P. Riva, Chair

K. Dunlop

S. Benardete

Lisa Coon

J. Devine

B. Hundt

M. Wilkens

A. Durbridge

N. Seeburger

Chair P. Riva stated that it is important to be punctual and reports from subcommittees are due prior to meetings.  Chairs should fill out the template and e-mail it to Peter.  Phone calls are fine for meetings too.

1.  OUTREACH

We have Morrison’s permission to use his images for commercial, education and promotion.  Will ask T. Board to write thank you to him for this.

Outreach sub-committee would like to be renamed.  Development refers to relationship building, economic development and fundraising. They plan to work directly with the two local newspapers in fixed location with info about community enhancement progress.  Encourage readers to use feedback form on website.

MOTION MADE TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE FROM OUTREACH TO COMMUNICATION AND DEVELOPMENT made by N. SEEBURGER, seconded by S. BENARDETE.

VOTE TAKEN AND PASSED.

Grants - Priority is for this subcommittee to know about all grants available and donated goods and services.  Nan met w/ M. Hagerty and got copy of Grants Action Newsletter: will be sent to Peter Riva monthly.  Within this committee, need grants librarian just to make sure we don't miss opportunities.  Marianne Wilkens will make list for us.

Communication - Discussion about requesting Town Board authorize purchase of equipment ($170) to make digital information available for local cable channel.

Need large physical map, print-out of some Power Point images.   Perhaps display at Four Brothers, banks, schools, library, FoodTown.  Perhaps freestanding displays.  MTA also has sign board space.

Website - This committee will take responsibility for URLs for website: .gov has all kinds of restrictions; we can’t use our page as it stands as it has commercial listings.  But can have a link to .org or .com that will allow us to advertise other items.  The .gov website may enable us to have our site hosted on government website; this would give us access to intranet as well as internet.  Can learn more about this from Tech Fair presentation. 

2.  STREETSCAPE:

A. Durbridge: Dolores is away, but Vicki and Andy met informally.  Streetscape needs to be ready to respond to comments from those who see plan on website.  A. Durbridge thought it may be premature to get input before one of the draft plans is approved, DOT has looked at it.  Riva felt if we present it honestly as a working draft, noting we have many hoops w/ DOT, etc., misunderstandings can be avoided.  Need to keep simple flow of info streaming in.  A.  Durbridge:  good idea, with clarity of stage presented to public.

Design Plan - Invoice of $7,500 from Morrison, but he has not had first round of discussion w/ DOT.  He will wait for money until we talk to DOT and John Clark.  We will send $5,000 as negotiated.

MOTION MADE TO RECOMMEND T. BOARD PAY MARK MORRISON $5,000 DEPOSIT, made by N. Seeburger, seconded by S. Benardete.

VOTE TAKEN AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

3.  ACQUISITION:

Need to flag what we walked last year when Pat Nelligan gets back in the spring.  Then need to survey approximately 3 acres.  Availability of school and tennis court property should also be investigated should other grants, funding opportunities arise.

4.  FACADE:-

Erin Rollins: digital photos versus traditional photos was discussed.  Ms. Rollins needs good prints for presentations.  She wants to start photo work with Sarah Blodgett now.  Time frame will depend, in part, upon how soon historical data can be gathered.

Ms. Rollins will provide overlays with proposed improvements and color palette as she did for Millbrook.  Over a 10-year period in Millbrook, buildings were improved, made more consistent.  For implementation, once the owner would agree on design concept, he/she would need own architect to stamp plan.  If Town gets another grant to assist with improvements to facade, a typical requirement if for the owner is to sign a 10-year façade easement.  Mimi has sample easement this committee can consider for future.

The Town Board needs to sign off on a revised proposal.  Morrison will work with Ms. Rollins to integrate her presentation with his power point presentation.  Need copies, backups of files so we don’t lose anything.  Ms. Rollins will send photo CD to P. Riva. 

Connie Clapp will work with us on historic buildings, A. Linden needs permission to ask people to send historic photos to Mimi.  Need to ask Ken Hoadley as well.  This will also be advertised by Communication and Development

5.  TOWNSCAPE:

Flags: Amenia Historical Society needs help with placement of flags in downtown businesses.  Which subcommittee will help, Streetscape or Townscape.  Safety criteria should be established and met. Fire Co. has series of flags they put out on Memorial Day.  Maybe we should coordinate w/ A. Linden and Fire Co.  Townscape will follow up on this. 

Signs - Herb has offered to complete painting of signs.  Need budget from Townscape, need plantings under signs.  Need plans for each sign.  Some are hidden behind barriers and plantings would not be seen, but should have mulch to keep grass down.  A. Durbridge will come up with plans and give to J. Devine.  M. Morrison will be asked what resin pots should be purchased for replacing old barrels.  Need date for Garden Tour.  J. Devine will ask Maureen about to take away Christmas decorations, including trees.

FoodTown: has asked us to help with vertical landscaping plans, coordinate with furniture, lighting recommended by Morrison.  Need to work with Erin Rollins.  FoodTown should pay Morrison directly.  FoodTown will change lighting, signs.  Needs Planning Board approval, but also wants to be consistent with downtown.  Good example of cohesive approach.  Morrison wants consistent vocabulary throughout Town.   Invite Planning Board to next meeting for better coordination.  

Boardwalk:  Downtown to Food Town: Food Town was asked about use of 30 acres of land behind plaza, could we use it for community picnics, perhaps investigate boardwalk trail with DEC that would connect downtown with Plaza.  Should walk land w/ DEC: as soon as snow melts, B. Hundt, K. Dunlop and L. Coon would like to participate w/ DEC.

6. OTHER:

All Enhancement mail should go to Peter to his Wassaic P.O. Box and he will distribute as needed.

Notes respectfully submitted by

Vicki Doyle

Town Councilwoman