BELMONT VISION 21 IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE
Minutes, June 27, 2002~DRAFT
Present : Joe Green, Jennifer Page, Paul Solomon, Barry Winston
Also present : Vilma DiBiase, Delores Keefe
Guests : Susan Radonski and her young daughter
1. Call to Order and Minutes: The meeting was called to order at 7:10 P.M. Minutes of the June 20, 2002 meeting were reviewed and approved
2. Update on Town Welcome Booklet: One error was noted (page 4) regarding inconsistencies in the town web-site address. Joe Green reported there are approximately 1500 booklets left in inventory as backup.
3. Next steps on Newcomers Initiative:
3.1 The committee discussed ways of contacting newcomers who had arrived over the last year. Is there a list? Town Clerk's office does not automatically receive data on new residents; her office usually learns of them when they register to vote. Delores thinks the Electric Light Dept. may be able to develop a list of newcomers. Obtaining such a list will become relevant once a task force is in place and has developed some programs for newcomers which it wishes to pilot.
3.2 Organizing a task force on welcoming newcomers: We discussed whether we, ourselves, should investigate further how other towns welcome newcomers, or alternatively, should we first establish a task force to take on this effort. We agreed to try to find people who will volunteer for a task force; we also felt that ideally the task force will consist of people who have been in Belmont varying amounts of time. Paul indicated that he may be able to obtain a list of residents of three + years from his election campaign.
3.3 Joe Greene suggested placing an announcement in the paper seeking volunteers to develop ideas for welcoming newcomers. Also we might run an announcement on channel 8. Joe Greene volunteered to draft something for the "Vision 21 Box" in the paper, to focus on the newcomers' initiative and recruiting volunteers for the task force. He will forward the draft to Jennifer. The contacts will be Jennifer and Joe.
4. Next steps on Business-Friendly Initiative
4.1 For information purposes, Barry reported that a review of the Watertown-Belmont Chamber of Commerce membership indicated they had less than 500 members of which approximately 90 were from Belmont. Joe indicated that a good number of the Belmont members join only for health insurance benefits, available through the Chamber membership. Given these data, should we be working exclusively with the Chamber?
4.2 We pooled our understanding of the key reasons why some businesses have not fared well (or closed their doors) in Belmont. From the meeting with the Chamber, we heard about the issues of traffic, parking and the length of time it takes for permits to be granted. Additional causes may include business owners who do not research the area for the type of traffic their product or service will require; finances not carefully explored and competition not investigated; lack of a good business plan. We have also heard of the good stores who have been here for many years being forced to leave because of high rents and changing business or customer buying patterns. It was suggested that we should look at other towns with successful business areas to determine what part, if any, these town
governments played in the success of the business area.
4.3 We agreed that we should continue the effort, that we should move slowly and with a positive outlook toward the businesses. We need to distinguish between what is provided by the town and what by the landlords; what issues are rooted in the town and which are problems with the landlords or the business owners themselves.
4.4 We reaffirmed our plan to hold two open sessions (forums) with members of the business community . The purpose is to establish an understanding - from them - of their concerns. This would allow for the building of a data base.
4.5 Who do we invite to the forums? We agreed to specifically invite owners of "store-front" businesses in town (as opposed to residents with home-based businesses). Delores indicated she gave Tim a listing of businesses along Trapelo Road for his project. We agreed, however, to reach out more broadly; and that we would contact folks by [a] announcements in the paper; [b] do the equivalent of a "leaflet-drop" along the main commercial corridors; [c] enlist the assistance of the Chamber of Commerce in contact people.
4.6 Paul urged us to consider a model for the forums in which people would work in small groups, following some guiding questions - rather than a series of presentations and/or speeches. We might work enlist the help of Cavas to develop the questions.
4.7 We will probably want to invite key members of the town government to the forums.
4.8 Jennifer is looking into a possible site for the forums. The high school cafeteria is not available; she will try for the library assembly room. She suggests a Tuesday and Wednesday for the last week of July and/or the first week of August as dates for the forums.
4.9 We reaffirmed the need to keep a positive position toward the businesses and tread cautiously. We do not wish to be seen as having made a judgment about Belmont being unfriendly to businesses. Our goal is to help the town further develop "thriving businesses centers [which] contribute economic stability while offering places for residents to dine, shop and socialize" and "work with neighborhoods and residents to identify and support retail needs and opportunities." (Quotes from the Vision statement.)
5. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday July 11, at 7:00 p.m. in the Flett Room Library. (Editor's comment: this room assignment has been changed to the Assembly Room.)
6. The meeting adjourned at 9:10pm
Respectfully submitted,
Barry Winston, Secretary Pro Tem
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