Northwood Economic Development Committee
Meeting Minutes
January 6, 2010
7:00 p.m.

I. Call to Order

Chair Kristen Kiernan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m

II. Attendance 

Present: Kristen Kiernan, Chair; David Tousignant, Vice-chair; Kevin Ash; Judy Burke;
Babette Morrill; and Town Administrator David Stack.
 
Absent: Hal Kreider; Ken Rick; Scott Bryer

III. Unfinished Business

1. Business Directory

Chair Kristen Kiernan discussed the work that had been done at the work session at the end of December. The Committee reviewed the information that had been submitted by businesses that had been sent the mailing.

Kevin Ash suggested that the Committee prioritize the additional information that the group would like to see in the Directory once it is determined how much extra space may be available.

Babette Morrill agreed to continue with the task of typing in the info that had been received and setting up the list and Kevin Ash will take it from there and set it up as print ready. The Committee looked at a sample cover that Kevin had produced and a sample directory that he had created for a trade organization. The Committee agreed that the drop dead date for being ready to go is February 1.

The Committee then prioritized what info that it would like included in the Directory, depending on the space available. It was agreed that the Committee’s mission statement needs to be in there. Dave Tousignant volunteered to work on finalizing the mission statement and he will work on this with Hal Kreider.

2. Economic Development web page

Kevin Ash reported that the Technology Committee is working on a re-design of the Town site.

3. Committee Goals and Plan

The Committee reviewed the Committee’s goal and timetable list. The majority of the Committee’s time has been spent on the Business Directory. The Committee discussed the possible projects to be worked on next. Dave Tousignant suggested that he would like, to move forward with putting together a business get together sometime after the Directory is published and distributed. The Committee set a tentative date of 3/30/10 for holding a business after hours program. The Committee will begin to work on this project at the February meeting and even before then via e-mail. The Committee also will being staying involved with the Planning Board’s proposed third tier review process for approving small and home businesses.

IV. New Business

1. Acceptance of Minutes - 12/2/09

Action: Dave Tousignant moved to accept the minutes of the 12/2/09 meeting. Kristen Kiernan seconded. Motion passed 4-0-2. 

2. Operating procedures and code of conduct

Kristen Kiernan recommended that the Committee adopt operating procedures and a code of conduct. She would like to set rules for how committee members conduct themselves, whether they should be allowed to speak for the Committee, unexcused absences, etc. David Stack agreed to provide copies of what other Town boards and committees have adopted.

Chair Kiernan suggested that the Committee may want to adopt a policy on unexcused absences now for inclusion in the Committee's operating procedures. Action: Dave Tousignant moved to adopt a Committee policy that if a member has three unexcused absences from meetings and work session, the Committee will contact the Board of Selectmen and ask that the member be removed from the Committee. Herb Johnson seconded. Motion passed unanimously 6-0.

3. Public Comment

Ellis Ring suggested that the Committee begin to raise it profile and let people know that they are up and running. Dave Tousignant explained that the Committee has done this purposely until the Business Directory is ready. Mr. Ring recommended that more town business become active in the Newfound Networkers, a business networking group that meets on the second at fourth Fridays of the month at Johnson’s Restaurant. His last comment concerned the prime farm land designation that has been given to certain properties in Town and the affect that may have on businesses growth and development. The Committee agreed to look into this concern. 

V. Adjournment

Dave Tousignant moved to adjourn. Herb Johnson seconded. Motion passed and the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.