12/05/09 - The Tourism Council reviewed and approved its audit for fiscal year 2009. Conducted by independent accountants Melucci, Bissonnette & Company, the audit contained “no surprises,” Tourism Council Executive Director Jessica Willi said. Council members complimented Willi and Martha Ball, who helped prepare the audit.

The total revenue for fiscal year 2009 was $232,447 including $2,292 in interest income. The council’s revenue comes almost entirely from hotel taxes.

Hotel taxes for September 2009, $28,821, were $2,000 down from September 2008; except for July, Willi said this has been a trend so far in fiscal 2010.

The council contributed $43,463 to the Chamber of Commerce for use of office space, communications equipment and supplies at the Welcome Center.

Mulling ads

The council reviewed advertisements for the Rhode Island State Guide and the Block Island Guide. The council approved a full page in the state guide, with the slogan “Block Island Beckons.” Willi presented two new drawings to the group, one with large rosa rugosas superimposed on a beach and water scene with racing sailboats in the distance; the other was similar, but without the superimposed roses. The council chose the second for the ad.

For the Block Island Guide, Willi suggested either keeping the two half-page ads from last year or downsizing to just one. The Guide offers the council a special non-profit price for them, and council members voted to keep the two. They did want them “freshened up,” but with the same messages.

SAMP

The council discussed First Warden Kim Gaffett’s comments on the Rhode Island Ocean Special Area Management Plan (SAMP) in regard to the section on tourism and recreation.

The state and the University of Rhode Island are creating the SAMP, an ambitious project to zone the state’s marine areas primarily to select optimal wind farm locations.

Council members thought Gaffett pretty much covered the bases. Ball would like more added on the lighthouses and national landmark recognition. Zena Clark thought that the Global Insights study on economics should indicate that the $200,000 in revenue from Block Island tourism comes from a 10-week season. Otherwise, she said, it looks small compared to incomes from other parts of the state. Ball agreed, especially since “tourism is the economic engine driving Block Island.”

Bermuda of the North

Clark noted that on a recent trip to Bermuda there were special parking places for mopeds. Lines were drawn so approximately six mopeds could fit into one car-sized parking spot. Chair John Cullen thought that might be a good idea for Block Island, as one moped can sometimes take more than one car space in town when parking is tight in July and August. Willi said she would bring the idea to the Old Harbor Task Force. Clark also mentioned Bermuda had 14 moped accident deaths this year.

Solar compactors

Ball reported on an article that described solar-powered compacting trash cans in Mystic, Conn., paid for with stimulus funds. She wondered whether that would be possible on Block Island. Noting there are spots in summer without trash receptacles, Ball said she would like a list of those placed by the town and those placed by the Tourism Council so areas where there is a lack can be identified.

A town meeting with Interstate Navigation is set for December 14, and Tourism Council members regretted they didn’t have a small meeting prior to the town-wide one. Although they are pleased that an extra Saturday morning boat was added to the schedule for the Christmas Stroll, Ted Merritt, referring especially to winter Tuesdays and Wednesdays, opined that, “the ferry schedule is the most limiting thing to the island.”

Clark mentioned the reduction in New London ferry service before Labor Day, and thought a meeting with that company would also be worthwhile.

Merritt said they would discuss these issues in the subcommittee session on their five-year plan.

Reappointments

Reappointments to the council are due this month, and the only member not interested in serving again was Ed McGovern, who mentioned he’d had a total of 20 years of service to the town.