TOWN OF OLD LYME
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
Minutes [Draft]
Wednesday, February 6, 2019 - 4:30 PM
Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall - Meeting Hall
1. Call to Order:
The Economic Development Commission held a special meeting at 4:30 pm on February 6, 2019, in the Meeting Hall of the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall.
The following members were present: Justin Fuller (Co-Chair), Robert Jose, Joseph Camean, William O’Meara, Gregory Symon.
The following guests were present: Edie Twining from~the Halls Road Committee and First Selectwoman Reemsnyder.
2. Approval of Minutes: January 16, 2019, Special Meeting Minutes:
A motion was made by Robert Jose, seconded by William O’Meara, to approve the meeting minutes. Motion passed.
3. Old Business:
EDC 2019 Goals:
Mr. Fuller described the EDC’s role as defined by Town Ordinances and State General Statutes. Mr. Fuller read several excerpts from CT. State General Statutes, provided below:
"(b) The commission shall conduct research into the economic conditions and trends in its municipality, shall make recommendations to appropriate officials and agencies of its municipality regarding action to improve its economic condition and development, shall seek to coordinate the activities of and cooperate with unofficial bodies organized to promote such economic development and may advertise and may prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts and pamphlets which in its judgment will further its official purposes."
"(c) The commission shall annually prepare and transmit to the legislative body of its municipality a report of its activities and of its recommendations for improving such economic conditions and development."
Mr. Fuller asked the commission for feedback on the 2019 goals.
The commission discussed that the planning commission is working on the updated Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD). The members considered the idea that the EDC should reach out to the Planning Commission to determine whether it would be helpful if the EDC provided input to the POCD. Mr. Fuller stated that Howard would be attending the Planning Commission's meeting on February 14, 2019.
Mr. Fuller discussed the idea of working on a formal economic development strategy for Old Lyme. He stated that the insights gained from the CERC feasibility study, business survey, and SWOT analysis would help provide information for a smart economic development strategy.
The commission also discussed the importance of doing more public outreach about EDC activities. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder addressed the significance of the EDC doing more to increase public awareness of the EDC's mission and to ensure that all stakeholders understand that we are not trying to upset the character of Old Lyme when we talk about economic development. The members overwhelmingly agreed that the EDC needs to do more to explain the benefits of a proactive, smart economic development strategy. The members also discussed the importance of helping local businesses.
Approve CERC proposal for training, SWOT, and survey:
Approve CERC proposal for a feasibility study and onsite ED-support:
The EDC discussed the revised proposals from CERC. It was noted that the plans from CERC have not substantively changed from those that were approved by the EDC and the Board of Selectman last year. The EDC recognized that CERC separated the SWOT, business survey, and free workshop from the feasibility study and on-site economic development support.
The EDC discussed the importance of a business survey and several members discussed the possibility of administering the survey in a face-to-face manner. The members considered that this method would be useful but recognized that it might be challenging to reach a large number of businesses in this manner. It was suggested that the EDC meet face-to-face with several different companies when marketing the business survey because this would encourage survey participation and help foster a more personal relationship with key business leaders in the community.
The EDC overwhelmingly recognized the importance of gathering information from local businesses to gain an understanding of the current economic conditions of Old Lyme. Mr. O’Meara stated that obtaining the insights from existing businesses is critical and should be a top priority for the EDC. The commission overwhelmingly agreed with Mr. O’Meara. Mr. Fuller commented that the EDC would have the opportunity to develop the business survey questions and the focus of those questions will be to listen to what the local businesses feel about the current and future economic conditions of Old Lyme.
The members discussed the on-site economic development (ED) support described in the proposal. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder explained that the on-site support does not need to be used right away. She also stated that the EDC would be able to decide how and when to spend the money for the on-site assistance. The commission discussed that the on-site ED support might not be needed until after the EDC receives the final results of the feasibility study.
Mr. Gregory Symon stated that he believes that we need to discuss the statement of work further with CERC so that the EDC can ensure that CERC activities are performed on schedule and align with the approved contract. Mr. Symon stated that the first proposal regarding the SWOT, workshop, and the business survey should be accepted and get underway. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder explained the status of the budget process and recommended that the EDC request funding from the Board of Finance as soon as possible, and as early as next week.
The EDC discussed the importance of these CERC activities to gain insights about the current economic conditions of Old Lyme. It was explained that this information would be necessary to make appropriately supported recommendations to town officials.
Mr. Camean shared that he feels that the proposals should include more information about the “hard deliverables.” As part of due diligence, Mr. Camean volunteered to assist with working with CERC to further clarify what the deliverables will be. The rest of the committee agreed. Mr. Camean stated that he was okay with approving the proposals so that the funding process can begin. It was noted that the cost of each project would not increase and therefore, the EDC could move forward with the funding request.
The commission discussed that the proposals should be approved and we should state that we “agree in principle,” and that the EDC should set a time limit on its approval pending clarification and revision from CERC.
A motion was made by Gregory Symon, seconded by Robert Jose, to accept the revised CERC proposals with the condition that the EDC will meet with CERC to clarify the statement of work and project deliverables for both proposals.
4. New Business:
Access to ReferenceUSA database (List of all businesses in Old Lyme)
Justin discussed that valuable business information was available at ReferenceUSA, but the Old Lyme library does not currently have a subscription. The EDC briefly reviewed some of the ReferenceUSA information provided and agreed that we should identify someone to take the lead for working with the library to gain access to the database.
Approve article for Old Lyme Events Spring Edition (Justin & Howard)
Mr. Fuller introduced the draft article for the Spring Old Lyme Events article. Mr. Fuller asked for prompt feedback about the article because it needs to be submitted by Friday. Mr. Camean shared that we should try and keep it as short as possible.
5. Other Business:
Mr. Fuller briefly discussed the idea that the EDC should consider drafting a frequently asked questions document, similar to what the Halls Rd. Improvement Committee recently published.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder shared that she feels that the EDC should request funding for a meeting clerk so that the commission can focus on the meeting and not be distracted by trying to keep meeting minutes. The commission overwhelmingly agreed that this would be a great idea.
6. Correspondence:
Draft Memorandum to Board of Selectman; Re: Notice of the EDC’s approval of CERC proposals dated February 2019
Mr. Fuller shared that he would draft a memo to the First Selectwoman documenting the EDC’s approval of the CERC proposals with the notes stated above. Mr. Fuller said that he would prepare the memorandum and send it to the EDC for comment.
Article for Old Lyme Events Spring Edition (Discussed Above)
7. Announcements:
Next meeting: Regular meeting March 6, 2019, at 4:30 PM; Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall; Meeting Hall
Chamber of Commerce meet and greet; March 26, 2019, from 8:00 to 9:30 AM at Lyme Old Lyme High School. EDC to be represented by Howard Margules.
Deadline for Summer Old Lyme Events article is May 3, 2019
8. Adjournment.
A motion was made by Justin Fuller, seconded by Joe Camean, to adjourn the special meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 5:49 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Justin D. Fuller
EDC Co-Chair
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