SALEM AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETING: 10/16/25 9:00-10:15 at On a Limb Bakery
PRESENT: Laura Dunham, Dawn Adams-Rea, Kyle West, Vivian Ciolli, Charlie Duveen, Sue Clary, Susi Thomas, Nicole McLenithen, Silvia Hernandez
Treasurer’s Report : Motion to Approve: Kyle, 2nd Laura. Approved Checking: $6093.91, Dedicated Funds: $1133.45, Savings: $2525.40
Updates after summer hiatus:
Current Membership is 76 – welcome our newest member – Green Art Supply out of Greenwich
Summer Mixer at The Central House and Fall Mixer at The Georgi were well attended and engaging with delicious food and drinks
Workman’s Comp class was cancelled; it will be revisited as a joint class with Cambridge/Greenwich Chambers and using RSVPs to get commitments. Kyle offered the Theater as a location for a larger crowd as well as writing a press release. Laura will follow up
Salem Postcard: decision made to review the design again and then move forward with printing and placing in area businesses
Advertising: Fall & Holiday: Salem Press: Shop Local member listing reminder. Facebook posts displaying member businesses
Christmas Trees: we have requested $400 from the Town to help cover the expenses
Main Street Planters/Chairs: Grant request was submitted to Salem Community Foundation to refurbish/build new boxes and chairs. Thanks to Salem DPW for picking up the broken depot planter this November, Jon McClellan and Bill Clary for returning the chairs to storage , Pete Dunham for offering to repair and build new chairs/planters as needed.
New Business:
Sue Clary gave an update on the local and county budgets and the NYForward and AARCH grants the town will be applying for, and updated on the growth of the Airbnb market in the county
Charlie brought forward two items from the Salem Rotary Group:
1)How can the Chamber help support/promote Salem Central School
After some discussion, Susi offered to reach out to school contacts for more information. Can we create a spot on the Chamber website for the school
2)Charlie and Bob Perry are working on a community calendar to help avoid too many events at the same time and day. We all appreciate their hard work on this project.
Laura offered a dedicated space to the Chamber at their 207 Main Street building, run by volunteers, to answer questions, hand out flyers, display member products etc. Perhaps combining this with a co-working space. Members were invited to visit the space today.
Silvia offered to host our November meeting at Esmerelda’s Kitchen Supply-more info to follow
Respectfully Submitted, Laura Dunham