THE SENIOR MEN'S CLUB OF NEW CANAAN
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 9, 2010
President Nick Zaccagnino opened the meeting with 94 of 474 members present.
NEW MEMBER(S): None
GUEST(S): None
MINUTES: Harry Hitch read the minutes of June 25, 2010.
MEMBERSHIP ASSISTANCE: Chairman, Bob Moylan was welcomed back. He announced that Joe Sweet and his wife have moved to Virginia.
ANNOUNCEMENTS were made: The next SMC meeting will be on July 23; no meeting next week. Nick discussed the New Canaan Advertiser's Friday meetings, which are designed to provide insight and perspective on New Canaan happenings.
The status and plans were reported for various activities and couth trips:
ACTIVITIES: Bridge - As usual. Bike Club - Had nice ride (4 riders) on Wednesday. Golf - Wednesday, 7/28 at H. Smith Richardson, Monday, 8/9 at Ridgefield Golf Club, 8/25 TBD. Tennis - As usual. Racquetball - (0-4-3). Amateur Chefs - 7/22 annual lobster fest at Lapham. The 4-F Luncheon, Trailblazers, Photography, and Skyblazers are all on holiday.
COUTH: No report.
HUMORIST: Mike Law told the story about a man and a woman discussing how to build their relationships. The man confessed to being obsessed with golf. When the woman admitted to being a hooker, he gave her some advice on improving her golf swing.
SPEAKER: Vice President, John McKay, introduced Tucker Murphy, Executive Director of the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce, and Christine Wagner, a member of the Town Center Planning Group. First Selectman, Jeb Walker, was also present and added a few remarks.
Tucker described how businesses are struggling to survive with the current staggering economic crisis and explained how she developed a plan, identified challenges and strategies, and is taking action. They have engaged a PR firm to maintain the New Canaan charm and build businesses through media attention with a local/regional/national approach to marketing.
She outlined the challenge with chain stores, parking (always a topic of debate), beautification (an ongoing priority), the High School internship program (seeking candidates), and mentioned many success stories.
Wagner explained that the Planning Group's purpose is to develop a master plan with focus on town facilities, the library expansion, size of the town hall, the fire department building, parking and traffic. They are putting out an RFQ for planning firms and will hold public forums.
The Q&A sessions addressed: empty store fronts, Griffin Ford property, sidewalk restaurant concept, types of businesses needed in downtown, vacant homes and relationship with realtors, second floor businesses, retail rent, the library needs, and deck structure parking.
In closing, Tucker invited anyone interested to visit the Chamber of Commerce office located at 91 Elm Street, weekdays from 9:00 AM to noon.
Complete minutes are posted on the SMC website and copies are available on the Membership table.
Roger Langevin, Assistant Secretary