Blackstone Valley Tourism Council,
Inc. Board of Directors Meeting
January 11, 2008 @ Noon, In the Council Conference Room
1. Roll Call
Attendees:
Dave Balfour, Chairman
Richard Murphy, Member
Louis Yip, Member
Louise Boulanger, Member
Dave Richards, Member
Robert Billington, President
Natalie Carter, Director of Operations
Absent:
Paul Eno, Member
Robert Cahill, Member
Sam Butera, Vice-Chairman
Jackie Boudreau, Treasurer
Sue Tessier-Mackenzie, Secretary
Robert Conway, Member
Anthony Capuano, Member
Dave DePetrillo, Member
John Lefrancois, Member
Helen Moroney, Member
Len Clingham, Member
Ted Garille, Member
2. Minutes
On a MOTION by Mr. Richards, seconded by Mr.
Murphy, the minutes of the November 16, 2007 meeting were approved
as amended. (Copies attached and made a part of these minutes)
3. Treasurer’s Report
The Profit and Loss Budget vs. Actual dated January
02, 2008 for the period from July 2007 through July 2008 (YTD) was
presented. Mr. Richards asked what the difference in percentage of
profit and loss. Ms. Carter explained an approximate 3% seasonal
loss to date.
A letter dated Jan 10, 2008 from Finance Management
explaining a discovered error in payroll taxes was distributed.
(Copy of the letter is attached)
On a MOTION by Mrs. Boulanger and a seconded by Mr.
Richards the Treasurer’s Report was accepted as submitted. Motion
passed unanimously. (Copy of the Report is attached.
Mr. Balfour read a letter from Vice Chairman Sam
Butera noting his resignation from the Board of Directors. The Board
asked Mr. Balfour to send a letter of regret.
Mr. Richards nominated Mrs. Boulanger for the
position of Vice Chairman vacated by Mr. Butera. A Unanimous vote
was taken to elect Mrs. Boulanger Vice Chairman.
4. President’s Report and
Old Business
Mr. Billington updated the Board on the following:
-
The effort to consolidate debt for the Water
Cruises of RI project was discussed. Billington noted near
$180,000 in volunteer hours have been donated to operations of
the Blackstone River Valley Visitor Center.
-
The Pawtucket River Bridge Project was
discussed.
-
The Broad St Regeneration Project was
discussed.
-
The Jan 24th Kick -off of the Civic Tourism
Conference was discussed.
-
The October Civic Tourism II Conference was
discussed.
-
Billington alerted the Board that the National
Heritage Corridor has taken back the funds that were set-aside
for the Blackstone River Science and Exploration Center.
-
The offer from the Amber Valley Borough Council
to participate in the 2008 mini-Olympics was discussed. Rich
Murphy will try to connect the World Scholar Athlete games with
this effort.
-
Billington notified the Board that he is still
attempting to find a way to better finance the riverboats.
5. New Business
Dave Balfour noted that the League of Cities and
Towns pre-filed legislation to take the room tax and shift it to the
cities and towns. He wants the towns in the Blackstone to guard
against these efforts.
6. Adjournment
There being no further business before the board,
Mr. Yip Motioned the board to adjourn, a second was presented by
Mrs. Boulanger. The Board adjourned at
1:17 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert D. Billington
President
