HomeMy WebLinkAboutVisitor Services and Information Advisory Committee Minutes January 10, 2007_201402041407584102
Minutes of Visitor Services Committee Meeting
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Land Bank Conference Room
In attendance: David Sharpe, Office Administrator, Kevin Dugan, Assistant
Administrator, Charles Balas, Chairman, Toby Greenberg, Michelle Langlois and Gene
Mahon.
David called the meeting to order at 3:07pm.
David updated the committee on the budget. There were no questions. Kevin
reported the November and December 2006 figures and also noted the 11% increase
overall in visitors from 2005 vs. 2006. The committee was advised that the Straight
Wharf kiosk was open for Christmas Stroll and that 541 visitors were served. Charles and
Michelle both noted that they were fully booked during the Stroll weekend. The total
number of visitors from 1993 – 2006 was briefly reviewed and there were no questions.
The next item on the agenda was the Christmas Lights Decorating Contest. David
reported on the number of contestants, categories, etc…It was suggested that next year a
map could be drawn pinpointing exact locations of displays. It was also suggested by
Michelle that possibly the Electric company could be added to the list of prize donors.
Restaurants/Christmas Day was the third item on the agenda. The restaurant list
for the current week was handed out and conversation took place regarding the fact that
only Stubby’s was open for Christmas Day. No regular sit down restaurant was open.
Charles stated that it would be nice to go back to when restaurants would trade off
closing dates with each other so that someone would always be open. It was noted that it
is much more difficult to have discussions regarding these items now that there is no
longer a restaurant association.
The 4th item on the agenda was the Board of Selectman presentation. David
distributed copies of the presentation given by Kate on January 3rd. Several committee
members indicated they had seen it on Plum TV Ch 22. The presentation was a
comprehensive look at Visitor Services and what we do.
Bike signage was next on the agenda. Discussion ensued regarding the fact that
this year we will attempt to replace the bike route signs with reflective signs that will be
more visible. Also the committee was advised that we hope to have some kind of “YOU
ARE HERE” signage for strategic locations around town. This signage is in the
beginning stages.
The ATM was the 6th item on the agenda. Kevin reported meeting with President
Joel Brown at Bank of America regarding the possibility of locating an ATM at the
Visitor Services building. Joel will discuss with the Bank of America corporate ATM
Department and see if they have any interest in pursuing this with us.
David reported that the Town will be updating our website in the near future. It
will be more user friendly. Gene brought up that we also need some kind of a counter to
measure the number of hits that the website receives. David also mentioned that he would
like to see a much easier to remember address than the one we currently have.
Charles suggested that the Committee brainstorm and try to come up with some
possible new members to replace the 3 open seats. Jo Godwin recently resigned. Michelle
will speak to Rick Ulmer and see if he is interested.
David asked the committee about e-mailing the packet ahead of the meeting.
Currently it is mailed out but takes anywhere from 1-4 days to be delivered. Charles
recommended that an e-mail be sent to the committee alerting them that their packets are
ready for pickup at the office, Charles and the committee reasoned that it would be a
good way to stop in the office, meet the staff and see what is going on. The committee
agreed to go ahead with this procedure.
The next meeting will be held on March 14th.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:52pm.