Farmington Economic Development Committee
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Members Present: Paula Proulx, Sylvia Arcouette, Barry Elliott, and Richard Stanley,
Cindy Snowdon
Members Absent: Debra Cantwell
Staff Present: None
Public Present: Joan Funk, Board of Selectmen
Paula Proulx called the meeting to order at 7:25 AM.
- Re-evaluate moving forward in absence of Planner:
Paula Proulx noted that we may not have a planner for a while now. Joan Funk asked if there was a special committee to expedite this. Paula noted that there were a few candidates that have come in but the others were not acceptable, the Selectmen will be discussing this on Monday night 10/19/09. As for the EDC there would not be a staff member present for a while; we may need to filter through the Town Administrator (Tony Mincu) for now.
- Follow up on TIF Punch List:
Paula Proulx opened the discussion.
Paula noted that the punch list had been given to the Board of Selectmen. Paula stated that without Dan Merhalski the former town planner, being able to follow up with it and he had not been able to before he left. Barry Elliott and Sylvia Arcouette commented that it may not be worth following up on, based on comments they heard.
Sylvia shared what she saw in Topeka, Kansas regarding 2 of their local TIF Districts. One is extremely nice; they really worked hard on it. The second one did not work so well; a lot of manpower is needed and follow up to make it succeed. The commercial area worked and the residential area did not.
Sylvia commented on the appearance of the towns and the schools. They were clean and beautiful; Barry Elliott also stated that some of these towns might work better because they have state funding. Unlike NH these states have taxes to help with these expenses.
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Paula Proulx stated that maybe the EDC should hold off on the TIF program for now.
Paula asked what other directions the committee would like to go into. Sylvia asked about Sarah Greenfield and what is being done regarding the sale of the lots. Cindy Snowdon asked it there was a sign regarding the available lots. Barry asked if there was anything being done to help Dana Ricker, regarding his interest in the space. Joan stated that she has been following up with Dana. There was great discussion by all regarding the need for signage posted regarding the available lots for sale.
Sylvia Arcouette motioned to ask the Board of Selectmen for a sign to be posted at Sarah Greenfield advertising the lots for sale. 2nd Richard Stanley. Motion carried with all in favor.
Cindy Snowdon asked that there be a deadline date given to the Board of Selectmen regarding the posting of the SALE OF LOTS SIGN. All agreed.
- Discussion Regarding EDC member frustrations:
Barry Elliott spoke at great lengths about his frustrations on the EDC and how he feels they are not getting anything done. It was discussed by all. Also, that the EDC needed to find out from the Board of Selectmen a direction to where they want to go. Barry feels that the Board of Selectmen and other committees need more passion for what is needed for the town. Barry feels the EDC and other committees have no administrative support from the town.
Sylvia mentioned writing a letter to the Board of Selectmen, asking them what direction they would like to see the EDC go. Paula asked Rich Stanley what his thoughts were, Rich thinks that the EDC should go to the Board of Selectmen and get guidance of what they want.
Joan Funk stated that there are more things that the EDC could do. Maybe join forces with the Downtown Committee. Joan discussed the new program that is being done now.
(Passport Promotion) a booklet that has all the business in it that wants to participate. When purchasers of the booklets go into the business the book is stamped. Then there will be a drawing for gifts. We are trying to get the people into the downtown businesses; we want them to see what we have downtown.
Joan also mentioned working with new business owners or people trying to come into the town; court them. See what it is that they want, help them. If you see there is not a way to get it without contacting the board then go to the board and push it as a group. There is power in numbers. She commented on Seneca, they went from 14 to 4 employees. He needs more business; the downtown committee had created a recording tape to highlight local businesses. They are going to play this tape on TV. Lets try to help the business that we already have. The Downtown Committee has tried things that have not worked but, maybe if EDC and Downtown joined forces.
Paula commented as a local business owner, she doesn’t have time to play. She commented that there is not any buy in from the residents of Farmington. She thinks that the local businesses don’t have draw in from the town offices. The people of Farmington have to be excited to want to come to downtown Farmington. What that is she is not sure.
Joan stated that there has been little to no contact from the local business to join in with the new program that the Downtown Committee is trying to get started. She doesn’t understand why they would not want to be involved in this. It is no real effort on their part nor will it cost them anything.
Barry commented on the Rochester Chamber and Business After Hours. He stated that you never see the small local business people there, only executives from the larger local businesses. This is not just Farmington. It is vary difficult to show the small local businessperson the value of attending these types of things or to even get involved in any outside activity to promote the town local business. Barry said that he mentioned a time ago a program that Cameron’s does called Promoters. He talked about combining the business on the cost of the program and get feedback. He would like to start this and help organize this. The point is that the business would get feedback about their businesses; what the people like and dislike.
Sylvia commented on two goals that she has heard through out this meeting, today. One is to ask the Selectmen for direction, and two to combining efforts with the Downtown Committee.
Barry asked about developing a questionnaire for the Selectmen to fill out, regarding a direction for the EDC. This was discussed by the committee and agreed that this is what needs to be done. The committee agreed to discuss and develop the questionnaire at the next EDC meeting of 11/18/09. Paula stated that after the questionnaire is presented and returned by the BOS, the EDC should meet with the BOS to discuss the questionnaire and find a common ground.
Joan made the comment that maybe the Downtown Committee should be asked also to be apart of this. Sylvia agreed that the two committees should work together; she also stated the Selectmen need to be involved in the process. Cindy asked when this meeting would take place; she would like to have a direction for the 1st of the year. Cindy asked if the two committees could get together. Sylvia said that we should wait until the questionnaire is complete and we get direction first. Paula said that as soon as we get the questionnaire back; she will be sure to get it returned to the EDC in a very timely manner. Everyone will try to think of questions for the questionnaire.
Rich stated that it did not go very well. Sylvia noted that it was all committee members.
- Review Minutes of June 10, 2009:
Sylvia Arcouette motioned to accept the minutes as written, 2nd Barry Elliott. Motion carried with all in favor. Cindy Snowdon abstained.
- Next meeting agenda for 11/18/2009:
- Review Minutes of 10/14/2009
- Create EDC Direction Questionnaire for the Board of Selectmen.
- Any Other Business to come before the Committee
Sylvia Arcouette motioned to adjourn the meeting, 2nd Rich Stanley. Motion carried with all in favor.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 AM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Elaine Labrie
Planning & Code Enforcement Secretary
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