Minutes of Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce General Membership Meeting – June 20, 2023

ATTENDEES:  JR Bogert, Jay Campbell, Dave DeClue, Matt Germond, Heather & Randy Janinda, Bruce Kellogg, Barb Mulkins, Dolores Nabinger, John Payne, Armando Petruccelli, Teri Schunk, Chris Smith, Sal Testani, Phil Wade, June White

1. Meeting called to order by Chamber President, John Payne, at 7:32 am.
2. Secretary’s Report:  motion to accept by June, second by Bruce, carried.
3. Treasurer’s Report:  motion to accept by JR, second by Dolores, carried.
4. The Lion’s Club and BG Student Council’s share of working the concession stand at the General Clinton Canoe Regatta is $1,669. Jay provided the checks that will be distributed to each group.
5. The #’s are not final yet, but it is anticipated that the GCCR made a record profit this year – more than any other year.
6. Dolores provided a Town Report. The pool is open. Signups for swimming lessons will take place on Thursday night. Gary Richman has resigned. Shane Nordberg will oversee the pool for the remainder of the Summer and Tim Harmon will be in charge of the park. This will be re-evaluated at the end of the season.
7. Phil provided a Village Report. The parade was fantastic – great turnout!! The crew is currently working on mowing and paving. Phil is also working on nuisance properties within the Village and how to take care of – 8 Pearl Street being one of those properties. Also working on a forbearance needed for John Payne’s solar project. Either new poles are needed on E. Main Street or underground which is very expensive. Hopefully another solution will be worked out as this project could represent $100,000 in annual income for the Village. Phil is also working on the FEMA grant and the NY Forward grant.
8. Sal Testani provided an update on Commerce Chenango. They are working with Tim Ryan and the other Superintendents to connect schools with businesses. Current statistics show that 80% of graduating high schoolers do not plan on attending college. CC held a hiring fair at Norwich High School. The fair included 26 Manufacturers which were required to have openings for those with a High School Diploma. There are currently 3 offers for employment as a result. They are also working on Threat Assessment Management. This is a network to spot targeted violence which is the result of certain behaviors. There are currently 30 people involved and this is being led by Sheriff Cutting.
9. Sal also spoke about Taste of Chenango which will be taking place on July 29^th from 1:00 – 7:00 pm sponsored by Chobani. This event is being revamped from the previous year. There is no cost to Chenango residents, but vendors will be charged to participate. There will be events geared toward kids early in the day with entertainment and a celebrity cookoff later in the day.
10. Teri reported on 4Towns Forward. The music festival is next weekend Saturday, July 1^st. They have sold close to 2,000 tickets, there will be 7 bands performing with the last performance starting at 8:45 pm. They currently have 40-50 vendors with vendors still signing up every day. VIP is sold out. General admission tickets are $40 and are still available at select branches of SFCU. All 4 towns have been actively involved in putting this event together. Profits from this event will be equally divided between all 4 chambers with a nest egg being set aside to start next year’s event. The next 4Towns Meeting will be Tuesday, June 27^th at 8:00 am at the back of Bob’s Diner. If anyone is available to help, the cleanup will take place on Sunday, June 2^nd starting at 8:00 am. Everything needs to be cleaned up and put back in place by noon. They are also trying to figure out how they can collect all the recyclable bottles with the proceeds going toward the Bainbridge Community Center.
11. June spoke about a blood drive being put on by the Bainbridge Rotary that will take place on 9/23 at the Town Hall from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Phil also spoke about the Health & Wellness Fair that will be taking place at the Presbyterian Church on the same day.
12. Phil also spoke about the William G. Pomeroy foundation that is responsible for putting up historic landmark signs. The signs need to be applied for and the applicant must provide a citation of the historic site. Dolores advised that one of these signs will be going up soon on Route 7 at Kirby Flats.
13. June spoke about the Pool Parties that Rotary sponsors on Friday nights throughout the Summer. Rotary purchases pizza and drinks and different organizations host the events each Friday night. The group hosting picks up the pizza and soda and serves it to those attending. The Bainbridge Chamber will be hosting Friday, August 4^th. Bruce and John have volunteered to work at the event.
14. Dolores advised that spackling is taking place at the Community Center today.
15. Nominations were made for Business of the Year – Erika’s Cakery and Citizen of the Year – Paul Jenkins.
16. Our next Board of Directors Meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 11^th – not the 1^st Tuesday of the month due to July 4^th and the next General Membership Meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 18^th at the back of Bob’s Diner @ 7:30 am.
17. Motion to adjourn by Dolores, second by JR, carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 am.

Respectfully Submitted: 

Christine Smith, Secretary