Blackstone Valley
Tourism Council, Inc.
Board of Directors Meeting
April 13, 2012
Tourism Council
Conference Room
175 Main St.
Pawtucket, RI
Roll Call
Attendees:
David Balfour, Chair
Barry Mechanic, Vice Chair
Moe Rondeau, Member
Paul Eno, Member
Keith Fayan, Member
Debra Fournier, Member
Absent:
Louis Yip, 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
2. The meeting was called to order at 12:15 pm
with a quorum present.
3. Minutes
On a MOTION by Moe Rondeau, seconded by Deb
Fournier, the Minutes of the December 22, 2011 meeting were approved
as submitted except that a meeting date was to be included in the
Minutes and it was to be noted that the meeting began at 11.11am due
to the Holiday Party that followed the meeting at 12pm.
4. Treasurer’s Report
There was a MOTION by Moe Rondeau and seconded by
Paul Eno to approve the Financial Reports dated 02/09/12 were
approved as submitted. The Motion carried unanimously.
5. President’s Report
Robert Billington updated the Board on the
following projects and programs:
The Rhode Island Cherry Blossom Festival
Updated on Cherry Blossom Princess and ribbon cutting for the park
on May 19, 2012
The William Wheat Chocolate Factory Project
Updated on Fund Raising efforts to date
Visitor Center Closure in Pawtucket
Explained the efforts on why the Center is closed and what is being
done about it
Visitor Center loss of Dunkin Donuts at Lincoln VC
Explained how the Tourism Council is helping RIDEM seek out a tenant
Status of the RI Music Hall of Fame
Explained that the Hall is opening on Feb 26, 2012
RI Tourism Legislation
Explained that Senator Paiva Weed is seeking to eliminate the
tourism tax that affects the E/V Blackstone Valley Explorer
E/V Blackstone Valley Explorer
Explained that the maintenance on the Explorer is underway for a
Spring 2012 launch
Billington pushed off financial reports for the
Annual Dinner and the Polar Express until next meeting.
6. Continuing Business
Billington apprised the Board that Dr. Pat Conley
has sold the M/V Hope that will return $25,000 to Water Cruises of
RI LLC which is owned by the BVTC and Conway Tours.
They reviewed the agreement drafted and acknowledged the arrangement
as fair to all concerned. Billington noted the funds were going to
be used to pay down the debt owed on the loan to construct the
vessels.
7. New Business
Keith Fayan agreed to draft a Conflict of Interest
Statement for the Board to review at the next meeting.
On a MOTION by Mr. Eno and by seconded by Mr.
Rondeau, the meeting adjourned at 1:20pm
Respectfully submitted,
Robert D. Billington, Ed. D.
President
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