Economic Development Committee
Wednesday
October 20, 2021
6pm
Agenda
Intro (Jon Morgan)
Nominations for:
Chair
Vice-Chair
Committee Member Introductions:
Robert Span, Legal
Bob Rossman, Commercial Real Estate
Patrick Farrell, Public Relations
Mac Bonafede, Data Analysis
Kristin Aldred-Cheek, Planning Board Representative
Jon Morgan, Selectboard Representative
First Steps - Planning (Darren Winham)
Where do we start?
What does success look like?
Task Assignments (All)
Public Comment
3 Minute Limit
Next Meeting
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Economic Development Committee
10/20/2021 Minutes
In attendance: Bob Rossman, Robert Span, Kristin Aldred-Cheek, Patrick Farrell, Mac Bonafede, Darren Winham, Jon Morgan, Stefanie Beaver-Kizza (alternate), Kim Leo (public)
Meeting called to order at 6:00pm
Bob Rossman nominated Jon Morgan as chair, seconded by Robert Span.
Motion passed unanimously.
Jon Morgan nominated Pat Farrel as vice-chair, seconded by Robert Span.
Motion passed unanimously.
Jon asked the committee to introduce themselves.
Jon asked the committee to share their initial thoughts on what success for the committee would look like:
Bob -
-There’s no central place for businesses and townspeople. There’s no small business corridor
Robert -
-Reduce property tax burden whether that’s commercial or not — subsidies/incentives could be counter productive
Pat -
-Reduce property tax burden. We don’t want to be a drive through town. Need to be able to have a “destination.”
Kristin -
-Reduce property tax burden. Make Brentwood “The Place” for something in particular. Keep the character semi-rural. Avoid making 125 more dangerous.
Mac -
-Qualitative qualities we’d like to arrive at are going to be harder to determine than the quantitative qualities/factors.
Darren-
-That’s all a good place to start. Should consider doing survey of town residents to determine collective vision/qualities they’re interested in having/protecting. Needs to have town buy in to work. Should also make contact with all properties in sector of interest (e.g. Arkell Memorial Highway Corridor) to determine parcel availability, etc.
Bob -
-Mentioned the old slogan “Bring it to Brentwood” was used in the past.
-Septic is going to be biggest challenge - should look for grants
—Darren mentioned discussion with Christian Smith re: septic issue
Public Comments:
Stef Beaver (Committee Alternate)
-Should look into mixed use development
-Walking paths would be ideal
-Could be seen as a destination
Kim Leo
-Older / more established businesses should be more connected w/ residents
-Triangle between Town Hall, Rec, Library could be town center like development
Jon listed out the action items for the next meeting:
Jon:
- Split up parcel list on Arkell Memorial Hwy (Rte 125) evenly amongst members to determine: contact info, Line of business, NAICS code, and # of employees onsite
- Draft survey (ask Darren for template) for town residents regarding economic development ideas, examples of communities (in coordination with Pat and Kristen)
- Acquire landing page (.com) and town sub page
Pat:
-TPs for committee if communicating with press/public, etc.
Meeting adjourned at 7:10pm
Next meeting Nov. 3 6pm Brentwood Town Hall (Sanborn)