Meeting Minutes – Community and Business Committee

March 8, 2018

Attendees:  Jackie D’Agostino (Chair, resident), Jeff Gilmore (liaison to council), Dave Fermier (business), Tess LaMontagne (resident), Loren Frasco (resident), Steve Gieseler (business), Andrea Antell (resident), Debbie Byrne (business), Lori Kesilman (guest), Steve Ascher (resident)

Absent:  Sam Bryant (Borough Manager, nonvoting), David Holewinski (Mayor, nonvoting), Chris Fleming (business)

Minutes taken by Steve Ascher (Secretary)

  1. Meeting called to order at 7:32.  Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
  2. Roll call was taken.
  1. Tess LaMontagne was officially welcomed to the committee as a resident.  Note:  one opening exists for a business representative on the CBC.
  1. Loren made a motion to approve the 2/8/18 CBC minutes.  Motion was seconded by Tess LaMontagne.  Motion was unanimously.
  2. There was no Stephen Barth economic development update.
  3. Unfinished Business
  1. NBB Gateway Signage – There is a budget of $8000 for one sign.  Signage should be consistent on both sides of the borough.  Signs should be low maintenance (e.g., brick).  The Grayson sign was shown as an example. Need to decide on locations and safety implications.  Jeff to talk to Sam about location.  Options for signage need to be presented to Council.
  2. Bench, bike rack, and garbage can style options – please attach options to the minutes.  Spring City lights have been chosen.  Numbers of trash cans and bike racks need to be decided.  The color will be black and low maintenance will be preferred.  Need to narrow down the options.  Northgate Products and OCC Outdoors offer choices.  Jackie to send links for the CBC to look at.
  1. New Business
  1. Town Hall Survey Results – Lori Kesilman presented the results.  Sam and Lori presented the results at the February Council Meeting.  Alex (intern) and Steve A. assisted in the analysis.  Please attach the slides to the minutes.  Results will be shared with other committees.  Each committee will decide what action to take as a result of the survey.  
  1. What should CBC do?  Update the look of main street – estimates are being sought for placing telephone/electric lines underground along old Route 202.  Discussion took place about making the June 2018 Covered Bridge Event an annual signature event for the borough.  The survey indicated a strong desire for a coffee shop in the borough.  Jackie asked that all CBC members review the Main Street Plan document.
  1. Any Other Business – CBC representation at A Day was discussed.  Sam will coordinate between committees.  CBC decided to not recommend giveaways (e.g., key chains, memo pads, etc.) and to have the booth indoors.   However, it was felt that seedlings would be a good giveaway.  It was suggested that we approach local merchants to contribute items for NBB Business Baskets that would be given away at A Day.  It was felt that balloons and a banner would be desirable for the booth.  Further discussion is necessary and perhaps sub-committees would be created.
  1. AED training will be offered from 12-4 on March 14th.  Site unknown.  
  1. Loren made a motion to adjourn which was seconded by Steve Gieseler.  Motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 9:22.