Board of Director Minutes

Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, Inc.
Board of Directors Meeting
July 29, 2011

Explorer Boat
45 Madeira Ave.
Central Falls, RI

1. Roll Call

Attendees:
David Balfour, Chair
Barry Mechanic, Vice Chair
Moe Rondeau, Member
John Lefrancois, Member
Paul Eno, Member
Carl Freedman, Member
Debra Fournier, Member

Absent:
Louis Yip, Member
Keith Fayan, Member
Sue Tessier MacKenzie, Secretary
Jacqueline Boudreau, Treasurer
Judy Fischbach, Member
Robert Conway, Member
Anthony Capuano, Member
Mark Brodeur, Member
Helen Moroney, Member
Ted Garille, Member
John Gregory, Member
Richard Murphy, Member
Dave Richards, Member

Also Attending:
Robert Billington, President
Natalie Carter, Director of Operations
Diane Mailloux, River Environmentalist
Matt Prendergast, Boat Captain

2. The meeting was called to order at 12:00 pm with a quorum present which included a river cruise.

3. Minutes

On a MOTION by Carl Freedman, seconded by Paul Eno, the Minutes of the May 27, 2011 meeting were approved as submitted.

4. Treasurer’s Report

There was a MOTION by Moe Rondeau and seconded by Paul Eno to TABLE the Financial Reports until the next Board meeting. This Motion failed for lack of votes.

After a brief discussion between the Board members, Mr. Eno made a MOTION which was seconded by Mr. Freedman to accept the Treasurer’s report dated 7.25.2011 as presented. Unanimously approved.

5. President’s Report, Old Business, New Business

Robert Billington updated the Board on the following projects and programs:

1. The Rhode Island Cherry Blossom Festival

2. The Blackstone Valley Bike Stripe

3. The William Wheat Chocolate Factory

4. Blackstone Valley Leisurely Bike Tours

5. The Annual Dinner slated for September 22nd (distributed invitation)

6. The Blackstone Valley Explorer

7. NPS Office of Sustainable Tourism Lab for October, 2011

8. Possible Heritage Corridor becoming a National Park (Discussions began in 2003 with Mr. Billington with the Slater Mill Association)

9. Blackstone Culinaria for September, October & November

10. Purchase of Sleigh for the Polar Express Event

11. State Tax Officials meeting on October 1st to discuss new tourism taxes

12. Chocolate Mill Overlook in Central Falls

13. RI Sports Commission; the impact on the Blackstone Valley

14. Pawtucket Visitors Center cutback from $55,000 to $27,500.

15. Results from Cherry Blossom Festival went to the Maintenance Fund

16. Circulated brochure on the 2011 Tourism For Tomorrow Award Winners (BVTC won this award in 2008)
    

6. Adjournment

On a MOTION by Mr. Eno and by seconded by Mr. Rondeau, the meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert D. Billington, Ed. D.
President

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