Minutes of
Monthly Meeting - January 9, 2008
President Diane Littrell called the meeting to order
at 6:35p.m.
Those members in attendance were Alan & Diane Littrell, Dawn
Lamphere, Barbara Kirby, Roy Tompson, Edwin Smith, Arlene Geibe, Tim
Smith, Judy King, Bob Smith and Juanita Handy.
Also attending were the
recent winners of our annual Christmas Decorating Contest. The following
were awarded a $25.00 certificate to use at any Chamber member’s place
of business:
Joan & Robert Feagles - Best Decorated Door
Grace Archibald - Religious
Carol & Louis Micklic - Contemporary
Rosaline & Hans Drews – Traditional
Karen Crouse, representing the Village of St. Johnsville - Business
The minutes of the November meeting were reviewed and
accepted. Roy Tompson and MV Foods requested no hard copy of the minutes
be sent to them as they now receive them by e-mail. MSC Roy Tompson/Ed
Smith
Correspondence: The Montgomery County
Chamber of Commerce invites all to attend the 2008 Annual Meeting and
Awards Dinner to be held Friday, January 25 at the Riverstone Manor in
Glenville. The cost is $55 per person.
Midstate Mutual Insurance letter said that they had checked
our four sites (signs, etc.) and found everything to be okay. Geibe
Gray’s Greenhouse sent an e-mail showing the colors of
flowers for our Hanging Baskets that will be hung up in the spring.
Marge Curtis of the St. Johnsville High School Marching Band
Department sent a thank you for our donation of $275 towards new band
uniforms.
Fort Klock sent us an annual letter including this year’s
agenda that we will use for our business directory. We took note that
their fall craft show is the second weekend in September.
The Financial Report was given by
Barbara Kirby. Our checking account balance is $1335.81; the general
fund
balance is $2008.58; and our sign maintenance fund balance is $1254.44
with a total of $4597.31 in all three accounts.
Review and Payment of Outstanding Bills:
Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce dues - $220.00 (we are
going to ask Debbie Auspelmyer to come and explain to us the benefits of
being county Chamber members); Dockerty
florist, flowers - $20.00; Diane
Littrell, paper from Hummel’s - $18.77; Margaret Reaney Library, books
for children at Tree Lighting - $296.25; St. Johnsville Postmaster,
stamps - $41.00. MSC Tim Smith/Ed Smith
Also approved: Tim Smith, subscription to Crafter’s
Connection for Springfest - $16.00. MSC Juanita Handy/Arlene
Geibe; also Tim Smith, stamps -
$41.00. MSC Roy Tompson/Alan Littrell
Membership Review Update:
We have about a dozen members yet to pay their dues. We have enough new
member plaques for now.
Chamber Web Site Update: Ron Hezel was not present to give an
update.
Old Business: The Christmas Tree
Lighting & Festival of Wreaths was a success. We have some supplies left
over
that can be used next year. We desperately need a good
portable PA system or bullhorn. We will be purchasing plain wreaths to
decorate for next year at $1.25 each. We paid $2.50 for this year’s
wreaths.
The 2008 Business Directory Committee will be comprised of
Juanita Handy, Bob Smith and Judy King. It will go to print by April 1.
The Business Management Seminar committee will meet in
January and reporting in February. Judy King and Dawn Lamphere hope to
have the seminar in March.
Thank you gifts will be
going to Joe and Dan Patterson for providing horse-drawn wagon rides
during the Tree Lighting ceremony. Each will receive $100,00 with Joe
also receiving a set of bells for his team.
The cost of the bells is
$27.50 for a total of $227.50 being paid out. MSC Dawn Lamphere/Arlene
Geibe
Edwin Smith gave a report on the
Betterment Committee. Recommendations were given for our St. Johnsville
Chamber to form committees and subcommittees to report at our monthly
meetings in a detailed way on their area of expertise. Some of the
committees recommended are as follows. 1) Springfest; 2) Membership -
New & Renewals with Barbara Kirby, Diane Littrell, Ed Smith and Tim
Smith as committee members; 3) C.L.O.W.N.S. for Community League
of Working Nuisance Situations; 4)
Financial with Treasurer Barbara Kirby, Roy Thompson and Dawn Lamphere;
5) Chamber Activities & Fund
Raisers. The Financial Committee was the only one motioned, seconded and
carried by Alan Littrell and
Tim Smith. They are to have a budget ready to present at the February
meeting.
Judy King commented that the Betterment Committee should
attend and support changes in the village. Some of the issues are safety
ones and should the village get sued, everyone would be affected. Ed
agreed but wants to make sure that in our communications with the
village, we maintain a working relationship. Bob Smith noted that the
committee needs a copy of the public
meetings of the village’s organizations to prove that that organization
is viable and therefore eligible
for grant monies. It was agreed that
we should send a letter to the village about our committee. Dawn
suggested inviting a village
board member to join our committee. Ed Smith will set up a one-on-one
meeting with Mayor Jim Kierzynski and Karen Crouse to express
some of our concerns.
Making Hospitalization Insurance available to Chamber members
was discussed. We are going to ask Lindy Sweet
with Arlene Geibe’s help to call our members to see if there is enough
interest to pursue getting information for presenting it to our
members. Judy King will gather insurance information.
If businesses decide not to rejoin the Chamber and have a
sign on the Chamber Business Sign, the sign will be taken
down so present members have the
opportunity to put a sign up. Membership fees are due by October 1’. If
dues are received after January
1”, there will be a $10.00 late fee and the possibility of not being
included in the Business Directory to take effect for the
2008-2009 Chamber year. This information will be on the new application
forms. MSC Judy King/Bob Smith
The Chamber will not include information on vacant commercial
properties for sale, however, real estate agencies can join the Chamber
and have links to their websites.
New Business: Springfest -
Tim Smith has volunteered to handle the crafters and vendors for
Springfest. He’ll be mailing out applications soon.
Barbara Kirby will mail out letters to Tow Path Run sponsors by
February
1st.
Steve Sammons attended our meeting to
present the idea of having a Soap Box Derby during Springfest. It will
be for
kids 8 - 16 years old. The boxes must be homemade with no kits used. Our
cost will be building materials for the ramp (approx. $200-$300) and
trophies, ribbons or gift certificates. Will there be an entry fee?
Steve will flesh out the details. We are definitely interested, maybe
call it “Spring Box Derby”. The Bath Tub Race will still take place. MSC
Dawn Lamphere/Roy Thompson
The meeting was adjourned. MSC Bob Smith/Roy Thompson
Respectfully Submitted,
Juanita Handy
Next Meeting:
Wednesday, February 13 @ 6:30 p.m.
At the Community House
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Vice-president
Dawn Lamphere called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m..
Those members in attendance were Dawn Lamphere,
Barbara Kirby, Judy King, Ron Hezel, Edwin Smith, John Geesler,
Lindy Sweet and Juanita Handy. Also present was Eileen Sammons for
her husband, Steve.
The minutes of the January meeting were reviewed
and accepted. MSC Ed Smith/ Barbara Kirby Correspondence: George
Amadore sent a communication of a property cap petition drive.
Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is holding
a Business After Hours meeting for 2008 members on Thursday,
February 28.
Carol Smalley sent a picture postcard announcing she has photographs
for sale of the surrounding area. Go to
www.CafePress.com/CarolSmailey.
We received notice of continuing
education at FMCC.
Diane has finished Navy Band
business from last fall when they were here. The Palatine Settlement
sent us their calendar of events.
Tim Smith has resigned from all Chamber of
Commerce committees. The resignation was accepted with regret. MSC
Dawn Lamphere/Lindy Sweet
Bob Smith has resigned from all Chamber of
Commerce committees and activities except CLOWNS. The resignation
was accepted. MSC Dawn Lamphere/Juanita Handy
The financial report was given by Barbara Kirby.
Our checking account balance is $644.04; the general fund savings
account balance is $2008.58; and our sign maintenance savings
account is$1254.44 with a total of $3907.06 in all three accounts.
Review and Payment of Outstanding Bills: Roll of
stamps and envelopes for Tow Path Sponsor letters -$47.48. MSC Dawn
Lamphere/Ed Smith
Web Site Update: Ron Hezel reported that we
receive an average of 331 hits/day. Updated materials have been
given to him, however, Front Page Extensions on our web site is not
supported anymore and will be discontinued on February 28. Ron is
working hard at setting up the site with a new program so be patient
as you might see our web page in a transitional phase.
Old Business: Eileen Sammons reported that the
Spring “Soap” Box Derby will be held Saturday, May 10 at 10 a.m. St.
Johnsville, Fort Plain and Canajoharie Schools will be invited to
participate. Our local Boy Scouts have already been notified.
Application forms can be gotten at the Library, Burkdorf Lumber, the
Community House, and Stewarts during their business hours. Deadline
for registration is May 1, 2008. The race is for children ages 8-16
and there is and entry fee of $5. Steve Sammons will get the prizes.
Ed Smith gave a Membership Committee Update. They
would like to see membership renewal of 60 plus 10 more for 2009.
Benefits include web site exposure, inclusion in our business directory
and medical services offering.
Barbara Kirby will get membership pages along with
churches to Judy King and Juanita Handy to put into the 2008 Business
Directory.
Judy King, Carolyn Williams and Dawn Lamphere were
unable to meet about the Business management Seminar. The time is yet to
be announced.
The Tow Path Sponsor letters have been mailed out and
20 have responded so far. Roger Weaver is being contacted to have the
sponsors listed alphabetically on the T-shirts.
Crafters applications are about ready to be mailed.
We need someone to be the contact person for set-up at the start of
Springfest. The applications will be sent to the Chambers mailing
address.
Juanita Handy is working on the Chamber Springfest
flyer and must have it done by March 15 to be included in the Montgomery
County COC newsletter.
The budget committee report was given by Dawn
Lamphere. Presented was a draft that basically took into account our
many activities showing approximately where we made money and where we
spend it. Using last year’s financial report and conservatively
projecting moneys being raised, we will be short on finances.
Judy King presented two Health Insurance plans. With
one, you don’t need to own a business to take part and the second was
for businesses only. Both are quarterly pricing and can be part of
Chamber offering to members. Because the information is individualized,
it is best to present plans to each person individually. Chamber members
are eligible and i f interested, see Judy King. MSC Ed Smith/Lindy Sweet
Ed Smith gave the CLOWNS committee report. The
committee met with Mayor Kierzinski and Karen Crouse and feel that we
have mutual goals. A thank you will be sent to them for taking time to
meet with us.
Lindy Sweet reported that the Mary Rackmyer and Mark
Rice of the Urban Renewal committee are very interested in the COC
managing a farmer’s market on the first 4 acres of the industrial park.
At a March 4 meeting they hope to come with building plans, code
information and grant info from County planners.
Ed Smith would like the Chamber to issue the village
letter supporting a six month renewal of a moratorium for the business
district prohibiting apartment use on the first floor so that local laws
can be established to prevent this from occurring. MSC Lindy
Sweet/Barbara Kirby
The CLOWN committee feels that the Code Officer’s
hands are tied and if codes are not enforced, then other businesses in
the village are affected. We are looking for solutions to this problem.
Dawn Lamphere will speak to Chris Weaver about new
street signs to which we have money dedicated.
We need a new name for the CLOWNS (Community League
of Working Nuisance Situations) as the acronym doesn’t carry respect for
the Chamber they represent nor the work they do. Later, Ron Hezel
mentioned being known as the 46ers to acknowledge our 46th position in
the nation as a desirable place to raise a family when Ed Smith
mentioned utilizing our web site to bring local organizations to the
forefront.
New Business: It was noted that the Betterment
Committee (46ers) and the Financial Committee are the only ones
motioned, seconded and carried. A Membership Committee is now
established. MSC Ed Smith/Lindy Sweet
We have faxed our spring and summer events to the
Montgomery County COC and the Mohawk Valley Heritage Corridor for their
events calendar.
Springfest Activities: The crafters are being sent
applications.
The Masons will sponsor the carnival and provide
publicity.
Lori will be contacted with our concerns about where
the registration money go for the pageant. We would like to get more
local girls involved and we need someone to groom them. (Perhaps Jen
Smith?) We would like to rename the winner “Miss St. Johnsville” and
have her appear at different Chamber functions such as openings, etc.
Chief Stack will be contacted about the bike rodeo.
The Fire Department will be asked about setting up
for the parade.
Lindy Sweet is getting flyers out about the bathtub
race (Juanita is to have flyers ready by end of February) and is asking
the Mohawk Valley Rotary to provide prizes for the race. MSC Lindy
Sweet/Ed Smith
Ed Smith, and others members as they are able, will
represent us at Montgomery County COC meetings and events.
Dawn Lamphere noted that in the February 6 issue of
the Courier-Standard article that it was the Sesquicentennial Committee
had the sign fixed, not the Chamber.
Lindy Sweet handed out copies of Cobleskill’s
Downtown Audit that explains the steps necessary to take for downtown
improvement, perhaps we can learn something here that we can apply to
our own village.
Ron Hezel received an e-mail with a question about
Springfest and Tow Path Run.
Respectfully Submitted,
Juanita Handy
Next Meeting:
Wednesday, March 12 @ 6:30 p.m.
At the Community House
