Sharon Economic Development Committee 4 March 2008
In Attendance
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Rob Maidman |
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Ben Pinkowitz |
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Seth Ruskin |
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Alan Lurie |
Jeff Seul |
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Roni Thaler |
rthaler@townofsharon.org |
Suzie Peck |
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Review of meeting notes from previous meeting (Meeting notes reviewed and accepted.
Guest: George Bailey.
Status of 43D application – Roni; Discussion of Eco Vendor proposal – Rob; Discussion of McCabe – Eli; Community outreach and communication – Nancy; Discussion of Waste Water proposal – Eli; 40R thoughts – George.
Revenue Targets
New Business Creation: $250 - $500k on 15 parcels, 38 acres of undeveloped lands; $2.5M - $3.5M for 20 acres on S. Main.
New Revenue Sources: $200 - $500 in new revenue or offset costs.
Business Development: $500k to $1.5M in new taxes over next 10 years as businesses upgrade their facilities in PO Square.
7:40 Discussion of Status for RFP for Studies
Rob discussed his work in assembling the Economic study proposal from Land Strategies. We currently have a 3 phase work plan for $40,000. These are the principles who worked with the Stoughton redevelopment. The original firm was in Boston; this firm is a new company, but with the principles who did the earlier work. In the last few weeks, Rob has worked with the vendor to reduce their proposal from last year to adjust to the budget we have available, as well as to leverage the work that has been done previously. The meeting plan was expanded to include additional meetings with the various constituencies that we want to reach out to.
Eli discussed the role of Kathy McCabe’s proposal. There are two pieces we are looking for her to deliver. The first is to prepare a “how to business with Sharon” document, as required by the 43d legislation. We have a document outlining the process for applying to Sharon that was written years ago that can be used as background / starting point. The second is to manage the public meetings, including meeting preparation, meeting advertising, and to facilitate conduct of the public meetings. Nancy added onto this discussion to outline her thoughts on how to manage the overall communication strategy; and to make sure that we have dialog with the greater community in multiple forums and with different vehicles. Discussion ensued about the different audiences that we need to reach as well as the different boards in the Town. Nancy thought through the calendar, and timeline.
Quick review of open meeting rules and the use of e-mail.
The waste water outline was reviewed. Suzi discussed thoughts on what the study needed to accomplish v. what was written in the proposal; as well as which parts of the current proposal are viable against those objectives, and which parts need to be either extended or changed. Suzi also wanted to move forward with different vendors. Suzi will work with the vendor to move some of the new points into the proposal; and defer on one or two of the ideas to a later study so we can fit the proposal into the grant proposal.
George and Ben discussed the applicability of 40R to extend into PO Square. Transit oriented development granting so on. Technically speaking within a ½ mile; and the 40R requirement is ¼ mile. The State seems to be flexible on this diameter. The advantages of moving 40R is bonus payments, and other goodies. There is a 1 time bonus (relatively smaller) and then an annual payment on units.
9.30 Next Meeting: First week of April, 7.30 pm, Sharon Town Hall
Discussion of next steps of submission.
Business owners’ outreach discussion.
9:45 Adjourn