Georgetown
Economic Development Sub-Committee
Thursday, July 30, 2009 7:30 AM
Location: Town Hall 2nd Floor Meeting Room
Regular Session Minutes
Nick Cracknell
Tillie Evangelista
Ted Kottcamp
Jim Lacey
Derek Olsen
Paul Pagliarulo
Phil Trapani, Selectman Liaison
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In Attendance:
Ted Kottcamp
Tillie Evangelista
Jim Lacey
Paul Pagliarulo
Nick Cracknell
Evan O’Reilly, Selectman (~10 minutes of meeting)
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Ted Kottcamp called the meeting to order at 7:30 AM
We opened the meeting with an update by Nick regarding the recent suspension of the 43D TAG program by Mass Development. Nick discussed that the state had suspended all funding under the technical assistance grant program for 43D sites. He also discussed the options presented to Selectmen Trapani and the Planning Board for their July 22nd meeting. The options were as follows:
1. Discontinue efforts to adopt the provisions of the 43D program
2. Identify other funding sources for the economic development coordinator position. The amount appropriated at Town Meeting is $23,250 for a period of two years.
3. Proceed with the 43D program with no additional administrative assistance.
Nick also noted that representatives from the state had indicated that the Interagency Permitting Board (IPB) were likely to approve of the proposed districts and that the Board of Selectmen would have 30 days from the receipt of a written approval from the IPB to either accept or reject the 43D program. Nick also noted that he and Selectmen Trapani were scheduled to attend an IPB meeting on August 12th in which the IPB would likely vote on the application and start the 30 day review period. After considering the tight timeframe for responding to a vote of the IPB and the level of effort required to address the host of planning issues pertaining to the proposed 43D districts the EDC agreed to continue moving forward with the 43D program while investigating alternative funding options. There was
also a general discussion regarding the town’s matching funds for the grant program and the vote of Annual Town Meeting to appropriate the funds. As such, the committee felt that it was a question the Board of Selectmen would address once the approval letter was received by the Board.
Possible sources and action items by the committee include:
1. Georgetown Savings Bank- Jim was planning to speak with Robert Balletto in the afternoon (July 30).
2. North Shore Alliance- Ted to contact the North Shore Alliance which may have available funds to support regional development efforts.
3. Compass Realty Associates- Nick to contact Dave Massey.
4. Barry Enos- Tillie to contact Barry.
Note: According to Nick, the timeline to secure funding is October.
The committee moved to discuss a “letter of support” request obtained by Tillie from the Parker River Clean Water Association. The application is a grant request for funds of $40,000 under the “2010 Water Conservation Grant” submitted to the Georgetown Water Dept. The EDC voted unanimously to approve the letter of support to be written by Tillie. The committee approval was contingent upon: 1) Board of Selectman support and 2), the source of matching funds are disclosed and approved.
The EDC reviewed plans to invite the Water Dept. and Board of Health to a future EDC meeting in order to understand water related constraints to development efforts. The committee agreed to postpone these discussions and focus on the short-term need of filling the vacant EDC position. Ted will contact the interested candidates and propose an interview/discussion with the EDC on Wednesday, August 19th (7:30~8:30 AM, Town Hall). Action: Ted will obtain candidate background information and forward to EDC members for review (along with proposed committee questions prepared by Nick. Interested candidates include:
1. Paul Nelson (town resident, current conservation commission & affordable housing task force member)
2. Jillian Belliveau (town resident)
Due to time constraints, the committee agreed to move agenda discussion points related to marketing of Georgetown (website development, planning guide, budgeting) and attracting new business opportunities to the September EDC meeting.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, August 19, 7:30 am (3rd flr); posted by Ted Kottcamp
MOTION: Ted Kottcamp motioned to adjourn at 8:45 AM. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted
Ted Kottcamp, Sub-Committee Chair
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