Meeting Minutes: October 19, 2012

• Rob Simon has our legal papers drawn up and should be ready by Wednesday when President and Treasurer will open a checking account, etc.
• We need to write a letter of request to the Town for a street light at the Crossroads intersection and will submit it to the Town Board.
• Rotary Club Memory Tree Lighting – November 22^nd. The “Tree” was initiated last year in an effort to develop a sense of community in Chestertown as well as be a focal point for people to remember and acknowledge those folks that had made, or continue to make, a positive impact on their lives. A by-product of this effort was to raise funds that could be used to help people in the community address difficult times that they might face. Funds that are raised are used to assist in the support efforts of the community and is distributed to the food pantries of Chestertown and Horicon, it helps provide heating assistance to people that need a little help and it goes to other things as required. Last year over 392 people represented on the “tree” with names coming from as far away as the South Pole. Submissions were received from Michigan, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Florida and Ontario, Canada. This year they hope to double that result and be able to light the tree with 800 people being represented by these lights that will be illuminated throughout the 2012 Holiday Season.
• TASTE OF THE TRI-LAKES: The Alliance will be sponsoring a Taste of the Tri-Lakes event the night of the Memory Tree Lighting as a fund raiser for the Alliance. A committee was formed and letters will be prepared and sent out to all local restaurants to promote this event which will be held in the Panther Mountain Inn parking lot and upstairs lobby. We will be providing a small bonfire and “smore fixings” for the children, and hopefully all the restaurants in our Tri-Lake area will participate in this community event.
• The Enhancement Committee has extra strings of Christmas lights for any businesses in need of them – contact Mary Jane Dower.
• Kathy Varney of Creating Healthy Places (Glens Falls Hospital) presented a request for us to ask the Chester Town Board to adopt a complete resolution for “Complete Streets” which will make “roadways that enable safe and convenient access for all users, including bicyclist, pedestrians, children, person with disabilities, motorists, users of public transportation and seniors.” Motion was approved to submit proposed resolution to the board.
• The orange grates are still up on Main Street and a call will be made to the DOT to address this prolonged, unsightly situation.
• Tin Teepee held their Toys for Tots ATV ride last weekend and $1000 was raised for the organization. 43 riders participated and we would like to expand on this event next year by expanding the trail system into the towns.
• Work should be commencing on the Old Ford Building on 10/29/12 with expected completion by 11/9/12. This will include asbestos removal and destruction of the building. The Town is working out legal issues with the bankruptcy court regarding equipment in the building to be removed before demolition. Jupiter Environmental Services of Albany will be doing the work.
• Matt Doheny running for Congressman in our District spoke and answered questions from the audience.

Meeting was adjourned at 10:00 am.
Next meeting: Friday, November 2, 2012 ~ 9am ~ at the Panther Mountain Inn.

Meeting Minutes: September 7, 2012

• A letter was presented to the group regarding the recent paving on Main Street in Chestertown. Although it looks great, a letter is being sent to the DOT regarding future timing of such work (preferably not during July and August) and asking them to correct the drainage grates along the side of the road so they are not as deep and bicycle tires do not get stuck in them.
• Another letter was presented regarding the old Ford Building on Pine Street as the town of Chester has a $45,000 bond resolution for this problem. $5,000 went toward an engineer study which has been completed and we were told the building would be demolished within 3 or 4 weeks. What will happen to the property after that is still unknown, as the Town would like it to be put back on the tax rolls, but ground fuel leakage makes it a property no one wants to deal with. There were suggestions for a town parking lot to service the new businesses in the north end of town, as well as help with off street parking during snow storms.
• Committee is still working on the brochures they designed (promoting Chestertown and Horicon) that will be distributed in the Malta/Global Foundries area and prices for printing were discussed and are being researched.
• Car Hop to be held Friday – September 14th – Panther Mountain Inn at 6PM with a Cruise thru Town scheduled for 8:30 (dusk). There will be live music by the Milayne Jackson Trio afterwards and a 50/50 raffle will be held to benefit the Tri-Lakes Business Alliance. Last car hop, Railroads on Parade, Brant Lake Taxi and the Panther Mountain Inn donated prizes, and any business who would like to give a small donation for trophies and other prizes for the September 14th show will be appreciated. Contact Don Butler at #494-2401.
• The Main Street Garage Sale to be held September 29th & 30th (to coincide with the Warrensburg Garage Sale) is moving forward with Glens Falls National Bank giving us permission to set up private families and vendors in both of their parking lots. Signs will be available thru the Alliance to put up on lawns, and we will have advertising on the roads coming into town. This event will be free to anyone who would like to participate, and we are encouraging homeowners who are thinking of having a garage sale to do it on this weekend, as well as school classes and scout troops who could set up food booths, etc. For further information, please contact Debra Eves at #494-5762.
• The Pug Parade will be held at Dynamite Hill on Sunday, October 14th. In the past, 150 – 200 people attend this event, and a push to bring some of these people into town to shop and eat afterward is needed. An Oktoberfest and/or Chili Cook Off were suggested, and the Chamber will be passing out flyers to all registrants with a list of restaurants and businesses that will be open that day. If you would like you establishment listed on the flyer, please email [email protected] as soon as possible with the hours you will be open that day and any specials, etc. you would like the public to be aware of.
• Tri-Lakes Business Alliance has a new FaceBook page so please “Like” it so we get more exposure!

Meeting was adjourned at 10:10 am.

Next meeting: Friday, September 21, 2012 ~ 9am ~ at the Panther Mountain Inn.

Meeting Minutes: June 29, 2012

• The Horicon Zoning Meeting is Thursday, July 12^th, and all Horicon business owners are urged to attend. The proposed zoning changes are not favorable to business expansion in the town, as they are re-writing the zoning and subdivision ordinances. Meeting minutes from May are attached for your review and your support on the 12^th will be appreciated.
• Chestertown Farmers Market was a huge success… over 260 people walked through the gates opening day and over 270 on the second day… Vendors ran out of product and were very happy; especially when we explained to them our population will quadruple next week and throughout the summer. There are currently 10 vendors and 2 or 3 more have signed up so the committee accomplished their goal of “bringing people into downtown”. Thank you again to all who donated time and money to make this a success!
• Signage: Commmitte went back to Fred Monroe and we have the OK to work on the Forrest Jones Christmas tree signs. Project is moving forward.
• Town Banners: orders are in and we’re waiting for Garnet Signs to get them completed, hopefully by the Summerfest and Veterans Dedication on Wednesday, July 4^th. We have a contact with the town so hopefully when they’re ready, the town will get them hung asap.
• Don Butler is working on a Car Show to be held this summer at the Chester Commons (Rite Aid).
• Information brochures to be distributed at Global Foundries is still in the works and nearing completion. More photos are needed of Dynamite Hill activities, etc. so if anyone has any great shots to share send them on!
• Green Mansions has volunteered the golf course and their establishment for another fund raiser for the Tri-Lakes Alliance this summer. Volunteers are needed to make this happen.
• Adirondack Stairs will be going into the old Jansers building on Rte 9 and The Bullhouse (a steak house!) will be opening in the Remington Building across the street, both being a needed addition to this part of town. Congratulations and good luck to you both!

Meeting was adjoined at 9:45
Next meeting: July 13, 2012 @ The Panther Mountain Inn.