Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, Inc. Board of
Directors Meeting
January 19, 2007 @ Noon, In the Council Conference Room
1. Roll Call
Attendees:
Dave Balfour, Chairman
Sam Butera, Vice-Chairman
Dave Richards, Member
Louise Champigny, Member
Sue Tessier-Mackenzie, Secretary
Robert Billington, President
Natalie Carter, Director of Operations
Len Clingham, Member
Paul Eno, Member
Absent:
Dan O’Brien, Treasurer
Robert Conway, Member
Anthony Capuano, Member
Marcia Green, Member
Dave Petrillo, Member
John Lefrancois, Member
Helen Moroney, Member
Louis Yip
Richard Murphy
Robert Cahill
Don Marshall
2. Minutes
On a MOTION by Mr. Butera, seconded by
Sue Tessier-Mackenzie, the Minutes of the Nov 17th 2006
meeting were approved as submitted. Unanimously approved.
(Copies attached)
3. Treasurer’s Report
The Profit and Loss statement dated Jan
18, 2007 for BVTC for the period from January, 2006 through
Dec 2006 for the boats owned by the Council, and the
Financial Reports for the 2006 Polar Express, the 2006 Fall
Foliage Train Trip, and the 2006 Annual Meeting were
submitted. The Room Tax Revenue Report, generated from
Blackstone Valley hotels and motels through November 2006
was submitted. (Reports are attached and made a part of
these minutes).
4. President’s Report and Old Business
Mr. Billington updated the Board on the
following:
a. Annual Work Plan - 2007
The Tourism Council Work Plan for 2007 was inserted in the
Board Packages. (No comments)
b. Boat Operations - Explorer
The boat operations lost approximately $30,000 in 2005 and
approximately $70,000 in 2006. Since the Council has been
operating the Explorer (13 years), expenses to operate are
increasing yearly due mostly to insurance, maintenance and
crane operational costs that have risen dramatically in the
last few years. Billington suggested possibly selling the
Explorer to a local organization that would operate the boat
in the Blackstone Valley.
c. Boat Operations - Spirit of the
Blackstone Valley
Explained why the Spirit of the Blackstone Valley should
also be sold. He stated that the value of the boat is
approximately $6,000. Mr. Clingham requested that
information on the vessel be sent to him and suggested that
a story be written about the successes of the Blackstone
Valley Explorer and that even with its success, it is time
the Council sell the boat and remove itself from the tour
boat business.
d. Land Offer - Cumberland
The Board reviewed the offer of Dr. Patrick Connelly and his
wife to grant land in Cumberland (gratis), to the Blackstone
Valley Tourism Council and although it is a nice offer, it
is the Board of Director's determination that they not
accept this donation at this time.
On a MOTION was made by Mr. Clingham and seconded by Mr. Eno
to decline the land offer at this time. Roll Call: All
attending members voted in favor of the motion with Mr.
Richards voting against the motion. Motion carried.
e. Watershed Council
Ms. Carter explained that funds for the Blackstone Valley
Watershed Council were still in the Council’s possession due
to the fact that BVTC began the Council 1997. The Watershed
Council has formed a seperate non-profit corporation from
the Tourism Council and formal request has been made by the
Rhode Island Rivers Council that these funds be turned over
to the Watershed Council because they are a bonified agency
able to manage the funds themselves.
A MOTION was made by Mr. Eno, and seconded by Ms. Tessier-Mackenzie
to turn over the funds to the Watershed Council as soon as
position. Motion passed unanimously.
f. Fall Foliage Tour - 2007
Mr. Billington explained that the Council would not be able
to host the Fall Foliage trip unless the Council is able to
obtain a $5,000 subsidy. He added that he was in the process
of exploring a subsidy.
5. New Business
a. Book entitled “Cumberland by the
Blackstone”
Mr. Richards offered to provide complimentary advertisements
on his radio station WOON, for the book since BVTC earns
$5.00 for each book sale.
b. Meeting Schedule - 2007
Mr. Balfour polled the Board to establish a set meeting
schedule for 2007. The Board agreed to continue to meet
every two months on the third Friday of the month. All
attending members agreed. (A schedule is attached to these
Minutes).
c. Board Contact
Mr. Balfour requested that a week prior to the meeting a
phone call or email be sent to each Board member reminding
them of the meeting. All attending members agreed.
d. New Board Member
Mr. Balfour stated that he would like to request the Board
to consider asking Mr. Ted Garille of Burrillville to join
the Board of Directors of the Tourism Council. Mr. Balfour
also noted that Mr. Garille is the chair of the Pascoag
Water Authority. All attending members agreed.
6. Adjournment
There being no further business before
the board, the board adjourned at 1:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Tessier-Mackenzie
Recording Secretary
