
3. Board Report – Lou Levinson, Board Chair
4. Executive Director’s Report – John Proto, Executive Director

4. Museum highlights and progress over the past year
5. Department updates
6. Treasurer’s Report and Financial Outlook – Mark Pilletere, BERA Treasurer & John Proto, Executive Director

5. Current financial status
6. Challenges and sustainability strategies
7. Forward plans for growth and stability

6. Governance Committee Report & Election of Trustees – Roberto Tillman, President
7. Old Business
8. New Business
9. Member Comments and Questions
10. Adjournment

To vote at the Annual Meeting, you must be a voting member in good standing, at least 18 years old, with dues paid for the 2025 dues cycle, no later than the Record Date of October 8, 2025. The list of members eligible to vote at the 2025 Annual Meeting is available for inspection at the museum’s office. Bring your 2025 Membership Pass Card or valid form of ID for verification.

Trustee Election (3 positions open):

Trustee Candidates

            Lou Levinson                  Teresa M. Kennedy                  Rebecca Lavoie  Note that candidate Levinson, currently Board Chair, is running for re-election to a second term. The other two candidates are running for what would be their first terms. Bios are available  at  https://shorelinetrolley.org/event/the-branford-electric-railway-association-annual-meeting/