P. Riva, Chair

R. Russell

Colette Maas

L. Coon

S. Benardette

K. Dunlop

J. Devine

M. Montaigne

A.     Durbridge

D. Holland

M. Babcock

J. Ducillo

B.     Hundt

V. Doyle

M. Morrison, Consultant

1.  Opening Remarks – P. Riva – Peter welcomed visitors, noted we would be starting each first Wed. promptly at 7:00 p.m.

 2.  Streetscape Plan – M. Morrison – A PowerPoint presentation was provided showing first draft of several design options for E. Main St. and Mechanic St., with “before and after” effects.  A copy on CD Rom will be given to Peter for airing on Cablevision.

• Rocky Ducillo:  Already hard to see when pulling out.  Street trees will be limbed up at least 7 feet; May need to be higher, for Manning trucks and Sears delivery. 
• People stopping for lunch.  Eastern end of Town also possibility for bump outs.  More plantings (?) to filter Cumberland Farm with columnar trees for better visibility/safety.
• Peter Riva:  maybe a drive through with Manning in cab of truck to visualize their needs.  We all appreciate the excellent job (M. Morrison) has done.
• Dolores:  Possible to add tree around Cozy Corner? – M.M.:  Have to be careful, but might squeeze one in.’
• Collette - anyone check statistics with bump outs?  20 years ago, put them in, then removed because it hampered shopping.  I have big tractor trailers coming to my shop and am concerned about.  M.M.:  With limited budget, bump outs most effective for showing off plantings.  There are already lots of trees, but not that visible.
• Collette – Provision for turnaround for merchants down by Cumberland Farm?  Will bump outs discourage three-point turns?  Peter:  DOT should deal with this.  They said traffic flow is not ideal, way cars are using the road.  In Pleasant Valley, big trucks do u-turns in middle of village, but that is nature of small towns.  Can’t build roundabout or rotary as DOT is not crazy about them.  In NYC, is a $250 fine, but won’t happen here.  Bump-outs may be bit of problem with snow removal.  But need good pedestrian crossing w/ consideration of driveways, but mostly to establish rhythm.
• M.M.:  Will work with facade subcommittee as well.  Trees will not be jammed up against facades if can widen sidewalks.  Is some grant money, but will only make a dent.  More needed for long-term.  Need to coordinate with sewer and sidewalk improvements.
• Durbridge:  We are looking farther ahead than we had hoped for.  Two plans suggested.  What is cost of A and cost of B?  Need to dovetail this with timetable.  Need to keep people informed of progress, schedule for street trees.  Need to begin looking at types of trees, etc.  M.M.:  Need to talk to Region 8 at DOT.

3.  Façade Plan - M. Babcock – Erin Rollins took 25 photos of facades she will work with located up and down Main Street.  The façade subcommittee will work on this.  At her presentation last year, she showed before and after photos with color palette using overlays.  She plans to do the same for us.  Cathy Shanks, who worked on Millbrook’s façade program, is sending Mimi sample facade easements and criteria list.

• Ms. Rollins will get the digital photos blown up. 
• May need to run an ad asking for historic photos of buildings.
• Need property owners from tax roll.  Decide which are commercial bldgs.
• Inform owners of free design consultation.
• Mimi will get façade plan proposal to Vicki/Peter for distribution to committee.
• Mimi will talk to Connie Clapp about outreach.

In Millbrook, side streets were included.  Merchants were involved. Some roofs looked dubious, may need repair.  Jamos was leaking, was flat roof, so town asked them to include peaked roof as part of changes.   

Façade Improvements – In Millbrook project, merchants split the cost with town.   After plan is completed, we need to find funding for implementation.  Can talk to some of people from old committee. S. Bernadette:  Have any idea where funding may come from for façade improvements?  Greenway, Tribute Gardens, etc., but that is another project.

New owner next to Fountain Square, has antique business, is excited about project.  Riva:  some may not like project, but others will see the opportunities.  Need to understand the needs of owners.

4.  Budget – V. Doyle – Updated version is in Excel and provides separate budgets for each subcommittee which, when and as it is updated, will coordinate with master sheet.  Color codes will help us track who is responsible and where the money is coming from.  Master copy of Excel will be on Vicki’s computer, changes should be made and e-mailed to her.  Lisa, Monique and perhaps Katharine do not have EXCEL.

5.  Economic Development – P. Riva - All agreed to rename subcommittee Outreach which includes:

·         Grants, publicity, gen’l outreach to community, involve citizens with a flow of info., early, less likely to run into brick walls. 

• Outreach to both papers, provide viable content of interest to readers.
• Development of website for Amenia anniversary.
• Tech Fair  - Mar. 12.  Committee was instrumental in establishing Chamber.  Pat manning is helping to support, along w/ Partnership and others.  Ask for participation - contact Chamber.  Press release available.
• Sign – All wished to support Chamber’s small signs attached to welcome signs, want to give them 4 signs.  These might some day be rented for business advertising which may generate income for committee for plantings, etc.  Problem is now size of writing is too small.  Sign size is fine.  Contrast might need to be greater.  Black on white?  Should have max. size of type face, but if want to sell that site, will need it to be more readable.  J. Devine agreed to help with this.
• S. Bernadette will switch from Streetscape to Outreach.

6.  Sidewalk Block Grant for Wassaic – Need plan from Stanley for compatible design ideas.  Community Block grant might want future grant to work with Amenia. 

 7.  Townscape – J. Devine agreed to chair this subcommittee. 

• Garden tour date was set for Sun. July 4.  Maryanne Wilkens needs date for publicity, website (Peter).  She has files. 
• Townscape fund has about $3,000 in private account.  Need new co-signer with Treasurer.  Townscape will have own budget.  Dolores will e-mail J. Devine before leaving mid Feb.
• Dolores reviewed $650,000 in grants, including EPF funds, for D.C. trees.  A survey is needed, send out next month.  After Maintenance Plan is in place, will be eligible. Nancy Wolf is ex. Director of Urban Forestry Council, is good contact for grant money.  Herb Eschbach has loads of maps, plans from John Clarke.