The meeting was called to order at approximately 6:00 PM on March 9, 2026. Roll call was conducted and the following Board Members were present:

Board Members Present: Natalia Kleyman, Kevin Sluka, Tania Althoff, Conlyn Chan, Allison Reilly Snyder, Theresa Bonner
Board Members Absent: N/A
Professional Staff Present: Dana Kessel, Leah Horowitz

CHAIRPERSON REMARKS

Natalia Kleyman welcomed attendees and noted the transition into spring, highlighting optimism for the season ahead. She shared that there are currently multiple new businesses opening or scheduled to open in the coming months, signaling strong economic activity in Downtown Somerville. Natalia also noted an increase in sponsorship activity, which will be discussed further in committee reports.

APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES

A motion to approve the February meeting minutes was made, seconded, and unanimously approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Finance

• Natalia Kleyman reported that the organization has successfully transitioned into its new office space and is settling in well.
• A refund of approximately $1,900 was received from the previous office security deposit.
• Sponsorship updates included:
  • $5,000 title sponsorship secured for Cruise Nights.
  • Introduction of a $50 tier sponsorship for Cruise Night t-shirts, with 13 sponsors secured to date.
  • Additional sponsorships include:
    • $2,000 sponsorship for Puppy Paw-looza
    • $750 sponsorship for a Girls Night Out activation
    • Pending sponsorships from Provident Bank ($1,000) and PSE&G ($4,000), with additional outreach ongoing.
• A final outreach push will be conducted for Cruise Night t-shirt sponsorships prior to the deadline.

b. Design/Infrastructure

• Dana Kessel provided an update on the Main Street Transformation Grant, noting that funds have been utilized for Division Street improvements, including Big Belly waste units and infrastructure planning. Approximately $60,000 remains and must be allocated by August.
• The Design/Infrastructure Committee presented a proposal for modular furniture, umbrellas, and bike racks for Division Street as part of an “amenities refresh.”
  • The Board discussed design, durability, and placement considerations.
  • A motion was made to approve the proposal, seconded, and unanimously approved.
• Additional updates:
  • Dog-Friendly Initiative: Nine dog convenience stations are fully funded and expected to be installed by mid-April.
  • Cleaning Oversight System: Staff is evaluating a QR-code-based tracking system to monitor contractor performance.
  • Downtown Maintenance: Coordination with DPW is underway for street sweeping and cleanup following winter conditions.
  • Benches: 20 benches have been installed, with final placements being adjusted.
  • Community Message Board: Repairs and refurbishment are underway at a cost of approximately $1,500.
  • Tree Planting: Delays due to seasonal constraints may push planting to the fall.

c. Promotions

• Social media and marketing metrics were presented:
  • Instagram reach: ~25K accounts
  • Facebook views: ~320K
  • Email open rates: ~14.8% overall (higher for business communications)
• While some month-over-month declines were noted, staff emphasized strong year-over-year growth and increased engagement overall.
• Placer.ai data showed:
  • Increased foot traffic (+7.1% YoY)
  • Increased unique visitors (+3.7%)
  • Increased dwell time (+9.3%)
• Discussion included the impact of seasonal trends, algorithm changes, and the success of Candlelight Concerts in driving visitation.

d. Economic Vitality

• Business Activity:
  • Seven new businesses are in various stages of opening or reopening.
  • Several grand openings and ribbon cuttings are upcoming.
• Grant Opportunities:
  • The Board discussed a potential large-scale infrastructure grant (approx. $1.8M+) in partnership with the Borough, noting this is a long-term opportunity (2028+ timeline).
• Partnerships & Resources:
  • Discussion regarding leveraging county-level marketing and data resources to support DSA initiatives.

e. Director’s Report

Dana Kessel provided updates on upcoming programs and initiatives:

• Events & Programming:
  • Candlelight Concerts continue to perform strongly, with additional dates secured (11 total for 2026 to date).
  • St. Patrick’s Day Parade participation details were shared, including lineup timing and logistics.
  • Upcoming grand openings, including Boulevard Seafood.
  • “History on Tap” series scheduled for March and April.
  • Spring Mixer networking event planned for local businesses.
  • Puppy Pawlooza scheduled for April 26, with strong engagement and sponsorship support.
  • Girls Night Out ticket sales are underway and performing well.
• Marketing & Digital:
  • Website redesign is in progress.
  • Continued promotion across social media and email platforms.
• Other Initiatives:
  • Free parking in municipal lots is being pursued for select events.
  • Ongoing coordination with partners and stakeholders for event execution and sponsorship growth.

NEW BUSINESS

PUBLIC COMMENTS

No public comments were made.

ACTION ITEMS

• Conduct final outreach for Cruise Night t-shirt sponsorships prior to deadline
• Proceed with procurement and installation of Division Street amenities
• Finalize and install dog-friendly infrastructure
• Continue evaluation of contractor tracking software
• Support upcoming event logistics and sponsorship fulfillment
• Advance website redesign and marketing initiatives

FINAL REMARKS AND ADJOURNMENT

A motion to adjourn was made, seconded, and unanimously approved.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:00 PM. The next meeting is scheduled for April 13, 2026, at 6:00 PM.