TOWN OF BRADFORD
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 10TH, 2019
Members: Jim Bibbo, Barbara Bridgewater, Scott McCaskill, Laurie Colburn, Jared Reynolds (UNH Cooperative) and Matt Monahan (Central New Hampshire Regional Planning) were in attendance.
Stan Ovrevik and Selectmen’s Rep Michael James were absent.
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM.
This was the 1st meeting of the Economic Development Committee as a formal Town Committee. Laurie provided a recap of the Select Board’s decision to adopt the Bylaws proposed and appointment of Committee members.
Committee positions were elected:
Motion: Jim Bibbo motioned to nominate Scott McCaskill as Chair
Second: Laurie Colburn
Decision: 4-0 in favor
Motion: Scott McCaskill motioned to nominate Jim Bibbo as Vice Chair
Second: Barbara Bridgewater
Decision: 4-0 in favor
Motion: Jim Bibbo motioned to nominate Laurie Colburn as Secretary
Second: Laurie Colburn
Decision: 4-0 in favor
The Committee discussed recruitment of alternate members and will follow up with folks who had previously attended meetings to solicit their participation.
Matt Monahan led the Committee through an agenda which outlined various tools the Committee could leverage which included:
- CEDS – A Comprehensive
Economic Development Strategy which outlines key focus areas for economic
development at a regional level and provides advisory analysis to help
communities focus on opportunities based upon local input and data analysis.
This document is available on the Central New Hampshire Regional Planning
website.
- Reviewed Industry Cluster analysis
- Discussed conducting SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threat) assessments on a variety of Bradford specific projects that had been proposed as part of the CEDS assessment. Some of the projects identified a new Police Station, Fire Department Expansion, completion of the 2nd Floor at the Town Hall, a Business Incubator project and a Solar Garden.
- The Committee discussed grant opportunities the Town may be able to pursue.
- Bradford is a border Town in the Central New Hampshire Region. Laurie suggested understanding what the adjoining Region’s Economic Development plan looks like. Matt will follow up on whether a project list is available.
- Initiating a Corridor Study focused on slowing traffic as it passes through Bradford was discussed. CNHRP will fund this study at no cost to Bradford.
- A high-level review of the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) was discussed.
- The Committee discussed conducting a survey with local businesses to gain feedback. Jared will forward results from a business forum focused event held in the spring.
- Future agenda will expand on the thoughts of hosting events and expanding awareness of recreational opportunities in Bradford.
- The Committee briefly discussed whether Bradford has telecommunication services that are sufficient. The Committee felt they were sufficient in the downtown area but could use some improvement in the rural area although this was not thought to be a significant issue.
- A conversation was held concerning other infrastructure needs. Sewer and water was discussed although there are alternate options that are able to manage those resource demands. Sidewalks and trail systems were discussed as well as a need for parking solutions when promoting an increase in visitors to Bradford.
- The Committee discussed a need to understand whether any Zoning Regulations encourage or impede projects the Committee will recommend.
- The Committee had a conversation regarding possible Brownfield development of the “Old Naughton” property. Matt will email out documents related to an assessment conducted on this property for the Committee’s review and discussion with the Select Board.
The meeting adjourned at 7:45pm.
The next meeting will be held at 6:30pm, November 14th at the Bradford Area Community Center.
Draft minutes submitted by Laurie Colburn, Secretary