HomeMy WebLinkAboutVisitor Services and Information Advisory Committee Minutes October 20, 2011_201402041408032384Minutes of Visitor Services Advisory Committee
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Land Bank Conference Room
In attendance: Kate Hamilton, Director, David Sharpe, Office Administrator,
Gene Mahon, Chairman, Diane Reis-Flaherty, Louise Swift and Wendy McRae
Absent: Charles Balas and David Larivee
Gene called the meeting to order at 3:06pm
The first item on the agenda was the Visitor Services Update. David reported the
statistics for September. Louise Swift inquired about the fall tour groups. The committee
discussed their annual arrival and impact on the office and island in general.
The Budget was the second item on the agenda. Kate reported that the she has
been given an estimate of her FY13 budget from the Finance Department. The Town is
cutting the department budget 8% from FY12. The operating budget is only $70,400
compared to $79,550. Neither figure includes the Park and Rec line items that have been placed in the budgets. Kate also reported that she has e-mailed Finance to ask for
clarification, but has not heard back. Kate also noted that the advance figures for the
rooms tax are going up. She added that the Town is not giving the full 30% of the 4%
local tax for the Visitor Services budget.
Kate also reported that she has asked Human Resources to clarify the 15 week/ 30 day off rule that has been enforced on the staff for the last few years. HR has reported
that they are seeking a legal opinion from Town Counsel.
Kate reported that she had a meeting with Town manager Libby Gibson and
Assistant Town Manager Gregg Tivnan recently. Kate was asked to compile a report
comparing the activities of Visitor Services and the Chamber of Commerce.
The Office Update was the next item on the agenda. Kate reported that people are
still coming in and the office is open 7 days a week until Christmas Stroll in early
December.
The 4th item on the agenda was the Fireworks and Tee-Shirt update. Kate
reported to the committee that about 450 shirts have been sold out of 500. The office has
taken in $5,200. Jane Roche sold the most T-Shirts.
Kate reported that the 2012 Fourth of July Fireworks will be going out to bid
shortly. 2012 will be the 20th year that Kate has been producing the fireworks.
The Travel and Lodging brochure was the 5th item on the agenda. Kate showed
the committee the cover. She noted that Main Street has been selected by the American
Planning Association as one of the top 10 Main Streets in the United States. That will be
highlighted in the T&L. A Quick Response (QR) code which lets smart phones go directly to a website, will be placed on the back cover. Kate will send out a press release
to let people know of that.
Best Main Street was the next item on the agenda. Kate reported that on October
8, 2011, the American Planning Association announced Nantucket was one of the top 10
Main Streets in America. The ceremony was held outside the Pacific Bank. Kate showed the committee the program that Barbara Gookin put together.
The 7th item on the agenda was Restaurant Week. Kate reported that the event
was cut back to 4 days from 7 days and people were discouraged. Kate showed the
committee a postcard from a Cape Cod Restaurant Week. There was very little promotion for Nantucket.
The Seafest or Maritime Festival was the next item on the agenda. Kate reported
that it was held on Saturday, October 1st at Children’s Beach. It was successful. Kate
added that the following weekend, Columbus Day was busy as well and that the NRTA made a special stop on Milestone Road for the Cranberry Festival on October 8.
New Business was the final item on the agenda. Kate reported to the committee
that she is looking at ADA compatible portable/ restrooms that could be placed at Cisco
beach. Gene Asked Kate to look into the cost. Kate reported that telephone calls for Christmas Stroll are down. Kate brought up
the importance of the food tent. Diane Flaherty confirmed that Kate made a suggestion
some time ago to offer it to non-profits. The Chamber is now going forward with that
and there will be about 15 non-profit groups serving food this year.
David reminded the committee that they will be meeting next month at the Public Safety Facility at 4 Fairgrounds Road at 4:00pm on Thursday, November 10.
Gene adjourned the meeting at 4:00pm