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 20^th to October 10^th. 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 14^th. 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 10^th – 11^th, 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 7^th 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.