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NNA Board Meeting Minutes
23 March 2009
Craig Peterson's House
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Members Present
Craig Peterson, Shirley Peterson, Joel Hodson, Shirley Masters, Bob Craycroft, Steve Plumbley, John Jones, Ed Pickett, Sara Hollberg, Sally Mueller, Barbara Martin, Ed Miska, Michael Organ
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Meeting called to order 6:40 p.m.
Minutes of the January Meeting were read and approved
Treasurer's Report, Sandra McNeill: $3207.48, 3 new members--$15, donations--$85
Committee Reports
Community Issues, Sara Holberg not present, Craig Peterson substituted:
Earth Day, April 18 at Sunspots parking lot
City actions:
1. The city has approved Entrance Corridor Overlay District guidelines for downtown urban renewal area--not the historic district. Guidelines are on the website.
2. Parking exemptions go to public hearing at the planning commission. Changes are intended to help ease parking requirements in downtown areas.
3. Tax incentives for infill in historic areas--more discussion at their April meeting
4. Comprehensive Plan: The city will be seeking input from the public, probably a Monday in May.
Commercial Property/NBG, Craig Peterson:
Michael Organ, on behalf of the NBG, invited NNA to participate in an event, June 6, 11 am to 3 p.m., to bring attention to Newtown, which may include:
1. Realtors open house
2. Gardeners being available to show their gardens
3. Street Musicians
4. Artists publicly painting or drawing and selling their work
6. Yard sales
7. Involving Newtown businesses
NBG has discussed having color-coded maps of activities. Realtors have been asked to donate $25 each to pay for ads and maps. There will be a $100 prize--to spend in Newtown stores and would include one night at Belle Grae and tickets to Shakespeare play.
Discussion centered around whether just Newtown residents would do the yard sales or anyone would be invited and that local churches could be asked to do yard sales that day. NNA could have a table to sell tote bags and memberships. Shirley Masters suggested having horse-drawn carriage rides. John Jones suggested something for kids--face painting, chalk drawing on the sidewalks.
A name for the event was discussed--Newtown Day, among others. John Jones felt we should have a generalized poster to get people to come. Shirley Masters volunteered to cochair. The problem of permits for food, musicians, noise restrictions was discussed. We may need to have police involved for traffic direction.
City Manager, Steve Owen, joined the meeting and said he saw no problem with the city regulations that would prevent holding the event. Closing off some streets would be OK, as well as putting up an electric speed sign--to slow people down on Beverley St. He did think that setting things up on the sidewalk would be a problem. Having a banner downtown was also discussed.
On the real estate front, Jazzy T's got their permit. A photographer, Rene Hummel, will be renting the old Dirty Bean space, and is expected to move in by April 1.
The NNA member email situation was discussed. Should we also hand out flyers to each door as well as email for our events? The Christmas Walk is announced by a card to members. There was a discussion about sending postcards rather than flyers to those who don't have email.
The next meeting will be Wed., April 22, 6:30 p.m. at the Belle Grae Inn |
| Barbara Martin, NNA Secretary |
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