Town of Gray
Community Economic Development Committee
Pennell Municipal Complex
Wednesday, October 5th, 2011
MINUTES
7:00 PM Call to Order.
Present: Anne Gass, Brad Hutchins, Deb Mancini, Daryl Stong, Dick Barter, Rick Licht
Staff: George Thebarge
Absent: Ed Libby
Agenda Items:
- Minutes from the September 21st, 2011 meeting were approved 5-0
- George met with Al Palmer to discuss the three options for grant applications suggested by the CEDC.
- Upgrading crosswalks at Pennell and Gray Park rd.
- Crosswalk and median upgrades at the Gray Historical Society intersection.
- Master planning for the Hancock block.
- The crossings at Hannafords and Libby Hill Rd. were also discussed as options if within the applicable area Dick asked about TIF monies being used to fund sidewalk construction on Libby Hill Rd. Rick asked if MDOT had any plans to upgrade the section of route 100 from Gray village to Cole Farms. George knew of none as of today.
- Stimson Assessment/Monument Sq. Master Planning:
- Any funding for a Stimson Hall assessment is on hold by the town council pending a workshop with the CEDC at some future date.
- Bill Dale is still checking with Stimson hiers about the building.
- RFP examples from Lisbon and Bar Harbor were discussed. Daryl asked about the results the two towns received back on their RFPs. George will look into it. Most CEDC members agreed that some sort of Stimson Building assessment would be needed as an anchor for the eventual town council decision on what to do with the building as it relates to the overall monument sq. project. Dick agreed that the town council as a whole is not well informed about the issues that Stimson has at the moment. Accurate data needs to be supplied to the council. Deb suggested having the Paragon Realtors attend the workshop with the council.
Dick felt the council is being cautious and the due diligence is needed.
- Proposed Workshop Agenda:
A. STUDY OF PAST FIVE YEAR COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH MAINTAINING STIMSON HALL.
B. COVENANT FAMILY FELLOWSHIP STATUS.
C. BROWN FIELDS ASSESSMENT REVIEW
D. LACK OF PARKING ISSUE
E. ASSESSMENT FUNDING OPTIONS - $2000, $6000 OR $22,000
F. CODE ISSUES
G. SITE ISSUES
- Anne reviewed the current list composed in the spring. Pete suggested that the group compose a welcome letter that could be sent to companies or individuals that were proposing to bring economic development to Gray. One that could be modified to fit the situation an example being the proposed Liberty Family Foundation effort that has come to fruition as of late.
- It was also agreed that the TIF policy language review could be tackled at the next CEDC meeting as Northbrook has been decided.
- Maine Narrow Gauge Railway:
- George updated the group on the project. He mentioned that the articles in various newspapers were premature as the ROW of the old Interurban line is a big issue for the railroad and needs to be settled before they will be all in.
- Rick has looked at the old rail bed and believes it is too narrow for the train and ATV activity to co-exist safely.
- Dick discussed the Liberty Foundation effort at the meeting end. Great article for Gray in this month’s Portland magazine. The Planning Board is having its first review of some of the project on Oct. 13th. All agreed it was a great opportunity for the town and that the CEDC should play a part in supporting it.
- A Motion to adjourn was made and passed by a 5-0
- 8:30PM Adjourn
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