HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-11-03 Economic Development Committee MinutesEconomic Development Committee (EDC)
November 3, 2010 MINUTES
Members in Attendance: Meghan Young-Tafoya (Chair), Sheila Clarke (Vice-Chairman), George Rio,-Michele 501
Williams, Michelle Ferullo and Maria Higgins met in the Berger Room, Town Hall.
Members Absent: Jack Russell, Russ Graham and Ben Yoder
Others Present: Esther Friedman, Reading Daily Times Chronicle, James Bonazoli, BOS liaison, Peter
Heckenbleikner, Reading Town Manager
Call to Order: There being a quorum the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM.
On a motion by Ms. Clarke, seconded by Ms. Williams, the EDC voted to approve the minutes from
October 20 bya vote of 4-0.
The Chair also raised the issue of her workload and the possibility of a new chairperson to help.
Economic Development Activity (See online spreadsheet for details):
Gabriana's will be moving to One Haven Street, and the Nail Spa will be moving to where Embellish was on
Haven Street, as Embellish has moved to 580 Main Street. The two residential developments (1 Jacob Way
and the Pierce Street condominiums) will be removed from the Economic Development Activity Report. The
Salon on Haven is now open. There is a potential proposal for law offices at the old MassBank building. With
respect to the property at 18-20 Woburn Street, and the mural is still being finished at Creative Arts and the
issue of his sign was discussed. The small sign is all that is allowed under the current sign by-law, but Ms,
Young-Tafoya raised the issue with CPDC of possibly creating a new category of signs. Mr. Heckenbleikner
gave an update on 285 Main Street (former tux shop) and noted that the proposed Perfecto's Cafe has received
all of its permits, and the underground storage tanks are to be filled by the current owner tomorrow. He also
noted that the Wine. Bunker will be opening shortly, and he is meeting with Oaktree tomorrow. Ms. Ferullo
updated the meeting about the many tenants and businesses that she has been contacting to interest them in
coming to Reading.
Work Plan Highlights (See online spreadsheet for details):
Updates to the Work Plan were reviewed, and Ms. Clarke noted that Mr. Yoder is preparing a plan to implement
the way-finding and branding project, and they had met with Ms. Delios. They hope to present the plan in
December and have it finalized by January. Mr. Heckenbleikner signed the contract for the 5-5-5 fagade
program and it is moving forward. Ms. Clarke has now received the final edits on the passport book.
Economic Development Summit:
Mr. Heckenbleikner reviewed the powerpoint presentation for the Summit. The invitees will include the BOS,
CPDC, and the EDC, chairs of the ZBA and Conservation Commission, as well as Planning staff and other staff
who play a role in economic development. The goal is to put economic development in context and emphasize
it as a community goal. He discussed the online permitting software to be implemented in the future. The
meeting discussed the SWOT analyses prepared by the EDC and by Mr. Heckenbleikner, to be combined and
included as part of the presentation. Ms. Clarke discussed Sam's Bistro as a case study of the liaison role of
the EDC and the Committee discussed the role and its limitations. Mr. Bonazoli concurred on the usefulness of
the liaison role.
Other Business:
On a motion by Ms. Williams, seconded by Ms. Clarke, the EDC voted to adjourn at 9:20 p.m. by a vote of
4-0.
The next meeting will be Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Respectfully submitted, Maria Higgins (Associate Member, EDC)