South Berwick Economic Development Committee
Meeting Minutes
Council Chambers
Town hall
August 1, 2007
1:00 pm
ROLL CALL:
Present: Chairman Dennis Fontaine (Sewer District), David Burke, Karyn Morin, Kathy Wolfe, Sue Pullar and Mike Lassel.
Absent: Cliff Cleary, Steve Einstein, Douglas Letellier, Jeff Grossman and Jim Fisk, ex-officio, Paul Schumacher, ex-officio and Terry Oliver ex-officio.
Public Attendees: Mallory Schafer (Foster’s) and Nina Mauer (JEM Committee).
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Fontaine called the meeting to order at 1:00 pm. Susie Scott was recording minutes.
MINUTES:
July 11th, 2007 - Regular Meeting: Chairman Fontaine requested the minutes be tabled until the next meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
- None.
OLD BUSINESS:
1) JEM Committee – Walking Tour Brochure: Guest Speaker, Nina Mauer.
Nina Mauer discussed the JEM house which has been home to the local library for the past 25 years. The JEM Committee is interested in promoting the use the building through the production and distribution of a brochure with both a map and local history for pedestrian traffic. The brochure will list 18 historical sites throughout town, and will be distributed at the library, Town Hall and local businesses. Ms. Mauer inquired if the Economic Development Committee would be interested in partially funding the brochure project which would cost $1,637.00 for 1,000 brochures or a 3-year supply.
The JEM Committee is hoping to start printing the brochure in the Fall, 2007.
The Committee discussed inserting the Shop & Dine brochure into the JEM brochure.
Chairman Fontaine noted possible issues surrounding funding a non-profit organization.
Members were interested in supporting the JEM Committee brochure by a straw vote of 6:1.
The Committee agreed to vote on funding the JEM brochure at the September meeting.
2) Comprehensive Plan: Mike Lassel requested the Industrial section of the comprehensive plan be emailed to all members for further discussion. Members discussed reviewing sections of the comprehensive plan relating to economic development.
3) Board of Trade (BOT): Committee members, David Burke, Kathy Wolfe and Karyn Morin will work together to create proposed by-laws for a BOT. The Committee discussed inclusion of other towns with a BOT, but there was a general consensus to concentrate on South Berwick initially, and slowly include outlining towns in specific projects and possibly in the BOT at a future point.
4) Ribbon Cutting: Mike Lassel to contact Jim Fisk and Susie Scott to coordinate.
5) Committee By-laws: Jeff Grossman to prepare changes to the EDC by-laws for Committee review.
NEW BUSINESS:
1) August 6, 2007 – Walkaround Tour with Robin Crosby (Chamber of Commerce) and Mary Matheson (Ocean National bank).
2) Shop & Dine Locally: Map/Brochure. Susie Scott prepared an updated Shop & Dine Locally map for Committee Review. Ms. Scott noted that this brochure was a Chamber brochure that was prepared and printed by the Chamber. Mike Lassel and Kathy Wolfe noted the inclusion of their businesses on the map. Ms. Scott to add those to the brochure. The Committee discussed preparing an insert to complement the JEM Committee brochure.
OTHER:
1) Karyn Morin discussed the use of town currency in other specified towns. Ms. Morin presented information passed on to her regarding towns that have instituted its own currency as a way to foster community involvement and local spending.
Dates & Times for Upcoming Meetings/Events:
TBD - August Workshop with the Town Council
TBD – September Economic Development Committee – Quarterly Meeting: Gordon Platt, featured speaker.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion by Ms. Morin, 2nd by Ms. Pullar to adjourn at 2:05 pm, passed unanimous.
| 
