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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-08-04 Economic Development Committee Minutes1j Economic Development Committee (E©C) MK August 4, 2010 MINUTES 4. Members in Attendance: Meghan Young-Tafoya (Chair), Sheila Clarke (Vice-~[~ it ah) I rs r is Jack Russell, George Rio, and Ben Yoder and met in the Berger Room, Town Hall at 7:00 P.M. Members Absent: Michelle Ferullo, Michele Williams and Maria Higgins Others Present: Community Services Director/Town Planner, Jean Delios, David Tuttle (CPDC) Matt Desmoules, Kara Deyermenjian (The Reading Patch.) Call to Order: There being a quorum the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Other Business: On a motion by Ms. Clarke, seconded by Mr. Graham, the EDC approved the minutes from July 21st as amended by a vote of 3-0-0. The Town Planner reviewed the presentation that she will be giving to the BOS on August 10 regarding the EDC's Wayfinding Peer-to-Peer Grant Study. Due to the 15 minutes allotted to the presentation, the Town Planner did not add the edits that were provided by the EDC. As there will be EDC members in attendance during the presentation, they will add their comments during the conversation with the BOS. Work Session: The Town Planner summarized the recent BOS site visits throughout Reading of inventoried non-conforming signs. The Town Planner shared a pared down list of non-conforming signs that did not include the free standing signs or side setback issues (under review by the CPDC) or the window signs which the Town Planner feels can be easily addressed with the business owners. Reiterating their major concern to the Town Planner, the EDC stressed that it was equally important to address the Town's going forward sign violation policy that will ensure that the hard work done by the EDC, CPDC and Town employees continues on through enforcement. i r The Town Planner then reviewed the draft of the A-frame / sandwich board signs which were approved by the Spring Town Meeting and will fall under the regulatory control of the BOS. The Town Planner will be reviewing this draft with the BOS on August 10`h, and the EDC suggested that the BOS might consider making the second year application an easier process by administrating the process through Town staff. Work Plan Highlights (See online spreadsheet for details): Ms. Clarke gave an update on the Reading Fall Street Faire reporting 130 vendors have signed up and the newest addition to the line up - a mechanical bull. Sam and Joe's Bakery will be providing 12 dozen cupcakes for the Cupcake Walk in the Children's section. Ms. Clarke met with Bill Crowley, Chamber of Commerce President, about ways that they can work with the EDC on the Fagade Improvement program. The Chamber also included the EDC in the celebration of Christopher's 25`h year of business last Friday, and wrote an article for the papers' this week. The Town Planner and the Town Manager would like to be members of the Economic Development Review team of the Industrial Area by Ash Street. A joint session of the CPDC and the EDC will be held on September 7. Ms. Clarke suggested that the EDC add expansion of the Farm Stand to the Work Plan after the RFSF is completed. Economic Development Activity: Sam and Joe's Bakery will be coming before CPDC for a Site Plan Waiver on August 9; Calareso's Farm Stand will be on the CPDC agenda on August 23 for their Site Plan Review. This week the EDC Chair was contacted by the owner of The Salon at One Haven, who has entered into an agreement to move to 55 Haven Street in October and was concerned about the permitting process timeline particularly not being able to present their Site Plan until the September 13 CPDC meeting. Working with the Town Planner, the CPDC added an additional meeting the end of this month to conduct the Site Plan Review for this business owner - customer service exemplified. On a motion by Mr. Graham, seconded by Ms. Clarke, the EDC voted to adjourn at 9:10 PM by a vote of 4-0-0. The next meeting (if needed) will be Wednesday, August 18th. Respectfully submitted, Meghan Young- Tafoya (Chair, EDC)