NYBA Business Meeting, January 15, 2015 (Stones Café)
Attendees: Darla Hamlin, Thaddaeus Day, Cindy Decker, Margie Hansel, Scott Kerr , Liz Langham, Alan Morrison, Karen Morrison, Ande Smith, Leslie Taisey and Rob Taisey Guest Speaker: Chairwoman, NY Economic Development and Sustainability Committee, Audrey Lones
Darla Hamlin called the meeting to order at 7:05 am. Ande Smith, owner of Deer Brook Associates, announced his candidacy for Maine’s First Congressional District. His website is under construction, but he is on Facebook. Just search Facebook for ‘Ande Smith’ to learn more about his campaign.
Audrey Lones presented an overview of the Economic Development and Sustainability Committee’s activities for 2015 with emphasis on four activities. They were Enhanced Resources, Town Brand, Promotional Town Video and Village Center Redevelopment. Current and future activities include Integrating Town Brand; Complete Town Video; Build relationship with NYBA; Seek Grant Opportunities; Leverage Town Website; to continue to review and identify possible TIF districts in town; and provide support to the BOS as it develops a plan for implementing the elements of the referenda vote in November 2015. Audrey cited the Town of Yarmouth as having good information on their website about TIFs. Learn more… <add link>
Audrey announced that Steve Palmer is their newly appointed BOS liaison. Current members of the committee are Matt Ahlberg, Carol Ellison, Patrick Gilligan, Amy Horstmann, Susanne Lee, Katie Murphy, and Audrey Lones (Chairwoman). They are presently seeking a volunteer to fill an Alternate position. For more information, contact Audrey Lones by email at audrey@alum.mit.edu.
EDSC meetings generally fall on the second Wednesday of each month, 6:30 PM, except for February when the meeting date is Thursday, February 11th. The public is encouraged to attend. Check the town’s website for actual date, time and location.
Read the details of Audrey’s presentation. <this will be a link to Audrey’s handout>
Darla thanked Audrey for attending and stated that NYBA looks forward to collaborating with the EDSC to help increase economic opportunities in town.
OLD BUSINESS
December Meeting Minutes Darla reported that the minutes of the December 10 and special meeting on December 17 are available for viewing.
Anyone having suggestions regarding our current by-laws are to contact Turner Hansel (thansel@maine.rr.com) or Thaddeus Day at (tday@maine.rr.com). Read current by-laws.
There was no discussion on Scott Kerr’s action to seek special pricing options for NYBA members.
Tradeshow Planning Committee. Cindy Decker, Margie Hansel and Leslie Taisey have volunteered to work on the planning committee. Leslie is going to contact Mary Conroy. Darla will contact Marilyn Matthews. Tentative date for tradeshow is March 4. Planning committee to meet within a week. UPDATE – tradeshow is now March 11.
NEW BUSINESS
Nomination and Election of 2016 Officers Anyone interested in serving as an officer or volunteering for the nomination committee is to contact Darla Hamlin at darla@softtrac.com. Annual Meeting Thaddeus mentioned that the current by-laws require a notice of 30 days for the annual meeting. After some discussion, the decision was to hold the annual meeting in the evening on the third Thursday in April and followed by a social hour. The agenda will include a recap of the 2015/2016 year, vote on the by-law changes, if any, and election of incoming officers.
Letterhead Thaddeus recommended a formal letterhead for NYBA be designed. Darla will be submitting samples for a vote by the next meeting. The letterhead will include the names/titles of the officers.
Website Update Website hosting contract renewed through December 2016.
Darla’s employee, Ashley Durgin, rebranded NYBA’s website to be consistent with the newly adopted logo. New site is adaptable on many platforms including laptops, tablets and smart phones. Work still in progress.
A NEW member directory is nearing completion. Once the page goes live, the site will be searchable by business type/category. Darla will be sending out a business type/category list from which our members may select types that apply or describe their business now using tools from https://www.thepaystubs.com/1098-t-form-generator. Modeled after the Portland Chamber’s member directory, there are many categories from which to choose. If none applies, members will have the option to create their own. Details arriving in your email inbox soon. Goal is to go live by the middle of February 2016.
Membership Benefits Update •
- CRP/AED courses on January 16 and January 30. In case of snow, contact Fire Chief to confirm schedule. Sold out all but two seats. (Note: Later discovered that it sold out all but one.) •
- Special logo images are in the final design stage. The image will be available for insertion on member’s websites or in a printed format for placement at places of business. At the suggestion of Alan Morrison, we will also price out the option for providing magnetized logos for placement on company vehicles or other equipment. Designs and cost estimates to be reviewed at the February meeting. •
- Alan and Karen Morrison reported that they were first to arrive on the scene of a recent automobile accident. According to Karen, Alan’s actions saved the life of the passenger. This incident reminded them of the importance of First Aid training. Alan recommended that we co-sponsor a First Aid Training course. Darla agreed to reach out to our Fire Chief.
Other Business
Leslie Taisey recommended that we organize a ‘calling tree’ to remind members of upcoming meetings.
Darla reported the formation of a town welcome committee. This is an opportunity for NYBA’s member to promote their business through a printed member directory. The information you provide for the online directory will be the basis for the printed directory as well.
North Yarmouth Businesses in the News! •
- Tree Frog Farm. Liz Langham will be visiting a Fearful Dog Shelter in Virginia hosted by the ASPCA. •
- Scott Kerr, Realtor, reported that he has moved his Real Estate license to RE/MAX Shoreline. See our member directory for current contact information. •
- Assured Solar Energy’s Maine Beer Company project is featured in the Jan/Feb 2016 issue of “Solarpro Magazine”. Solarpro Magazine is a technical trade publication distributed to more than 250,000 professionals working in the North American solar market. Congratulations Rob and Leslie. Rob also reported that the 30% tax incentive deadline has been extended. •
- Shear Joy Hair and Body Salon has rental space available and is seeking a licensed, independent stylist to join their team. Candidate must have graduated from cosmetology school and be licensed in Maine to provide a full range of services including cutting, styling and coloring hair, manicures and pedicures, waxing and facials. It is up to the stylist if they want to become proficient in one or all of the services. Rental fee is negotiable. Who is Shear Joy? Shear Joy is a full service hair and body salon that prides itself on providing a relaxing and friendly environment for their stylists and clientele. At Shear Joy, they believe that the client and reputation of Shear Joy Hair & Body Salon is their top priority. FMI Call Joyelle DIBiase at 829-6142
The members presented indicated a desire to have job postings online. Darla agreed to look into this.
Have you or your company received special recognition or achieved a major goal? I will do my best to show case your accomplishments at meetings and online.
Meeting adjourned at 8:50 AM
Respectfully submitted,
Darla P Hamlin, President