Town of Gray
Community Economic Development Committee
Pennell Municipal Complex
Monday, January 17, 2011
MINUTES
Note: Meeting was rescheduled to 1/17/11 due to a snowstorm.
Present: Ed Libby, Peter Gellerson, Don Hutchings, Lew Mancini, Anne Gass, Rick Licht
Staff: George Thebarge
6:30 PM Call to Order.
- Don Hutchings made a motion to have two meetings/month. Motion carried and the CEDC agreed to the 1st & 3RD Wednesday of the month. We will meet 6:30 – 8:30 PM.
- CDBG sidewalk/crosswalk application discussion.
The CDBG application is due 1-28th. The Council has to endorse. George noted that this will be very competitive this round- there are about $1.5 million in applications; and about $800K available.
LD1 will limit the amount the town can raise its budget- in next FY will only be able to raise the budget roughly $55 - $60,000 over the previous year.
Still $200K remaining for the Clark Block parking expansion grant. George still trying to work with the owners of Dunkin Donuts. Discussed the slight possibility that the CDBG may allow portions or all of the 200K to be repurposed for another CDBG approved application (possibly the sidewalk/crosswalk application).
Don argued against submitting the CDBG grant at all. He is concerned that there hasn’t been enough input from the general public, and thinks this isn’t the budget or the year to ask for more money. He agrees that in the long run it is a good idea, but not right now. He would prefer to conduct additional community outreach to help build support for a vision and a plan for revitalizing the village area.
The Gray Village Master Plan was formally adopted by the Council and is the document guiding improvement efforts. However, the planning CEDC is doing on the Monument Square block is adding much needed detail and focus to the plan. The new sidewalks and crosswalks are a much needed capital improvement that will support the overall plan.
Rick noted that sidewalks are just a piece of the puzzle. Our aim is to create a streetscape that incorporates trees, landscaping, lighting, as well as sidewalks, so though sidewalks are important we shouldn’t allow them to be the sole focus.
The committee voted 3-2 in favor of submitting the “Option 1” proposal to the CDBG program- this would require a town contribution of $38,000.
- Monument Square Master plan council report review.
Rick presented several different visuals of potential redevelopment scenarios for the Monument Sq. redevelopment. Options include:
- A1- Raze old PO and TH, and include 10 Shaker Road
- A2- Preserve footprint/locations of old PO and TH, keep Stimson
- Option A3- Remove all three town-owned buildings
- Option B- Conceptual Master plan that includes parking that benefits Harriman’s building
Phasing the investment may be optimum.
Ed, Rick and George will present the report to the Council (rescheduled from 1/18/11 to 1/25/11 due to the storm. This is essentially just a progress report- no action will be required.
- Dick B. was not present to discuss the meeting he and Doug Webster had with Manny. However, Anne G. mentioned that there might be a way to organize volunteers to do a paint-up/fix-up event. The committee authorized her to look into the idea and she will report back at the February 2 meeting.
- MTA Exit Welcome sign, Sign Concepts sign example PDF review.- Discussion was tabled to the next meeting as we were already 30 minutes over our scheduled meeting time.
9 PM Adjourn
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