Jan. 10, 2012 Meeting agenda:
Stephan will chair the meeting.
1. Introductions
Stephan Smith, Rist Insurance
Lynne Rudie graphic design
Holly Givens writer
Mike Nelson, Pumpkin Fest organizer
Veronica Phaneuf, About Face Computers
Biran Valdes, About Face Computers
Jan Rose Marta, program director for Third Place
Stacy Langnecht, Hotsapp Woodworks
Kara McLaughlin, Community School Partnership
Eric Wortel, Valley Green Shredding
Amy Podlinsky, artist; River Culture
David Detmold, Montague Reporter
Lisa Davol, RiverCulture
JD Keating, Burrito Rojo
Nina Rossi, Nina’s Nook
Stephan introduced the organization, and called for input. One idea: shredding
day—as a fundraiser for new home of MCTV in former Cumby’s organization; MBA
would be sharing office space with RiverCulture and MCTV
2. Approve minutes from last meeting (posted at
http://www.montaguebusinessassociation.com/index.cfm?p=f.0) (5 minutes)
Approved.
3. Shredding day update (Stephan)—The association is planning a document
shredding day, most likely in the spring in conjunction with Farmer’s Market;
Eric—no charge to the host; up to the host to request a donation, etc.; best time
to get community members is a Saturday; best time for businesses is during the
business day. Standard storage box: donation of $6 per box is typical of groups
Eric has worked with.
Eric’s company uses a truck with a shredding unit inside; the shredding is on
camera; paper is recycled in Springfield. To raise funds, groups ask for donations,
or a set price person or per container. Valley Green shredding would donate any
revenue from recycling beyond what it takes to cover his costs. Each ton of
paper recycled saves about 17 trees; Eric lets us know how many trees we saved.
Ideas from the group:
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Could promote as spring cleanup; use a bell like an ice cream truck to
attract people the day of the event
Like the idea of being near the Farmer’s Market
Needs publicity, so people can get ready, as it takes some time to get the
papers together.
April 22 is Earth day—just after taxes are done; can tie in with that
4. Group ads (Lynne)—MBA is working on a way to have on-line sign-up for group
ads; there’s a prototype that needs a few finishing touches. Some key points:
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Sponsorship slots make it possible to run the ads. The deadline doesn’t
happen if there aren’t enough people.
We’ll take nine or ten people, and then if someone in the first seven doesn’t
make it, then we’ll go to an alternate.
MBA needs to decide on which events we’ll support, then ads will run the
week before the event.
Lynne requested photos of sites around Montague—would be nice to have a
rotating gallery for the background
Holly will send notices about events and ad schedules, with invitation to sign
up
5. Special guests:
a. Kara McLaughlin, Gill-Montague Community School Partnership
(organizers of the Block Party)
i. 2011 was much more of a family focus, as that fit with the goals of
the partnership; a part-time person was doing the work, that
person is not there anymore; this year looking at doing the block
party and lantern parade, possibly a World’s Fair?
ii. Is there a date?Second saturdy in August. Request to move the
date; other dates conflict with other activities/ events in the area;
iii. People wanted a Montague event
iv. Request for help? Business association can be a conduit for
information; can publicize the event. Businesses may have their
hands full just running their businesses; MBA can help circulate
information, enthusiasm and advertising
b. Mike Nelson, PumpkinFest organizer
i. Entering third year—2012 date: Sat. Oct. 20; same format as this
past year; will run from 2nd street to 7th street with music;
vendors; and people. Franklin County Tech School has offered to
make some scaffolding to put the pumpkins up higher; biggest
challenge in 2011 was a lack of pumpkins. In 2010, there were
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
1400 pumpkins, and 1700 in 2011. Due to Hurricane Irene, area
farms were unable to donate pumpkins
Attendance: 12,000-15,000 people in 2012. Michael expects
about the same in 2012
Budget: costs about $10,000 to run the event; music is free;
vendors pay a fee to participate; ended up with $1000 in the
bank;
Follow-up plan to accommodate the large numbers of attendees
as the event expands--Parks and Rec may do something at Unity
Park. Right now, the event can not extend past 2nd street, so
traffic an go around. Maybe in 2 years when the bridge is done,
the event can extend across the bridge into Gill.
Michael worked ot accommodate requests of some businesses
concerning parking. He got some ‘road closed’ saw horses in front
of Aubuchon to hold parking for shop customers, and heard that
this worked better than the previous year.; worked better than
the previous year;
There was request to open some access to the sidewalk along
Avenue A, as wall to wall vendors made it difficult to get to shops
and the sidewalk. Mike thought he had an idea that would
address that issue.
c. Lisa Davol, RiverCulture
i. RiverCulture wants to create more reasons for people to come
back over an extended period of time.
ii. One way to do this is through creating a QR code (those black and
white boxes printed on materials that will bring up web pages
when phone users scan them with their phones) to generate a
scavenger hunt type activity around town.
iii. They’re planning some programming in the former Greenfield
Savings Bank building, including an historica exhibit in September,
a hauted house in October, and an artist/artisan holiday shop in
November/December.
iv. A holiday windo decorating contest with materials donated or
found at the Strathmore mill. Windows will be designed by artists
and the community. They will pair artists with existing businesses
who would like to participate.
v. Artist designed crosswalks---Attendees at the Feast fo rhte Arts
fundraiser will have a chance to vote for the best designs.
vi. River of Lights Lantern parade—tentatively planned for the closing
event of the Block Party. People carry lighted lanterns along the
river at night.
vii. Lisa circulated an overview of the group’s plans for the year.
6. Next meeting time and date. Tuesday, March 13, 2012; Greenfield Savings Bank,
Turners Falls; 8 a.m. Bring your own coffee.
7. Member Announcements
a. January 25—Gill-Montague Partnership meeting; will include how to use
social media—3:30-5; administration building. The partnership web site
has a calendar of community events. Anyone is welcome to submit
community events for that calendar
b. The Third Place in the Crocker building will have an open house Jan. 11
from 2-6. This new organization for youth will be looking for internship
placements in area businesses/organizations. These are unpaid
internships that might lead to mentoring opportunities and help the
young people explore job fields and develop their skills.
c. A member asked about the organization’s budget, and made the
suggestion for steering committee to make a budget report to members.
Adjourn and mingle
Minutes submitted by Holly Givens (Want to help the association? Volunteer to take
minutes at an upcoming meeting.)