Hi, this is the regular monthly meeting of the Dayton Economic Development Committee. This meeting is being recorded for replay on local cable access and YouTube. Um, not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed on the agenda may
also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law. If I can call the meeting to order and if you can join me in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Hi Joe. >> How are you? >> Good. Good. >> That's a good thing. Um, so the next first item on the agenda
is just to uh discuss and review new local business openings. I have on here since our last meeting, but actually since I think December we voted on sending out the little note cards. So there've actually been since then one two three four five six seven eight um
eight new companies that have started in the past seven months that I've sent out note cards to. So, >> wow. >> Um, we have the Happy Doodle Doo Club. They do dog daycare. >> Oh, okay. >> Happy Doodle. Okay.
>> Um, we have the Late Anchor, which is a mobile um coffee retailer in Gtop, so they do catering. Um, that was the one I got confused. I was because they're they have a post office as their mailing and I thought I didn't realize they were mobile. >> Oh, okay.
>> So, I thought they actually had a presence and I was looking for them. What am I missing here? Um, yeah, they just do kind of like mobile and catering. Um, the Little Lemon Press, which does handcrafted cards and other
paper crafts. Um, AG services, but does light hauling and trucking. Um, peaceful soul wellness, which I'm not quite sure what the business does exactly. um peaceful. >> I think it has something to do with
general, you know, emotional well-being, wellness, meditation, >> that general uh topic. Um Clear Journey Coaching. Um the owner actually has a couple businesses in town that do graphic design and they run an
online magazine. Um this a new venture for them. Um Elite Jeep and Automotive. Um they purchase used and salvaged vehicles um which they then dismantle and sell the parts. So >> Okay.
>> Um and then Hunt >> where is that at? >> These are all home based. >> All home based. >> All home based. Yeah. Um Hill Cardage is the last one. It's a trucking company. So >> Okay. >> Welcome to Dyon. Um so I have been
sending out those cards. Um the next item I have on the agenda is just kind of a broad one but it's um discuss review budget for the upcoming year and any upcoming expenses. Um,
so I think when we had put together the budget ask for this year, we had said that we were trying to take unused money from last year, couple it with money from this year and finally get a someone who can help us put together a marketing
video >> that we can share like a 30 second spot, you know, via email, put it on YouTube, whatever. Um I know that Raphael and um Laura aware. So turns out DR has a
marketing department kids in a pre marketing program and I went up and I talked to them back in April. >> Um and they've agreed to do this for us. >> Wow. >> So they started it in April. Obviously some of the seniors are graduating. So,
they're going to pick it up again in the fall and maybe like late winter, early spring. >> They'll they'll have something. So, I went up talked to them. >> Wow. >> They'll invite me back a few times. Laura was interested in going back with me next time I go. >> But they were talking about doing things
like, you know, pulling people in for um panels and forums and getting, you know, consumer opinions and coming up with, you know, different models. and I talked to them about, you know, my opinion about the kind of businesses that would do well in Titan and that kind of stuff.
So hopefully we'll uh we'll get started again when this, >> you know, anything is possible. You know, these the kids come up with all kinds of uh ideas and not kids because they're, >> you know, just right at the age of right
>> thinking about life, you know, and I think that's so important to invite them into to this. Yeah, >> that's that's very very very good. I like that. >> Yeah, I mean a lot of co what used to be college level courses when I was growing up have been pushed down. So what what
was college courses are now happening in the high school. So you know I think it's just an example of that too. So >> yeah. Yeah. I'll never forget when I purchased this property here across the way. I wanted to put a uh car wash. I wanted to put a Dunkin' Donuts and the
whole town came after me and you know ready to beat me down and uh I went to um UMass Dartmouth and spoke to a group of people that could do a study traffic
study and >> things like that and they did it. I was I was shocked that they that they actually did that and the students were so happy to to participate, you know. So, it's >> it's a you know, you never know where
success comes from. >> Yeah. Right. >> You know, it doesn't matter how old or who or what, you know, it's that's my my opinion, you know. So, >> um but one thing that does Oh, and the cost for it from VR is zero.
>> I like that even better. No. That's not to say that we can't do something for the kids, you know. And I kept telling the teacher, it's like, "No, I'm sure you're going to have some cost." And she was like, "No, >> not real good." >> Um, but that does mean that we have a
budget back to do stuff with that we probably hadn't planned on. So, I just wanted to talk about um as the agenda item like what some of those things might be. Um and it's kind of like a broad subject.
So, um I did want to include like you know just generally where we want to head. So I feel like for the past couple years since this I know there was a DDIC it disbanded and then whatever it was three years ago, four years ago, three
years ago we got it got stood back up again and we've just focused primarily on just um I think advocates for local business like promoting them answering questions if they have them looking for ways to help them out but we
haven't really on what you think of like towns that have town planners which are out there beating the bushes, thinking about like what types of businesses could go where or advertising it.
And if we're going to have a marketing video, do we want to start being more like that? It obviously means being more integrated with the town administrator and planning
board and whatever any other groups are thinking. And but do we want to be more like the town planner for the town as opposed to just the local business advocate?
I think we should just focus on helping anyone to grow in as a business in any way that we can. whether it be
through the process of permitting, through the process of uh advertising or whatever it it is because that's the backbone of this town. If we can't get business into this
town and the taxes keep on going the way they they have been going, we're in in bad shape. I mean, that's that's my uh my opinion. But do we wait for them to come to us and then help them everywhere any way we can or do we go out there and
solicit them to come to town? >> I Yeah, I think we should ask them or or figure out a way to get to them and say, "Hey, if there's any way that we can help, >> right? >> Please reach out." You know, I I think
that's a good way to put it. I don't know how Raphael feels about that, but >> I think I think it's a good idea. I agree. >> Yeah. >> I mean, I have to say to both of you that I thank you for doing what you're
doing because I don't have the time to do any of this. And I, you know, I I understand you guys may have the time, but I overall I appreciate you're actually doing it because if it wasn't for people
like you, I this would go nowhere, you know. So, thanks. >> I I just want to say that because you deserve the recognition that that's due. So, >> having said that, we haven't been too successful in bringing new business into town.
You never know. You never know. >> Done a lot to help people in town, but not not about bringing new new people down. >> You never know. There may be one that pops up here and there. And uh I mean it's a small town. We have to we have to
understand that it's it's it's very hard to, >> you know, for a big business to come in. I don't see anywhere that it could go. >> Yeah. Oh, that's that's the problem. I don't see traffic.
I mean, I know someone that wants to put in a sub shop. It's it's a new thing. There's only three of these things in Massachusetts. And I suggested, why don't you come? No. No. Dyon doesn't have anything that
traffic stop >> right next to Duncan which is very popular gets a lot of traffic is it's a thousand bucks a month but that's what used to be that small space >> I suggested the corner over here and because it's next to the post office
post office generates a lot of traffic there it really does >> and there are times that it generates a lot more because >> Rehov doesn't the post office don't do that well there. Somerset don't do that well. So, this one is in the middle.
People from Taton from from the Taton area are coming here >> really >> because it's so accessible, so easy to get in and out. And uh so therefore, they're they're coming here. So, I suggested that now it's not nowhere near
as much traffic as what we need. >> Sorry. Um, yeah. I mean, he I mean, I don't know if he actually knows what the traffic. It's posted online. I mean, the state does regular traffic studies for most towns and cities, you know,
>> and you can actually look up I mean, it may be like dated by two or three years, but you can look up like what is traffic really like out there and going through that area. I mean this this intersection here does does have quite a bit of traffic because 24
44 uh you know does carry a lot of but >> I don't know how much they know about the traffic and stuff. So I I asked the post office to if they could give me an idea of how many people come in and out
on a daily basis and stuff and they they gave me a pretty good idea of of what it is based on the amount of people that they help. In other words, people that come to buy
stamps or drop off mail and stuff like that, but not to say that they know how many people come and check on getting mail. Yeah. >> I use the mail box outside all the time,
but I never walk inside. >> Yeah. Exactly. So all of those things uh uh from the figure that they gave me which I believe was somewhere around 500 and some odd people on a weekly basis. That's not enough for any other
business. >> Oh, I'm sure there's more than 500 people drive past that intersection. >> Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. >> Well, if you see them, let them know it's $1,000 a month is what they're asking for. That small place sandwiched between Dunkin Donuts and Titan House of Pizza.
Yeah, that's >> huge. It's >> how much? >> A thousand a month. >> I forget what the square footage is. I do have it. I'll post them. >> I have a pretty good idea. But uh you know, you have a sub shop already there
that's running out. That's they're they're actually on their way out. >> Which such? >> Dunkin Donuts. Right next to Dunkin Donuts. >> Oh, >> there's a sub shop that's running out. Oh, okay.
>> That's I'm not okay. I should I shouldn't have said that. Um, so anyway, so yeah, I mean with that marketing video and then just in general, I think I've mentioned that I enjoy kind of going to like networking
meetings from the Chamber of Commerce, whether it's the Ton one or the South Coast one and um I've even been my boss is actually um looking to open a second location and uh every time she gets disappointed with a spot that she finds, I keep
saying, "Well, you know, is available. So, >> so um so that's just something that'll be happening in the background, I guess, but we'll get more information about that video. Um
we do actually have right now um three empty business locations that I know of. We have uh well that uh spot between House of Pizza and um >> Dunkin Donuts >> Dunkin Donuts, the 1712 restaurant,
>> which I just saw listed. The listing went up this weekend. >> It's for sale for what was formerly 1712 restaurant closed on County Street down opposite um Country Auctions.
>> Oh. And next to the D plaza. >> Just say Giorgio's for us old people. >> Georgios. Did I bring it? >> Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Right up here. Okay. >> So, um, >> Joe has never been to 1712, I take it.
>> I'm losing it. I'm losing it. >> So, um, so yeah, that list went up. It's for sale. It's not for lease. It's for sale. >> Okay. >> It's It's septic. all septic there and the septic >> but in the real estate listing it said
it's rated to accommodate 100 people. They had 100 seats inside that restaurant. So that's a huge substantial septic. >> So >> okay. the um and then of course the mill which um has tenants mostly unoccupied right
now still um but um the listing did come down off the off the internet for listing it for sale but I'm sure they'll be going back up shortly so the owner is still looking to sell >> it's the new owners
>> it's I think believe in repossession so >> really Yeah. >> So, okay. >> The mortgage holders will depending upon how it gets resolved, it might be the mortgage holders that are the uh new >> to repossession. That means it's going
to go into auction >> would wind up that way or just get listed. I'm not sure. But >> yeah, >> you know, both possibilities, I guess. Um um so those those properties are are
available right now. Um, talking about um just in general like ways to help businesses in town, I did speak to the planning board office manager Carrie
used today about uh the possibility of getting discussions about zoning review back on the agenda at some point. Um and um I'm not sure if she's uh that's still on the table. I'll just follow up
with her. I would like to I don't know. I think you had said it was five years ago the last time the planning board did like a really like if not comprehensive at least partial review you know zoning in town. >> Yeah. It was it was right around there
five six. >> Okay. >> But I I remember that but I don't don't know the date. >> Yeah. But that should be on record. >> That should be Yeah. Yes. Um
and then um I don't know if you've seen the periodic uh YouTube um interviews that the chairman of the board of selectment has been having people in town. So, he
hadn't I did one with him this week. Um, talking about the recent bylaw changes that were approved at the last town meeting for making it easier for homebased businesses and also an exemption for personal property taxes
for small businesses that have $10,000 or less in personal property tax. The board of assessors are going to be u the ability to wave that now. >> Oh, really? >> Yeah. So, if your total personal property is for your business, it's 10,000 or less, then it just gets zeroed
out. >> Okay? >> If it's over that, you don't get anything. You just it's business as usual. But if you're truly a small enough business that it's 10,000 or less, and that got voted on at the last time. >> Okay, go ahead. Um
I think the one thing that we had talked about potentially planning was um like small networking event like something that we could hold in this building just like coffee and bagels. Um, invite any
business in town. Basically, anybody even outside Don who's potentially interested in doing business in town, you know, just advertise it through the Chamber of Commerce, social media. Um, we had gone back and forth about uh
what it would might cost us, but I think at the time we were talking about it, we were thinking about doing something a little grander like a breakfast or that sort of thing and maybe asking for sponsors. But if we're just doing coffee and bagels, I think it might be something we can just do out of our own
budget. >> Um, particularly if we're not paying for the venue, we're just doing it here. I think we could do something even better than that like some kind of sandwiches or things like that depending at what time that we do that. Um like if it was
in then a early afternoon. That was my question. Would it I mean do you think a weekday afternoon versus a weekend? I mean what would be the better target to attract people? I mean, everybody's working or busy all the
time, but I noticed that the Taon Chamber of Commerce does most of theirs during the weekday. Sometimes in the morning, sometimes in the afternoon. I think if I I don't know. I'm not I haven't
attended many of of those things, but like an early lunch or lunch. >> Okay. >> You could end up finding a few people that would I would I would think if we were to offer something like that, you
know, a free lunch or whatever. potatoes and potato chips and sandwiches, you know, just finger food, you know, just >> So, would that mean we'd probably be looking for sponsors to help offset the cost as opposed to paying for it
ourselves? >> Let me find out more of what it would be the cost, you know, because I I know someone that would >> uh work with us on that. >> Okay, that would be great. Yeah. And then we can think about like how far
down the road we want this. I mean, it's already the 1 of August practically. So, you know, this might not be until like se October at least. >> Yeah. Yeah. That's anytime that people are involved in getting the kids back to school while the parents are busy and
stuff. So, when things calm down, >> okay, >> then you know, invite the people in. Okay. That's my view. So, >> all right. Just in the meantime, without setting a date, I'll just inquire at uh town hall about the possibility of us getting this room and serving food in
it. I think the board of health gets involved, they're serving food, all that kind of stuff, but we can just see what's what issues there might be, if any. >> Okay. >> All right. Does that sound good with >> Sounds good to me. Yep, >> Laura. Okay. >> Yep. Sounds good. >> Right.
>> Hi, Laura. >> Hi, Joe. So, I am just going to bring this up because we're talking about like our plans for the year. It talked specifically about budget, but I'm not sure if you heard Laura give an update at the last meeting about the leasing of
townland for agriculture. >> Well, we talked about that, but yeah, as you know, I haven't been in the meeting for >> Yeah. >> but well, two or three meetings anyway. So Laura, I it it got kind of punted
over to the agricultural committee to look at um which Laura is also a member of. So Laura, do you mind just giving an update on what their recommendation was? Yeah, the the land that was listed um
that Paul had on that list did not seem like it would be doable for any type of agriculture because of either wetlands or just too wooded or in a spot that really didn't have access. So, um after
looking at maps, it just seemed like it none of that land was going to work out. Yeah, that that was my thought because mainly because it being wooded all you know really congested with woods and you
know the amount of money that it would cost to actually remove all of that is a lot and for any farmer to come in and absorb all of that >> it I I didn't think that it would work.
Now, if it was someone to raise cattle, it wouldn't take long, the cattle would take care of all that. I don't know if you feel the same way or not, but >> Yes, I agree. But I think whatever
whatever was wooded was going to be too wet, if I remember correctly, and it just wasn't or it just the access was going to be too hard in order to get cattle. And then you got to deal with water and all of that.
>> Yeah, it was a great idea. So, unfortunately, it just didn't work out. But thank you for following through on that, Laura. Um, so the question is with the one idea about a networking event,
um, are there other things that people would like to see us do this year? And it sounds like we would like to whether it's through that marketing video when it comes out or just as a general start pushing more towards
soliciting outside nonitan businesses to relocate here. Um I think we've done that kind of casually but not as a concerted effort. And so I think maybe that's one of the shifts that we want to try to make this year.
>> I don't know. I I don't want to >> I don't want to even talk you not talk about it. I'll talk about anything, but >> I I I'm not into to that and I haven't been participating >> into anything and that's
>> So if that's what we want to do though, I guess I would just recommend and I can say something to um the town administrator is I feel like we're as a committee we're a bit in a silo like we get together, we talk, we make plans, we do work with
other committees like when we ask the planning board to move forward with the bylaw changes for homebased and we asked the board of assessors to move forward with the bylaw changes for personal property tax exemptions but we're not really in communication on
a regular basis with what other boards are doing that might impact you know the track how attractive things are to businesses and if we're going to do that I think it just needs to be more organized I think we should be talking at least quarterly with
>> administrator or you know I mean I can raise that suggestion with him. I don't know why, you know, if you would object, but probably not. But I just want to ask, you know, >> I think if we could have all the board members attend a meeting and then invite the
town administrator to come in and see if if he has any ideas that he can bring forward to us that might actually I don't know give us some incentive or some something that we could go off of that
we haven't thought out. That's that's my view. >> So the only thing that that changes for us too is you had said we would help anybody who wants to come into town or is in town. We'll do whatever we can to help.
But if you're pivoting a little bit towards saying like we want to attract business in town, then there's probably part of what you're doing is focusing on those businesses that would
bring the best revenue to town >> or the or employees. Yeah, I know. So I mean you can say like we'd be happy to have anybody or do we want to be our goal is to increase you know the
commercial base meaning revenue base. >> Yes. And this so far in my view does not do any of that. Am I right? what we're doing today. >> Well, not today, but what even these
businesses that you say that came in, they're not bringing in any revenue into to the town. >> And almost every business in the past year that has come to town has been homebased. >> Yes. >> And they don't really That's great. They're not revenue generators for the
town for the most part. What what is the gaining if if they stay remain at that what is the time gained by it? >> It's just it's helping the businesses
that are here. I mean so it's an asset. It's we're advocating for those businesses simply because they're residents of the town and they have businesses. But as far as it bringing more >> revenue dollars to the town, then yeah, no, it's not doing anything on that
side. But is that what we should be focused on as opposed to just saying we're advocates for any business that's here? >> If they have intentions on growing the business, that could potentially
>> Oh, sure. Yeah. I mean, >> that's that'd be great. It's great to help those, but if they if they just remain where they're at, what's the advantage of us as board members to help them?
>> I just think just because they're residents of the town, they deserve support. I mean, period. I'm willing to help anybody. But but
>> there's a limit there, you know, that's I don't know. It's just >> Yeah, I guess it's a balance. I mean, you help anybody who's a business that is looking for assistance or has ideas or and at the same time, you know, you're trying to grow the revenue base.
And I think we've been like really heavily focused on assisting the businesses that are here in any way we can and advocating for them. And we just have to balance and say like, you know,
part of our goal is really also from a commercial side, how do we increase tax revenue for the town? You know, we want the taxpaying businesses to also be >> right
>> attracted and welcome >> to go from $15 uh a,000 to $27 a thous. That's the ones that we are after. >> Yeah. >> I don't know if either of you have
anything to add or ideas or Not really. Okay. No, >> no. I mean it's just >> Go ahead. Sorry. >> They they are gonna like they can be advocates for other businesses coming in saying, "Oh yeah, Dyton's a great place
to open a business >> and that hopefully that will bring in more business." But I and I hear on the meetings about, you know, the economic development and I'm like I'm feeling guilty. I'm like I don't even know how
to get another business into nor would I know where they could go. So that's a lot to put on a volunteer uh committee which Dan, you seem to be doing all the work. Thank you that
>> Yeah. Um, we can just do our best. I mean, and this is town that people who have paid town planners still struggle with like how do you attract people, you know? So,
but I just feel like it almost intentionally it wasn't our focus from the beginning. It was like local networking, local advocacy, shop local, advertise local businesses,
like re-entrench with what we've got. Just need to expand that a bit now. I think >> I think all we can do is work on it as hard as we can >> and hope >> that there is a business that will make it worthwhile
for us doing what we are doing. >> Yeah. >> So actually I should rephrase that for what you guys have been doing because I haven't done much >> or any at all. Um Paul unfortunately wasn't able to join
us tonight and one of the items on the agenda that I told him we would talk about um was and I am actually jumping out of order here was talking about setting the next meeting date a bit but Mondays are becoming very problematic for him just because of his schedule his
wife's schedule kids activities >> um since he's not here I don't want to change anything But are there other days of the week besides Mondays that work for people if we were to change that? And we can if Paul can join
us at the next meeting, maybe we can fix a new regular meeting date. But I just wanted to ask. >> I I don't have a problem with that. I It doesn't really matter to me what day of the week it's held. you know, Wednesdays
we are not really good because we have planning board, but uh this these meetings don't usually hold up that long. Even if we have to do an hour earlier or whatever, then you
know, we can just make sure the meeting doesn't go more than an hour and that's it. So, >> um what about Laura or Raphael? Are you open to other dates besides Mondays? >> Tuesday. >> Tuesday's the only I'm at Bristol Aggie
or Adcom on Tuesday nights. >> Okay. >> Is that held at a certain hour, a certain time of the month? >> We're still Aggies every two weeks. Um
2nd and 4th. Um, >> and that's at 5:30 and they sometimes they're an hour and a half, sometimes they're three hours depending on what's going on with school. Um, and adcom is
that's a second Tuesday at 7 o'clock. Okay, Raphael, any particular days not worked too well for you or >> Monday, Friday is fine except Tuesday. Well, the second Tuesday of every month
is my historical commission meeting. So, >> okay. >> Other than that, everything >> well, it sounds like Tuesdays are not good days between both you and Lord. Tuesdays are not great days. The only other consideration is that because this building gets used a lot as well as
prime time. If we do change it, we may not have a space and we may just decide that, you know, we're going to be a Zoom only meeting. We don't have a space. We can still conduct business via Zoom. That'll just be a forum. The meetings don't last
long. We very rarely have any I mean, it would be available to the public on Zoom. We very rarely have anybody join us in the public. So that wouldn't I don't think would be a huge problem, but we can think about like what would be a a better day and I'll ask Paul what he's
thinking and then we can bring it up at the next meeting hopefully. >> Sounds like a plan. >> Um I don't have any announcements. I don't know if Laura, do you have any announcements from CAP or any other organizations? Um, I know there's a lot going on with
Cap. I'm actually meeting with them in a couple days of creating a documentary on uh on all the local farms that they're supposed to interview me for. Um, to promote buying local, which we're
supposed to be doing as well. Um, but I can't think of anything. I I just don't this time of year I don't have time to even read my emails. Fair enough. Thank you. Um I don't have any correspondence. We have no public
input. Um I did not approve the meeting minutes. You will see some changes going forward in the meeting minutes only because I guess there was somebody sued the town of Somerset over over meeting laws because they said all those
committees that do meet that do minutes aren't including all the um attachments and material they review and they're not getting it out there timely enough and they're not listing fully, you know, who's attending. So the state said like
or the court I guess they took him to court said you know like you do have to not only just do a summary of what was discussed it has to be a meaningful summary you have to include any attachments that were reviewed have to
be included in the minutes. So minutes are going to get a little bit more robust I guess going forward just capture like the real meat of what was discussed as opposed to just the highlights. So, >> I think it's people that don't have anything to do and they just entertain
themselves with, you know, other people's business. That's that's sad. All right. But, um, so if we still right now, we're going to stick for the next meeting date as um the fourth Monday in
August, which would be date that is Fourth Monday in August would be August that's not right. 18 August 25th
at 6 p.m. Any other items that anybody wants to raise? No. Um >> I'm good. >> I have a motion for >> I'll make that motion. Have >> a second. >> Wait a minute. I got a question.
>> Sure. >> Of the new businesses that you sent uh note cards to to welcome them to Diane, did anybody sign up to be on the on uh the town website to promote their
business >> in the business listings? >> Okay. >> One of them did. Um the others did not. um with the AG services which does light hauling and trucking. Um they are actually listed both under uh light
hauling and also under uh construction contractors on the website. Um and they corresponded with me and we figured out what was the best place for them and they sent a little description of their company and um but they did
agree to to do that. Okay. Thank you. >> We do have a little a little trifold um that is near the town clerk's office so that as businesses sign up, it gives them all the information about the services we offer, that being one of
them. I don't know if the town clerk is actually like personally putting it in people's hands or not, but it's there. Um and um so hopefully people are getting the information and when I send the card it's part of the information that's included in the
card is you know would you like to be on our directory please contact us. So hopefully they're aware of it at least but yes we did get one. >> Okay thank you. So, we're actually up to I think 52 maybe companies that are listed out
there right now, which is pretty good. Um, so I Joe made a motion to adjurnn. Do I have a second? >> I second. >> All those in favor? I >> All right. Right. Thank you.
Bye, guys.