Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, Inc. Board of
Directors Meeting
March 27, 2009 @ Blackstone Valley Tourism Headquarters
1. Roll Call
Attendees:
Dave Balfour, Chair
Louise Boulanger, Vice Chair
Sue Tessier Mackenzie, Secretary
John Lefrancois, Member
Maurice Rondeau, Member
Helen Moroney, Member
Louis Yip, Member
Najwa Murphy, Member
Absent:
Richard Murphy, Member
Jackie Boudreau, Treasurer
Robert Conway, Member
Anthony Capuano, Member
Mark Brodeau, Member
Len Clingham, Member
Dave Richard, Member
Paul Eno, Member
Also:
Robert Billington, President
Natalie Carter, Director of Operations
2. The meeting was called to order at
12:06 pm with a quorum present.
3. Minutes
On a MOTION by Helen Moroney, seconded by Sue Mackenzie, the
minutes of the Jan 30, 2009 meeting were approved as
presented. (Copies attached and made a part of these
minutes.)
4. Treasurer’s Report
Billington presented the Treasurer’s
Report dated 03/18/09. A YTD Budget, a Profit and Loss
statement, a Statement of Cash Flows and Balance Sheet were
presented along with a report on Room Tax revenues for all
years. Billington noted that Room Tax revenues were down by
$40,000 YTD. The Board discussed the falling revenues and
reasons for such a drop.
On a MOTION by Sue Mackenzie and seconded by Mr. Yip the
Treasurer’s Report was accepted as presented.
5. President’s Report and Old Business
Mr. Billington updated the Board on the
following:
He discussed that he would like two more
weeks of patience to try to pull together funding to put the
Blackstone Valley Explorer in the water. He circulated a
report from Bob Dombrowski that detailed how the boat may
operate more efficiently. He is seeking funding from the
City of Central Falls, the National Heritage Corridor and
Citizen’s Bank. He will report back to the Board for a
special meeting over the next two weeks when a plan is
worked out.
Mr. LeFrancois told the Board that he
would help run a fund raiser for the boats and that he would
design a booklet to contain advertising revenue to keep the
boats afloat this season.
Billington explained that with a
contribution from Helen Moroney, and in an effort to raise
cash the Tourism Council was ready to launch a product line
of Salsa and Dynamite Sauce along with it’s Coffee Syrup.
6. New Business
Billington explained that all salaried
positions were cut 20% until further notice. Work hours were
not cut however. Ms Carter explained that the Tourism
Council was approved for “workshare” with RIDET. This may
help replace some of the income that each employee will be
loosing with this cut back in salary.
Billington and Carter announced a grant
being received from the RI Foundation to help RI create a
new “Blue Print for new Tourism.” Billington will be leading
this effort through the Sustainable Tourism Laboratory.
Billington announced that VISTA will be providing two
positions to the Tourism Council this year with a
possibility of a third.
The Board ratified the appointment of Barry Mechanic to the
Board with a Motion from Helen Moroney and a second by Sue
Tessier Mackenzie.
The Board ratified unanimously the
Second Amendment to Loan Documents dated 30 December 2008
for Watercruises of RI LLC and Navigant Credit Union signed
by David Balfour and Peter Conway of Conway Bus Service.
7. Adjournment
There being no further business before
the Board, it adjourned at 1:06 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert D. Billington
President
