No official meeting, but committee members take questions from residents.
On August 26, the Economic Development and Sustainability Committee (EDSC) did not have quorum, because the committee only has three of a possible seven members. Instead, current committee members opted to have informal question and answer session with residents and select board members present. Discussion focused on perceptions of committee and its previous work, as well as addressing what the committee is and is not.
No official work was conducted. However, Brian Sites (Select Board Chair) and EDSC members agreed to work collaboratively to develop charge for the committee. Once EDSC has enough members to be a functioning committee and the Board finalizes goals, they can set the direction for EDSC work.
Kit Maloney, Jason Perkins and Alicia Dostilio briefly described their experience and reason for joining the committee. Maloney and Perkins have served for approximately two years. Dostilio was appointed on July 20. All three were motivated to join by a desire to support the community, but had limited experience with town governance. EDSC seemed to be a good blend of town connection without excessive time commitment.
Sites noted there is a lot of interest in EDSC. The Select Board will be voting on three applicants at the September 7 meeting. Sites confirmed EDSC currently does not have a charge from the Select Board, because they do not have a quorum.
One of the new applicants, Kevin Robinson, was present. He applied because of concerns with direction of development within the town.
Questions from residents covered a broad range of topics. Many highlighted perceptions of the work the committee is doing and the resulting friction. Included were proposed marijuana ordinance, village center developments, purpose of the committee, TIF, and Comprehensive Plan.
Robinson summed up much of the criticism directed at EDSC as being related to previous charge. EDSC was given task of implementing the Comprehensive Plan, a plan heavily connected to the creation of the TIF District. Critics link the Comprehensive Plan and North Yarmouth’s recent residential development in the TIF to the Town Planner that was working with EDSC. Vanessa Farr of Maine Design Workshop was hired by North Yarmouth in 2018.
Maloney could only comment on her time on the committee. She stated the former EDSC chair took direction from the planner and town manager. To do the type of work EDSC was tasked to do, volunteers depended heavily on the planner.
Maloney challenged the perception that EDSC has been controlling recent changes to North Yarmouth. She asserted the committee has not been voting on anything, rather, work is consensus driven. Maloney characterized the group as “advisory,” and that they function to serve needs of the community. Examples of this work included attending “Summit Meetings” and studying design standards.
Prior to applying, Robinson reviewed EDSC meeting information. Going back two years, there was not mention of any business decisions. Perkins agreed. COVID and decreased membership has impacted the committee.
Consideration of a Marijuana Ordinance was reactionary to passing of state statues. It highlighted the committees function as an “exploratory” group. At the direction of the Select Board, EDSC gathered information to see what regulations surrounding communities were enacting, including hosting a presentation from Topsham.
However, residents noted flaws in the process that raise questions about the work. Planning Board has tabled drafting of a marijuana ordinance until Select Board has voted on goals.
Related Story: Planning Board Workshop Changes Course
The EDSC denied notion the committee is controlling Village Center and TIF development. Planning Board approved Range Way, as well as other subdivisions, rather than EDSC. Management of the TIF was previously directed by former Town Manager, Rosemary Roy. Roy proposed the EDSC explore how to invest TIF moneys. Maloney did not agree that EDSC should be managing the TIF, as they are a group of volunteers without the necessary experience or skills.
A distinct area of disagreement relates utilizing a planner. Maloney confirmed the previous committee chair took guidance from Roy and Farr. Recent discussions at Select Board meetings on the topic have been heated. Whether North Yarmouth needs a planner or an economic development consultant, instead, has been questioned. EDSC has advocated for a liaison that understands the town’s dynamics.
Sharp criticism of Farr is related to what has been described as the wrong vision for North Yarmouth. Select Board member, Paul Hodgetts, views Farr as an “urban” planner and not the right fit for North Yarmouth.
The Select Board will need to assess what would best support North Yarmouth. The “hybrid” nature of Farr’s previous work further complicates the issue and where the direction was coming.
Sites proposed first defining “rural.” From there, the Select Board could set path and develop parameters to evaluate success. Select Board is facing other more urgent priorities, such as hiring a new town manager, auditor vacancy, and complications with budgeting, so hiring a planner is not expected to happen soon.
Next meeting is scheduled for September 23.
Yorumlar