HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-05-18 Economic Development Committee MinutesEconomic Development Committee (EDC)
May 18, 2011 MINUTES
Members in Attendance: Meghan Young-Tafoya (Chair), Jack Russell, Russ Graham, Michele Williams, Ben
Yoder, Michelle Ferullo and Maria Higgins met in the Berger Room, Town Hall.
Members Absent: George Rio and Sheila Clarke.
Others Present: Peter Hechenbleikner, Town manager.
Call to Order: There being a quorum the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
On a motion by Ms. Young-Tafoya, seconded by Ms. Williams, the EDC voted to approve the minutes
from May 4 by a vote of 3-0-0.
Questions posed to Town Counsel:
Ms. Young-Tafoya reviewed the responses from Town Counsel on several questions.from the EDC, including
the legal notice requirements for agenda items under the new open meeting law. Also discussed was the fact
that our Sign By-Law allows only one sign in the Business A Zone and applies to less than 10 businesses.
Town counsel responded this was not discriminatory since all businesses in the same zoning district were
treated equally.
Feedback and Survey:
Ms. Young-Tafoya discussed a survey for members and others working with the EDC to give feedback on
projects and other items. The EDC also discussed the new banners in Town and the positive feedback
received.
Work Plan Highlights (See online spreadsheet for details):
Updates to the Work Plan were reviewed. Mr. Yoder reported on the Way-Finding/Branding project, including
the meeting today with the Parking Transportation Task Force (PTTF). Locations for the new signs will soon be
finalized, and the EDC discussed the color of the parking signs that the Town has approved, and determined
that these standard signs would not be part of the Branding project. Ms. Williams reported on the Fagade
Improvement program and that a Letter of Intent from Reading Cooperative Bank is expected next week. Since
no Wentworth Architectural students have expressed interest in the internship, she is looking into the idea of
local architects contributing their services.
Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager, joined the meeting at 8:15pm. Mr. Hechenbleikner shared with the EDC
that the DPW will be supporting the watering of the flowers for the summer. Mr. Yoder and Mr. Hechenbleikner
Pete discussed the meeting that they had had earlier today with the (PTTF) and the EDC shared their ideas
about the placement of signs. Pete is willing to give the EDC through the end of June to explore how other
towns are able to erect parking signs that are not the mandated green. Mr. Hechenbleikner will set up a
planning meeting for the Field Pond project team to meet and get updates. Mr. Hechenbleikner left the meeting
at 9:00pm.
Economic Development Activity:
Ms. Tafoya-Young and Ms. Ferullo updated the EDC on the meeting with Jim Mawn. Northern Bank and Trust is
currently waiting on state approval to proceed with constructing this new branch location. Ms. Ferullo will check
in with Mr. Mawn to see how things are progressing, and encourage him to improve the courtyard area. The
Downtown Idea Exchange had. a great article about open spaces downtown, and the EDC talked about ways
that we could get organizations involved with having events in the courtyard, with one of the items mentioned
being salsa dancing.
Other Business:
For the next meeting Ms. Tafoya-Young will be unable to attend, and Ms. Clarke will be chairing. Sharon
DuBois, our peer for the Facade Improvement project, will be reviewing the work that she has done to date with
the EDC.
Mr. Graham announced that he did not sign up for re-appointment to the EDC, since he is officially retiring from
all boards, committees and commissions after 30 years of service. A celebration is planned for the last EDC
meeting in June.
There being no further business, on a motion by Ms. Williams, seconded by Mr. Russell, the EDC voted
to adjourn at 9:22 p.m. by a vote of 3-0-0..
The next meeting will be Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Respectfully submitted, Maria Higgins (Associate Member, EDC)