Town of Provincetown
Visitor Services Board
Monday, August 21, 2006
Judge Welsh Meeting Room
Chairman Lynne Davies convened the meeting at 11:11 AM noting the following
attendees:
VSB members: Lynne Davies, Chairman; Peter Bez, Vice Chairman;
Kathleen Fitzgerald; Laurel Guadazno; Michael
Peregon and Mick Rudd
Excused Absence: Hersh
Schwartz
Other attendees: Bill
Schneider, Administrative Director of Tourism; Peter Borrelli, Center for
Coastal Studies; Candice Collins-Boden, Chamber of Commerce; Michael Glasfeld,
Bay State Cruise Company; Jay Hurley, Portuguese Princess
The meeting was called to
order at 10:05 AM. Lynne Davies
introduced Michael Glasfeld from the Bay State Cruise Company. He distributed a packet to the members stating
his concerns regarding the proposed regulation that could jeopardize the
existence of ferry service and whale watching in and out of Provincetown as
promulgated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and
the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).
Mr. Glasfeld's letter to
"Provincetown Stakeholders" dated August 18, 2006 outlines the
regulation and, should it pass as written, the sighting of a single right whale
(an endangered species) in the waters surrounding Provincetown would trigger a
36-mile diameter zone through which no commercial vessel could pass at a speed
greater than 10 knots. He further said
that the slow down zones are called Dynamic Management Areas (DMAs) and are in
addition to full time slow down periods in the region from January 1st
to May 15th. The full-time
slow down periods are called Seasonal Management Areas (SMAs).
Mr. Glasfeld contended that
if a DMA were to be activated during the summer season, a ferry from Boston
could take as long as five hours to make the crossing to Provincetown. This would probably result in certain
termination of ferry service during the time that the DMA was in effect and,
once the DMA was established, would be in effect for a minimum of 15 days.
Michael Glasfeld pointed out
that a possible loss of ferry service as well as a possible loss of the whale
watch industry could spell economic disaster for the Town. Mr. Glasfeld's mission was to encourage the
Visitor Services Board (VSB) to weigh in on this legislation. The comment period runs until October 5th
at which time the comments will be assessed and a decision on the proposed
regulations will be made.
There are six alternative
plans proposed and Bay State Cruise Company will be submitting a letter
recommending Alternative 1, 3, or 4. It
was deemed that these alternatives would have no effect on ferry operation and
the least impact on whale watch operations as well. Mr. Glasfeld felt that if the most stringent alternative (#6)
were to go into effect, it would result in an actual close down of his
industry.
Jay Hurley representing the
Portuguese Princess whale watch company was in attendance as well. He had just learned of the meeting that very
day and wanted time to study all the alternatives and then state his opinion.
Stormy Mayo, the founder of
the Center for Coastal Studies (CCS), got on the public record as advocating
alternatives 5 and 6 – the most stringent.
Peter Borrelli, the director
of the CCS, only learned about this meeting last night. He informed the group about the right whale
feeding habits, etc. They feed on
plankton which is plentiful here from mid to late December until early
May. They come here to feed in early
May and then travel on to the Bay of Fundy.
(At this point, Mick Rudd arrived.)
The Coast Guard and NOAA patrol to protect the whales. Right whales come to MA to feed. In technical terms, it is plankton on which
they feed. It’s only during this time
that dense patches of plankton are formed.
We may have one third of the total whale population here at that time.
Chairman Davies said that
this is a very complex ecological issue and as of December the right whales are
coming back and we’re trying to push our tourist season further into the winter
season. We don’t have the expertise to
push one way or another. We need to
have the Board of Selectmen (BOS) involved since the issue has a significant
town government impact.
Motion:
1. The ADT will monitor the
situation and 2. The ADT will schedule
a meeting with the BOS, Whale Watch groups, and the Chamber of Commerce to
discuss the entire issue of the proposed Federal regulations.
Motion: Lynne
Davies Seconded: Mick Rudd Vote: unanimous.
Bill Schneider said that the
next VSB meeting is scheduled for Sept 5th. Since we have a deadline of Oct 5th
to respond to the regulation, Mr. Schneider suggested the joint meeting with
the BOS be scheduled for September 11th.
Motion: The
ADT will monitor the impact of the proposed regulation and come up with an
alternative to give to the BOS. (In
this endeavor he will be working with Michael Glasfeld, Peter Borrelli, and the
whale watch groups to formulate a proper response for the BOS.)
Motion: Lynne
Davies Seconded: Mick Rudd
Voted: unanimous
Approval of Minutes – August 7, 2006
Ms. Fitzgerald said she
noticed one typo – "ruff" data instead of "rough" draft.
Motion:
Accept the minutes with the one correction.
Motion: M.
Peregon Seconded: K. Fitzgerald Vote: unanimous.
Tourism Director’s Report
The report was a two-page
memo dated August 21st that had been handed out prior to the
meeting. It detailed Public Relations
and Marketing efforts made by the ADT.
Video News Release (VNR) – Review Rough Cut
The purpose of this VNR is
to attract other news media to come to town.
Mr. Schneider cautioned the group to keep in mind that this is a work in
progress. The group received it
enthusiastically. Mr. Schneider said
that it would be widely used to promote Town.
Candi Collins-Boden of the Chamber of Commerce said it shows great
support of cultural things.
Bathroom Signage Initiative
One comment was made in
regard to this subject: Mr. Peregon
mentioned that there are still no signs announcing restrooms on Commercial
Street next to the Portuguese Bakery.
Five-Year Financial Plan
The ADT recommended that the
September 5th meeting would thoroughly discuss the five-year
financial plan. Basically it is a level
funded recommendation. Mr. Schneider
recommends a broader approach for garbage, restrooms, etc. He would like to really look at everything
so we can look at alternatives. Maybe
it makes more sense to contract for the summer. For some of the services, i.e., Waterfront Park, maybe hire a
landscaper? Also, the Barnstable County
Department of Community Services may be able to help with regular maintenance
of Lopes Square, the Waterfront Park and islands. Instead of buying benches, the ADT suggested having these items
donated, with the purchase price to include the cost of maintenance. There are creative ways to help provide the
services but not bankrupt the town.
What we really should be doing is to look at the overall needs and send
out Requests for Proposals (RFPs). The
amount given to Beautification was also discussed.
A certain amount of
infrastructure is needed to be supported by the Town. Candi and her staff at
the Chamber of Commerce hear complaints all summer long. We don’t have an infrastructure that is
tourist supporting.
Mr. Bez said that state
grants are not available for committees but you need a specific project to get
funding. He asked Mr. Schneider to
request the grant administrator attend the next meeting.
Boston Globe Article on Broadening Provincetown's
Appeal
It was a good model on how
important it is to develop strategic plans to manage the media.
Motion:
Approve the purchase of six one-half page ads in ARTnews with the added
value components (web links, subscriber mailings and reader service listings)
for $14,850.
Motion: Peter
Bez Seconded: Michael Peregon Vote: unanimous
Fire Station #3 Scheduling
It was suggested by the BOS
that the ADT take over the scheduling of the much-used Fire House in the center
of Town. Ms. Davies feels it would
not be wise use of Mr. Schneider’s time.
The ADT responded by saying
he felt it would be a great opportunity for the Tourism Office to parlay the
communication about events with organizations wishing to utilize the
building. There’s a way to negotiate
this. It won’t involve a lot of the
ADT’s time and maintenance will be the main issue. Use of the facility would require a $50 deposit and that amount
would be forfeited if the Fire House were left in an untidy state.
Motion:
Effective September 15, 2006, the Tourism Director will take over the
scheduling of Fire Station #3 in the center of Town.
Motion: L.
Guadazno Seconded: M. Peregon
Vote: unanimous.
The Adams Grant task force
has a brochure that is to be distributed – sooner rather than later. Ms. Davies said that the VSB has to keep
moving forward with what we are doing.
When the Economic Development Council (EDC) comes to us to ask for
advice, then we can work with them.
Adjournment happened at 12:25 PM.