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Economic Development Commission
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Minutes of Meeting— September 22, 2010
The Hudson Economic Development Commission met at the Hudson Town Hall, 78 Main Street. At 8:00 p.m., Chairman Donald Garcia called the meeting to order.
Members Present: Donald Garcia, William Sullivan, Hugh Gardner, Christopher Tibbals, Tom Davis, Sarah Cressy
Others Present: Michelle Ciccolo – Community Development Director, Kerin Shea – Community & Economic Development Assistant
Members Not Present: Tony Loureiro, Christine Miller, Santino Parente
Handouts: Community Development Strategy Hearing Handout, Priority Projects Survey, MarketReady Properties
Community Development Strategy Hearing
The EDC meeting began with members attending the Community Development Strategy public hearing. Ms. Ciccolo & Ms. Shea describing the purpose of the Community Development Strategy (CDS), what it does, why we have one & how it was developed. They described the purpose of the CDBG Target area & handed out a copy of the target area map. A copy of the draft CDS was handed out along with a survey of Priority Projects. Members were encouraged to fill out the survey to gauge goals & priorities for the Town. Surveys are available on the Town’s website, the Town Clerk’s Office, the Parks & Recreation Office, the Senior Center & the Library. Surveys are due in by October 8. Please see attached minutes of the CDS Public Hearing for further detail.
A second public hearing to discuss the results of the Priority Projects Survey, as well as potential projects for the next CDBG Block Grant application is scheduled for Wednesday October 13, 2010 at 7:00 in the Selectmen’s Hearing Room. All are invited to attend.
Updates on various Town projects
Ms. Ciccolo & Ms. Shea updated the Town on some of the projects going on Hudson:
- Washington St/Rte 85 Reconstruction Project – The project has finally been listed on the FY11 TIP with an advertising date of spring/summer 2011. We have walked the corridor with the Mass Environmental Protection Agency (MEPA) representative & all environmental notifications & categorical exclusions have been finalized. The last key piece is the Bonazzoli parcel. Community Development (CD) has submitted the Site Remediation Grant application to MassDevelopment. They will vote on the matter in mid-October. CD is currently working on an Economic Development Fund grant application to provide funds for site acquisition.
- Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) – The Library window project has a contractor on board. The contractor is currently going through the window submittal process with the Town’s Rehabilitation Specialist. Work is scheduled to begin on the back 1960’s addition mid to late October, & should be complete by the end of November. Community Development submitted an application for CPA funds to replace the windows in the historical section of the building. The application was approved & now awaits Town Meeting approval in November.
- Final Stages of CDBG Projects – Ms. Ciccolo & Ms. Shea then gave updates on prior CDBG projects. The Downtown Façade program is complete with the Manzo Building/Sofia Ristorante finally wrapping up this summer. The Hudson Senior Center had its Grand Opening on September 19, 2010. There are a few items still being worked on such as the parking lot on Railroad Ave, but the building is open & fully operational.
New Business
- EDC Electronic Newsletter – Mr. Garcia received a quote for a quarterly electronic newsletter. The quote was approximately $450 for the first newsletter and $100 for each additional newsletter. The quote included both interviewing prospective subjects, writing all content, as well as distribution. Concerns seemed to be what would be the content? Would there be policies for what to include/exclude, and for distribution? Did the newsletter have any parameters? What would its mission be, exactly? Mr. Sullivan clarified that it would be to highlight businesses, both local & regional. Ms. Ciccolo mentioned that perhaps a column in the Action Unlimited, distributed town-wide,
might be a better fit. Mr. Garcia said her would inquire how much that would cost.
Don Garcia, seconded by Sarah Cressy, made a motion to get further quotes & investigate potential content.
Vote: 6-0-0, unanimous
- Commercial Real Estate Sales – Mr. Sullivan informed the group that there have been 2 major sales in town. 1 Bonazzoli Ave, a 26,000 SF flex site, sold for $1,500,000 to Fourstar Connections. They are relocating from Central Street to the previous ACT facility & may even add an additional 15,000 SF to the building, if needed. 2 Cabot Road, a 147,000 SF 2 story site, sold for $3,875,0000 to K&L Realty. Cabot has one tenant, SMS, leasing 37,000 SF, and has 110,000 SF available. They will rent from 4,000 SF + up, and can do unlimited tenant improvements for a very low price per SF. SMS, formerly located on Coolidge Street, consolidated their 2 other Massachusetts locations, Waltham &
Woburn, to this location.
Ms. Shea also mentioned that MassEcon was looking for commercial sites, buildings & land to put on their website. Hudson currently has 3 buildings listed: 1 Cabot Road, 43 Broad Street & 428 Main Street. Information was handed out as to how to submit listings. Listings were due by September 24.
- Business Looking to Relocate – Mr. Tibbals informed the group that an existing small engine repair shop is looking to move to Hudson. They need: 6000 - 8000 SF retail/service space, parking for approximately 8-10 cars, access for delivery trucks, a site that allows fuel, oil, etc., & is ideally located in a high visibility area. The group suggested several locations including 561 Main Street & 157 Washington Street.
- Commercial Signage - Mr. Tibbals mentioned that a new business on Main Street had been having trouble maneuvering through the Historic District process for exterior signage. MS. Ciccolo said that all signage needs an HDC permit & that the local sign company, Sign Logic, is very familiar with the process & the HDC’s requirements. Ms. Shea will look into posting the HDC appliation on the web.
- Legislative Updates – Ms. Ciccolo informed the group that there is a revision on the table to amend the Land Use Partnership Act (LUPA), now to be called the Comprehensive Land Use Reform & Partnership Act (CLURPA). This reform revises the chapter40/Zoning law & will affect all development in a community including vested rights (grandfathered lots), ANR plans, impact fees, variances, site plan review, zoning and special permit vote majorities, inclusionary zoning, master plan content and adoption, limits on roadway widths, and consistency between master plans and local land use laws. Ms. Shea
will send out a summary of CLURPA to all members.
The state also passed an Economic Development Reform. This reform reorganized some agencies while recapitalizing others. There have also been changes to the Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP). These changes now allow projects to receive a shorter certification period, thereby resulting in significant savings for municipalities. This change will have a major impact on companies that are considering making capital expenditures in Massachusetts, expenditures which will result in additional state and local tax revenue, as well as job retention and creation. Ms. Shea will send out a summary of this reform to all members.
- 495/Metrowest Development Compact - Ms. Ciccolo updated the group on a new regional economic development plan for the 495 region. The Compact will address the state's "systematic under investment" in public infrastructure projects in Metrowest. The first step in the new commitment is a one-year study that will determine and prioritize the infrastructure needs in the region. The study will eventually create a shared framework for developing state, regional, and local strategies for the growth, development, and land preservation in the 36 cities and towns within the area. Ms. Shea will send out a summary of this Compact to all members.
- Board Interest - Ms. Shea informed the group that she had received a Board Interest Card from someone looking to become an EDC member. Although the EDC board is currently full, the interest card will be kept on file for one year.
Minutes
Chris Tibbals, seconded by Bill Sullivan, made a motion to approve the minutes of May 18, 2010 as written.
Vote: 6-0-0, unanimous
Adjournment
Bill Sullivan, seconded by Tom Davis, moved to adjourn at 9:00 PM.
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