p style=”text-align: center;”>North Yarmouth Business Association
Toddy Brook Golf Club Meeting Room
Minutes January 10, 2013
| Attendance | Marilyn Matthews, Brian Bartlett, Rob Taisey, Andrew Walsh, Thaddeus Day, Margie Hansel, Michael Babin. Marnie Diffin Meeting called to order 7:05 am |
| Each Member introduced themselves and their businesses to Marnie Diffin. Thad spoke first item, bringing up the issue of flipping the morning and social meeting dates / times to assure Brian Bartlett will be able to continue attending. The issue is to reverse the morning meeting to the third Thursday of each month, and the afternoon social to the second Thursday of each month. The item was motioned, seconded, and approved by vote. Beginning in February, our AM business meetings will be held on the third Thursday, social at 5:30 pm will be the second Thursday. January’s social will still be on the 17th. Thad will contact Janice Selig to advise the email reminder she sends should be changed.Thad Day introduced guest speaker, Marnie Diffin, Town Administrative Asst for North Yarmouth. Marnie is a No. Yarmouth resident as well, and a strong advocate of buying and using local business services. She works closely with all the Town Committees. She began her presentation by posing the question ” Is the Town “looking” for a great deal of development” … or do most residents feel the calm, quiet rural nature of North Yarmouth is more of a “sanctuary” from busy everyday life. She posed that the Selectmen need a good deal of input from residents and businesses, so they can develop a stronger idea of how much development is desired. The proposed “Town Center” ideas put before them have been varied over the years, and sometimes each proposal is a 180 turnaround from a prior proposal, so without continued added feedback, they are at a loss to be able to pick, or approve a suitable plan for development. Boards react to pressure and essentially there has been little. This discussion hinges on the current proposed development of the Center Triangle, and the future NYMS closing, which will give the Town the task of deciding what to “do” with that building. It is being looked at by several interested contractors. IF the Town elects to take ownership of the school building, it’s use and funding for renovations becomes an issue. The building is in poor repair and will require significant work. The Town also has the option of keeping it running as part of MSAD51, but at an increased cost to the Town as they’d be responsible to the MSAD for the difference in operational costs. Marnie encourages all to give feedback to the Selectmen and Economic Development and Sustainability Committees so they can address these issues. The Town would like to see the school property developed, to generate added tax revenue.
Marnie also advised that the Town Governance is being reviewed and at some point may change from an “Admin. Asst” role to that of a Town Manager. There is some difficulty in finding adequate folks to serve on various committees, so some consolidation of committees may take place as well. There are not many ordinance changes on the docket for the next Town meeting… signage and sidewalks are two items that will be addressed. This could be positive change as far as Town Center development plans…. Presently the Town is collecting bids for renovation of the old Sharp house that is on the Town Office parcel, it was previously rented residentially, they hope to renovate and rent it again, and there is some discussion that maybe down the road it could be renovated to commercial space for rent.
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| Minutes for 12/13/2012 were approved. Minutes are posted on website each month no later than the Tuesday following our meeting. Marilyn agreed to once again begin sending minutes to attendees via email in addition to posting to website, for ease of review. | |
| Discussion | Discussion followed regarding the trade show flyer done by Mary Conry, excellent graphics, suggestion was made that we nix the “advertisement” of “beer and wine” on the flyer and just say “refreshments.” Andy will send email spreadsheets he has for Town businesses and NYBA members for the mailing. The Trade Show will be March 8, 2013 at Westcustogo. |
| Reports | There was no Treasurers report. We happily accepted a new membership check from Nina Oatley Basic Bookkeeping, (Andrew Walsh’s wife.)The February meetings will be a social 2/14/13 5:30 pm at Toddy Brook. The regular business meeting 2/21/13 7:00 am at Toddy Brook.
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Meeting adjourned at 8:00 AM —
Respectfully Submitted: Marilyn Matthews, Secretary