Town of Gray
Community Economic Development Committee
Pennell Municipal Complex
Wednesday, March 16th, 2011
Present: Dick Barter, Rick Licht, Lew Mancini, Don Hutchins, Dick Barter, Peter Gellerson
Absent: Ed Libby
Staff: Deb Cabana, George Thebarge
Guests: Jim Monroe, Margaret Hutchins
AGENDA
6:30 PM Call to Order.
Action Items:
Anne distributed a handout designed to help the DECD identify key accomplishments, need for George’s time, and any other resources. The committee identified achievable goals, and rated the need for George’s time as high, medium, or low. This will be provided to the Council for their review.
- The LDA will not be finalized and executed until after the TIF vote. This makes sense because if the TIF is not approved it makes no sense to invest expensive legal time.
- George proposed and the committee approved the idea that the Council approve a resolution at its budget meeting on Monday that outlines the major points that the LDA will include. George will draft the resolution for the council’s review; Rick Licht and Leo Credit will also review and comment.
- The committee reviewed other strategies for getting the word out.
Anne noted that soon it will be 6 months since the planning charette, and proposed an action plan to move forward with the citizen survey that included displays at Pennell and at the library, where residents could complete written surveys and put them in locked boxes. An online survey would also be an option, with information put on the town website and the local access channel.
Deb noted that CEDC has funds in the budget for marketing that could be used to mail materials and a survey to every resident. In addition to Monument Square, the survey will include questions about their interest in a newsletter, including the format, how it should be paid for, and so on. Dick and Don will draft the survey and materials for the committee’s review and approval, by May 15. The library and Pennell displays will be completed in early May, and the public will be invited to one of the CEDC’s May meetings to discuss. A televised panel/call in discussion will be held in early June.
- Rick spoke with Richard Berman to get a developer’s view of developing Monument Square. Key elements:
- It would be important to have an option on 10 Shaker Road
- 20-30 year lease
- The design should include the possibility of erecting a single large building, which could be designed in such a way that it could be phased in over time.
The committee also discussed the need to make sure we coordinate with Paragon Commercial Real Estate on the goals of the Monument Square planning process. Rick will set up a meeting with Paragon to be held in Pennell. Don, Deb, Peter and Lew are interested in attending. The CEDC recommended to the Council that the Monument Square materials be provided to the real estate consultant.
Updates:
4) Exit 63 Welcome sign.
- Ed Libby currently putting together sub-committee. Money in budget for FY 2012.
8:30PM Adjourn
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