Meeting Minutes: January 27, 2012

Guest Speaker: Edward Bartholomew – Adirondack Gateway Council

Old Business

• Signage Committee has come up with proposals to have new matching signs at the entrance to all three villages with a theme of historic signs in our area. They’re meeting with Chester Supervisor Fred Monroe and with Betty Little to discuss funding. Their aim is to keep them consistent for all three towns with a possible theme of “History Lives Here”. Signs would have the name of the town with local businesses and points of interest placed at I87 exit ramps and town entrances. Adding Exit 25 to the NYS Thruway signs as an exit for Gore Mountain is also being addressed. They’re also looking into streetlight banners, which could be sponsored by businesses in the respective towns.
• It was explained that every signature we get at our meetings gives $15 an hour to the Main Street Enhancement project and the Town will match that amount.
• Farmers Market committee is gathering information and is moving forward. Becklers of Stone Bridge and Caves had planned to host a similar event in Pottersville this summer, and committee will work on coordinating the two markets. Possible Chestertown sites are in front of the Town Hall and at the barn/fields at Main Street Ice Cream Parlor.

New Business

• A suggestion was made to look into changing the speed limit to a consistent speed at the entrances (Routes 8 & 9) to the towns. Petitions need to be submitted to the Town Boards who then present to the County and State.

Guest Speaker

Mr. Bartholomew explained that the Adirondack Gateway Council is doing what our group is doing but on a larger scale. This council can provide assistance on town sewer projects and loans for new businesses through their Micro Enterprise Fund. In 2006, our area was designated a National Heritage Area through 2021 and Wayne Monthe will be looking into what this designation can do for our towns.

Meeting was adjourned at 10:00 am

Next meeting February 10, 2012 @ 9am at the Panther Mountain Inn