HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-11-14 Economic Development Committee MinutesMINUTES
Economic Development Committee (EDC)
November 14, 2007
sell Graham, Sheila Clarke, Meghan Young-Tafoya, Jack Russell, and Michele Williams met at Reading Senior Center,
reading, Massachusetts beginning at 7:30 P.M.
Guests
• Rick Radville, Mike Slezak, and Tim Toomey, Reading residents and local architects, met with the committee to discuss
building facade improvements.
• Tax Classification Ad Hoc Committee-Richard McDonald and Ben Tafoya
Agenda Review
• Tax Classification Presentation
o A formal report issued by committee to the BOS is available on town website
o Residential values have significantly increased while commercial values are on a slower rate
o Disparity in how commercial property is assessed vs. residential
o Exemption proposed for small business that have less than 10 employees
On a motion by Russell, seconded by Young Tafoya the EDC voted to support the recommendations of the Tax
Advisory Classification Committee. There was a tie vote (2-2) on the motion so the motion did not carry; however,
Leslie McGongale was not in attendance. As part of the Tax Advisory Committee team, Leslie had cast a dissenting
vote against the recommendations. With that fact in mind, the EDC will not support the recommendations of the Tax
Advisory Committee.
• Architects Presentation recommendations to improve downtown Reading building facades
o Overall goal - attractive downtown that would attract businesses and result in a vibrant area
o Sense of transparencies very important in regards to design
o You need to have the type of business that drives the vitality you are seeking (i.e. liquor licensing, etc.)
o How do you incentivize businesses to follow a downtown design standards and create a sense of place
o You need to find elements that tie buildings together to add charm - what are those things????
o Gloucester/Arlington - turned downtown area around. Committee should contact Town Planner
o Possibly have business pick one night per week/business to stay open
o Boston Architect and Wentworth design school - thesis on "Reading Re-imagined"
o Tax incentives
o Design Charette - can we tie into 40R project?
o Other Business
o Tax Classification Hearing with BOS scheduled for November 20th
Meeting Schedule
o Next regularly scheduled meeting will be Wednesday, December 11, 2007, at the Reading Senior Center, Reading,
Massachusetts beginning at 7:30 P.M.
On a _motion by Russell, seconded by Young-Tafoya, the committee voted to adjourn at 9:45P.M. on a unanimous vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila Clarke