South Berwick Economic Development Committee
Regular Meeting Minutes
Auditorium Hall, Town hall
December 6th, 2006
7:00 pm
ROLL CALL:
Present: Chairman Dennis Fontaine (Sewer District), Douglas Letellier (Water District), Katherine Wolfe, Cliff Cleary, Michael Lassel, David Burke, Steven Einstein, Paul Schumacher, SMRPC ex-officio, and Jim Fisk, ex-officio.
Absent: Sue Pullar (School Board), Jeff Grossman, ex-officio, and Terry Oliver ex-officio.
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Fontaine called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm. Susie Scott was recording minutes.
MINUTES:
November 15th, 2006 - Regular Meeting: Motion by Mr. Einstein, 2nd by Mr. Cleary to accept minutes as amended, passed unanimous.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
- None.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. Memo from Roberta Orsini – RE: Home for the Holidays – Sign reimbursement request.
Opening Night: Friday, December 8th, 5 to 8 pm – On Main Street
- Control Report for Economic Development Committee
Motion by Mr. Einstein, 2nd by Mr. Lassel to approve $175.00 to be used from the budget for the Home for the Holidays sign reimbursement request.
2. Email from J. Grossman, Town Manager – RE: Fogarty Parking.
Mr. Fisk noted that there were issues with the Fogarty property which would be discussed with an upcoming meeting with the Town Manager. The issue is to be tabled until January.
WORKSHOP:
Cathy Goodwin, President & CEO and Carrie Eisner of The Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce presented the Committee with the Chambers role in economic development at all levels in this region. Ms. Goodwin discussed the highly successful TIF program that passed 4:1 to create own district in York Beach. TIF monies were used for sidewalk improvements, studies for parking options and other public infrastructure. According to Ms. Goodwin, the key components to the Chamber’s success included strong leadership, investment, willing to make tradeoffs and working from a common ground. Ms. Goodwin noted the importance of parking issues but that parking should not drive development. Ms. Goodwin continued stating that through a common vision and putting aside any personal agendas, assisted in creating the Chamber’s
success.
Ms. Goodwin addressed the need for a chamber in South Berwick. She noted the reluctance from South Berwick in making monetary contributions. She recommended the hiring of staff to sustain economic development momentum. Ms. Goodwin summarized by noting the Chamber continues to remain interested in promoting South Berwick events and is willing to work with the EDC but is not clear of their role.
Ms. Goodwin responded to Committee members’ questions regarding:
· Stonewalls encountered in reaching their goal with the TIF District - Ms. Goodwin discussed the Chamber did not want to proceed with anything drastic without support from the community. She discussed how people are fearful of change and concerned about parking issues. The Chamber worked as their own Planning Board with assistance from the Town Planner and then formally presented their program to the Town selectmen.
· Working with the Growth Smart Principle: Bottom ? Up.
· If change is desired: Need to change zoning for investors in order to allow for height and other zoning variances while maintaining the character of the Town.
· The Chamber and South Berwick: The Chamber held a focus group in South Berwick 3 ago and has sought to communicate with/for the Town through email and news flyers. Hold a “Chamber 101” forum.
MEMBER COMMENTS:
1. Email: “Looking Beyond the Shipyard”, Conference: 11/29/06. Mr. Schumacher noted that there were about 80 attendees at the conference during which the following 4 achievable items were created and discussed: Housing, Technology, Education and Transportation. Mr. Lassel noted Affordable Living as a topic of discussion at the conference. Mr. Burke noted Transportation as a regional issue.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Letter from Dennis Fontaine, Chairman to the Economic Development Committee to the South Berwick Planning Board members. RE: Application for Margaux Bistro. Chairman Fontaine noted that the application had been approved.
2. Letter of support of Contract Zoning: Chairman Fontaine and Mr. Einstein to draft.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Presentation: Ms. Cathy Goodwin, President & CEO, The Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce – See “Workshop” agenda item above.
2. Vacancy & Application Review: Applicant Karyn Morin.
Ms. Karyn Scharf Morin introduced herself to the Committee noting how South Berwick is her hometown where her family owns Springhill. Ms. Morin has a business background and is very interested in working with a vision for her hometown.
Motion by Mr. Einstein, 2nd by Mr. Lassel to recommend to the Town Council that Karyn Morin sit on the Committee as a member.
OTHER:
1. Mr. Burke requested more information about the Town’s role in the Home for the Holidays event. Roberta Orsini, Executive Assistant to the Town Manager, discussed the role of the Manager’s office in assisting events such as Home for the Holidays, Strawberry Festival and Pumpkinman Triathlon among many other events. Ms. Orsini discussed how the Town makes every effort to conduct business within South Berwick to sustain and build business support. Ms. Orsini discussed the importance of the role of the EDC, and recommended the Committee be proactive in attracting local business support. Some examples presented were a Letter of Introduction from the
Committee and a forum in which to meet with businesses or some other form of introduction to local businesses.
2. Business Directory: Ms. Wolfe contacted Heather Webster and was told there will not be a new directory. Ms. Wolfe noted her goal to complete the directory by the next Committee meeting.
3. Business letter draft: Mr. Fisk and Ms. Wolfe to draft a letter for the upcoming meeting. Mr. Einstein discussed having a team of 2 Committee members visiting local businesses to introduce the Committee and their role.
4. Night Meetings/Forums: To be scheduled on a quarterly basis.
5. Status of Regional Industrial Park: Ms. Orsini indicated the Town is still waiting from the Contract from the State.
6. Public Comments: Dennis Smith, 45 Agamenticus Road, discussed the importance of the Committee in formulating an economic master plan in which to approach the business community. He recommended the Committee take a more leadership role and assist in formulating goals for the Town. Mr. Smith encouraged the Committee to continue to use budget monies to support events such as the Home for the Holidays craft fair, as well as make small visible steps to gain public awareness and support.
Mr. Einstein discussed the importance of overcoming inertia with a vision for local businesses and the Committee.
Mr. Lassel recommended the Planning Board and Economic Development Committee work together to achieve common goals.
Dates & Times for Upcoming Meetings/Events:
12/22/06 – 2:00 PM Mr. Fisk to submit response to Town Manager regarding Planning Board questioning referencing Contract Zoning. Response to be forwarded to Council, Planning Board and Economic Development Committee.
1/02/07 – 6:00 PM Joint Workshop: Town Council, Planning Board and Economic Development Committee – RE: Contract Zoning.
1/03/07 – 1:00 PM Economic Development Committee – Regular Meeting
1/22/07 – 6:30 PM Town Council Public Hearing – RE: Contract Zoning.
Planning Board and Economic Development Committee requested to attend.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion by Mr. Einstein, 2nd by Mr. Lassel to adjourn at 9:15 pm, passed unanimous.
| 
