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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIndustrial Development Commission Minutes 2/25/2004MANSFIELD INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (a !,i>i{ MEETING MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 25, 2004 € {.I Present: Jay Barrows, Alan Clapp, Tom Flanagan, Rich George, Charl6Vk6ga"W Wbirf .f 5 Prestowich, Tom Stevens; guests: Maria Correia, Mansfield Holiday Inn; Ed Tarfufo, Tri- Town Chamber of Commerce Members welcomed Charles O'Regan, recently appointed as member of the IDC. Ed Tartufo addressed the IDC on behalf of the Tri -Town Chamber of Commerce, and proposed that the Town of Mansfield consider erecting a "Welcome to Mansfield" sign on the sloping piece of land at the West Street bridge by Route 495. According to Mr. Tartufo, Sherry Clancy of National Development has broached the issue of donating the land to the town. Under this scenario, her company would enjoy the tax benefit of taking this land off its books, and the town would be able to erect a sign, potentially with reference to the chamber and the IDC, to attract attention to Mansfield's business - friendly environment. A map received from Mr. Tartufo identifying the plot of land in question was received and forwarded to the Town Manager. The IDC voted unanimously to pass this proposal along to the Town Manager for consideration. Members expressed some concern about the size and cost of the proposed sign, and related zoning questions. The consensus among IDC members was that there would be benefits to erecting such a sign, but the cost of such a project would exhaust, several times over, the entire $10,000 IDC budget for this year. it was agreed that the proposal is still a potentially beneficial one for the town, and should be forwarded to the town manager and the Selectmen to review. Chairman to forward by letter. By unanimous vote, the members of the IDC voted to appoint Tom Stevens as the IDC representative to serve on the tax increment financing (TIF) Committee. Mr. Stevens expressed an interest in serving on the TIF committee and will keep the IDC updated on that committee's efforts. Members discussed the likelihood that Medco, a medical device supplier, was coming to Mansfield, to a site by the Ames warehouse in town. Medco would likely be seeking tax incentives under the TIF program. The IDC discussed the option of promoting business growth in town by advertising the town of Mansfield in a national business development publication. The leading publication of this sort was identified as being Site Selection. Mr. Flanagan advised that he is in contact with a representative from Site Selection and will gather rate information for such advertisements. The Selectmen and Town Manager have expressed support for such an option if the costs were reasonable. Members questioned whether the money in the IDC budget was going to be available annually, or whether it was a one -time item. The next meeting was set by agreement for March 25, 2004 at 7:30 PM. By unanimous vote the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM.