Summer Residents Association
Board of Directors meeting
Monday July 2nd 2012
Those present: Hamilton Clark, Kathe Gates McCoy, Charlie Merriman, Andy Pew, Tony Robinson, Lanie Lincoln, Jan Russell, Don Graves, Leslie Fogg, Jamie Clark, Temple Grassi, Rick Wheeler, Callie Brauer
Ham Clark called the Board of Directors meeting of the SRA to order at 8:35. He welcomed everyone and announced the open meeting will be held on July 12th at the Neighborhood House at 4:00. At that meeting he will review for the membership, the results of the ULI TAP meetings. Under old business, Ham reported that the Land Use issue in Seal Harbor was turned down.
Charlie Merriman, then gave his report as the Treasurer. We operated at a $1700 loss last year, but had positive cash flow due to contributions and dues from members. Through the first 6 months, we had $3600 in expenses and collected $4800 in dues. We also had some expenses with TAP, but were able to cover it with proceeds from the Vanguard account. The current bank balance is $5,625.72 along with $83,000 in the Vanguard and Wellington accounts. Our approximate total capital is $88,600.00. We had a $7,000 gain in the Wellington fund in the first quarter, so that covered the cost of the TAP expenses. For some historical prospective, we had 359 paid members in 2011, 366 in 2010, 399 in 2009. Currently our collections are going slowly. Last year collected $15,000 about half of which is
gifts.
Membership Committee, now split from the Treasurers job, Lanie Lincoln gave report. She announced that Deb DeJulia is the Administrative Assistant who sends out the dues notices. Lanie is planning to meet with her next week and provide a job description in writing.
The tricky issue was revisited as to when a summer resident becomes a year round resident of the Town. We need to confirm the status through the By-Laws. Lanie remembers that those, whose status changes, must request membership through the Board but will check on this. It was suggested that a notice be posted at local clubs in NEH and Seal Harbor about the SRA to encourage membership and educate summer residents on the existence of the SRA. It was suggested a second membership notice go out to encourage participation.
Jan Russell gave the Nominating Committee report. She confirmed that typically a Board member serves two three-year terms. There will be one person rotating off this year, so will need suggestions on new members. It was suggested we encourage more Seal Harbor members. Jan solicited suggestions for future Board members including those who might not be ready this year. Jan would then circulate the list for Board members to comment and help narrow the list for nominations at the August meeting. It was suggested that Ham announce at the next meeting that parents encourage their children to belong particularly in cases where homes have passed on to the next generation.
We then had a discussion of the ULI TAP report. Ham handed out the power point presentation with the list of participants, guidelines and questions they were asked to address. There was a site visit and walk around town. There is a list of residents interviewed. Parker Brown presented a history of businesses on MDI. There were three sets of interviews conducted: one focused on business owners, one on realtors and one focused on people who are in a position to hire people and provide affordable housing. Nat Fenton was also involved. The subjects identified to discuss were assets of the Town, challenges, and interventions.
We want more activity in the town but don’t want our town to turn into another Bar Harbor. We need to address the fact that activity must continue in the winter. It was suggested putting some of the activities at the Neighborhood House outside (fencing) or bring actors from the Repertory Theater to the Thursday evening on Main St activity. We should send these suggestions to Sam Shaw who organizes the Thursday evening events on Main Street. It was noted that getting more activities in the winter falls on the year round residents. A key component to winter activity would be upgrading the technology situation, thus allowing people to work from remote location.
Next steps: capitalize on Marina improvements, animate Main St, enhance Historic assets, strengthen commercial core, and address affordable housing.
The report suggested the town reuse current underutilized land, specifically parking lot next to town hall. Currently Island residents use it at very minimum cost. Another lot is the small parking lot next to Knowles. The report suggested a possible use was to build a three-story structure with gallery on ground level and studio and apartments upstairs. The missing “teeth” on Main St need to be addressed as well.
The tent next to McGrath’s will be a kiosk for small businesses. Sam Shaw has organized this area.
It was noted that for between $7,000-9,000 the town can purchase an eight seat golf cart to transport people up and down from Main St to Marina
Implementation strategies: the town needs a focused and compelling vision for philanthropy, business incubator program, and collaborative partnership of public/private and year round/seasonal residents.
Currently the ULI owes a written report. This report is due within the next two weeks
We owe Ham a huge debt of thanks for all the work done to prepare for the ULI TAP. A huge notebook exists that contains all the background information the ULI needed to prepare their study. This body of information is available to all. When the group presented at town meeting there was very lively conversation. There is still a lot of work to be done, but we need to keep the issue visible and move to the next level, working with the Board of Selectmen. Perhaps SRA can use our funds to hire someone to focus on the future, and split payment with the town. The town needs a professional planning committee. We now have momentum, need to act on it, perhaps engaging the Director of Chamber of Commerce
We need to get out a postcard announcing the SRA meeting on July 12th
Meeting closed at 10:05
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