Meeting Minutes
FALMOUTH EDIC OPEN MEETING: December 7, 2018
Woods Hole Golf Club
Woods Hole, MA
PRESENT
Christopher Land (C), Susan Moran (VC), Christopher Simmler (Ck), Paul Burke (T), Brooks Bartlett, Patti Haney
ABSENT: Michael Galasso
11:20 am
CALL TO ORDER
Having established a quorum, the Vice - Chair called the meeting to order.
11:20 am
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
11:21 am
REAL ESTATE COMMITTEE
The Board decided there was no need for a Real Estate Committee due to the small amount of real estate owned, with only one lot available for lease / sale.
MOTION: Land made a motion to direct Atty. Moynihan to remove the reference to the Real Estate Committee from the EDIC Bylaws. Moran 2nd. All in favor. Approved.
Land directed Broderick to advise Laura to edit the bylaws for the Executive Committee Members to a 3-person committee: the Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer.
FUNDING / INVESTMENT FORMAL PARAMETERS
Moran stated it was important to have clear parameters for expenditures in the future – the mission statement will assist to define the parameters.
The Board agreed the EDIC assets should only fund projects that support the EDIC mission.
A Presentation Synopsis must be completed by the requesting entity in advance of being invited to present their proposal at an EDIC Board Meeting.
Funding will be considered for only those entities that support one of the newly defined Falmouth EDIC goals.
For consideration of funding the investment must show it will result with a positive economic outcome.
All businesses including non-profit organizations will need to comply with all defined parameters to be deemed an appropriate candidate for financial assistance.
MISSION STATEMENT
The board reviewed the Mission Statement that Simmler presented to the Board. Discussion ensued.
The Board edited the statement to read “To attract, advocate and support economic vitality and seek to constantly improve the business climate in Falmouth”.
MOTON: Land made a motion to accept the mission statement as stated. Moran 2nd. All in favor. Approved.
It was agreed by the Board that no future projects would be undertaken if it does not fit within the new mission statement.
Land suggested Broderick update the Presenter’s Synopsis with the new mission statement. The Board agreed if this form was not completed in advance of the meeting, for review by the Board, then the presenter would be removed from the agenda.
The board discussed the difficulty getting through the large amount of agenda items, and it not being necessary or warranted to have a guest speaker at each meeting; taking up meeting work time and attention. In the future guest speakers will be vetted and more selectively decided upon.
GOALS
Brooks suggested consideration of funding opportunities to attract businesses/families to Falmouth.
Moran noted the Planning Board’s focus on development in the Davis Straights area of Falmouth and suggested the EDIC work collaboratively with the Planning in this endeavor. New buildings with 1st floor businesses and 2nd floor housing was mentioned. Moran suggested a joint meeting with the Planning Board, Board of Selectmen, Zoning Board and Health Dept. to discuss the local comprehensive plan. This would align with the EDIC mission.
Land suggested attempting to have the Town allow Unmanned Vehicle Testing in Falmouth - to bring in Cambridge business owners who want a test market for this new business/technology model. Haney questioned the housing issues this may present for potential new businesses workers.
Moran to schedule a meeting with 2-3 Unmanned Vehicles businesses along with the Town Manager, RTA, Chief of Police and Public Safety to discuss.
Moran mentioned property near Ballymeade - zoned for senior living. Developers are still very interested in developing this property, however, the Town has some rights to the property.
Specific goals were defined as:
1. To pursue Unmanned Robotic Vehicles Business – Falmouth as a Test Platform.
2. To develop a Mixed Use, Co-Working Space in Falmouth.
3. To assist with the review and development of a standardized framework to be used by all Town regulating bodies that will define and align a seamless business development process for procedures and approvals, ensuring they are reviewed in a consistently objective, demarcated, public and transparent manner.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION
Land states there exists a need to hire an Executive Director role to move new projects forward.
Moran suggested a sub-committee to define the job description and compensation of the proposed Executive Director. Chris Simmler and Brooks Bartlett will form this committee.
ADMINISTRATOR POSITION
MOTION: Moran made a motion that work would only be assigned to Legal Counsel from either a directive from the Chair, Vice Chair, the Executive Committee, or a vote or approval by the Board. Land 2nd. All in favor. Approved.
Administrator position description reviewed – add to work with Executive Director when hired.
MOTION: Land made a motion for the Executive Committee to review the Administrator’s compensation in an executive session at the next meeting. Haney 2nd. All in favor. Approved.
1:20 pm
ADJOURNMENT
MOTON: Moran made a motion to adjourn. Bartlett 2nd. All in favor. Approved.
NEXT MEETING
December 11, 2018, 8:30 am, Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Falmouth Town Hall
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