South Berwick Economic Development Committee
Meeting Minutes
Council Chambers
Town hall
September 12, 2007
7:00 pm
ROLL CALL:
Present: Chairman Dennis Fontaine (Sewer District), David Burke, Douglas Letellier, Cliff Cleary, Sue Pullar, Mike Lassel and Jim Fisk, ex-officio.
Absent: Steve Einstein, Karyn Morin, Kathy Wolfe, Jeff Grossman, ex-officio, Paul Schumacher, ex-officio and Joe Rousselle, ex-officio.
Public Attendees: Bob Burnham, Nina Maurer (JEM Committee) and Chuck Morgan (SMRPC).
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Fontaine called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Susie Scott was recording minutes.
MINUTES:
July 11th, 2007 - Regular Meeting: Motion by Mr. Cleary, 2nd by Mr. Letellier to accept minutes with corrections, passed unanimous with Mr. Lassel in abstention.
August 1st, 2007 - Regular Meeting: Motion by Mr. Burke 2nd by Mr. Lassel to accept minutes as written, passed unanimous with Mr. Cleary in abstention.
CORRESPONDENCE:
- none.
PRESENTATION: Chairman Fontaine requested that the Committee allow the presenter, Chuck Morgan to make his presentation due to the late hour and his lengthy commute. The Chairman introduced Chuck Morgan as having over 13 years experience and a member of another town committee, the Regional Efficiency Grant committee studying a regional industrial/business park.
Chuck Morgan introduced himself as the Economic Development Director for SMRPC. SMRPC is a membership organization comprised mostly of municipalities with three separate divisions: Land Use, Economic and Traffic. Mr. Morgan discussed the regional development and planning activities that SMRPC is involved in within York and South Oxford counties. As a partner with the Southern Maine Economic District, a federally designated district for which there are 5 in Maine, SMRPC can access monies for identifying projects for municipal funding. The EDA is the federal funding agency. Mr. Morgan discussed regional differences in Maine which directly affect this region becoming an economic district. By focusing on specific projects within York, SMRPC is able to generate more EDA monies. Mr. Morgan noted that Gordon Platt,
who works out of SMPRC, focuses on small business counseling including assistance with business plans, grant application review, etc. Different programs that assist towns and businesses include a CDBG grant, Pine Tree Zone, ETIF’s and Brownfields. Pine Tree Zone (PTZ): The State developed a program with 8 Pine Tree Zones in Maine that work on behalf of municipalities. Businesses that locate in a PTZ of specific industry are eligible for certain benefits with a designated amount of job creation. ETIF’s: Employment Tax Increment Financing are monies that are returned/reinvested into the business. Brownfields: Assessment grants with monies that are used to assess environmental contamination in buildings including a remediation plan for clean up. Businesses are afforded liability for cleanup protection. Mr. Morgan noted that through various grant monies awarded to SMRPC from the EPA, SMPRC was able to complete an inventory of York County for Petroleum monies. These
monies are used as direct loans to businesses. An example includes the North Berwick mill which cost $275,000 to remediate.
In response to the Chairman, Mr. Morgan noted that the undergrounding of utilities in South Berwick would not qualify under Brownfields because of it being completed for aesthetic purposes.
Mr. Morgan understands the importance of creating businesses that create a livable community. The Committee discussed the development of a list of ways for which SMRPC could assist South Berwick.
Jim Fisk discussed the Volunteer Remediation Action Plan (VRAP) which is a state mandated volunteer program.
MEMBER COMMENTS:
The following Committee members made the following comments:
Cliff Cleary stated he may not be able to attend the upcoming meetings (Oct. – Dec.) due to foot surgery.
Sue Pullar stated she was confused by the previous presentation. Ms. Pullar discussed the need to have focused speaker presentations in the future. Chairman Fontaine responded that he requested Mr. Morgan to give an overview of his current work. David Burke confirmed that yearly dues paid to SMPRC cover costs for presentations made by SMPRC members.
OLD BUSINESS:
1) JEM Committee – Walking Tour Brochure: Vote on funding request.
Chairman Fontaine discussed information provided to him by the Town Council and the Town Manager regarding use of EDC funds. Any funds to be donated to organizations like a non-profit must be donated through the Town Council. EDC funds have been earmarked for specific purposes. Chairman Fontaine stated that the JEM Committee will have to approach the Town Council for a donation request.
Nina Maurer responded that the JEM Committee will continue to produce the brochure, and would still like to work with the EDC on future projects.
Mike Lassel noted he would still like to receive a quote for costs associated with an insert that would be consistent with the graphics as used by the JEM Committee. Motion by Mr. Lassel, 2nd by Ms. Pullar to receive an estimate for the cost of brochures listing the Village businesses from Rachel Schumacher, passed unanimous.
Mr. Fisk discussed a townwide brochure as requested by the Town Manager.
Chairman Fontaine noted that continued discussion will take place once Mr. Grossman is at the meeting. The Chairman will follow up with Mr. Grossman and email the EDC.
2) Ribbon Cutting: Mike Lassel received a response from Cathy Goodwin. Mr. Lassel will coordinate the Ribbon Cutting in the next week or two for the Little Hat, Company and notify EDC members.
3) Subcommittee Update:
· Comp. Plan Review (Economic Development Section): Jim Fisk provided the Committee with the following documents for their review and comments;
o Jim Fisk memo: Industrial Districts, land use and suitability.
o Jim Fisk memo: Draft responses for Comprehensive Plan inconsistency with the Growth Management Act.
o Map: Figure 9 – Industrial Area Available Land, rev’d.
o Map: Proposed Zoning Amendments – Industrial Zone.
There was no discussion of the above provided documents.
Chairman Fontaine noted that the Council is in agreement with the five areas of focus that were presented by Jeff Grossman including: Business/Industrial Park, commercial business, downtown revitalization, support of regionalization efforts and the framework for zoning. Chairman Fontaine discussed that the EDC will be tasked to complete follow up and further research on specific items.
David Burke questioned the Committee if there were any objections to the adoption of the Comprehensive Plan and who might possibly object to the Plan. Chairman Fontaine noted that the Council was concerned about the inconsistencies with the Plan’s zoning. Other members that noted objection included Cliff Cleary and Sue Pullar.
Board of Trade: Mr. Burke provided members with a draft letter for which to approach local businesses interested in a Board of Trade. Mr. Burke requested any input from members so that he could move forward to coordinate an organizational meeting with interested parties. Ms. Scott will forward Mr. Burke names of interested businesses that responded to the recent EDC survey.
Master Plan: Chairman Fontaine discussed that the Town Council, Planning Board and the Economic Development Committee will all be participating on creating a master plan. Chairman Fontaine noted that there will be certain restrictions for those working on the plan and will work closely with Jeff Grossman. Mr. Grossman will provide the framework for which the EDC can follow. Chairman Fontaine will contact Steve Einstein who is the subcommittee chairman.
NEW BUSINESS:
1) Presentation: See above.
2) Discuss new EDC Charge: Chairman Fontaine previously discussed in reference to the Master Plan and the announcement that Joe Rousselle, Code Enforcement Officer has replaces Terry Oliver, Public Works Director as one of the ex-officio on the Committee.
3) Community Matters Conference: The Committee agreed to send Mike Lassel to the conference. Susie Scott will coordinate registration and hotel reservations for Mr. Lassel.
OTHER:
Dates & Times for Upcoming Meetings/Events:
October 3, 2007 Economic Development Committee Meeting
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion by Mr. Lassel, 2nd by Mr. Cleary to adjourn at 8:35 pm, passed unanimous.
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