Economic Development Committee Minutes 03.11.21

The meeting was called to order at 6:05.

Present were Matt Monahan (CNHRPC), Scott McCaskill (Chair), Stan Ovrevik, Barbara Bridgewater, and Mel Pfeifle. Stan indicated that his wife Odo was present. Kelby Heffner, a member of the public, was also present; he has indicated a desire to join the committee when he takes up residence in Bradford in another month or two.

A good part of the meeting was spent discussing the proposed Economic Revitalization Zone (ERZ) map for the town. Tax incentives within the zones would be used to promote a local business district. The two proposed zones cover East Main Street and a large section of property around and adjacent to the dump.  We discussed possible additions and alterations. We would like to be able to submit it to the Select Board for their approval in the next month or so, and we can then submit it to the state.

Mel inquired about renting out Town-owned properties at reduced rates in exchange for improvement of those buildings. We will need to look into this at a later time.

We discussed the combination business listing/trail map. Scott said he would get in touch with Bill Duffy. The Town has already created an email box to which business listing submissions can be made. Scott will manage the list initially, and will work on having it posted on the Town’s web site. Scott also indicated that he would get a notice published in the Bridge, requesting listings.

We discussed the possibility of producing a procedural “road map” for potential developers, so that when they finally appear before the Planning Board, they have all the necessary documentation ready. This would reduce the number of appearances, lessen the load on the Board, and encourage development by making the process easier.

We discussed ideas for a “motto” for Bradford. Several suggestions. We will take this up again at another meeting.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, 8 April, at 6:00 PM, via Zoom. The Zoom link will be posted in the agenda.

Respectfully submitted, Scott McCaskill