Pittsfield Economic Development Committee
February 15, 2012

1. Meeting opened at 5:35.

2. Attendees: Ted Mitchell (TV), Ed Vien (EV), Lyn Roberts (LR), Linda Small (LS), Susan
Muenzinger (SM), Ellen Barbasso (EB), Gerard LeDuc (GL), and Paul Skowron (PS),
Matt Monahan (MM) from CNHRPC and Eric Bahr from Pittsfield Rotary.

3. Minutes from February 1, 2012 accepted and approved as written.

4. Guest speaker Eric Bahr
A. Balloon Rally major fund raiser for Rotary and other non-profit groups in town
1. Best weekend for most retail stores and restaurants in town
2. Other non-retail businesses deal with it.
B. 2011 Balloon Rally had lower attendance because of lack of fireworks
1. Discussion about going to another town (that is part of the district Rotary)
2. Entertainment does not draw as many people as the fireworks
3. An anonymous, generous donor paid for fireworks-won’t pay for another type of show
4. According to Cemetary Association bylaws the place should be quiet and respectful-
C. Other Rotaries have a fund raiser-people pay for it
1. Pittsfield Balloon Rally is free to all just pay for food and raffles for different non-profits
2. Cooking for Rotary is also big fundraiser-Rotary donates to group that makes dinner for them
D. MM will check fire codes and other requirements

5. Next meeting February 29, 2012

6. Meeting closed at 6:50 P.M.

Submitted by:
Ellen Barbasso, Secretary