Town of Gray
Community Economic Development Committee
Stimson Hall
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Notes
7:00 PM Call to Order
7:05 PM Ed Libby is pressed into service to take notes for the meeting
7:06 PM George Thebarge, Economic Development Director, delivers his presentation including Clark Block update, Town Canopy Project Study, Exit 63 study by MDOT and SPO/DEP’s proposed changes to the states Site Location Law.
- Work on the fronts of all three buildings will be done by the end of April.
- Once the buildings are done, work will begin on bricking the sidewalk and moving utilities underground to be completed in May.
- Grant money is almost fully approved to help re-roof Goodie’s Pizza and fix the side wall facing Rt26 which includes removing trees against the wall.
- The town is in planning for a phase 2 which includes creating joint parking with Dunkin’ Donuts and a phase 3 to include extending the range road.
- Exit 63 Master Plan Study
- MDOT will begin a study on the by-pass area, West Gray road and the Turnpike Exit.
- MDOT findings could impede future development along the by-pass, CEDC may promote a “Ring Road” feature in that area in hopes MDOT may consider allowing future curb cuts on By-Pass.
- MDOT will also study Exit 63 and a possible relocation of the exits and toll booths to opposite side of the turnpike to meet up with the by-pass entrance.
- $7000 grant was approved to study and inventory trees in the main village along the street.
- 3 to 5 person tree committee may be formed to help find ways to improve existing healthy trees or removal of diseased trees or new plantings to help promote a better looking village area.
- SPO/DEP proposed changes in Maine’s Site Location Law
- Proposed change in the law would require Gray to redo the towns Comprehensive Plan and get it approved by the SPO in order for the DEP to issue any permits. Gray does not have the money to re-work the Comp. Plan currently has been declined by the state.
- Under the new law Gray would not be an option for new businesses and would limit Gray to its existing commercial/retail buildings.
- George urged the committee to speak out against this proposed change and contact our legislatures. It basically would put an end to any new developments, i.e. Hannaford, since Gray does not have an approved Comprehensive Plan.
8:00 PM Review website designs and make action plans for next step begins.
Members of the CEDC reviewed mock-ups created by committee members.
It is decided to use the Bath Maine web site as a model for the Home page.
The home page to consist of large picture of Gray that will rotate in a slideshow fashion with a Gray Maine logo/label. There will be three smaller pictures with links to the three secondary main pages.
Home page will also consist of quick links of some sort for e-services, a search box, and possibly an area for important town updates.
Ed Libby to attempt to create a mock up of the new home page and three secondary pages for approval by the other CEDC members and for submission to VTH for pricing before it is brought before the town manager for final approval.
There was discussion on a second phase of the Web site project revolving around the need for upkeep/cleanup and accountability for the site once it is done. This will be discussed further at a future meeting.
9:00 PM Adjourn
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