Co-chairs elected. New charge from the Select Board.
Updated: October 5, 2021, 4:30pm
EDSC has been without a quorum for several months. With the appointment of 4 new members and a full committee, September 23 was the first EDSC business meeting since May.
Veteran EDSC member, Kit Maloney, took charge to kick off the meeting, opening member introductions and proposing an agenda modification. Maloney asked the group to review charge and foundation topics prior to electing chair. Nearly 20 minutes into the meeting, new EDSC member Rich Parenteau challenged Maloney’s assuming acting-chair role without committee approval and tasking members.
Maloney pressed the issue, stating, “It was my hope to get on these as a bridge, because these are things the committee has been talking about now for many months.”
The EDSC is at a reset point. The committee composition has had more than a 70% turnover, with 5 of the 7 seats filled by new members. New alternate applications are being considered by the Select Board. Additionally, the town planner contract was not renewed, and the town manager has resigned. This coupled with a new charge from the Select Board means any legacy will be impacted.
Following a split vote, Maloney and Kevin Robinson were elected co-chairs. Maloney proposed a revote be conducted at the next meeting, but was not supported by the rest of the group. The result is a committee that will be helmed by two distinct perspectives. How this is managed is yet to be defined, as the charter does not address co-chairs.
Maloney has been on the committee for more than 2 years. She is a staunch supporter of former town planner, Vanessa Farr, and has advocated for her reinstatement at multiple Select Board meetings. Maloney’s views align with residents who approve recent development associated with the Comprehensive Plan as a positive step for North Yarmouth.
Robinson outlined his motivation for applying to the EDSC during the August 26 meeting. Robinson disapproves of recent changes to North Yarmouth and admitted he linked much of the change to the EDSC. Though he understood the committee has not voted to enact specific town policy, he does see the committee as having had significant influence with other decision-making bodies such as Planning Board, Select Board and Town Manager.
The unexpected co-chair structure could potentially ensure any work accomplished by the group will be representative of the full spectrum of resident opinions.
Ian Acker was elected Secretary.
The diversity of experiences and perspectives of new committee members is causing some to feel optimistic about what the committee will be able to accomplish.
New members cited a number of reasons for volunteering. Wanting to support the town and interest in the TIF District were top on the list. Acker, Parenteau and Laurie Bachelder have finance and accounting backgrounds. Bachelder adds real estate and development experience. Both Parenteau and Robinson are longtime North Yarmouth residents. Alicia Dostilio works at MSAD51.
Jason Perkins was not in attendance but has been on EDSC for 2 years.
The committee accepted their new charge from the Select Board, outlining tasks based on their understanding of the directive.
On September 7, the Select Board unanimously approved a two-part charge for the EDSC. The initial work involves defining rural character and how it applies to North Yarmouth. Select Board Chair, Brian Sites, explained the purpose of the assignment, stating it will be the guide for the Select Board as they set policy. This work was to be “a process of exploration.” Sites explicitly stated this was not to be accomplished as a committee discussion, but a conversation with the entire town. Additionally, EDSC will review commercial business possibilities in North Yarmouth and report to the Select Board what is feasible and what is not feasible. Looking at basic infrastructure such as water capacity is essential. However, public works, the Planning Board and the community need to be part of the consideration.
Primary action item will be to establish a process for determining a community definition of “rural.” Committee members have been tasked to consider their personal definition and bring it to the next meeting along with visuals and examples.
As Robinson observed, this work will be challenging to capture in a visual, as the concept is linked to emotion and hard to quantify. Bachelder similarly stated that any community forum would need to include a blank board so residents do not feel limited or forced to choose from predetermined concepts.
Parenteau will forward to the committee his initial research to define the term “rural.” Bachelder proposed creating a preliminary EDSC Facebook page to share at the next meeting, stating support for increased transparency. Robinson will compile current information regarding North Yarmouth’s water infrastructure.
Senior Housing and the TIF District were noted as ongoing priorities. Mahoney generously shared her vision for the EDSC and context of committee work. She proposed expanding the EDSC charter to include TIF education.
Reports of an impromptu meeting following the EDSC business meeting has been denied by Maloney.
Robinson noted he had lingered in the parking lot with other residents for 20 minutes following the meeting and no one left during that time.
In response to questions, Bachelder replied, "My intentions for joining the committee is to look at any current and future growth of our town, to understand the TIF and how it can help or hurt the town and make that information available in an easy to understand way to the public. And above all else listen to the people that live here and what they would like to see happen and to make all discussions transparent. There is nothing I despise more then (sic) a governing body that is not transparent to its citizens."
Robinson confirmed that he and Maloney have agreed to a basic format and guidelines. They will work together to set the agenda, but alternate running meetings. The pair have committed to review the process in a few months.
No deadline has been set for completing the directive from the Select Board.
Next meeting is scheduled for October 28.