Town of Farmington
Economic Development Commission
Meeting Minutes
August 9, 2006
Chairman Paula Proulx convened meeting at 7:08am.
Members Present: Hiram Watson, Cyndi Paulin, Sharla Rollins, Paula Proulx, Paul Weston (Town Administrator) and Paul Esswein (Town Planner).
Old Business:
Approval of Minutes:
Cyndi Paulin moved to accept the minutes as written, Sharla Rollins seconded. Motion passed.
Sarah Greenfield Park and Rte. 153 Beautification
Hiram Watson received three quotes for 50 maple trees, to include planting from Cameron's, Elf's and Farmfield Greenhouse. (Quotes attached). Paul Weston reported that Irving was quick to respond and that they would be willing to play a part in the beautification process and would like a dollar amount the EDC is looking for. Hiram noted that Cameron's came in with the best price, they guarantee the trees for one year and that they recommend a spring planting. Hiram and either Paul Weston or Paul Esswein will walk the proposed planting area with Cameron's and stake out where the trees are to be planted, that way they will have an exact number of trees needed. The EDC would like the trees to go from Irving (but not up to Rte. 11, so as to not block traffic) down to Watson
Corner and then the daycare up to Rte. 11 on the opposite side of the road. In addition, trees will be planted down both sides of the road within the Sarah Greenfield Park along the tar road.
Sharla Rollins suggested the EDC asks Bill Tsirois, who owns the first two lots on 153 across from Irving, to be considerate and James Strough, owner of Watson Corner. Paul Weston will touch base with Irving, 3 Phase, Rick Reilly, Artemis, Ron Howard, and Jim LeClair to see if he can get additional dollars for the project. Paul Esswein will get in touch with NH DOT to advise the of the planting plans and get an okay from them. Paula Proulx said the EDC should give the Selectman a heads up to what is happening with the plantings and then when go for final approval bring the actual dollar amounts.
Sarah Greenfield Business Park Sign
Paul Esswein has received 2 sign quotes and was promised a quote by the end of today from Reilly Signs. (Quotes attached) Mc Duffy's sign comes in at the lowest price but does not include installation. It was discussed last month that Rick Reilly, of Reilly signs, would meet with Paul W. to design a sign but this did not happen. Paul Esswein quickly drafted a directory sign to resemble the proposed McDuffy sign and the EDC really liked it. Paul will get 3 quotes for both signs and bring directly to the Selectman for final approval. Cyndi Paulin asked if the gold lettering should be white for better visibility and Paul E. will ask the sign makers for their opinion. On another note the town will pay for the signs out of the Sarah Greenfield fund but the individual
businesses will be asked to pay for their individual slats on the directory sign. (Sketch of directory sign attached.)
Sarah Greenfield Park Covenants
The covenants clearly state that the Sarah Greenfield Park shall have no residential use. The EDC suggested to Paul W. that he send a formal letter to Ron Howard of Coastal Marble and Granite reiterating this with a copy of the covenants. Mr. Howard currently has a small apartment within his business that he stays in when he is not at his mother's since his house burned down. Paul W. will also send a letter to Don Cammet of Artemis Industries to remind him of his covenant responsibilities for landscaping and utilizing his building. Paul E. would like to see any new buyers within the business park provide a site plan for building placements, parking and landscaping. He will write up an addendum to the covenants so that they will reflect this change. Then the EDC will hold a
public hearing to adopt the change. Paula stated that the EDC and Town officials need to work towards better communication and enforcement of the covenants to old and new tenants within the park.
New Business
Downtown Plan
Cyndi Paulin suggested looking towards a Downtown Master Plan in the future of the EDC. Paul E. would like to see the EDC and the Downtown Committee at a Planning Board meeting to see what they have been looking at in the Downtown area. Cyndi suggested that Paul E. make a note to invite the two committees when he knows the planning board will be discussing the downtown. Paul E. suggested having a Downtown Design and Planning Charette to discuss and plan for the future. Paul W. stated that Plan NH could act as a facilitator for such a meeting but it was discussed that they are not quite right for the initial brainstorming process. Cyndi reported that Charlie French of the UNH Cooperative Extension would be a great facilitator for this process. Paul W. suggested that Paul
E. type up a proposal for a suggested meeting. Paul E. is looking at Saturday, October 14 for this charette and that his office would take the lead for it. Paul W. suggested a joint meeting between the Downtown Committee and the EDC. Paul will check with the Downtown Committee but the tentative joint meeting is planned for Wednesday, September 6, 2006 at 6pm to discuss the charette and chapter 5 of the Master Plan.
Other
Cyndi P. mentioned that maybe the Town should look into purchasing a business directory to use as a starting point for any business directories or mailings that are made in the future.
The next meeting is set for September 6, 2006 at 6pm with the Downtown Committee. The EDC will not have a regularly scheduled meeting in September.
Cyndi Paulin moved to adjourn, Hiram Watson seconded. Motion passed.
Meeting adjourned at 8:52am
Respectfully submitted,
Brandy Sanger
Recording Secretary
| 
