Board
Minutes
Blackstone Valley Tourism Council,
Inc. Board of Directors Meeting
January 19, 2007 @ Noon, In the Council Conference Room
1. Roll Call
Attendees:
Dave Balfour, Chairman
Sam Butera, Vice-Chairman
Dave Richards, Member
Louise Champigny, Member
Sue Tessier-Mackenzie, Secretary
Robert Billington, President
Natalie Carter, Director of Operations
Len Clingham, Member
Paul Eno, Member
Absent:
Dan O’Brien, Treasurer
Robert Conway, Member
Anthony Capuano, Member
Marcia Green, Member
Dave Petrillo, Member
John Lefrancois, Member
Helen Moroney, Member
Louis Yip
Richard Murphy
Robert Cahill
Don Marshall
2. Minutes
On a MOTION by Mr. Butera, seconded by Sue Tessier-Mackenzie,
the Minutes of the Nov 17th 2006 meeting were approved as submitted.
Unanimously approved. (Copies attached)
3. Treasurer’s Report
The Profit and Loss statement dated Jan 18, 2007
for BVTC for the period from January, 2006 through Dec 2006 for the
boats owned by the Council, and the Financial Reports for the 2006
Polar Express, the 2006 Fall Foliage Train Trip, and the 2006 Annual
Meeting were submitted. The Room Tax Revenue Report, generated from
Blackstone Valley hotels and motels through November 2006 was
submitted. (Reports are attached and made a part of these minutes).
4. President’s Report and
Old Business
Mr. Billington updated the Board on the following:
a. Annual Work Plan - 2007
The Tourism Council Work Plan for 2007 was inserted in the Board
Packages. (No comments)
b. Boat Operations - Explorer
The boat operations lost approximately $30,000 in 2005 and
approximately $70,000 in 2006. Since the Council has been operating
the Explorer (13 years), expenses to operate are increasing yearly
due mostly to insurance, maintenance and crane operational costs
that have risen dramatically in the last few years. Billington
suggested possibly selling the Explorer to a local organization that
would operate the boat in the Blackstone Valley.
c. Boat Operations - Spirit of the Blackstone
Valley
Explained why the Spirit of the Blackstone Valley should also be
sold. He stated that the value of the boat is approximately $6,000.
Mr. Clingham requested that information on the vessel be sent to him
and suggested that a story be written about the successes of the
Blackstone Valley Explorer and that even with its success, it is
time the Council sell the boat and remove itself from the tour boat
business.
d. Land Offer - Cumberland
The Board reviewed the offer of Dr. Patrick Connelly and his wife to
grant land in Cumberland (gratis), to the Blackstone Valley Tourism
Council and although it is a nice offer, it is the Board of
Director's determination that they not accept this donation at this
time.
On a MOTION was made by Mr. Clingham and seconded
by Mr. Eno to decline the land offer at this time. Roll Call: All
attending members voted in favor of the motion with Mr. Richards
voting against the motion. Motion carried.
e. Watershed Council
Ms. Carter explained that funds for the Blackstone Valley Watershed
Council were still in the Council’s possession due to the fact that
BVTC began the Council 1997. The Watershed Council has formed a
seperate non-profit corporation from the Tourism Council and formal
request has been made by the Rhode Island Rivers Council that these
funds be turned over to the Watershed Council because they are a
bonified agency able to manage the funds themselves.
A MOTION was made by Mr. Eno, and seconded by Ms.
Tessier-Mackenzie to turn over the funds to the Watershed Council as
soon as position. Motion passed unanimously.
f. Fall Foliage Tour - 2007
Mr. Billington explained that the Council would not be able to host
the Fall Foliage trip unless the Council is able to obtain a $5,000
subsidy. He added that he was in the process of exploring a subsidy.
5. New Business
a. Book entitled “Cumberland by the Blackstone”
Mr. Richards offered to provide complimentary advertisements on his
radio station WOON, for the book since BVTC earns $5.00 for each
book sale.
b. Meeting Schedule - 2007
Mr. Balfour polled the Board to establish a set meeting schedule for
2007. The Board agreed to continue to meet every two months on the
third Friday of the month. All attending members agreed. (A schedule
is attached to these Minutes).
c. Board Contact
Mr. Balfour requested that a week prior to the meeting a phone call
or email be sent to each Board member reminding them of the meeting.
All attending members agreed.
d. New Board Member
Mr. Balfour stated that he would like to request the Board to
consider asking Mr. Ted Garille of Burrillville to join the Board of
Directors of the Tourism Council. Mr. Balfour also noted that Mr.
Garille is the chair of the Pascoag Water Authority. All attending
members agreed.
6. Adjournment
There being no further business before the board,
the board adjourned at 1:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Tessier-Mackenzie
Recording Secretary
