Town of Gray
Community Economic Development Committee
Stimson Hall
Wednesday, June 16th, 2010
Minutes
Members present: Don Hutchings, Lew Mancini, Dick Barter, Ed Libby, Anne Gass, Council Liaison Peter Gellerson
Absent: Lance Tlumac, Tom Delaney
Guest: George Thebarge, Gray Economic Development Director, Town Manager Deb Cabana
6:30 pm
Ed brought the meeting to order at and kindly requested that Anne volunteer to take notes.
6:35 pm
Ed will serve as chair for this meeting.
6:45 pm
Updates from George Thebarge
Once the poles are out, the Clark Block façade work will be completed. This should be done in the next few weeks. We’re about halfway through the 2 year grant.
Phase 2 is expanding Dunkin Donuts (DD) parking. There is a need for cross agreements for access. DD has been too busy to deal with this due to other commitments. Putting in a turn lane in place of the median is very important to them. George explored the possibility of swapping the town land across the street with DD’s property. They looked at it and turned it down- couldn’t make the numbers work. The old daycare is now for sale, but it is unlikely DD will want that either- too expensive to demolish and rebuild.
Deb and George noted that hundreds of people go through the town office parking lot daily as a way to avoid the median. George is looking for positive solutions to this problem, and has asked Gorrill-Palmer to price different options of adding a turning lane- a concept we can bring to DOT.
George also reported that the Maine Narrow Gauge Railway and Industrial Heritage Trust is looking to move their museum from the Portland waterfront they sent out a letter to various towns. George contacted MNGR about the possibility of Gray as an option.
- Have 1.6 miles of the old inter-urban railroad beds from Yarmouth road to
- The beds are set back 600 to 700 feet running alongside Rt. 100
- Scenic – crosses Gray Meadows
Most of the interurban land is owned by CMP- they acquired it from Androscoggin Electric Company. CMP has no interest in it. 70% is intact. One option would be for them to look into the Copp Motors site for the museum and access to the railway beds. The second option is behind the Gray Plaza. Gray could consider using its TIF. The museum would be responsible for grants, and a capital campaign effort. The museum has salvaged some old RR tracks and bridges and could use those on the line. They are reviewing options and will get back to George.
7:00 pm
Review and discuss draft of MDOT signage report.
Those present unanimously improved Ed’s edits to the signage report. It will be on the Council agenda for July 6. Ed will attend to present the report officially to the town council. Others may attend as well.
7:15 pm
Dick questioned how restoring the Clark Block supports economic development? We discussed the need to work on different parts of the town separately; improving the appearance of the village area is vital to the town. Completing different chunks, even if they happen at different times, will create a synergy that will help other positive change occur.
Discussion ensued on how to help Manny Motors improve the visual appearance of that site. Options were discussed on how to help with removal of the old Exxon sign. One incentive may be that someone is willing to remove sign for in exchange for the metal. Outside storage of chemicals was also discussed.
The Town of Gray will also seek options for funding improvements to Manny’s. These options include:
- Communities for Maine’s Future. June 30 workshop.
- CDBG.
Dick suggested that we organize some volunteers and offer to paint the building as a community project. Not a lot of enthusiasm for this; a paint job would help but would not dramatically enhance the appearance of the property.
It was suggested to George and Deb that the Town, look into its parking and town owned parking lot ordinances to make sure they are up to date and enforceable. This would be to prevent parking abuse in the town but more directly in the village area in support of the ongoing village revitalization efforts. Deb agreed and would pursue this effort.
8:00 pm
Area 3 and TIFs discussion.
George noted that there is a lack of understanding about the TIFs; how effective they are, and whether they are a good deal for the town. He will review the two existing TIFs to see if they are being properly administered, review the language, and come back in 60 days to make some recommendations as to how they can be amended to further benefit the town.
George believes the TIFs have been beneficial. As an example, he noted that the potential exists that in a couple of years the town will have enough in the TIF to pay off the water bond South on Rte. 100 near Gobeils. That will free up tax revenue that could be used elsewhere.
He is also pursuing open, honest, collaborative conversations with Northbrook owners that he thinks will be helpful in bridging past problems with the town, partly around the TIF. This may be important, especially as we work out access to Area 3. MDOT opposes any additional curb cuts along Maine Wildlife Parkway, and had previously tried to push through some master planning that would have prohibited this. George pointed out that McConkey Rd. will not be able to handle all the traffic to and from a business complex there; access is needed from the by-pass side. Another option is through Grover’s pit. This is an area the CEDC will work on in the future.
Deb urged that we work collaboratively with the Council in undertaking community economic development. Dick agreed that we focus on being transparent, and making sure that we maintain 2-way communication.
8:40 PM
Adjourn
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