TOWN OF FARMINGTON
DOWNTOWN & BUSINESS COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, May 28, 2009
356 Main Street, Farmington
Members Present: JoAnn Doke, Jeannette Colpitt, John Fitch, Ann Titus, Richard Stanley, Cindy Snowdon and Deb Scanlon.
Selectman's Rep: Joan Funk (absent)
Chairman JoAnn Doke meeting to order at 6:06pm.
1. Review of Minutes:
Ann Titus motioned to accept the 5-25-09 minutes as presented, 2nd Rich Stanley. Motion carried with Deb Scanlon, Jeanette Colpitt and John Fitch abstaining.
2. Social and/or Promos for Downtown:
A. JoAnn stated that she has been speaking to some of the downtown business owners and they are in a “funk” and questioned if the committee had any ideas on how to help them. John mentioned that the bushes by the Municipal Parking lot are dead and they need to be removed and it would be nice it people could see the parking lot sign from both directions. JoAnn stated that she would forward a letter to the Selectmen concerning this.
Deb showed an example of a passport booklet she has used in the past to promote businesses. Residents would visit the businesses with their passport booklet and obtain a stamp and then once the passport is full they would turn it in to be part of a drawing. Jeanette volunteered to create a draft passport for the Town.
The Committee also discussed that there are parking issues downtown that also deter people from utilizing businesses downtown. Then they decided to hold another business owners’ social on June 24th from 5-7pm in the Women’s Club room in the Library. JoAnn will create invitations and John will pass them out. They also discussed that a door prize would be a good idea and that the Social should be advertised on Channel 26.
3. Old Business:
A. The May 11th Ribbon cutting was completed.
B. JoAnn reminded the Committee that the decals still need to be resolved. Cindy explained that Bill delivered the decals to her and that they melted in her vehicle so therefore she will reimburse the committee for the cost of those decals. JoAnn will calculate the cost and forward the amount to Cindy.
C. It was decided that the Committee would run an ad in the Puddledock Press that says “Shop Local” and JoAnn will contact Terry Mills of the Rochester Times to see if she will put in a plug also.
D. Rich Stanley explained that he spoke with NHDOT about the visitor service signs and was told that in order for the Town to install them the current “Business District” sign would need to be removed by a request of the Selectmen. He also stated that the “Gas, Food, Shopping” signs are not that expensive and there are grants available for their purchase. Rich will draft a letter to the Selectmen explaining this matter and requesting their support to change the signs.
Ann Titus motioned to adjourn at 7:03pm, 2nd Rich Stanley. Motion carried with all in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brandy Sanger Recording Secretary
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