Town of Berry

Communications Committee Meeting

Thursday, August 14, 2008 Town of Berry Hall

 

DRAFT MINUTES/NOTES

 

  1. Meeting was called to order at 7:07pm.

Attending:  Baker, Leetch, Ohnstad, Studz (chair)

Excused:  Henneman, Molling

 

  1. No public comment (no public attended)

 

  1. July minutes were approved as presented.

 

  1. August newsletter was reviewed. The Town’s new printer has significantly improved the quality of the printed version. 

 

A complaint from Tony Varda was discussed. Committee recommended that if significant changes are made to a contributor’s article (any contributor, not just board members) and if time permits, the edited version should be sent to the writer for their info and comment.  If the contributor does not want an edited version to go out under their signature, the signature can be removed or the article can be withdrawn. Per policy, the Town clerk should send a copy of the completed draft newsletter to the Town chair prior to publication.  Per policy, the communications committee chair has final say on articles.     

 

  1. The September newsletter was planned. Articles may include:

·                    Berry business article: Keuhler Construction

·                    Call for new communications committee members: focus website update

·                    List of candidates – District 81 State Assembly race (and election information) – edit from material submitted for August

·                    School bus article (submitted but not used in August)

·                    Budget working meeting date

·                    Park update:  pond construction

·                    EMS open house follow-up (possibly)

·                    Good Neighbors report

·                    Road tour results (if available)

·                    DSL progress

·                    Quote

 

  1. The Town board/committee email address initiative was discussed.  Baker will send out notices (via email) to board and committee members with info re how to set up their Town email accounts.  An archive address has been established: archive@townofberry.org.  Note:  board requests that bugs be worked out before contact info is changed on newsletter and website.

 

  1. The board’s request to the committee to create a brochure re driveway construction/maintenance was discussed. Road/Capital Assets committee to provide communications committee with objectives and key points.

 

  1. Creation of a new resident package was discussed.  Added to the list of topics were the following:

 

·                    Voter information

·                    Annual meeting and budget meeting overview

·                    Public comment portion of Town meeting explained/clarified; add info regarding when and how to provide comment to Town board/committees

 

The resource will be valuable to all residents (including new ones). To ensure distribution, include it as a 2 or 4-page self-contained piece in the newsletter.  It will have a unique layout and style.  To ensure it is regularly updated, plan to run it annually as part of the January newsletter.  For those receiving the newsletter by email, send it as a separate file with the remainder of the newsletter. Char Ohnstad volunteered to draft the document.

 

  1. A DSL meeting was held August 6 at the Town hall.  Led by resident Thad Molling, a quasi task force of residents have created a strategy to help bring high speed internet to all of Berry.

 

  1. Events:  the DSL pre-board meeting has been cancelled.

 

  1. September newsletter copy deadline: 9/1; committee meeting 9/11.

 

  1. Other business: Char Ohnstad announced she plans to retire from the committee in April.

 

  1. Meeting was adjourned at 8pm.