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Bluff approves dark‑sky postcard mailer distribution; council discusses photo, quantities and business distribution
Summary
Council reviewed and approved a postcard mailer to notify the community of Bluff’s new dark‑sky designation, discussed image selection and quantities, and placed the printing/mailing cost on the bills to be approved.
At its July 8 special meeting, the Bluff Town Council reviewed a postcard design and distribution plan to notify residents of the town’s new dark‑sky designation. Intern Josie Lott presented printing and mailing options and answered questions about quantity, cost and distribution.
Josie said she had contacted the post office about Every Door Direct Mail to reach PO boxes and estimated about 450 mail pieces would reach PO boxes via that service, with postage of roughly $100. Printing estimates presented were about $230 for 500 postcards; Josie and staff discussed price breaks at 500, 1,000, 2,000 and larger quantities.
Council members debated the postcard front image; some preferred a star field without artificial lights, while others supported a photo that included the town sign as a recognizable local brand image. Council members asked Josie to select an alternative that toned down artificial lighting if possible and to circulate for a quick thumbs up or down before mailing.
Members discussed ordering an extra 500–1,000 postcards to distribute to local businesses, with the idea that merchants could hand out cards to visitors or customers. Erin said she would include initial printing and mailing costs under the bills for approval; later in the meeting the council voted unanimously to pay bills that included the postcard cost.
Specific details discussed on the record included a 6-by-9 size for the mailer (the smallest piece usable with the chosen mailer service), a working QR code that Josie confirmed functioned, and an initial estimate that printing 1,000 cards would raise the printing cost to roughly $450 while mailing costs would remain similar.
Council members praised Josie’s work on the design and asked that a small supply be made available to councilmembers and local businesses. No single image was mandated; staff was authorized to finalize an image and proceed with printing and distribution in coordination with the post office and local businesses.
