March 23, 2015 Minutes

MASTER PLAN COMMITTEE
DRAFT MINUTES
March 23, 2015

Attendees: Ralph O’Dell – Chair, Ted Mitchell –
Secretary, Clayton Wood and Jim Pritchard

1. Call to Order: 7:03 pm

2. Approval of Minutes: February 23, 2015

3. Real Estate Potential in Downtown:
A. Facts:
— Property Taxes Major Source of Town Revenue
— One of Highest Property Tax Rates in State
— Low Property Value – Eighth Lowest Value Per
Student in State
+ In 2006-07 720 Students
+ In 2013-14 600 Students (325 K-6 Grade, 275 7-12
Grade)
— Low Number of Younger Families
— Increasing Number of 55+ Aged Individuals
B. Obstacles to Businesses:
— Taxes: But Not as Much of an Issue as Thought
— Reconfiguring/Upgrading Interiors of Available
Buildings & Cost to Do So
— Must be Accessible to Handicapped Individuals
— Need Infrastructure – Broadband, etc.
— Zoning Issues – Need Changes
— Rundown Areas in Downtown
C. Potential Types of Businesses for Main Street:
— Professional Offices/Professional Services –
Doctors, Lawyers, Financial Services, etc.
D. Potential Types of Businesses for Other Downtown Areas:
— Furniture Repair, Carpentry, etc.

4. Master Plan Committee Housekeeping:
— Review Terms for Members
— Committee is good place for Planning Board Members
to get a Broader View of Why Zoning is Vital and How
it Affects the Town
— Future Discussion Needs to be on Land Use

5. Next Meeting: April 13, 2015

9. Adjournment: 8:29 pm

Prepared by: Ted Mitchell, Secretary

Submitted: Ralph O’Dell, Chairman, Master Plan
Committee