SANDWICH BUSINESS GROUP
MINUTES
NOVEMBER 5TH, 2007

MEMBERS PRESENT: Don Brown, Lisa Shambaugh, Susan Davies, Don Sutton, Judi Dunlap, Sarah Zuccarelli, Bob Rowan, Selectman, Joyce Lund, Ben Adriance, Julie Deak, Patsy Carega. Kitty Ameral and Lori Lenart from the Ossipee Chamber of Commerce.

President Lisa Shambaugh called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.

SECRETARY: Patsy Carega
A motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes. The minutes were approved.

SELECTMAN:  Bob Rowan
Bob Rowan reported to our group on enhancements and new projects taking place in Sandwich. The sidewalk from Church Street to the Sandwich Day Care Center on Maple Street is almost completed.

Three parking areas are in the works. One next to the Heard's house on Maple street, a second between Doris Chittick's house (The Hattery) and the the Industries parking lot, and the third between the Old Fire House and the Methodist Church. 

Future projects include a side walk from Church Street to the Corner House Inn, rebuilding the existing sidewalk on Main Street and adding a curb to the other side of the street for parking.  Paths linking the parking lots to each other and town businesses are also in the works. The Selectmen are looking into grass parking lots. These are constructed by placing a plastic mesh on top of gravel. Top soil and grass seed are placed on top of the mesh. The idea is to keep the character of the town while providing additional parking. Plans are subject to priorities and the budget.  The town is willing to work with the SBG as to which parking lot is the most important. Don Brown suggested that perhaps the SBG could help develop a plan for signs and/or kiosks at the parking lots. Lisa thanked Bob for coming to talk with the group.

The group reacted very favorably to Bob's report. It was felt that the SBG should lend support to the Selectmen in their endeavors to improve the town. We should go to Selectmen's meetings and possibly get involved with some of the other committees. 

TREASURER: Julie Deak
The treasurer's report is attached to the hard copy of the minutes. Julie reported that we have some "extra" money. Should we carry it over, how should we put it to use? The consensus was to save the money for future expenses.  Enhanced web pages could make the "enhanced listing" more valuable.  Julie Deak volunteered to join the "Web Committee".  A motion was made, seconded and approved to accept the treasurer's report.

MARKETING: Don Sutton
No report. Review last year's plan. Our website is our biggest attribute. It was felt that mailing the brochure was a good idea.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Lisa Shambaugh is stepping down as President of the organization. Don Sutton, Joyce Lund and Lisa are the members of the nominating committee. They will present a slate at the next meeting for President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. A motion was made, seconded and approved to accept the formation of the Nominating Committee.

SANDWICH FAIR REPORT: Judi Dunlap
Pictures of our booth at the Fair are attached to the hard copy. Judi' s report is attached to the hard copy.

Thank you to Judi and Sarah (Zuccharelli) for manning the booth at the fair. Judi reported that she had talked to many people who were not aware that their was "life beyond the fair". She suggested that a committee be formed early in the year to organize for the Fair in the fall.  It was also suggested that the SBG should talk to the Fair Committee to find out their guide lines.  Where is the most advantageous spot for our booth. 

GREATER OSSIPEE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:
Towns represented: Effingham, Freedom, Madison, Ossipee, Sandwich and Tamworth. Guide and note from Chamber president Steve Sousa attached to hard copy.

Member of the Ossipee Chamber, Lori Lenart talked to us about their chamber and how Ossipee and Sandwich might work together. It was suggested that we host a Business after Hours party in Sandwich and invite the Ossipee chamber members next spring. Discussion of other possibilities of how we might work together included co-op ads such as radio, TV and internet. Also mentioned was a possible Sandwich Representative on their board.  Building strong Chambers work to make towns a destination for locals and tourists alike. The Ossipee Chamber has an information booth at the intersection of routes 16 and 25. It would possibly be a good place for our brochures. It is possible for us to join as a group. Membership would cost $50 as a group. Our website would be listed in their guide and our websites linked.  If we join as a non profit, do we get same benefits as an individual?  They have 8 members from Sandwich. An individual membership is $200. The discussion as to whether or not we should join the Ossipee Chamber as a group was tabled until we have some answers to our questions. Also we probably should look at the possibilities of other Chambers available to us. Thanks to Lori and Kitty for joining us at the meeting today. 

NEXT MEETING WILL BE DECEMBER 3 AT 6:30 P.M. AT THE CORNER HOUSE INN.

Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted,

Patricia Ladd Carega

Patricia Ladd Carega
PO Box 417
Center Sandwich, NH 03227

[11.5.07]