Minutes of Meeting of Route 206 Corridor Committee

March 6, 2000 at the AWhite House@, BOCES, Trout Creek

Present: Robert Augenstern, Southern Tier East Regional Planning & Development; Al Budine, Walton Citizens Task Force; Andrew Harrington & Candice Harrington, Greene Chamber of Commerce; Helen Hernandez, Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce; Joe Markey, Walton Citizens Task Force; Matthew Richard, Chenango County Dept. Of Planning; George M. Sands, Market Research Initiative; Joe Serbin, Empire State Development; Ken Schriber, Walton Chamber of Commerce; Robert Terry, Colchester Chamber of Commerce.

Meeting commenced at 5:05 pm by introducing members. A motion was made to accept the Minutes of the December 7, 1999 meeting by Ken Schriber. George M. Sands seconded. All in favor.

Helen Hernandez reported that changes were made to the Certificate of Incorporation and taken to Denman. Some small corrections were made on the document and a motion was made by Robert Terry to empower Helen Hernandez to file the Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State through Mr. Denman. Candice Harrington again made the motion after a brief discussion and it was seconded by Ken Schriber. UPDATE: A 3/20/00 meeting with Mr. Denman who is the legal counsel to facilitate the incorporation, was held by Helen Hernandez and George M. Sands. Mr. Denman will review the document once more to make sure that language is in accordance with the desirable 5018 3 status.

The question of membership eligibility was addressed and discussion followed that the 4 County Tourist Organizations could be members because they are separate from Government. It was determined that members are subject to dues TBA by the Board of Directors.

Robert Terry reported that he is trying to spark a Town of Tompkins Business Group. More about that at the next meeting.

Status of the Nominating Committee was not known because both Wilma Felton and Betty Nelson were not able to attend the meeting.

We then took an inventory of possible directors and the following directors were suggested among the persons present: Wilma Felton, Candice Harrington, Helen Hernandez, George M. Sands, Ken Schriber and Robert Terry. In addition, we suggested Robert Lambrigger (on vacation till April), Kim McDonald from Whitney Point, and Andrew Matviak from Vision 21 in Sidney. Pat Lord from the Afton Sertoma was suggested as an alternate.

A motion was made by Al Bodine to accept this slate and seconded by Joe Markey. All in favor. In order to elect officers, all 9 directors would have to be present. A motion had already been made at the 12/7/99 meeting to have Robert Terry, George M. Sands and Helen Hernandez serve as interim officers.

Robert Terry then gave us a list of pledges and Bob Augenstern was asked if his agency could help and what should be done next for the future of this new corporation and its goals. An inventory was done previously of the communities along the Route 206. UPDATE: Robert Terry is attempting on putting the information together for presentation to Robert Augenstern.

Robert Augenstern requested a report on what our focus for gaining financial support is at this point: Historic development, Signage, Activity areas, marketing material/brochures. Give him a list of inventory, issues, resources, our ideas how to proceed, the elements of the plan etc. His question on what our expectation of Route 206 is was answered by Candice Harrington: Have tourists drive up 206, visit some points of interest, spend the night, pass on word of mouth; attract tour groups. Helen Hernandez feels that Route 206 should be marketed heavily during hunting season, when out of towners are here and could consider coming back during spring/summer with their families.

Helen Hernandez= concerns that this would not coincide with our certificate of incorporation on file was answered by Bob Augenstern. The activity would be in form of educational materials regarding Chenango Canal, Catskill Turnpike, Agri-Tourism, and additional Historic Points TBA.

George M. Sands reported that he is involved in the AForging the Freedomtrail Project@ that deals with the recognition of the Underground Railroad in New York State. His project includes a tour description starting in Brooklyn, going up to Peekskill where Underground Railroad research has already gained Community recognition, coming up Route 206, and leading up to Auburn (Harriet Tubman Center). Sands is setting up a Conference with the help of the USDA on 6/24/00 in Bainbridge=s General Clinton Park that will include the promotion of Route 206. He also pointed to a government publication regarding Scenic Byway rule changes.

Candice Harrington reported that former rest stops North of Greene were no longer serviced and the towns in question are trying to keep people out. She suggested that we should take charge of these stops in form of signage, trash removal. Other such similar projects in consideration were reported by members.

Helen Hernandez reminded members that she needs input for the Route 206 website at www.route206.org. It was recently visited by the Daily Star when writing a general article about the Internet. Ken Schriber is starting a website and a business in Walton for the purpose of craft and artists activities.

Robert Terry reported that there are no more spots available for an outdoor sign on Route 17. He suggested that we get quotes for a billboard instead.

George M. Sands made some final comments about the workshops at the 6/24/00 conference and the meeting was adjourned around 6:20 pm.

Next Meeting Date: Tuesday, May 9, 2000 6:30 PM in Greene at the Water=s Edge in Greene

--------------------------------------

Minutes by Helen Birkmann Hernandez

hbirkmann@mkl.com

www.route206.org