SOMERVILLE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION MINUTES for March 3rd, 2008 of the Board of Directors Stephanie Verb called the meeting to order at 8:18 am.     ATTENDANCE Officers: Kevin Cahill, Jeff Hockenbury, Stephanie Verb Directors: Guy Hoyt, Valerie Gibson, Paul Sanford, Ann Sobel, Lloyd Silverman, John Harrity, Jan Lush, Seaton Anderson Absent: Leigh McLachlan, Teresa Torraca, Lorraine Sarra Members: Larry Gliozzi Other: Cynthia Hollod     MINUTES The February minutes were approved unanimously without revision.   FINANCIAL & COMMITEE REPORTS The financial report was approved unanimously. We do not have a formal 2008 budget, we are going to follow the 2007 budget.  As soon as Stephanie obtains the new quick books program, we will have a comparison budget as part of our monthly reports.     COMMITEE REPORTS STREET FAIR Kevin and Stephanie are meeting with Manions to do an outdoor seating area to increase Association income.  We are going to give it a test run, if Borough approves.  If successful, we will possibly extend to rest of town. If extremely successful, we can maybe do a spin off event, “Taste of Somerville.”  We are trying to gauge interest and operations this fair, that is why we are not reaching out to all food establishments. We would like to have a dunk tank at the event to add another dimension to the event.     OPERATION SHOE BOX Approached Stephanie and would like to conduct a joint packing event on County Veterans Area.  The Board granted permission for Stephanie to pursue talking to the County and proceeding.     MEMBERSHIP Invoices went out for 2008. It was moved to accept All in One Basket, approved unanimously.  It was noted that we need to do more membership recruitment.     LIASON REPORTS & ASSIGNMENTS GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS Correspondence from Somerville’s Economic Development Director, Colin Driver, was presented to the Board.  The request is for a letter of support of applying to the Brownfield Redevelopment grant.  Board approved to write letter unanimously.     DMC Design day had a good turn out with the Main Street New Jersey Program.  It is currently running on Ville TV.  Applications for design services, logos and websites are available from Cynthia Hollod and www.findsomerville.com.  Sample way finding signs have been installed in three locations.     PARKING AND TRAFFIC Requested the formation of a Parking Utility to Mayor and Council.  Funding is needed; it will be raised possibly by increased ticket pricing and extended metering hours. Parking lot number 4 was in question, it is overly congested.  Paul will look into at tonight’s meeting.     ANNOUNCEMENTS AND DISCUSSIONS WEBSITE Proposals by Ryan Sands were presented to the Board to review.  This will take our website to the next level and make it easier to maintain. It will also put a program in place where website less members can pay a fixed price for the creation of a site.  It was mentioned that members in the SID are entitled to free web design services, Stephanie will speak with Ryan and come up with a new pricing structure.  It is a one time fee and Executive Director will keep it updated. It was approved unanimously. Please note that the price also includes a newsletter template to be sent out quarterly.   MISCELLANEOUS 10 am – 4 pm Senior Craft Show on the Court House Lawn on May 3rd.     COMMUNICATIONS All communications to the Association are available for member scrutiny upon request.         NEXT MEETING Tuesday, 1 April @ 8:15 AM Police Headquarters Respectfully submitted, Stephanie Verb 908-586-4797 Directors, please call if you cannot attend.