South Berwick Economic Development Committee
Regular Meeting Minutes
Conference Room #1
Town Hall
February 7, 2007
1:00 PM
ROLL CALL:
Present: Chairman Dennis Fontaine (Sewer District), Douglas Letellier (Water District), Katherine Wolfe, Sue Pullar (School Board), Karyn Morin, Steven Einstein, David, Burke, Cliff Cleary, and Jeff Grossman, ex-officio.
Absent: Mike Lassel, Paul Schumacher, SMRPC (ex-officio), Terry Oliver (ex-officio) and Jim Fisk (ex-officio).
Guests: Mallory Schafer, Foster’s Daily Democrat reporter, Trudy Wood, Mimi Demers, Wendy Pursig and Puff Uhlman.
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Fontaine called the meeting to order at 1:02 pm. Susie Scott was recording minutes.
MINUTES:
January 3rd, 2007 – Regular Meeting: Motion by Mr. Einstein, 2nd by Mr. Burke to accept minutes as amended, passed unanimous.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Ms. Pursig introduced herself and stated that she is interested in learning more about economic growth in South Berwick.
CORRESPONDENCE:
- none.
MEMBER COMMENTS:
- none.
OLD BUSINESS:
1) Update: Town Council Public Hearing (1/22/07) & Jt. Workshop (1/30/07) –
RE: Contract Zoning.
Mr. Grossman reminded the Committee of the upcoming Public Hearing on Monday, February 12th at 6:35 pm, which was originally recessed after the Public Hearing on January 22nd. Amendments to the proposed ordinance and policy were reviewed at the last workshop, and the following proposed amendments were discussed:
1. CZC Committee: Adding 2 members from the public for a total of 7 members; 1 member that is an abutter within 500’ feet from proposed site, and 1 from the general public.
2. If the ordinance is adopted it will become effective March 14th, 2007 in all zones except for R4 and R5 which will become effective in March, 2009. This period will allow the Town to study the effects of the new ordinance.
3. Verbiage changes to include: Cost of the building construction (language to be clarified in the site plan review, and amend the building code to reflect the costs to be borne by the developer.
4. Clarify the Town Council will not move forward on a proposed contract until the Planning Board provided their recommendation (14 days after the Public Hearing).
5. All materials will be made available to the public.
6. Town Council to vote on 2 motions: Add ordinance to the building code and amend ordinance.
7. Confirmation per the Town attorney that there is no need to re-advertise the Public Hearing since the date and time were previously announced.
Chairman Fontaine discussed the presentation prepared and delivered at the last Public Hearing which provided a good overview of the process. The pros and cons were discussed, feedback was given which has been used by Mr. Fisk and Mr. Grossman in the re-working of the proposal which will be represented at the February 12th meeting.
Chairman Fontaine requested the Committee attend the upcoming Public Hearing to answer any questions the public may have.
Ms. Wolfe stated that she felt the last Public Hearing went well with solutions being provided public concerns.
2) Update: Mike Lassel – SMRPC: Brookings Institution Study, ‘Charting Maine’s Future’ – Table until the next meeting in March when Mr. Lassel will be present.
The Brookings executive study is available online as well as in the Manager and Planner’s office.
3) Subcommittee Update:
· Comp. Plan Review (Economic Development Section): Mr. Fontaine discussed how Mr. Lassel has been reviewing this topic but that since Mr. Lassel is not present to discuss, put discussion on hold.
The Committee discussed their role in the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Grossman indicated the need for EDC input in order to review and address goals and strategies identified by the Comprehensive Plan Update Committee (CPUC) with regard to economic development. Currently there are 193 goals which the CPUC has indicated they want to be implemented immediately.
· Contract Zoning – Issue has been ongoing for a few months and will be addressed again at the upcoming Town Council Public Hearing (see above).
· Business Trade – Ms. Morin is the new subcommittee Chairman. A business list is being finalized, and Ms. Morin would to send out letter with a postcard for businesses to respond if interested in participating in this effort.
Ms. Wolfe recommended Committee member input with regard to the letter. Letter might also include the creation of a Board of Trade to see if local businesses are interested in participating.
Chairman Fontaine and Mr. Lassel met with Cathy Goodwin and Carrie Eisner of the York Chamber of Commerce to discuss assistance the Chamber can give in creating a Board of Trade. The Chamber could also display any materials produced for South Berwick.
Committee members discussed creating a South Berwick brochure that could include the Committee vision, Town history, economic opportunities, zoning map, listing of Town services/businesses, etc. Mr. Grossman indicated that the Town is in the process of hiring a new assessor, after which the Committee could discuss creating a welcoming package that could be given to residents with a new deed. The Committee could work toward creating a package for new businesses and residents. Mr. Grossman indicated that part of the $8,000.00 budget could be used to create the brochure.
Guest, Wendy Pursig discussed the non-profit JEM Committee that has a subcommittee that is working on a brochure for South Berwick. She indicated that the Committee Chairman, Rick Stevens.
Ms. Morin indicated that she would contact and work with Rick Stevens. She will also contact Heather Webster regarding editorial rights of the past business directory.
Chairman Fontaine asked the meeting guests if they would be interested in participating in updating the business directory or other areas of interest.
· Master Plan – Mr. Einstein discussed Mr. Lassel being very interested in creating a master plan. Mr. Lassel is currently working with local citizens and an independent ad-hoc program, and is interested in getting public input. Mr. Einstein to meet with Ms. Pullar to discuss status.
Mr. Grossman indicated that the Council has been discussing a master plan and will most likely have a workshop on it as well as possibly create a Committee specifically to work on a master plan. Mr. Einstein and Mr. Lassel will continue discussion.
A master plan is based on the Comprehensive Plan but addresses long term goals such as what downtown might look like in the future. Create a vision that everyone can agree to.
Mr. Grossman discussed his concept of a master plan to include going beyond focusing solely on the downtown, and would address issues such as infrastructure, municipal facilities and the like. If the final master plan was accepted, there would be specific time tables and funding available to accomplish set goals.
4) Review Business Directory – Previously discussed.
5) Committee Vision and Outreach Letter: Letter will be completed and finalized this month for review at the next meeting. In March members can go out and meet with the local business owners. Finalize letter for next meeting and then proceed after that. Ms. Morin encouraged any recommendations from the Committee.
NEW BUSINESS:
1) Memo from Roberta Orsini – RE: Request for the EDC to consider payment of partial invoice for Home for the Holidays brochure. Committee members discussed the request not being consistent with the Committee charge.
Motion by Ms. Wolfe, 2nd by Ms. Pullar to deny request, passed unanimous.
Chairman Fontaine to write a letter to Ms. Schumacher explaining why the request was denied.
2) RE: Request for the EDC to consider purchasing Central School cookbooks: Paula Renaud. Committee members discussed the request not being consistent with the Committee charge.
Motion by Mr. Einstein, 2nd by Ms. Morin to deny request, passed unanimous.
Chairman Fontaine to write a letter to Ms. Renaud explaining why the request was denied.
3) Update: EDC Budget – Chairman Fontaine reviewed last year’s budget of $8,000 which was allotted for professional services, training, mileage and dues. This year the budget will be kept at $8,000.
Mr. Grossman indicated that monies used for postage for sending out Committee agenda packets are currently being debited from town administration and not the EDC budget. He would rather see the EDC encumber funds this year and drop the total budget for next year. Due to the Town having little to no growth (LD1), per the state the budget has to remain the same. The budget could be dropped for 2008 to $6,700. Mr. Grossman recommended the Committee encumber funds for the cost of the brochures with a purchase order before the end of June.
Mr. Burke questioned whether the budget should be cut further since only $225.00 has been spent, as well as he is not in favor of a Committee budget.
Mr. Letellier responded that very little monies were used the first year because as the Committee was newly established, it was mainly an exploratory year with only a few expenditures.
Committee members discussed using caution with taxpayer’s monies. Once the Committee budget is cut, the Committee could request extra monies from the Town Council if a significant project were to develop.
Motion by Mr. Einstein, 2nd by Mr. Burke to change the Committee budget from $8,000 to $5,000, passed unanimous.
OTHER:
1) Updated: Committee Terms and Expiration Sheet. Received in agenda packet.
2) Per Mr. Grossman, the Town Council will address adopting the EDC bylaws. If a Committee member chooses to abstain during a vote, he or she must state the reason for doing so.
3) Guest, Ms. Pursig discussed the wonderful idea of the Town in creating the EDC. There’s a lot of interest in Town in investing money and energy in downtown businesses. Would it be possible to place on future agendas ways in which citizens could be more involved with economic development? The proposal regarding Design Review could be helpful for businesses. Chairman Fontaine stated that the EDC is directed at the charge dictated by the Town Council.
4) Mr. Burke updated the Committee on the status of Design Review and Business Transitional zone with regard to the Planning Board. Currently the two items are being tabled, in part due to them being addressed together as one item, until the completion of the Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Board is supporting Design Review standards. Mr. Grossman indicated that once the Council finishes addressing Contract Zoning, the budgets in mid-April, that he and the Town planner, Jim Fisk will continue work on Design Review after which the item will come back to the EDC for further
review.
5) Committee members discussed the EDC having quarterly evening meetings so that the public has more of an opportunity to be involved and attend the meetings.
Motion by Ms. Morin, 2nd by Ms. Wolfe to hold the quarterly meeting on the Second Wednesday of the month, passed unanimous. A quarterly, evening meeting will provide the public more opportunity to attend and participate in the Economic Development Committee.
Dates & Times for Upcoming Meetings/Events:
3/14/07 – 7:00 PM EDC Quarterly Meeting
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion by Ms. Wolfe, 2nd by Mr. Letellier to adjourn at 2:05 pm, passed unanimous.
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