ATHOL — Essentially a “committee of one” showed up for the Downtown Vitality Committee meeting this week at the Town Hall. But, even member Ann Willhite had not been officially re-appointed to begin the new year, as the one-year appointments expired April 30.
Associate member Paula Robinson was also in attendance, but as an associate, she has no decision-making power.
“We are impotent as a board,” said Willhite, owner of Deja Vu women’s consignment store on Main Street. She said Town Manager Shaun Suhoski has not responded to her query as to the status of the appointments.
“It’s frustrating to have him not engage,” said Willhite. “I suggest we all email Shaun and express our disappointment.”
Suholski said Wednesday that appointments are made every May for all town boards and committees. He is aware some of the DVC appointments “lapsed the end of April” and is working on a list of members for the Selectmen to vote on at their next meeting.
“I will fill the committee with associate members or other interested persons,” said Suhoski, “We will have a full contingency for the next DVC meeting.”
The DVC is charged with revitalizing the downtown area and the five-member town committee is comprised of residents, business owners and community leaders. Board members listed on the town’s contact page include Jonathan Eldredge (chairman), Diane DiPietro, Ann Willhite and Lee Chauvette. Associate members include Patrick DiPietro, Paula Robinson, Shelley Small and David Small.
As has been done frequently in the past in the absence of a quorum, Town Planner Eric Smith suggested those present go through the prepared agenda and “have a conversation” about the action items planned over the next month. Smith attends the meetings in an ex-officio capacity.
Also present were non-members Holly Young, Althea Bramhall, Mary Holtorf and, briefly, associate member Dave Small, who dashed off to another meeting.
“The situation is frustrating,” said Willhite. “If members do not show up two or three months in a row they should be removed. It makes us inactive. This is consistently what we face every month. People are waiting that want to be on the committee, and it’s not being addressed.”
The advisory committee, with one-year appointments, was created by the town manager. It was suggested the appointment of members be turned over to the Selectboard, that the number of members be increased from five to seven, and to make it possible for the associate members to act on matters.
The committee meets every two months, but a June 12 meeting will be scheduled to reorganize the committee, formally discuss the Downtown Vacancy and Vacancy Reduction Strategies report, expansion of the zoning regulations and downtown wireless internet service planning.
The conversation turned to the municipal parking lot off Exchange Street and management of the planters, securing a water source and directional signage. The idea of setting up a barrel to collect rainwater was scratched as it was thought it would be mistaken for a trash barrel or could be pushed over. Business owners will be approached about use of a water spigot to attach a garden hose so members would not have to fill buckets from home.
There are eight “gardens” scattered throughout the lot and they are sponsored by various businesses and individuals. Willhite said she emailed those who had committed to each of the gardens last year to determine if they would keep their commitments through the summer. Robinson volunteered to price and pick up the mulch, and asked for the square footage to calculate the amount needed.
Ways to draw more people to the First Friday street fairs in Athol were discussed. The inaugural event held May 4 helped organizers in their planning for the June 1 event. There will be more vendors, lots of music (including Athol’s “piano kid” Bradley Bartlett-Roche and other musicians) and more food.
Young said, “We started too early in the year. June will be better.”
Young and Willhite noted motorists cursed at them as they dragged barricades into Main Street to close off the traffic, as was approved by the Selectboard, from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Willhite said she may request aid from the Athol Police Department.
“People aren’t likely to swear at police officers doing it,” she said.
The use of parking maps for the vendors and volunteers in matching vests be used to direct people to their places. It was suggested that members of the Student Council, National Honor Society and the Mahar Key Club be contacted, as the time spent volunteering could be used toward required community service hours.
The members favored use of a banner across Main Street and will look into the cost. It was suggested the large electronic flashing message board might be used a couple of days ahead of the event to alert motorists of the road closure. Posters will be distributed at various businesses in the area, radio stations will be contacted and press releases issued.
It was noted that Main Street did not get swept as promised. Young will speak with Public Works Superintendent Doug Walsh about having it done when he returns from vacation.
Willhite, who sweeps the area in front her store regularly due to the amount of trash and cigarette butts on the sidewalk, said, “I think it should be done once a month.”
Attendees discussed broken parking meters, lack of parking meter enforcement and an inoperative “walk/do not walk” sign at the traffic lights in the center of Athol. It was noted that the town allows four to five hours of parking meter enforcement. It was suggested that things like broken meters and lights could be reported by the person doing the enforcement.
Smith said, “We need a better system in place” to dedicate the funding to go to downtown enforcement and street scaping. Willhite said no one seems to know how much money is generated from the meters and where it goes. That money could be used for streetscaping and replacement of missing and broken trees. Holtorf said she has been monitoring the parallel parking — what’s being used and during which hours. She takes photos certain times of day of cars parked, of traffic, of the non-working cross walk sign. Robinson volunteered time over the summer to help with the study.