Sharon Economic Development Committee 26 March 2009
In Attendance
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Susan Price |
robert.price4@comcast.net |
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Rob Maidman |
Suzie Peck |
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Pasqualino “Pat” Pannone |
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Review of meeting notes from previous meeting. Meeting notes reviewed and accepted.
Review meeting impressions from everyone.
Review board presentations schedule.
Review ideas of things to do.
Review Exec Summary of Reports.
Discussion and propose milestones for next 6 months.
Review of reports and decisions to proceed to next steps.
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Nancy – Meeting turnout was great and to our benefit. Meets needs of being transparent. The presentation itself was difficult to read. Not clear that there is an impression of available parking. And traffic flow seems to be the real constraint even more so than wastewater to some people. |
Thelma – Got a lot of information out of the presentation; the vendors did a good job compiling the information; exciting to think that we could upgrade the center with energy if we relieve the water management constraint. |
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Susan – There seemed to be a lot of excitement at the meeting. Let’s make sure the reports are on-line. Today Susan sent out an RFP to Land Strategies to execute the zoning study and rewrite that they recommended. Nancy wanted to get a sense of what the current zoning looks like right now. |
Suzi – expressed concern to move carefully and judiciously in improving the center as regards to managing the traffic. Certainly some of the soft stuff to improve the environment. It would be good to have a set of operating principles of what we want to do as a guideline to the zoning. |
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Pat – Likes architectural ideas; discussed ideas on new businesses maybe to bring back to town; theater; permanent farmer market; other ideas. Another restaurant. On Penny Lane – make it more of a promenade and hold back driving speed so that it is not a pass through. |
Rob – All the public sessions culminating in the last one achieved their purposes. The last one was inclusive and attended by people who were both intrigued and who attended before. A whole bunch were within the local walking distance. It was a lively and positive reception, and needs to be continued. |
Rob - Wants to continue the focus on wastewater – kept in the forefront of the discussion and maintain the dialog. Suzi feels it is a part of this committee’s work and needs to be a focus as far as it relates to PO Square. We need to be very goal specific. Rob would like to minimize our discussion on sites until we have more precise information and recommendations, since it is a very complicated discussion; and needs good expertise to represent correctly.
Discussion ensued on how to make sure the different efforts have a clear focus and purpose. There is some uncertainty on how the different parts link; and how the programs need to proceed. In terms of a timeline, we can start on the Pedestrian Focus and Zoning. The Traffic study needs to start and the output from that can then enable other items, such as DeLapa or Penny Lane. Peter OCain informed me that he already asked MAPC for studies on the various intersections in the square. Peter OCain has 3 bids for "current state" studies of the Square from 3 vendors, each just under $5,000. Roni has prepared and sent a note to State to allow us to redirect the remaining $5,000 or so monies to a traffic study for the square.
In the meantime, we can start the funding efforts, and line up how we can receive funding for different items. Discussion ensued on whether to address the municipal buildings and Wilber school 1 acre parcel.
Suzi wants to wait on the traffic study before proceeding with any discussion on the waste water. Remember – without changing the use of the properties, then we don’t necessarily need to have waste water treatment.
Nancy advocated that we think about some quick things that we can do in center of Town.
Rob wanted to invite Barbara Nadler to next meeting to help us understand the growth plans she would envision for the library. Rob will coordinate with MAPC and Peter OCain to assess work needs and so on.
Thelma and Pat expressed an interest in joining the EcoDev team. Eli will ask the BoS to appoint.
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Nancy, |
to lead “look and feel aesthetics” team. Thelma & Pat will join in. |
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Rob and Eli |
Funding & Housing & Traffic |
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Susan |
lead PO Square renewal rezoning. Including liason to investigate municipal buildings. Nancy will coordinate with Library to see their interest in collaborating, and invite Barbara Nadler to present at next meeting. |
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Suzi |
to continue leading Wastewater discussion – will see if BoH would like a meeting. Would hold off on this until we have results from traffic studies. |
9:30 Next Meeting: Target last Thursday of April, 7.30 pm, Town Hall
9:30 Adjourn