Economic Development Council

Minutes

Meeting: February 2, 2006, 10 am

Judge Welsh Room           

 

Present:

Members: Chairman Stephen Melamed, Bill Dougal, Hunter O’Hanian, Alix Ritchie

Staff:  Acting Assistant Town Manager/Grant Administrator Michelle Jarusiewicz, Building Commissioner Douglas Taylor

 

Others Present:

Hersh  Schwartz, Director of Tourism Bill Schneider, Town Manager Keith Bergman, Chair of VSB Lynne Davies, Judith Cicero

 

The MCC Adams Grant Task Force portion of the meeting was called to order by the Chair Steve Melamed at 10:02. 

 

Michelle Jarusiewicz went over the agenda for the day:

 

Follow-up on Pappas Presentation

 

The Chair of the VSB Lynne Davies said that VSB board members were upset by Tuesday Night’s meeting and felt insulted by some comments made by EDC members.  Lynne explained the role of VSB and discussed and what they have been doing.  An invitation was extended to EDC members to go join the VSB February 17  meeting to hear their ideas, what they have been doing and where they are going.

 

Bill Schneider discussed the initiatives and progress that have been made on behalf of himself and the VSB with respect to marketing and tourist services.

 

Hersh Schwartz said that she would like to see the VSB become more involved in the process and communication between the VSB and other boards be better.

 

Discussion ensued regarding the intention of Tuesdays meeting.  To get a feel for the room, Judith Cicero asked if everyone agreed that the DMO should be explored further and if a facilitator, such as Katherine Rafter, should be hired to help with this process.  The majority of the room was for further exploration and facilitation.

 

Alix Ritchie suggested that sub-committee get together and work on a list of issues, questions, and possible solutions

 

Status of MCC Grant

 

Michelle says that she is still waiting to hear from the Adams Grant people and that once she does, she will send out an email to everyone with respect to the results.

 

 

Packaging Sub-Committee

 

Bill Schneider, Hunter O’Hanian, Hersh Schwartz, Ellen Burbank, and Sheri Mittenthal volunteered to be on the packaging sub-committee.  Michelle asked that they get together to talk about the PAAM event - how the packaging went/how it could be better and to let her know the results.

 

The next meeting for the Task Force is March 1st at 11:30 AM.

 

Task Force Meeting adjourned at 11:19.

 

The Economic Development Council portion of the meeting was called to order by the Chair Steve Melamed at 11:25.

 

Dan Dray from the CCEDC gave an introduction to a handout outlining a Draft Scope of Services that the CCEDC will perform for the EDC.  Leslie Richardson discussed the phases in detail (see attached pdf file).

 

Discussion ensued regarding redefining the sectors to focus on given by the EDC.

 

Alix Ritchie made Motion to report how pleased the EDC is with the Draft Scope of Services that the CCEDC has provided at the County meeting.

Steve Second

4-0 in favor.

 

Hunter made Motion that the EDC request assistance from the CCC for guidelines to implement growth management permits for economic development as adopted at the November 7, 2005 Town Meeting

Alix Second

4-0 in favor.

 

A Statement of Purpose is needed from the EDC, which members will give to Michelle by the end of the week.  CCEDC will also work on a budget for services, which they will bring to the March 1 meeting.

 

The minutes of January 18, 2006 were reviewed and edits were made. 

Bill made Motion to accept and finalize the minutes

Hunter Second

Alix abstained

 

The minutes of January 31, 2006 were reviewed and edits were made. 

Alix Ritchie made Motion to accept and finalize the minutes

Hunter Second

4-0 in favor.

 

The Meeting of February 15, 2006 has been absorbed into the Meeting of March 1, 2006.

 

Meeting adjourned at 12:50.