HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-04-25 Economic Development Committee MinutesMINUTES
Economic Development Committee (EDC)
April 25, 2007
Russell Graham, Sheila Clarke, Meghan Young-Tafoya, Jack Russell, and Leslie McGonagle, met at To" `Le
t, Reading, Massachusetts beginning at 7:30 P.M. READING,
MASS.
Review of April 11, 2007 meetinE MINUTES
• On a motion by Young-Tafoya, seconded by Russell, the MINUTES of 03.27.07 were ap ~ flan moousl~. 2
Guests
• EDC met with Steve and Janice Bell, owners of Savory Tastes Restaurant. They voiced concern regarding the need of
100 seat requirement prior to getting a full liquor license. They are looking to expand their business. Savory Tastes
currently has 40 seats and serves 50% in town residents. Employee parking is also an issue. The EDC is to research the
cost of an annual pass - Steve and Janice believe it is $260.00 which isn't affordable to their employees. When they
were researching towns, they looked for the following:
o Average Resident Income
o Number of people in town
o Traffic - 65,000+ cars travel through town each day (Mass Highway data)
o What towns can you draw from?
Steve and Janice feel Reading is similar in feel to Arlington and Melrose from a business perspective. They believe
Reading is the "Perfect Hub" and are enthusiastic about doing cross promotions with surrounding businesses. They
would like to be a reference for other businesses thinking about coming to Reading and want to participate in the town
website. EDC to get Phantom .Diner.video from Janice. EDC will speak to RCTV regarding Reading At Large and
focusing on individual businesses and. invite (1) business per month to meet with committee.
Agenda Review
Exit Interview - Megan Young-Tafoya will create a standardized template for guests attending meetings as well as for
exit ii.iterview purposes.
• National Development brought a 40R consultant to meet with the Advisory Team at the 4/20 meeting. National
Development will bring a concept and design to the 5/8 meeting. Currently, the property is zoned for Office and Hotel
only. The National Development plan would brake property into quadrants consisting of/4 commercial, 250 apartments,
125 townhouses, and the remainder senior citizen. However, the square footage of each quadrant has not been
communicated as of yet. The Archstone project only has 14 children.
• Meeting with Adam Baacke regarding town walk-through went well. Sheila Clarke to fax website template for
feedback.
• EDC to check with Peter Hechenbleikner regarding final due dates and text/video formats for website.
• EDC will not participate in "Friends and Family" event.
EDC to begin PR efforts - committee needs to bullet point goals and achievements.
Meeting Schedule _
• Next regularly scheduled meeting will be Wednesday, May 9, 2007, at Reading High School t J t Vo ,
Reading, Massachusetts beginning at 7:30 P.M.
Ya z a motion by McGonagle, seconded.by Young-Tafoya, the committee voted to adjourn at 10:45 P.M. on a unanimous
vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila Clark