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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance Comm 11/16/2017Finance Committee Meeting Minutes November 16, 2017 Present: Walter Wilk, Chairman Michael O'Brien, Member Michael DeSantis, Member Liz Christo, Member Brian Eagle, Member Yogen Chemburkar, Member Also Present: Kara Griffin Danielle Fiche Not Present: John S. Feely, Vice Chairman Minutes Clerk: Christopher P. Walsh RECEIVED TL''4.f CC.ERKa OFFICE 2018 ppPAY I b P 4: 1 b f -I°' SSACF`JSET?S 1. Call the Finance Committee meeting to order and review the agenda Mr. Wilk called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. 2. Discussion with Kara Griffin, executive Director, Tri -Town Chamber of Commerce Mr. Wilk mentioned doing the tax setting a few weeks ago and the coming down of the property tax due to businesses leaving. The density of the town was changed to allow for more garage parking, and Mr. Wilk mentioned that the funnel of driving new business in (and keep tax rates down) hasn't been quite successful. Mr. DeSantis emphasized that he wanted the tax base stabilized and hoped that Kara could give more advice on bringing in new business. Mrs. Fiche mentioned that structures in all other towns are all different (Foxboro has strong town manager and town planner). Mrs. Fiche said Foxboro has economic development committee outside its town structure, and the committee faciltates conversations about bringing in business (i.e. vacant property). Kara mentioned that usually, a business will probably contact town manager in Foxboro to move in depending on space they're looking for (i.e. corproate offices, located near train). Kara brought up tax credits Norton has. Mrs. Fische said Norton has economic development office. Kara recommended that town manager who is involved will help get businesses here. Mr. Wilk wondered if Mansfield is more difficult to getting businesses to come through the system, and Kara replied other towns are easier in the process. Kara said Foxboro has vision for developing downtown bloc (i.e. bringing in new restaurants, bringing in engineers). Kara and Mrs. Fiche said Foxboro is proactive and has the benefit of relationships. Mrs. Fiche mentioned real estate meetings that town managers go to Kara recommended looking at the industrial parking (i.e. for what is open), and using that as a tool to have businesses and commercial realtors come in. Kara said town managers come to meetings and talk to people. Kara said Mansfield town manager came to meetings (i.e. Holiday Inn significant renovation). Mr. Wilk emphasized how Mansfield can focus on retention to keep businesses secure. Mrs. Fiche said Norton has all the right components (proper zoning, infrastructure, straightening out the intersection to get more warehousing) and the partnerships they develop. Mrs. Fiche said Norton opposes overrides. Mr. Wilk wondered if the other towns pre -loaded the TIFs so that the towns distinguish themselves as giving the best incentives. Kara again mentioned the economic development that the other towns had. Kara emphasized that having a one -point person and a vision is most important. Kara wondered what restrictions were put on businesses for Mansfield Crossing (i.e. retail struggling). Kara recommended having contacts about destinations at Mansfield Crossing. Mr. Wilk brought up the interactive websites of other towns that direct you to contact the town manager right away. Kara recommended putting an open space out there to people (i.e. devoting money to advertising and marketing in mediums like Real Estate journals). Mrs. Fiche wondered if town has gathered stakeholders. Mr. Wilk said conversations with real estate people is that Mansfield is difficult to get things through (i.e. town planning, Xfinity incidents). Mr. Wilk brought up how town managers never inquired why businesses left. Mr. Wilk again brought up the Westborough website. Mr. Wilk mentioned having too many groups not talking to each other and no clear goals can be confusing (i.e. difficulties getting restaurants in conforming with parking, liquor licenses, etc). Mr. DeSantis said it can be frustating wading through all these groups. Kara recommended looking at what's available in the park, see who owns the places there, and getting conversations with people (someone else drives the conversations) in the industrial park. Mr. Wilk emphasized that we have no funnel and discussed the problems of drying federal funds. Mr. Wilk said most successful towns seem to have town managers and board of selectmen who focus on business development, and explaining to the townsfolk why they're doing it. Mr. Wilk suggested maybe we should explain certain purposes of having a business remain, like Xfinity. Kara brought up the Mulligan business that opened up on Main Street. Mr. DeSantis reemphasized what types of businesses we want to invest in, like strong businesses such as the commons. Mrs. Fiche suggested looking at the town survey of what the community feels/wants. Mr. Wilk wanted a feedback loop, like getting back to a business how the town can solve a problem or not, or why business leave or don't come. Mrs. Fiche asked to come to the chamber to hear business voices. 3. Start discussing funding plan for the Special Education Reserve Fund Not covered due to Mr. O'Brien and Mr. Eagle's departures 4. Items not known within 48 hours Not covered 5. Audience Q&A Not covered. One audience member came in to explain the impact of Xfmity's declining business. 6. Committee member comments Not covered. 7. Adjourn Motion: Adjourn the November 16, 2017 meeting at 8:07 pm (Wilk/Christo). Passes 4-0.