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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-10-06 Economic Development Committee MinutesEconomic Development Committee (EDC) t October 6, 2010 MINUTES Members in Attendance: Meghan Young-Tafoya (Chair), Sheila Clarke (Vice-Chairman' Us Gr"m ac : 5 Russell, George Rio, Michele Williams and Maria Higgins met in the Berger Room, Town Hall. Members Absent: Michelle Ferullo and Ben Yoder Others Present: John Douglass, Douglass Funeral Home (Chamber member) Call to Order: There being a quorum the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Economic Development Summit Preparation- EDC SWOT Analysis: The EDC spent a majority of tonight's meeting putting together their Economic Development SWOT analysis. Ms. Clarke facilitated the session and Ms. Higgins took notes which she will send to Ms. Clark and Ms. Young- Tafoya to be reviewed and submitted for the upcoming Economic Development Summit on October 19. Work Plan Highlights (See online spreadsheet for details): Two projects were moved off the EDC's work plan as they are now complete. The Sign Enforcement and Compliance project has been moved to CPDC. The EDC will be active participants in the discussion of the current wording of the amendment that will be before Town Meeting in November. In particular, there are businesses that have monument signs in Business B; that the CPDC has not addressed in the current amendment and the EDC believes this is a necessary element of the amendment. The 2010 Fall Street Faire was successfully completed; Ms. Clarke will give a recap summary in our next meeting. Ben Yoder has agreed to work on an implementation plan for the Wayfinding/Branding project. Due to work commitments, Mr. Yoder will not be available for our meetings through December. The Economic Development review of the industrial area by Ash Street is now in process and Jack Russell, Russ Graham, Pete Hechenbleikner and Jean Delios will be meeting October 13, at 2:30 for a site walk. Keeping our website current, Abby added the RFSF pictures and the Swiss Baker article to the EDC page. On a motion by Ms. Clarke, seconded by Mr. Rio the EDC voted to donate $100 from the Downtown ` Improvement and Events Trust to the Creative Arts of Reading. Economic Development Activity: Two new businesses joined the Reading community since our last meeting: Grumpy Doyle's opened September 16, and Sammy Jo's Bakery opened this past Monday (October 4.) In other development, Calareso's received final approval from the CPDC on October 4; Golf Town was approved by the CPDC October 4, they will be moving into the former Linen n' Things space at Walkers Brook Drive. Potential new developers attended a BOS meeting in September to discuss possible plans for One Jacob Way (former Addison Wesley site.) Other Business: On a motion by Ms. Clarke, seconded by Mr. Graham, the EDC approved the minutes from September 1, 2010 as amended by a vote of 5-0-0. At the end of the meeting, Mr. Douglass let the EDC know that he was considering becoming the Chamber's liaison. Currently, Kathi Spurr currently is our EDC liaison but Kathi is not a Reading resident so she has not been an associate of the committee. The EDC members enthusiastically recommended that Mr. Douglass submit an application to the town for an associate position in the EDC. On a motion by Mr. Graham, seconded by Ms. Clarke, the EDC voted to adjourn at 9:15 PM by a vote of 5-0-0. The next meeting will be Wednesday, October 20, 2010 - Respectfully submitted, Meghan Young- Tafoya (Chair, EDC)