South Berwick Economic Development Committee
Regular Meeting Minutes
Conference Room #1
Town hall
January 3rd, 2007
1:00 pm
ROLL CALL:
Present: Chairman Dennis Fontaine (Sewer District), Douglas Letellier (Water District), Katherine Wolfe, Cliff Cleary, Michael Lassel, David Burke, Steven Einstein, Sue Pullar (School Board), Karyn Morin, Jeff Grossman, ex-officio and Jim Fisk, ex-officio.
Absent: Paul Schumacher, SMRPC (ex-officio) and Terry Oliver ex-officio.
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Fontaine called the meeting to order at 1:02 pm. Susie Scott was recording minutes.
MINUTES:
December 6th, 2006 - Regular Meeting: Motion by Mr. Cleary, 2nd by Mr. Burke to accept minutes, passed unanimous.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
- None.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1) Memo from Jeff Grossman RE: Pine Tree Advisory Committee. Mr. Grossman described the newly formed Committee which will plan to meet a few times a year. Mr. Grossman requested two members of the EDC volunteer for the Pine Tree Advisory Committee.
Motion by Ms. Pullar, 2nd by Mr. Letellier to nominate Mr. Cleary as a full voting member to the Pine Tree Advisory Committee and Mr. Lassel as the alternate, passed unanimous.
2) Email from J. Grossman, Town Manager – RE: Fogarty Parking: Tabled at December 6th, 2006 meeting for discussion in January. (Email received in 12/06/06 agenda packet). Mr. Fisk met with Mr. Fogarty regarding the property that would be used for mixed-use and parking. The deed is not clear or free at this time. Currently this is a loose concept and is not being formulated into writing. Committee members discussed potential for liability issues as well as the involvement of the Town of Rollinsford. Committee members agreed to table issue until further notice.
3) Invitation from SMRPC to “An Evening of Discussion on the Brookings Institution Study, ‘Charting Maine’s Future’” – Thursday, January 4th, 2007 at 6:30 PM at Sanford Town Hall. Committee discussed who might be able to attend the upcoming meeting. Mr. Lassel and Mr. Cleary stated that they will be attending, and will provide an update to the Committee at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
MEMBER COMMENTS:
OLD BUSINESS:
1) Mr. Fisk discussed the Main Street Program 4-Point Approach as the following:
- Subcommittee Organization would include:
· Organization: Businesses in South Berwick.
· Promotion: Vision Development.
· Design: Downtown revitalization program.
· Financing: Acts to develop economic development.
These subcommittees would work in conjunction with one another. This 4-point program can be applied to any economic development program and used to structure the subcommittees.
Chairman Fontaine discussed organizing the subcommittees in the following fashion:
· Comprehensive Plan Review (Economic Development section only)
· Contract Zoning
· Business Trade: To include contacting outside sources for assistance.
· Master Plan: To include development, financing and related issues.
v Mr. Grossman continued by noting that this Plan would stem from the Comprehensive Plan, and would serve as a guide in which to utilize the Comp. Plan. This detailed Plan would address issues such as municipal facilities for the next 10-15 years. Funding mechanisms for the Master Plan implementation would be addressed at Town meetings. Mr. Grossman recommended the Committee review the Plan from Scarborough as one good example.
v Mr. Lassel stated that a Master Plan would provide graphic tools, and would be a proactive way to raise involvement.
Mr. Fontaine assigned the following Committee members to the following subcommittees:
· Comprehensive Plan Review: Mike Lassel, David Burke, Dennis Fontaine
· Contract Zoning: David Burke, Doug Letellier, Dennis Fontaine
· Business Trade: Katherine Wolfe, Cliff Cleary, Karyn Morin
· Master Plan: Steve Einstein, Sue Pullar, Mike Lassel, Dennis Fontaine (Jim Fisk and Jeff Grossman are the Town contacts)
* Subcommittee Chairman indicated in BOLD
Subcommittee members can request assistance from non-committee members. Subcommittee to report back to the Committee on at next regularly scheduled EDC meeting.
2) Review revised By-Laws: Informal By-Laws to be requested from the Town Council. They will establish Committee member’s terms and voting procedure.
· Ms. Pullar recommended the Annual Organizational meeting and Committee membership terms follow the Fiscal Year.
· Mr. Burke recommended including Public Input in the Order of Business under Meetings #5. Committee members discussed including public input at the end of the agenda in order to ensure regularly scheduled items of business are addressed.
· Mr. Grossman requested the Committee forward item to Council Chairman for review of wording.
3) Review Business Directory: Ms. Wolfe indicated that the directory was almost complete. Mr. Grossman recommended the new assessor review the directory for his/her input.
4) Committee Vision and Outreach Letter: Draft of letter to be provided at the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
OTHER:
1) Contract Zoning: Committee members discussed the Workshop on January 2nd. Members felt topics were addressed in an orderly fashion. Chairman Fontaine to write a letter to the Council in favor of Contract Zoning. Chairman Fontaine asked member’s thoughts regarding Contract Zoning:
· Katherine Wolfe: In Favor – Proactive for the Town to use Contract Zoning. Concerned about the possibility of a methadone clinic or similar contracts.
· David Burke: In Favor – Has faith in the Council, Planning Board and Economic Development Committee to review contracts for inconsistencies.
· Sue Pullar: Abstaining – Concerned about not getting the best of the best when it comes to Council/Planning Board/Committee membership.
· Mike Lassel: In Favor – Concerned that the public will not be in favor due to misunderstandings. Recommends the upcoming CZ presentation include a process outline with positive examples of CZ.
· Jeff Grossman noted the need to look at the significant and positive outcomes that can come from Contract Zoning and not solely on the slight possibility of a negative outcome.
Motion by Mr. Lassel, 2nd by Mr. Letellier in favor of Contract Zoning, passed with all members in support with Ms. Pullar in abstention.
Chairman Fontaine and Mr. Lassel will coordinate for the upcoming CZ presentation.
2) Industrial Park Update: Mr. Grossman noted the project was still being reviewed. The Town received grant monies for a study of a regional Industrial Park in South Berwick/No. Berwick/Eliot/Kittery or another participating town. There will be one full voting member to be included in the group.
Dates & Times for Upcoming Meetings/Events:
1/22/07 – 6:30 PM Town Council Public Hearing – RE: Contract Zoning.
Planning Board and Economic Development Committee requested to attend.
2/07/07 – 1:00 PM Economic Development Committee – Regular Meeting
* Ms. Pullar noted that she has school board meetings in the evening of every First and Third Wednesday of the month.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion by Mr. Einstein, 2nd by Mr. Letellier to adjourn at 2:11 pm, passed unanimous.
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