Community Development Committee
12 November 2009
Attendance: Jim Fisk, Genie Jennings, Tony Lemmo, Smilie Rogers and Paul Schumacher.
Meeting called to order at 630, Tony presiding.
1. Minutes of 22 October read and approved as submitted.
Old Business:
1. Reaffirmed that meetings will be held on the second and third Thursdays of the month at 630pm through January, although all members will not be able to attend all meetings. This will enable us to ‘jump start’ the committee’s functions.
2. We will introduce ourselves to the downtown merchants before the holidays.
a. Let them know there is a CDC, and the membership thereof.
b. Gather information about how we might serve the business community.
c. Determine and share the general policies of CDC.
d. At least 3 members of the committee should be involved.
e. Use a survey and/or general questions.
3. We do not have an operating budget, nor are we authorized to raise funding. We had discussed the possibility of doing such at the last meeting; Tony has checked this subject with the Town Manager.
New Business:
1. We want to involve as many people as possible in our efforts, both business owners and private citizens.
a. Possible use of Community Center for some meetings; Jim says we could.
b. ‘After hours’ with light refreshments.
c. Guest speakers.
d. Paul: Small Business Development Center in Sanford, funded through Maine and Small Business Administration. Gordon Platt is interested in coming to South Berwick one day/week or as needed. He can assist with business plans, grant funding, etc. He will need a room with a door for confidentiality purposes for these trips. There are two agents for York County; the other one lives in SB.
e. Gordon Platt would be a candidate for speaker both at the Networking group and CDC. Presentation would be appropriate for existing and potential businesses and citizens in general.
f. Paul: There is another agent from Portland who is connected with the Maine Farmers Association. This is another group that would benefit the town as there are many people involved with farming in a variety of ways.
To do list:
1. Continue to gather information:
a. Businesses
b. Community groups
c. Committees and organizations
d. Festivals: what do we have (Strawberry, Women’s, Children’s) and what might we have. Discussed the Indian heritage. Could we have a pow-wow or fish dance.
2. Ribbon cutting ceremony for Rockin’ Rooster at 10am Friday, 13 November. Tony, Smilie and Genie plan to attend. Upcoming potential ribbon cuttings: Early Bird, 28 November; Portico and new orthodontist not scheduled. Jim will follow-up on them.
3. Questions for introductions due at 19 November meeting.
4. December 1 meet at Town Hall at 230 pm to begin introductions to downtown merchants.
Motion to adjourn (P), seconded (G). Meeting adjourned at 725.
Respectfully submitted,
Genie Jennings, Scribe
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