South Berwick Economic Development Committee
Regular Meeting Minutes
Town Hall
April 4, 2007
1:00 PM
ROLL CALL:
Present: Vice Chairman Mike Lassel, Douglas Letellier (Water District), Katherine Wolfe, Sue Pullar (School Board), Steven Einstein, David, Burke, Cliff Cleary, and Jim Fisk (ex-officio).
Absent: Chairman, Dennis Fontaine (Sewer District), Karyn Morin, Paul Schumacher, SMRPC (ex-officio), Terry Oliver (ex-officio) and Jeff Grossman, ex-officio.
Guests: Mimi Demers and Wendy Pursig.
CALL TO ORDER:
Vice Chairman Lassel called the meeting to order at 1:00 m. Susie Scott was recording minutes.
MINUTES:
February 7th, 2007 Regular Meeting: To be reviewed at the next scheduled meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
- none.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1) Letter from Dennis Smith, Planning Board Chairman dated March 21, 2007.
Mr. Lassel discussed having Ms. Wolfe and Ms. Morin form a parking subcommittee to discuss issues with the Planning Board. Ms. Wolfe to contact Dennis Smith.
Mr. Fisk noted that specific parking studies were not part of the actual traffic studies, nor have specific inventories for parking been identified. Mr. Fisk noted the difficulty in the use of church related parking due to the intense scrutiny of the IRS and related legal ramifications for the church. Committee members discussed researching issue further.
2) Memo from Office Staff re: Suggestions to promote businesses downtown: “Stop, Walk & Shop”.
Committee members discussed a potential walking tour of the downtown including the Sarah Orne Jewett Park. The Committee discussed the group Historic New England (HNE).
Public audience member, Wendy Pursig noted that Elizabeth Faris, the Coordinator for the SeaCoast would be a good contact with relation to the Governor Langdon House.
Pubic audience member, Mimi Demers noted that Rick Stevens was the contact for JEM.
MEMBER COMMENTS:
Mr. Cleary stated that he preferred to have the agenda packets emailed unless they were too big to do so.
OLD BUSINESS:
1) Contract Zoning Update: Town Council Public Hearing (2/12/07) & Jt. Workshop (2/20/07) – Referendum Vote scheduled for June 12, 2007.
2) Update: Mike Lassel – SMRPC: Brookings Institution Study, ‘Charting Maine’s Future’. Mr. Lassel discussed the unique position that South Berwick is in being a border town to New Hampshire. He stated that change occurs through grass-root organizations with the public. This change occurs in response to State’s mismanagement of funds while noting the positives the Sate can offer. Mr. Lassel discussed the sharing of resources and infrastructure on a large scale as a way to facilitate economic management. He noted that the Town should be involved in regionalization of resources.
Mr. Letellier noted that the Water District has been involved in regional and cooperative efforts in combining capital improvements with other municipalities. This type of regionalization is important in saving money without having to move the physical infrastructure of a municipality.
Mr. Fisk noted that the Town has been involved in regionalization efforts for years. The Town has worked with other towns even while other town may not share the same desire. The Town has been working with Craig Nelson who was involved in the creation of Maine’s biggest regional business park, First Park. The Town is currently researching a regional business/industrial park with Eliot, Berwick, No. Berwick, Kittery and Wells.
Ms. Pullar noted that the schools have also worked cooperatively. There is a full sharing of resources, and various school programs admit kids from different schools. The school has investigated further sharing of resources and has approached the State. Cost sharing formulas will change.
3) Subcommittee Update:
· Comp. Plan Review (Economic Development Section) – Mr. Lassel has had discussions with the CPUC, and stated that the update is still being reviewed at the State level.
Mr. Fisk noted that the next CPUC meeting is scheduled for April 11. The State is reviewing the final two memos for consistency. After State review and approval, the Town Council will review the update.
· Contract Zoning – The ordinance was approved by the Town Council by a 3:2 vote. Currently the vote is in contention and has been put to a referendum vote.
Mr. Burke inquired as to whether the Committee would want to promote Contract Zoning in that the Committee originally supported the ordinance. He questioned the role of the Committee in supporting the ordinance although he stated that he personally did not agree with pursuing the issue.
Ms. Wolfe stated that the Committee completed the charge set forth by the Town Council in its review of Contract Zoning. The Committee gave their recommendation, and their work is completed.
Ms. Pullar stated that it is not a good use of town resources and tax payer monies to further promoting Contract Zoning.
Mr. Einstein stated his concerns of the opposition providing one-sided information about the issue. The information being provided is not necessarily good information, and Mr. Einstein questioned the Town’s responsibility in getting out the correct information to the residents so that they may make informed decisions.
Mr. Letellier noted the importance for residents to receive accurate information.
Mr. Lassel noted his role in facilitating the Contract Zoning discussion, and that it is the Town’s responsibility to outline the truth and facts for public education.
Mr. Cleary discussed writing a letter to the editor in response to the falsehoods concerning Contract Zoning.
Ms. Pullar recommended Mr. Cleary have the Town manager review the letter prior to it being sent to the media. She continued by discussing proactive revitalization when discussing the downtown and a sustainable, healthy community.
Mr. Einstein noted his discouragement in the recent past with the small steps the Town has taken in being proactive toward economic development, and these small steps being shot down.
Public audience member, Mimi Demers noted that the flyers being distributed in opposition to Contract Zoning were not from the Smart Growth committee.
· Business Trade – Committee members discussed the business letter that is set to be mailed shortly. Ms. Wolfe requested members to submit comments regarding the business survey.
· Master Plan – The Committee discussed how a master plan is part of the Comprehensive Plan, and therefore should not be further reviewed by the EDC.
Mr. Lassel discussed creating an ad-hoc master plan committee for town trailways and conservation easements for bicycle and other recreational uses. Mr. Fisk noted that it has been inventories on the computer. Mr. Einstein noted mapping out conservation parcels and cemeteries for visitors to visit.
Ms. Pullar noted her willingness to help other subcommittee members in their charge as her own subcommittee is currently on hold.
4) Review Business Directory – Discussed under Business Trade.
5) Committee Vision and Outreach Letter – Discussed under Business Trade.
6) Discuss possible Business survey – Discussed under Business Trade.
NEW BUSINESS:
- none.
OTHER:
Dates & Times for Upcoming Meetings/Events:
4/28/07 – 7:00 PM Planning Board Rescheduled Meeting: Discuss Downtown issues with EDC members
5/2/07 – 1:00 PM EDC Monthly Meeting
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion by Mr. Cleary, 2nd by Ms. Wolfe to adjourn at 2:25 pm, passed unanimous.
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