FARMINGTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPEMENT COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008
Present: Paula Proulx, Sylvia Arcuoette, Barry Elliott, Hiram Watson, Cindy Snowdon and Dan Merhalski.
Gail Ellis and Sharla Rollins were excused from the meeting.
Approval of Minutes
January 9, 2008: Motion to approve by Barry Elliot, seconded by Sylvia Arcouette, 4 yes, Cindy Snowdon abstained from voting.
April 19, 2008: Silvia motioned to accept as amended seconded by Cindy. 4 yes, Barry abstained.
Overview of Regional Economics.
Reviewed handout of Farmington and Strafford County Economic Development Report May 2008 . (See attached). Strafford County is most hard hit. SRPC expects 7000 new jobs in next 10 year period. Projects job growth rate is at 15.6% for same time period. Farmington top of bottom of % change in mortgages and % change in foreclosures (900%) 2007-2008. Land value has doubled in Farmington from 2000-2005. Barry suggested sharing the report with the school system; may be able to expand programs that are expected to have areas with potential growth.
Discussion on Municipal Parking:. Planning Department is looking at a parking study in the Master Plan.
Site Map
The map displayed was an enlarged section of the site from the zoning maps. It was noted that the locations for the wells on the map were incorrect. Can SRP produce a map with the correct locations of the wells?
Test Pit results
A memo from Public Works Director Joel Moulton stated that his department has not yet excavated the test pits and expects to proceed the week of May 12 or May 19. Tests have been done in the past but the results were not characterized or recorded.
Cindy Snowdon was excused from the meeting at 8:10AM
Discussion on Survey of Sarah Greenfield Park
The Park exists of 15 acres and the surrounding 100 acres is Town property. The survey for the Park could be funded by the SGF account but the funding for the surrounding area would have to come out of town funds. Berry surveyors submitted a bid of $25,000 to for the whole parcel not including topographical data and add $2,500 to set the pins. To combine the entire area into the Park would require a vote at Town Meeting. Barry added that he has always thought that the entire property was part of SGF and that in his 20 plus years working with the EDC and various town committees, they always seem to hit a roadblock; there is no progressive thinking. The committee agreed that the entire property should be surveyed.
To establish a road, there are two options: 1: establish a right of way which would require a subdivision and 2: establish an access easement. The town attorney can look at the options. The best location would be next to Artemis behind the birm. This topic will be brought to the BOS.
Membership
A letter was sent to a former member whom’s term expired this year: no response. A letter was sent to a member with a term expiration of 2009 who has not attended any meetings: no response.
Marketing Plan:
The Marketing Plan has been completed and 50 copies have been made and will be available to interested parties. Dan will look into getting it on the web. It will be updated yearly.
Site Plan Review
Dan will call Berry Surveyors for a copy of the last grading survey they did of the SGF.
Compliance
The committee discussed what options they have for enforcing the parks covenants. Megan will forward a copy of the covenants to Silvia.
An agenda was set for next meeting:
Review Minutes
Updates: Grading, Test Pits, Road Easement
Master Plan chapter Five
Meeting adjourned 8:45AM
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