HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-06-04 Economic Development Committee MinutesTown of Reading RECEIVED
Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK
FADING. MASS.
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Economic Development Committee
Date: 2014 -06 -04 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Berger Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Purpose: General Business
Attendees: Members - Present:
Sheila Clark
Maria Higgins
Jack Russell
Karl Weld - Chair
Meghan Young
Members - Not Present:
Camille Anthony
Liz Krugman
George Rio
Jessie Wilson, Community Development Administrator
Others Present:
Not applicable
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Meghan Young
Topics of Discussion:
Call to Order: There being a quorum the meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM
Aooroval of Minutes:
On a motion by Ms. Higgins, seconded by Ms. Clark the EDC voted to approve the minutes from
the May 14, 2014 as amended. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Other Business
EDC members discussed the possibility of moving the regularly scheduled meetings to Monday instead of
Wednesday. Mr. Weld will check in with Ms. Wilson on whether the Berger room would be available on
Monday nights and in the next meeting the EDC will take a consensus of the best day of the week to
meet.
Cultural District— Kickoff Meeting:
The Town was awarded a $10,000 DHCD grant for the development of a Cultural Distnct Plan in late
February, and the kickoff meeting is planned for June 10' at 4pm in the Berger Room, Town Hall. Ms.
Clarke, Ms. Higgins, Mr. Russell, Mr. Weld and Ms. Young are all scheduled to attend.
Zoning Advisory Committee
The Zoning Advisory Committee is holding a meeting with the ZBA, and CPDC on Monday, June 9'". The
topics of discussion will include Parking, Signs and Non - Conforming business situations. Ms. Young
intends on attending the meeting.
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The Zoning Advisory Committee will be holding the fourth public forum on the same topics on June 18'a at
7:30pm at the Senior Center.
Building Facade and Sian Improvement Program
The EDC reviewed an Application for a blade sign from Olds Redding Butcher Shoppe under "Targeted
Improvements' of the BFSI program.
On a motion by Ms. Higgins, second by Ms. Clark, the EDC voted to award 80% of the project cost
up to $500 to Olde Redding Butcher Shoppe towards the cost of a blade sign. Motion carried 4-0-0.
All members present agreed that the BFSI Targeted Improvement program should remain in effect until
the budgeted funding has been exhausted. The EDC then discussed options for the upcoming BFSI
program (2014 -15) items of discussion included: adding the BFSI brochure to the tax forms for
businesses in Reading, having rolling' BFSI program participation where businesses could participate on
a first come, first served basis, conduct periodic BFSI workshops during the year to encourage
businesses to think about improvements to their building and facades.
All EDC members agreed that blade signs applications have been very popular updates for businesses,
the ease of application, and installation promotes businesses being able to take advantage of the BFSI.
Economic Self- Assessment Tool ( EDSAT) Update:
Northeastern University is working on finalizing the EDSAT and will hopefully have the results soon. The
Planning Department, in conjunction with the assistance of MAPC will be finalizing a grant application
with DHCD under the Priority Development Fund. This grant will be for the development of the Action
Plan that will feed off of the EDSAT. The grant will be submitted this week.
Work Plan Updates:
The EDC reviewed the Work Plan and the following is a summary of updates
BFSI /Retail Visioning Program Surveys: Complete review of the BFSI /Retail Visioning program
for the last two years will be discussed in July's meeting. The EDC will talk through a SWAT
analysis that can be written up and sent to the BOS.
The CPDC approved the application from Pure Fit and the sign permit should be issued within the
week. BFSI reimbursement will follow upon installation of the sign.
Social Media: Ms. Clarke is now the official Reading EDC Facebook administrator. Ms. Clarke
requested that Ms. Young to draft a Facebook'help wanted' add — that can also be placed in bi-
weekly and local papers, and sent to Town Meeting members and Town's email members.
Streetscape: The flower baskets were installed in the Downtown this past week. Mr. Weld has
not had to sign off for the expenditure yet, but it should be forthcoming.
Activity Worksheet Review: Orange Leaf, Northern Bank and Trust and D'Amici's Bakery held
their open houses a couple of weeks' ago. Bunretty's Tavern construction is progressing, but very
slowly. Pure Flt (34 Gould Street) has opened. An organic nail salon will be going into 75 Haven
(former gold store). Due to costs and other factors, Pizza World has withdrawn their site plan
review application for 306 Main Street (former Getty station.) The land is still owned by the Pizza
World owner and he will be looking into other options. The former Valerie's Bridal Shop is still
slated for redevelopment and their attorney says 'its coming." This project involves a mixed use
construction of restaurant and office uses.
On a motion by Ms. Higgins, seconded Ms. Young the EDC voted to adjourn at 8:30 PM. Motion
carried 3 -0 -0. The EDC's meeting in July will be held July 23'" due to holiday and vacation
schedules.
Respectfully submitted
Meghan Young, EDC Member
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