South Berwick Economic Development Committee
Meeting Minutes
Conference Room #1
Town hall
January 9, 2008
1:00 pm
ROLL CALL:
Present: Chairman Dennis Fontaine (Sewer District), Douglas Letellier, Mike Lassel, Joe Rousselle, Jeff Grossman (Town Manager), Sue Pullar, Kathy Wolfe, Steve Einstein, Cliff Cleary and Karyn Morin.
Absent: Paul Schumacher, ex-officio and Mimi Demers, Planning Board representative.
Public Attendees: Jason Claffey, Foster’s.
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Fontaine called the meeting to order at 1:00 pm. Susie Scott was recording minutes.
MINUTES:
December 5, 2007 - Regular Meeting: Motion by Mr. Cleary, 2nd by Mr. Letellier to accept minutes, passed unanimous.
CORRESPONDENCE:
- none.
MEMBER COMMENTS:
Mr. Cleary discussed Town charge and how it relates to downtown parking.
Ms. Wolfe discussed the parking survey and how various businesses responded that there were no definitive parking issues.
Mr. Grossman stated that the Planning Board will need to amend the zoning ordinance so that businesses are not required to have off-street parking. He recommended the EDC write a letter to the Town Council and copy the Planning Board requesting zoning amendments that would eliminate off-street parking requirements.
Committee members discussed potential use of St. Michael’s church for additional parking and other parking requirements. The Committee agreed that parking fees would be prohibitive to local businesses.
Motion by Mr. Einstein to write a letter to the Town Council and copy to the Planning Board with an Economic Development Committee recommendation that off-street parking requirements for business and/commercial uses be eliminated, second by Ms. Morin, passed unanimously.
Amended motion by Mr. Einstein to include in the above mentioned letter that the Planning Board should not consider the use of impact fees when determining parking requirements, second by Ms. Morin, passed unanimously.
Mr. Lassel discussed the overwhelming vote in support of St. Michael’s church, and noted that this purchase could be a significant piece of economic development for the town. Mr. Lassel stated that a process is in place to see how this building fits into the economic plan/comprehensive plan.
Mr. Einstein stated that this was a key issue for the EDC.
Mr. Grossman noted that the Town has 30 days to find a Title flaw and that a structural engineer should be able to determine whether a library could be located there. Mr. Grossman will discuss the status at next month’s meeting. Mr. Grossman noted that the Option Agreement allows for a library or /senior housing with additional parking. There is a potential opportunity to create a cross over between Central School, Nature’s Way and St. Michael’s Church.
OLD BUSINESS:
1) Ribbon Cuttings:
December, 2007 Ribbon Cuttings included Nature’s Way, Asia Café, Masiello Group and Bob’s Trophies.
Susie Scott will coordinate and notify EDC members to upcoming ceremonies.
Ms. Pullar recommended the EDC advertise recent ribbon cutting ceremonies that have been conducted. Ms. Scott will write a summary of current ceremonies to be included in the upcoming issue of the Quamphegan.
2) Subcommittee Update:
· Board of Trade Subcommittee: Ms. Morin stated that she and Ms. Wolfe were not able to send notices regarding the upcoming BOT event due to the holidays. They would like to ensure that the event is well organized prior to it occurring. Chairman Fontaine requested that if in the future Committee members are unable to complete a task, to notify other Committee members so that they can assist with the work load. Ms. Morin, Ms. Wolfe and Mr. Lassel will coordinate a new date asap. They will put an ad in the newspaper as well as develop a menu for the event.
3) EDC PowerPoint to Sewer District/Water District/Town Council: Status Update: Chairman Fontaine.
Chairman Fontaine discussed the need to receive a new Charge from the Town Council at which time he will follow up with regard to the presentation with the EDC’s past accomplishments and future endeavors.
NEW BUSINESS:
1) Southern York County Regional Development Authority: Jeff Grossman discussed the December 12, 2007 meeting that was open to public officials and the public. Handouts of the legislation and presentation were available to attendees. Mr. Grossman recommended anyone interested in receiving further information email either Ms. Orsini, Ms. Scott or Mr. Grossman. Mr. Grossman discussed the presentation to the town of York during which time they voted to join the Authority as part of the initial participating towns. There is concern that there are some South Berwick council members that are not
going to support this project. If passed, the Legislation allows towns to participate in a consortium but doesn’t commit any towns to projects. The reasoning for opposition is full of misinformation.
Motion by Mr. Einstein to write a letter to the Town Council in support of the Southern York County Regional Development Authority which will provide the town with economic opportunity, second by Mr. Letellier, passed with Ms. Pullar opposed.
Ms. Pullar discussed her concern in supporting the EDC writing a letter of support without being provided more information. Ms. Pullar stated that she opposes this motion because of procedural reasons, that this was the first time it was on the agenda and that voting for this issue was not previously agendized.
Mr. Grossman stated that this topic has been on previous EDC agendas and that the EDC has been invited to attend previous meetings regarding this topic. Mr. Grossman added that this type of legislation would also hope to address the need for creation of workforce housing.
Mr. Lassel stated this legislation was a powerful tool when looking at development. He stated that regionalization was good.
Mr. Grossman discussed the previously proposed Industrial Park which was voted down at the Town Meeting in part because people were concerned there were no interested businesses in locating to the park. However, Mr. Grossman stated that there was a project in the works with Barletta but because the project was still being developed, he was unable to discuss it. Therefore, people were unaware there was a business interested in the area. Mr. Grossman stated that there would be an upcoming meeting, January 17th in Augusta to review the SYCRDA legislation.
Mr. Fisk stated that he attended a meeting the previous day in Sanford at which time economic specialists met with John Richardson, Commissioner of the Dept. of Economic and Community Development. Each region made a presentation to the Commissioner regarding current activities. Mr. Richardson stated he “loved the idea” of this regional project, and would like to support it. The workgroup steering committee has worked on this legislation and project for over a year. This type of project fills the charge the Council would like EDC to undertake.
OTHER:
1) January 3, 2008 news article in Foster’s – “Natural gas station should be running by fall in Eliot”. Mr. Grossman stated that hopefully, there will be another opportunity like this for the town in the future. Mr. Grossman stated that because of the importance of such projects, he does not believe an Industrial Park or Contract Zoning are dead issues.
2) Bill Rogers, film maker/producer phoned Mr. Fontaine regarding a possible villageofsouthberwick.com project. Mr. Rogers would like to do something in town. He could possibly speak to the EDC in the future. The focus include more than the downtown. Mr. Grossman noted that $5,000 still remains in the EDC budget that needs to be used by June, 2008. Chairman Fontaine will email members with further information. The Committee agreed to schedule Mr. Rogers for a presentation at their upcoming February meeting from 1:00-1:30 pm. Ms. Scott will coordinate the meeting Council Chambers to
allow for a presentation.
3) Heart & Soul Community Planning Grant - $500,000 in grant funding. Members of the Master Plan subcommittee, Sue Pullar, Mike Lassel and Steve Einstein will coordinate a time to meet to discuss proposal. Mr. Fisk to attend.
Dates & Times for Upcoming Meetings/Events:
February 6, 2008 EDC Monthly Meeting
February 7, 2008 @ 5:00 PM B.O.T. Introductory Meeting – Lassel Architects
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion by Ms. Morin, 2nd by Mr. Cleary to adjourn at 2:00 pm, passed unanimous.
| 
