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The Saugerties Area Chamber of Commerce Board meeting convened in the large
PrecisionFlow conference room at 6:35 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8th. The topics and key outcomes were as follows: - Elections: The elections were quick. After a brief discussion about how Mark Smith and Mike Campbell had split the secretarial duties (“co-secretaries”) Beth Murphy proposed that Kevin Brady remains the Board Chair, that Mike Campbell assumes the Co-Chair position, that Bob Cranston remains the Treasurer, and that Mark and Mike continue their co-secretarial arrangement. The vote was unanimously in favor.
- Hors'n Around Saugerties Report: Beth reported that HITS nicely agreed to fund the Hors'n Around Saugerties Gala Event. The horses will be on display in the Village (and some Town locations) from Memorial Day until Labor Day. To ensure the HITS participants get an adequate preview of the horses, they will be brought to the HITS Gala Auction site after Labor Day. WAMC is a sponsor, and they will pay for their sponsorship with radio spots.
- Artwork to Enhance Empty Village Storefronts: There was a discussion of this proposal by Judith Spektor at the March members meeting. There are 3 aspects of this that need to be nailed down in order to make it happen:
o Handle the gathering of agreements by building owners to display art in their windows. Beth is checking with Suzanne LeBlanc to see if she can help with this. o Determine how any liability might be addressed. (e.g. what happens if a window is broken, art is stolen, etc.?) The first area that’s being investigated in this regard is Kevin Brady is checking with Bob Cranston (likely after April 15th) to see if the Chamber’s insurance policy is adequate to cover this. o Organize the artists and possibly (depending upon level of interest), rotation schedule. This work would ensure fair representation both by participating Horsn’ Around Saugerties artists and Saugerties Artists Studio Tour Artists. Beth Murphy and Michael Wardell will work together on this aspect. - “Jobs Wanted, Jobs Available” postings. There was a good discussion about resources that are already available online for matching up job seekers with companies offering jobs. This is now implemented as a button on the www.welcometosaugerties.com home page. . Additionally, Kevin Brady is going to speak with Ward Todd to see if anything is being done by the Ulster County Chamber, in this regard.
- A member’s suggestions re: 1) asking the Mayor for Village business tax incentives and 2) supporting the HITS convention center/hotel. We discussed this and felt that at this point in time, the use of Village business revolving loan program was a good alternative to asking the Village (currently under financial duress) to provide tax breaks/incentives. And the member has been notified that the Chamber is already on record as supporting the Partition Street Project.
In addition, we are going to talk to Catskill to get more information on their tax incentive program, for possible future consideration. - Welcoming committee. Beth brought up the idea of a Chamber welcoming committee for welcoming new businesses to Saugerties. It was agreed that a 'Welcome to Saugerties' packet would be a good tool for the new members committee that Mery Rosado and Mark Smith have been discussing for some time. No firm plan or target date set.
- Next members meeting. Set for Thursday, April 30th at 6:30 p.m. Tentative location is Mezzaluna Café. Topics are:
o Member introductions o Guest speaker Greg Helsmoortel o Beth reports on “Discover Saugerties” brochure o Beth/Mark report on Hors'n Around Saugerties o Mark to discuss the idea of a welcome to Saugerties committee. o Michael Wardell to update the members on the “art in empty storefronts” idea/plan o Mike Campbell to update the members on the job/employee search idea/plan o Members comments Meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m. Submitted by Mike Campbell. |
