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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-10-12 Downtown Steering Committee MinutesTown of Reading Downtown Steering Committee Minutes of Meeting October 12, 1995 Town Hall 7:30 p.m. Attendance: Virginia M. Adams Carolyn Boviard Ruth Carmichael Anna Carroll Don Cowan John Crosby Susan DiGiovanni Kathy Greenfield Juheann Lastella Billy Lee Soni Clarke Lee Bruce MacDonald Robert Matson Jay Smith Peter Simms 1. Boston Globe Article: There was an article which appeared in the Globe on Sunday, October S, however it is not one which Susan had prepared notes for, nor had she spoken to Andy Debilis, its writer. She has several calls in to him, but they have not yet spoken. II. Business Task Force: • Business Survey - To date, only Cummings Park and Adison-Wesley have been contacted regarding distribution of a business survey at their businesses. (Susan has a call in to TASC). The question of their distribution still remains. The businesses may want to decide how that will be done. The point was also raised that, perhaps, Lotus, Converse, AGFA, Textron, Frugal Fannie's, REI, and the Reading Medical Building should be included. The target for distribution is early November. • In addition the business survey mentioned above, which is geared to employees of local businesses, it was noted that a survey to current Downtown Businesses may be useful. This will be discussed further. • Letter to Businesses - The letter was completed and mailed from the Reading Cooperative Bank. The first mailing included the Downtown Businesses and Chamber of Commerce. A second mailing is expected to go out on Monday, October 16 to the 700 other businesses in Reading. III. Media Update: • The First Step Media - Broadcast Cards - To be distributed as follows: Haven Street= Anna; Main Street=Jay, Billy, Soni; Schools=Ruth; McDonalds=Don; Churches to be called by Susan; Library to be asked by Bruce. Other means may include the Internet, handing them out to friends, and reproduction as ads in the Chronicle and the Suburban. The Chronicle will continue to cover activity Billy Soni, and Kathy will paint a sign to stand on the Common. Virginia - raised the issue of possible size restrictions. None were known by the meeting attendees. It will be 8'x4', and will contain the logo, and specifics of the event. Carolyn will check with the cable stations regarding advertising. She will also check with Gary LaPierre, of WBZ radio, to see what if anything he may be able to do for visibility. IV. Residents' Survey: • The "shoppers" survey was completed and forwarded to the Chronicle for publication on Friday, October 13. • Other distribution will include availability at Simms, the Hot Spot, Case Drug, Katie's Hallmark, the Reading Cooperative Bank, A-Plus Printing, Sense of Wonder, and Town Hall. Bruce will contact Deirdre, at the Library, to request that they also be made available from there. Peter Simms will check with the Atlantic. Use of a P.O.. Box to collect returns was donated by Phil Vacarro. Its number is P O. Box 163. • Billy and Soni will create a P.O.P. piece (point-of-purchase), to stand on counters where the survey is available. • The question was raised, by Susan, as to whether the survey was an appropriate place to have a question regarding the potential closing of Lowell Street in front of Town Hall and alteration of the Common. After discussion, it was agreed that it would be best not to put it in the survey, but to be sure it is addressed at The First Step. V. The First Step - • Training - for Recorders and Leaders to be held on October 19, at 7:00 p.m. in the Selectmen's Room at Town Hall. Susan-called people who had volunteered for the nearby towns marketing blitz. She got only a few to .commit to being leaders or recorders. • Saturday. October 28 - Status for securing certain items for the event are as follows: Health Permit - Jonathan (or Peter H.)- status unknown Selectmen's Approval for sign board on Common and for use of Common (Jonathan or Peter H.) - status unknown Trash Barrels from DPW (Peter Simms) - no status Tables from Old South Church (John Crosby) - the Church will donate tables, but they must be picked up between 9 and 2 on Friday, and returned on Sunday. They will be stored in the Selectmen's Room during that time which they are not being used. Cider, apples, muffins, donuts (Virginia) - Anna Carroll of the Hot Spot has donated muffins. Other items have been requested, but not yet procured balloons (Virginia) - no status tablecloths, napkins, cups (Virginia) no status Sign Board (Soni, Kathy, Bill) - to be completed over the weekend VI. Revenue: • Susan had spoken to Peter Hechenbleikner, and was told that there is no will need to address the need for donations in the near future. In the meantime, those who are advancing their own funds to accomplish the goals of the Committee,. should save their receipts for future reimbursement. • In the near future, perhaps after the First Step, the Committee will look to establish itself as a non-profit organization and open bank accounts, as it seeks donations. • Peter Simms has been exploring the creation of a credit card for use at local businesses. He has been speaking with MBNA in Maine. A representative of that bank will be meeting next Wednesday, October 18, with members of the Chamber of Commerce. The bank has stated that it does not usually work with small towns, but is interested in Reading, because of the Chamber endorsement, and the efforts of the Downtown Turnaround. The bank is looking for a list of 5,000 people to target. VII. Other: • Phil Vacarro, Athletic Director at RMHS, and landlord at 603-607 Main Street came to speak to the Committee. His current tenants, at street level, are Focaccia's, T& T Nails, and Reading Square liquors. He said he feels like he owes the Town an apology for the appearance of his building, but that he does not have the resources to upgrade it. He was a previous businessowner in Reading, and says it was "tough" being downtown. He said that the Town is "tough" on tenants. (Virginia showed Phil an old picture of his building with the old shingles exposed). • Leslie McGonagle spoke to the Committee, stating that, in her view, the Town has received much bad press and has a bad perception to outside businesses. Her feeling is that the government has to work with the businesses for Turnaround efforts to be successful. • Bob Matson also spoke, and echoed Leslie's sentiments. He commented that there should be "one sign for one business", and that in his prior experience it was noted by a police officer walking a beat, that paper signs in windows caused a security risk.