South Berwick Economic Development Committee
Regular Meeting Minutes
Council Chambers, Town Hall
August 2, 2006
11:00 am
ROLL CALL:
Present: Cliff Cleary Chairman, Katherine Wolfe, Douglas Letellier (Water District), Dennis Fontaine (Sewer District), Paul Schumacher, SMRPC ex-officio, Jeff Grossman ex-officio and Jim Fisk ex-officio.
Absent: Sue Pullar (School Board), Dennis Burke (Planning Board), and Terry Oliver ex-officio.
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Cleary called the meeting to order at 11:00 am. Susie Scott was recording minutes.
MINUTES:
None - Meeting did not have a quorum of voting members and was not considered an official meeting to accept the April 5, 2006 minutes.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Norma Tutelian, as a member of the public, discussed potential individuals to fill Committee vacancies as well as the benefit of having a Business Directory for the Town of South Berwick.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Letter from Doug Letellier was identified in agenda packet.
OLD BUSINESS:
There was discussion of public interest in 3 new openings within the Economic Development Committee due to the resignation of Barbara Patterson, James Howell and Hap Ridgway. Mr. Grossman instructed Mr. Fisk to write a letter to the School District regarding a possible new member to the Committee if Sue Pullar was no longer interested in membership.
Further discussion regarding changing the time of the monthly EDC meeting. It was agreed that it would be further discussed and agreed upon once new members were established.
Mr. Fontaine opened a group discussion regarding identifying the focus of the Committee and Council charge. Ms. Wolfe responded that the development of a Board of Trade versus a Chamber of Commerce would most benefit the Town of South Berwick. She felt that although the Chamber’s focus is primarily on tourism, it is still important to keep the Town’s membership with the York Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Wolfe continued by stating that it might be wise to include the 3 Berwicks in the creation of a Board of Trade. Mr. Grossman agreed that a Tri-Town Board of Trade with the Berwicks was a good idea. He stressed the importance of the EDC having a clear focus for the upcoming year, and that the most pressing matter for the Committee was the need to fill the current vacancies. Mr. Grossman distributed blank
applications to Committee members to pass out to interested individuals seeking membership. Chairman Cleary is to contact individuals to determine interest in serving. Various names were mentioned as potential candidates. Mr. Grossman requested that all applications be received by August 9th, 2006.
Ms. Wolfe discussed conducting a survey to local businesses in order to identify business concerns. The survey can be a possible tool for local business owners to join the future Board of Trade. Mr. Schumacher discussed directing the survey in part to owners of home businesses. Mr. Grossman directed Mr. Fisk to work with Mr. Rousselle in Code to review Home Occupation permits in order to identify businesses to include in this discussion. Mr. Fisk is to draft a business survey and create a Business Directory.
Mr. Grossman confirmed that all fees associated with survey mailings and the like will be deducted from the EDC budget.
Mr. Fontaine will call Mr. Fisk to confirm the contact and membership list for the Rotary Club.
Chairman Cleary is to contact the Economic Development Committee for Berwick in order to coordinate a joint meeting to discuss a Board of Trade.
Mr. Fisk will follow up on press releases.
NEW BUSINESS:
- None.
OTHER:
Ms. Wolfe suggested that at future Committee meetings, either the Committee should introduce any attending guests or guests should introduce themselves to the Committee.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 11:50 am.
| 
