Meeting Minutes: May 4, 2012

• The recent Wine Social was a success and $950 was netted for the Alliance. Special thanks to Bill Brannigan of Adirondack Moonshine and all who donated and attended.
• Sign Committee reported that The Town of Chester still hasn’t addressed our request for new Welcome to Chestertown and Welcome to Pottersville signs for the entrances to the respective villages. As summer is quickly approaching we’d like to move forward with this so they would be in place for the upcoming season.
• Samples were shown for the Town Banners that will be presented to the Town of Chester Board for approval at their next meeting. There will be 6 to 8 designs depicting local recreational activities (biking, water skiing, fishing, snowmobiling, etc) with “Welcome to Chestertown” ~ “Pottersville” ~ “Brant Lake” or “Adirondack” on the top and the business name of the sponsor on the bottom. Photos were provided by Brandon Himoff of Jimbos/Point of Pines and Garnet Signs. The banners will measure 2×5 and will be hung on the power poles in the respective towns. There will be 10 new town lights installed in Chestertown this year, and they will also come outfitted with the banner holders. Upon Town Board approval, letters will be sent out to local businesses, and anyone interested in purchasing a banner will have the opportunity to pick the photo they’d like. 5-6 banners of each design will be offered at a first come, first serve basis, and cost to the sponsor will be approximately $125. The banners will be similar to what North Creek and Glens Falls currently display.
• Designs were presented by Brandon Himoff for a Tri-Lakes Business Alliance logo and letterhead (see attached). A final vote on this will be held at the next meeting.
• A preliminary nomination for officers was discussed and a formal vote will take also take place at the next meeting. A volunteer for Treasurer is needed, so if interested, please try to attend or make your interest known to a member of the Alliance.

Meeting was adjourned at 10am.
Next meeting: Friday, May 18, 2012 ~ 9am ~ at the Panther Mountain Inn.

Meeting Minutes: April 6, 2012

• Attorney Rob Simon explained the different corporations that can be formed for a group such as ours. The 501-C6 seems like the best option although contributions taken in will not be considered tax deductable with this corporation. Rob would do the paperwork pro-bono and the only expenses will be for State filing fees. A Board of Directors, etc. would have to be formed. Another option is for the Town of Chester to set up a fund for us and the Tri-Lakes Business Alliance could be a subset of the Town and covered under their entity. More research will be done on this.
• The Wine Social will be at the Panther Mountain Inn on Monday, April 23, 2012. Bill Brannagan of Adirondack Moonshine will be donating wine and the Panther Mt. Inn will donate finger food & wine for the event. Cost will be $20 per person at the door. A 50/50 raffle will be held and any gift certificates or baskets donated to be raffled off would be greatly appreciated. All proceeds will go to the Tri-Lakes Business Alliance.
• Brandon Himoff got in touch with a good contact person at the Grand Union Family Markets and will keep us apprised of upcoming developments with the store in Chestertown.
• A letter will be presented to the Chester Town Board regarding the painting of the benches put out in town by local artists for this coming season.
• Town Banners: Garnet signs will be providing sample banners representing the activities our area offers (boating, fishing, skiing, biking, etc) and approval for these banners to be purchased by local businesses and hung on the Town flag poles will be presented at the next Town Board Meeting. Horicon has said they all ready have banners so approval from them will not be sought at this time.
• Ron Walker of Green Mansions has volunteered his golf course for a fund raising tournament for the Alliance. Planning and dates for this event to follow.
• It was suggested that the Alliance set up a booth or table at the Chestertown Summer Fest and Horicon Day to promote more exposure for the group and to aid in future fundraising efforts, etc. Volunteers will be needed to organize and attend these events.

Meeting was adjourned at 10am.
Next meeting: Friday, April 20, 2012 ~ 9am ~ at the Panther Mountain Inn.

Meeting Minutes: March 9, 2012

• The idea of having local artists paint the benches that are put out in Chestertown each summer was discussed and John Holman, owner of the Art in Chestertown Gallery, will be contacting local artists regarding this. Year round town banners in all three towns was also discussed and the group will be presenting the idea to the Town Boards for approval. The banners would be sponsored by local businesses and if approved by the town, designs will be submitted for review and letters sent out for sponsorships.
• The sign committee continues to work with Fred Monroe and Betty Little on additional Northway signage and the one hour parking signs in front of the old health center are being asked to be removed as they’re no longer needed and they affect surrounding businesses. The town will also be cutting back trees and shrubbery that is currently covering some of the current informational signs.
• The alliance will be submitting a letter to the town requesting additional lighting at the Route 8 and Schroon River Road intersection.
• There will be a mixer with the North Warren Chamber of Commerce and the North Creek Chamber at the Panther Mt. Inn on March 15^th with live music and door prizes. All are encouraged to attend.
• With the new Price Chopper coming to Warrensburg, there is concern about the Chestertown Grand Union closing and leaving a void in the community. Loss of jobs and convenience would result from this and ideas are needed for a solution.
• Suggestions for taking advantage of the influx of people the Americade and the Warrensburg Garage Sale bring into the area were discussed and hopefully events can be coordinated by our towns to tie into these busy weekends.
• There will be an Economic Development Conference on April 10, 2012 at the Tannery Pond Community Center in North Creek with representatives from key State and local economic development programs.
• Chestertown Farmers Market is off to a successful start with vendor applications and Friends of the Market donations coming in. Garnet Signs has offered to make the signs for the Market at a considerable discount, andHawazin Harijan will be the Entertainment Coordinator for the Market and will provide the musicians, schedule and sound system. A stipend of $50 will be paid to musicians on the day they perform, and musicians can place a tip bucket. There will also be a couple amateur days with students from the school. Anyone interested in participating can contact Hawazin at [email protected] .
• There are some great ideas coming from this Alliance, but more people are needed to volunteer their time and work on committees, write letters and attend Town Meetings. Please pass the word.

Meeting was adjourned at 10am.
Next meeting: Friday, March 23, 2012 ~ 9am ~ at the Panther Mountain Inn.