HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-06-06 Economic Development Committee MinutesEconomic Development Committee (EDC)
June 6, 2012 Minutes
Members in Attendance: Sheila Clarke (Chair), Meghan Young - Tafoya, Michele Williams, Jack Russell, and
Maria Higgins met in the Lower Level Conference Room, Town Hall.
Members Absent Ben Yoder (Vice- Chair) George Rio, Karl Weld and Michelle Ferullo
Others Present: Jessie Wilson (Staff Planner), John Arena (Selectmen)
Call to Order: There being a quorum the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:15 PM.
Peer to Peer Grant, Peer Discussion:
• Ms. Clark told the Committee, the Peer Theresa Parks will not be attending the meeting due to a
personal emergency. Ms. Young - Tafoya suggested they review the draft findings /report from Ms.
Parks.
The Committee was concerned with draft findings /report as it did not provide the findings she was
expecting. Ms. Clark offered to speak with Ms. Parks to determine whether she would be able to
finish the project and provide the expected deliverables.
The Committee continued to discuss the Peer to Peer grant and agreed that the draft findings /report
is not what they were hoping for. The purpose of the grant was to evaluate the EDC's progress
make recommendations on where the Committee needed to focus future efforts. As this is the 5-
year anniversary, Ms. Young - Tafoya believed this was a very important project. Ms. Young - Tafoya
suggested that this grant project and the funding be rolled into next years grant which would
hopefully provide the deliverables they want She will speak with Emmy Hahn (DHCD) about this
matter.
Mr. John Arena, mentioned that the Board of Selectmen are in the process of evaluating the EDC's
mission and goals. Ms. Clark suggested having a working session with the Board of Selectmen to
make sure everyone is in agreement on how the EDC should move forward. Mr. Arena replied that
the Selectmen are still having this conversation internally, but agree a working session is a good
idea.
Other Discussion:
A summary of the Building Facade and Signage Improvement (BFSI) Program Committee meeting
which was held on May 30, 2012 was provided by Ms. Williams. She summarized the selection
process and their reasons for choosing the final applicants, noting they looked for projects that met
the purpose of the grant program. Ms. Young - Tafoya reminded the Committee that the BFSI
Committee meeting vote was only for recommendation purposes and that the EDC as a whole must
then vote to approve the applicants. Ms. Wilson stated that unfortunately this was not on the agenda
for tonight's meeting and they cannot take action regarding this item. The Committee agreed to
move it to the next agenda.
• Ms. Young - Tafoya provided a brief summary of the progress with the Retail Visioning Grant. She
will send out information and the project scope to the Committee, indicating the first meeting which
is to be held in September. Following that meeting, applicants will apply to the program, similarly to
the BFSI program and then they will receive individual consultation with the retail expert.
• Ms. Young - Tafoya reported that $12,144.30 was transferred from the Downtown Steering
Committee to the DIET.
Minutes:
• Approval of the 5/212012 EDC Minutes :
On a motion by Ms. Young - Tafoya, seconded by Ms. Williams, the EDC voted to approve the
minutes from the 5/2/2012 meeting as amended. Motion carried 3 -0 -0.
• Approval of the 5/30/2012 BFSI Subcommittee Minutes: The committee tabled this item to the
nextagenda.
On a motion by Ms. Young - Tafoya, seconded by Ms. Williams, the EDC voted to adjourn at 8:30 PM.
Motion carried 3 -0-0.
Respectiully submitted,
Jessie Wilson, Staff Planner