September 30, 2008

Saugerties Area Chamber of Commerce Membership Meeting

Mike Saporito

Eleanor Ryan

Evan Lake

Lisa Burger

Nancy Campbell

Greg Helsmoortel

Blanca Aponte

John Eickman

Bob Yerrick

Carol Ricken

Mark Smith

Bon Cranston

Miriam Adams

Mery Rosatto

Mark Smith

Mike Campbell

Mike Campbell kicked off the meeting and introduced Greg Helsmoortel

Kings highway will occur in 2009

Monies from state and feds have been secured

We are being held up by “cherts’ (arrowheads) Archeology has to be done in order to search for pieces of the “cherts

Winston Farm

Empire State Dev, Cong Hinchey, HV Economic Dev Corp, Sen. Lopez

Winston Farm is in the running as 1 of 9 in UC for high tech “green: field site.

Greg announced that IBM will be increasing their Fishkill site and they are looking for additional space for Nano project. 

Sign law has been on the books for about 10-15 years however it was never enforced.  We are trying to prepare the community.  Communities are judged by their gateway.

Mike Campbell introduced Mayor Bob Yerrick

Traffic

Mike Campbell attended a meeting in Syracuse regarding strategies for Truck traffic

Charles Schuman and Gov Patterson are spearheading a project which originated in Skaneateles, NY to eliminate large truck traffic.

Mayor Yerrick wrote a letter to Charles Schuman and asked that we be a part of this project.

NYS has identified 35 truck shortcut routes (9w, 212, 32) are a part of the routes that have been identified

Goal is to have plans in place by next year

Blanca suggested that the speed limit should be lowered on Rt 32 by the Thruway. Mike suggested that this issue be taken to Jeremy Kane as he is the town representative

Mayor Yerrick passed legislation this year where they were going to pass legislation to increase Thruway fees.  Mayor Yerrick did bring this to the attention of the Gov. because this was a deterant for truck to stay on the thruway

Enforcement

NYSDOT did step up and admit that they would need to place more emphasis on enforcement.

Development of the Cantine Property on Partition Street

John Eichman reported that we still have not submitted to the planning board,

Dennis Larios is looking at Storm water treatment

Traffic study has been started in order to evaluate traffic

The project is moving forward

Parking is a top priority and part of the overall plan does include parking

Construction

2, 5 10 year plan

Village is replacing 10,000 linear feet of water line on 9 streets 3.5 mill.  This will occur over the next 3 years

Addressing slope sliding that occurred on Post St as a result of construction

The slope has been monitored for 12 years.  The job is estimated to cost 1million plus dollars and is a part of this project.

Some of the lines are 116 years old and perhaps made of wood.

The town and the Village work very closely on all projects

Coming into the gateway from the Saugerties area, we have a problem with the wall near Trinity Church.  The wall is collapsing.  Mayor Yerrick has requested assistance form the state.  The problem has existed for 35 years and was classified as urgent.  500,000 grant

Congressman Hinchey provided 2 million dollars for the street scape project.

Health Department requirements

Run off water is running into the water treatment plant.

The community is responsible for separating sewer and storm water.  This effort is ongoing.

State is going to repave from Barclay Heights to the Village past Seamon Park

Pavers will be placed in the business district in Saugerties

Sewer system that we have to day is adequate to accommodate existing.  We are at about 50% capacity.

Hors N Around Saugerties

Nancy Campbell and John Eichmann

John Eichmann introduced the project

Carousel hors project where horses will be displayed and auctioned off.  Proceeds will go to local charities.

We will ask businesses to sponsor horses.  Cost includes cost of horse, artist fees, etc

We will start with 25 horses.  The Goal is 50 horses.

The horses will be located within the village (Main and Partition)

Chamber did apply for a grant for banners announcing the quadricenttenial.  The banners will be located at the gateways of Saugerties.

Ulster County tourism is 100% behind this project.

Ulster County tourism is moving towards several ideas to promote the quadricentennial.  Green County tourism has a budget of 800,000, Dutchess has 800,000   Ulster County has a 400,000 budget.

Ulster County Tourism has committed to this project.  Public art is a draw.

John Eichman has asked for the assistance form the chamber.  Mike Campbell reported that the chamber is behind the project.  Chamber board members have been

Financial update

Bob Cranston report that we have about $13,000

Announcements

Saugerties Flea Market

Call for Pictures

Fue Plan Last day

Gas Plan Bob Cranston

Last Day for Health Insurance

Garlic Festival Chamber booth

Thanks to all that volunteered to man the booth.