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MINUTES TEMPLATE 2013 BIG 20 PIS 2 34
NANTIJCKET TOWN CLERK
COMMITTEE: Visitor Services Advisory Committee Time Meeting called to Order:_3:OSpm_
MEETING DATE: July 23, 2013_ Time Meeting Adjourned: _4:02pm
MEMBERS PRESENT: Kate Hamilton, Director, David Sharpe, Administrator, Bevin Bixby, David Larivee,
Gene Mahon, Wendy MccRae, Phil Read and Louise Swift.
REMOTE:
MEMBERS ABSENT: Diane Reis - Flaherty
AGENDA ITEM DISCUSSION
VOTES / ROLL CALL
1 Chairman's Report Gene Mahon welcomed new committee member Bevin Bixby to the board.
2 Election of Officers Phil Read was unanimously elected Chairman for the 2013 -14 term 6 yes. 0 no
Wendy MccRae was unanimously voted Vice -Chairman for the 2013 -14 term 6 yes. 0 no
Kate thanked Gene for his service as Chairman. Phil added that Gene's knowledge is invaluable.
3 Approval of June Minutes None 6 yes. 0 no
4 Visitor Services Update David Sharpe read the office statistics for June and July 4th. Bevin asked for
clarification on what placements meant. Phil noted that although the numbers are down. That is misleading. The
lodging owners don't always call back with their placements. Gene noted that he would like to include the
figures in Mahon About Town, but can't due to the lower figures. Kate reported that over the last 20 years, over
1.5 million people have come into Visitor Services. Kate added that the rooms tax has gone back up with the new
hotels coming back on line. 76 Main Street and Nesbitt Inn will reopen after major renovations.
5 Fourth of July Kate reported that it was a big success. She had amazing help from a lot of people. Kate
noted that Libby Gibson and Gregg Tivnan gave kudos to the staff. Kate noted that she was given the go ahead
only 6 weeks before and in that time a lot of work was put into the production. Many supplies were bought. Kate
thanked David Larivee for helping on Main Street on July 4th. The DPW also stepped up to help with set up and
break down on Main Street. Jack Gardner helped to put on the games at Children's Beach on July 4th. Kate
reported that the fireworks were cancelled on Thursday July 4th at 8:45pm because of fog but were shot off the
next night. Kate acknowledged that Patrick Dugan and Copper Veysey helped get the word out for the whole day
with a Twitter campaign. Kate added that Laura Gallagher -Byrne is already booked next year to sing the National
Anthem. Kate was happy with everything.
6 Children's Beach Kate reported that Patrick Dugan the Children's Beach Coordinator has been an amazing
hire to help facilitate all the activities. There might be a possibility of hiring a 2nd seasonal coordinator for next
year. Kate showed the committee the Children's Beach brochure. Checkers and kickball have been added this
year. Kate noted that Patrick and Cooper will be doing a TV spot for Children's Beach similar to the one they
filmed for July 4th. They will also be interviewed live this Friday on WACK 97.7fm.
7 Bathrooms Kate reported that the bathrooms have been a disaster again. The DPW was supposed to take
them over, but the transition has not run smoothly. She had to work with Diane to fire the contractor and her
office still handles all the complaints. This maybe primarily due to the lowest bidder problem and also the
bathrooms cannot handle the overwhelming usage on days like July 4th. Kate added that there needs to be more
public bathrooms downtown.
8 New Year's Eve Kate reported that she has had her first meeting this year to plan. The Nantucket
Historical Association is on board again with helping. The Nantucket New Years website is up and running.
9 Cisco Vans Kate reported that a jitney van to and from Cisco brewery from 25 Federal has worked out very
well. It seems to have an impact on how many cars are parking on the road outside the brewery. Kate noted that
having the van stop outside brings more people into the office.
10 Steamship letter Kate reported that she was asked by Nantucket hotel owner, Mark Snider to help write a
letter to the Steamship Authority asking for extra boat service between Thanksgiving and Christmas Stroll.
11 New Business Wendy asked Bevin to introduce herself. Bevin explained that she works at Swain's Travel
and enjoys talking to people. Besides the travel part, Swains has a secondary business called the
Best of Nantucket which helps people register for weddings and set up blocks of hotel rooms.
The committee discussed scheduling future meetings. Traditionally the committee meets the third
Thursday of the month. It was decided that for now, the meetings will be scheduled for the 2nd Tuesday at 3pm.
Wendy asked about the status of the possible Visitor Services Chamber merger proposal. Phil read a copy
of a letter from ACKTown's Rich Turer. Rich cites a strategic plan in Aspen, Colorado. Phil noted that it may work
somewhere else, but for now, it was tabled by the Board of Selectmen and will be brought back for discussion at a
later date. Phil explained that as chairman, he wants to be a part of that decision making. Phil further explained
that he did not come back onto the committee to be chairman. He read the article last spring in the newspaper
and decided to rejoin the committee. Phil noted that he wants to work with consensus and hopes that the
committee will be honest with each other and to him. Phil then read the revised wording from Article 46 from this
years Annual Town Meeting. He added that he wants to provide a written report from the committee to give to
Town Administration. Phil added that he will need input and ideas from committee members. There needs to be a
special meeting in the fall to write this report. Kate added that in the report there should be a proposal to add or
improve restrooms. A suggestion could be to put ones in to the old police station should it be renovated. Phil
reminded the committee that as chairman he would like to keep the meetings to one hour, keep to the agenda
and be creatively thinking about the Tourism industry.
The next Visitor Services Advisory Committee meeting will be on Tuesday, August 13 at 3pm.
List of Documents or Exhibits used at the meeting:
Minutes from June 13 meeting
June Statistics
Fourth of July Statistics
Children's Beach brochure
Steamship Authority Letter
Signature
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