Business Association gets established as new corporation

MILLERTON — After considering its options for establishing the organization as a new corporation in the village of Millerton, the Millerton Business Alliance (MBA) reached its decision at a meeting on Thursday, Aug. 2. 

The monthly meeting was held at Montage and nine MBA members attended. After bringing the incorporation up for discussion, group leader Dick Hermans reported that the MBA can file as a new 501(c)4 corporation by filling out a three-page application and paying a $75 filing fee.

As far as names were concerned, Hermans reported the name “Millerton Business Alliance” was available for use. He also said the group needs three people to sign its incorporation papers, and MBA members Dana Jennings, Bob Murphy and Thorunn Kristjansdottir volunteered to sign.

Ed Stillman asked the MBA if there were any bank accounts left from the previous corporation. Hermans confirmed that there was one bank account left from the corporation and that the MBA would open up another bank account if needed.

On the subject of organizational leadership, the MBA asked Kristjansdottir if she would be interested in leading the organization as its chair. After carrying out the responsibilities of the chair position, Hermans said he was ready to relinquish the position. 

In reply, Kristjansdottir asked if it would be possible to discuss what the position entails and what her responsibilities would be with Hermans. Jennings also suggested that Kristjansdottir think about who she would like to appoint as an assistant to the chair.

“It would benefit the community to have us be that kind of stable group,” Hermans said.

At the previous MBA meeting on Thursday, July 5, Hermans explained that while the MBA was previously recognized as a corporation that formed in the 1980s, it’s been inactive since the merchants involved with the corporation kept changing. When asked if the former corporation could be dissolved, he said it could either be dissolved or left alone.

While discussing leadership for the new corporation, Jennings and Jeanne Vanecko said they’d share secretarial duties, and Hermans agreed that he’d continue serving as treasurer. The MBA also discussed having either a chair and vice chair or co-chairs run the corporation. After meeting with Kristjansdottir last week, Hermans agreed to become co-chair of the MBA along with Bob Murphy.