2013-01-22-TOUR2-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes of the meeting of Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 11:30 a.m. Parker Room (G -15) Members Kerry Brandin, Bebe Fallick, Trisha Kennealy, Dawn McKenna, Absent:: Mary Jo Bohart, Denise Ricketts, Lou Sideris, Jim Shaw Staff. Masha Traber Selectmen Liaison: Peter Kelley Center Committee Liaison: Fred Johnson Visitors: Carl Valente, Deb Belanger, Jerry Michelson and Wendy Manz 1) Meeting with Town Manager, Carl Valente a) Staffing: Carl Valente indicated that we would be able to receive support on the business side of Liberty Ride to help with coordination of new contract, dealing with accounting and cash control. Committee appreciates dedication of town's resources to financial management of the ride. There are three reconciliations that happen throughout the year which make it easier to close out. He also indicated that he may assign Jeanette Rebecchi to help after July 1 Liberty Ride is supported by donations, grants and ticket sales. The other thing the Tourism Committee is in need of clerical support. Historic Society has asked for dedicated shuttle between the houses. Committee believes sufficient public transportation options exist, and two are within walking distance to the Visitors Center. Deb Belanger: The state is encouraging different towns to cross - market the attractions so that tourists can think of it as a route. b) People Counter —This in one of the Committee's highest priorities. We asked what Carl needed to support the request. Carl Valente how do we determine the dollars contributed to tourism? MOTT uses the same formula that is being used industry wide and across the nation. It is to our advantage to demonstrate the number of people coming to the town. An example of how we have been supported has been money received to help fund the Liberty Ride in its early stage. Deb Belanger's organization pays for some of the advertising that we benefit from. Current funding of $6 million for 16 tourism councils, Boston, Cape Cod and Greater Merrimack. The numbers allocated are based on a variety of factors. Massvacation.com has all of the information about the research that has been collected. We collected information about where people are from when selling Liberty Ride tickets. The only data we have now is that visitors can sign in voluntarily. The system we are proposing is infared. We are awaiting his approval. 2) 12:30 Parking Signs for Lexington Center – Joint Meeting with Center Committee. Center Committee prefers the international P ymbol of graphic and color. Committee voted unanimously to put up signs. When Selectman approved signage program stated should go through the Tourism Committee. We are in favor of preservation of wayfinding signage, we like the font of the P and like the original color of the signs for the Red - brown. Need to attend the next center committee. We are proposing 7 signs. We will continue this aspect of the hearing with HDC. Might shrink down to 24 in with P in middle. Center Committee will meet 2nd Thursday of the month. 3) Visitor Center CPC voted 7 -2 to support the project. The copy of the original report is on TC section of the town website. The Chamber is fine with their space but the downstairs space is driven by programming needed for our visitors so they do not interfere with the other services we are offering. We would need to make the building accessible which is a benefit 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420