Archive for month: February, 2012

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Adirondack Journal: Alliance seeks to boost traffic through upcounty hamlets

February 27, 2012
27 Feb 2012

The Tri-Lakes Business Alliance is seeking to draw more traffic into the hamlets of northern Warren County to boost commerce and revitalize downtowns. Although Chestertown’s commerce particularly has been struggling in recent years, one leading example of success is Country Girl Crafts & Quilts which routinely attracts people to Chestertown for its unique offerings.

The Journal covers The Tri-Lakes Business Alliance:

http://www.adirondackjournal.com/news/2012/feb/27/alliance-seeks-boost-traffic-through-upcounty-haml/

in Media Coverage /by

Minutes | February 24, 2012

February 24, 2012
24 Feb 2012

Meeting Minutes: February 24, 2012

  • Sign Committee reported on their meetings with Fred Monroe and he has been given approval by the Town Board to write a letter to Betty Little requesting signage on Exits 25 and 26 for Gore Mountain. Because of APA regulations, only the brown and yellow information signs are allowed within the blue line, but the committee will also be working on getting our exits on the sign below Exit 17 of the Northway. The North Creek Business Alliance has offered to join forces with us on this and Monroe recommended we write to the DOT regarding signage on Route 8.
  • Tri-Lakes Business Alliance Mission Statement was presented and accepted. It will be posted on the webpage.
  • Members are still working on developing a trail system for ATV’s in our area. Permission is needed from National Grid.
  • The North Creek Chamber and North Warren Chamber will be having a mixer March 15th at the Panther Mountain Inn. Around the 1st week of June, the Centurion Bicycle Race will be passing through our area and businesses are urged to take advantage of the influx of people as family members following the cyclists will be looking for things to do.
  • The Wine Tasting Fundraiser was again discussed – date and time to be decided.
  • Chestertown Farmers’ Market: A contest was held for art students at the North Warren high school, and votes from the Chestertown Farmers’ Market’s Face Book page helped the committee choose a design drawn by Martha Torres as their logo. Martha will receive a $25 prize and the top four runners up will receive ice cream cone certificates donated by Main St. Ice Cream. Letters are being sent out to local Vendors to reserve a space at the Market and applications are also available online at www.chestertownfarmersmarket.com. Stall rates are available from $109 for the 17 week season to $69 for an 8 week commitment. This will be a “producer’s only” market and all products sold must be grown or made by the vendors themselves. Business owners and individuals are also invited to become a “Friend of the Market” by donating funds to help with advertising, insurance, signage, postage and group affiliations. Donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 257 – Chestertown, NY 12817 and more information regarding donor levels is also available on the website.
  • It was agreed that Thom Randall from the Adirondack Journal can continue to use our Meeting Minutes to report on our projects and goals.

Guest Speaker: Bethanie Baker – Aflac Agent regarding supplemental insurance for business owners.

Meeting was adjourned at 10:00 am
Next Meeting: Friday, March 9, 2012, 9am, at the Panther Mountain Inn.

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Minutes | February 10, 2012

February 10, 2012
10 Feb 2012

Meeting Minutes: February 10, 2012

Guest Speaker: Pam Morin – First Wilderness Heritage Corridor

Old Business

  • Don Butler met with DEC regarding a Town septic system and there is grant money available for this. A letter will be written to the Chester Town Board requesting them to have the town engineer draw up plans so when the monies become available, we can be toward the top of the list. It is possible for 2 or 3 smaller systems to be installed in a town, as opposed to a full scale system, but in order to be considered for grant monies, we need to have a plan on the shelf. Alliance agreed to proceed and Butler will be writing and presenting a letter to the Town Board to get this started.
  • Sign Committee met with Fred Monroe who will be speaking to Betty Little and the Dept. of Transportation regarding reducing speed limits on town entrances roads. It is not allowed for business names to be added to any town signs, but the addition of “Gas”, “Food”, and “Lodging” on the Business District sign is possible. Committee is waiting to hear back from Monroe.
  • Farmers’ Market Committee is moving forward, permission is in the works to hold a weekly Farmers’ Market on the front lawn of the Chester Town Hall every Wednesday, from 10am to 1pm, June 20th to October 10th. Requests for use of the Town Hall facilities and a request for “Start Up Funds” for the Market will be presented at the next Town Board meeting on February 14th. Letters to local businesses to become Friends of the Market by making a small donation to get the Market started with insurance, signage, advertising, etc. will be going out by March1st.
  • The Snow Cross at Green Mansions will be held March 10th – 11th, weather permitting. People from the entire northeast attend these events, and there are currently over 100 people committed to racing at Green Mansions. Ron Walker is working with the North Warren and Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce to get the word out, as well as town supervisors. Flyer is attached.
  • Tom Hill, president of the Northern Warren Trailblazers, explained that the snowmobile trail system in our area is not conducive to ATV trails during the summer months as a majority of the trails are on National Grid property and/or State Land, neither which allow ATVs on their property.
  • Fund Raisers – Wine Tasting: Members are contacting local people and wine distributors to assist in setting up these venues. The Panther Mountain Inn, Suzie Q’s and Green Mansions have offered their venues, and Adirondack Moonshine has offered expertise & resources. Outline attached. Date(s) will be set at the next TLBA meeting.

New Business

  • Summer Fest will be weekend of July 7th and the NW Chamber of Commerce needs volunteers. Interested parties should contact the Chamber.
  • A Mission Statement for the TLBA has been developed and will be presented at the next meeting for a vote. Current proposal:” To improve the quality of life and promote economic prosperity in Northern Warren County through enhanced infrastructure, expanded tourism, and beautification of our economic centers.”

Guest Speaker

Pam Morin from the First Wilderness Heritage Corridor assists with Event Facilitation and expressed her willingness to assist our group. Concentration of the Corridor is for communities along the Hudson River, and as Chestertown is 4.7 miles from the Riparius train station, we are eligible for project assistance. As tourism railroads are sustainable only if they are developed as one component of a larger tourism experience, drawing on the smaller scale attractions of an area, the goals of our organization are in line with the First Wilderness Heritage Corridor’s mission.

Meeting was adjourned at 10:00 am

Next meeting February 24, 2012 @ 9am at the Panther Mountain Inn.

in Meeting Minutes /by

Tri-Lakes News Updates