HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-01-31
Beach Management Advisory Committee
Land Bank Conference Room
31 January 2008
4:00 pm
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Members Present: Maureen Beck, Chair, Tom Dickson, Edie Ray, Colin Leddy
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Guest Present: Kate Hamilton, Visitors' Services Director
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Mrs. Beck declared a quorum at 4:10 pm. Mr. Leddy asked to delay approval of the Minutes ~24
January until after Ms. Hamilton's remarks.
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Ms. Hamilton began with the statement that she had Googled Nantucket Beaches to discover what
websites were already available to the public. She had great difficulty finding this topic on Town
websites until she thought of checking the Marine Department where she found a brief description of
some of the Beach Management regulations. Nor did she find any maps of the beaches, which had been
reported as included on the website. Therefore, her first recommendation to the Committee was to
draw up a more comprehensive website devoted only to the beaches and not just a small piece of the
Marine website.
The new site should begin with a tagline such as "Nantucket Beaches: An Island Treasure." A Mission
Statement of BMAC should follow that. Both should be used at the beginning of every press release or
public announcement in order to reinforce the information. A list of the beaches and a map of their
locations should be included as well as the ten most commonly asked questions about beaches. The
website should be thought of as a one-stop shopping source of information for people to find easily.
Once these ideas are in place, BMAC could present them to Libby for approval to develop the Website
and TV particulars further.
Mrs. Ray stated that the Beach Manager should really be revamping the website and also suggesting
specific ideas in a letter to Libby. Ms. Hamilton asked that the letter communicate to Libby how the
Beach Manager would promote the ideas in press releases. When talking to the press, one must be
willing to envision images to carry the impact of the text accompanying them. Talk with Plum right away
to find out how they like to set up visuals and text. The ticker at the bottom of the screen is free.
Mrs. Ray stated that she envisions for TV a travelogue type of narrative with pictures describing a
comfortable trip to the beaches. It would include regulations and information. Mrs. Hamilton
suggested BMAC indicate this TV concept to Libby and then set up an appointment with the Beach
Manager and Kate Brosnan at Plum to discuss possibilities. Remember to consider what BMAC can do
for Plum in return for their TV time. Mr. Leddy also remarked that there needs to be two TV messages,
one for the summer and one for the off-season, because residents, especially young people who trash
the beaches, need information as well as visitors. Mrs. Ray and Mr. Dickson concurred.
Ms. Hamilton asked if BMAC had funds to carry out its program of outreach to the public. No, replied
Mrs. Beck, but she thought she might be able to get some funds from Footprints Only to help with the
cost.
Ms. Hamilton pictured a TV image with two people on a beach with no talking, just the sound of the
ocean. Some bullet points about the beach would be displayed on the image. She repeated her
suggestion to talk to Libby about BMAC's ideas, get permission to discuss them with Kate Brosnan, and
find out what Plum could do to realize the message. She emphasized that memorable campaigns were
unique ones. Keep the message simple and keep it updated. Linda Rhodes, the Town's coordinator for
websites, will be helpful.
Mrs. Ray suggested that all the members begin to look up websites for towns which have beach sites
similar to Nantucket's to see what they advertise. Mr. Dickson stated that 95% of the people respect the
regulations. Mr. Leddy referred to the repeat offenders who litter even in the winter. Mrs. Beck
reminded the meeting that going to the beach is more complicated now with many accessories for
entertainment and family needs brought along for the trip.
Ms. Hamilton urged the members to be aware of the need for using other languages in public
announcements and signage. Mrs. Ray will call attention to beach regulation signs in the ESL classes.
Ms. Hamilton offered to help with any future developments in the plan. The members agreed to take
on parts of her recommendations during the next month:
They will look at websites for other similar beach locations and make notes on fixing
Nantucket's website regarding beaches.
They will consider possible taglines to introduce a message.
They will make a list of pictures which would attract viewers.
They will think of short messages for tickers.
Mr. Dickson will talk to Kate Brosnan about TV possibilities.
They will consider links to other Town websites.
The members will meet again on February 28 and March 6 to share their research and develop a
promotional scheme. Mr. Dickson will be in charge of reminders about the meetings.
The Minutes of January 24 were reviewed and approved. Mrs. Beck hopes to get today's Minutes
quickly to the members and would like any corrections to reach her by February 6 after which she will
deliver them to the Town Clerk before she leaves for the rest of the month.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:10 pm.
Respectfully submitted, with notes from Edie Ray,
Maureen Beck, Chair