Okay, it is 6 pm on January Wednesday, January 21st and I'd like to call meeting of the Economic Development Commission. >> And uh we'll start going around the room and I'm Greg Dy.
>> My name is Julie. >> And uh >> Greg Shangerson, >> Serena Fuller. So, we've got a quorum here. Um, we do out of our five members, although we do, and I don't know if everybody got
uh Stephen's email. >> I saw the email. >> Somebody was just telling me that. So, I don't live in town. >> Well, I I immediately asked Diane about the rules and she said she didn't wasn't sure. So, it was must have been somebody else on the select board that she she
said that she thought it it would be okay. I asked her, "Is it the rule? You either own a business in town or you live in town?" She said, she didn't know the rule that you had to live in town. >> Well, obviously that you've been 20 plus
years. I mean, >> yeah, he he and I both lived in, >> right? Never lived in town. >> So, but that was the only reason. I mean, >> if he saw the email, he was >> I didn't see it because I I >> disappointed. Yeah, I like Stephen.
>> Oh, yeah. >> Where did he move to? >> Not that matters, but um >> I I asked him and I responded to his email and asked him, "By the way, if >> you don't mind, >> because he was on Potter Mill Road, I think, right?" >> Yeah. >> Wow. Oh, well, that's a big loss.
>> So, >> well, I mean, we need verification. >> Yeah, we do. Because I mean, I was appointed by Well, Russ asked me to be on the board. >> Yeah. Years ago. >> And I haven't heard back from Diane yet. I texted her immediately after I thought
>> man Trump has four Connecticut residents on there. So it's possible, >> wow, the world's >> and they don't have they don't also don't have businesses in town. Yeah. I don't know what I I hope that it
it was a mistaken bit of advice >> because he seemed to regret that we had to >> Stephen's great. >> Yeah. And we had had a lot of plans for Yes. things do >> had. Yes. >> Okay. Um
>> Well, that's a problem. I'm not happy with that. So before we get into our agenda, since we have a guest, I'd like to start with our guest. And I'll let Amanda, I'll let you introduce yourself. >> Thank you, Greg. Um my name is Amanda
Waterfield. I am the executive director at the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce, which does include Southwick along with the Hilltowns. Um we represent 10 communities. Um and we have members who are not part of any
of those 10 communities as well. Um, in fact, I just spoke today with the Better Business Bureau that's based out of Worcester. So, we're open to supporting uh organizations that it makes sense to support. Um, I had invited uh Nicole Parker to be
part of the chamber's annual legislative lunchon back in October. And so, we made a connection at that point and um decided that we would like to stay in touch and learn more about each other. and she and I ended up actually having lunch last week or the week before um to
kind of further the conversation. Um the chamber has about a dozen members who are in Southwick and I would like to have a lot more and I and I um she invited me to come to this meeting actually in December. I had a conflict.
So, I decided I would come see you tonight. And um I would very much like to kind of expand the relationship and the communication between our organization
um and what the various parts of the Southwick um government. Um, the Economic Development Commission is one of our chamber members and so I'm here to support you and that means um giving you opportunities to market the things
that this group is doing, that the city is doing. Um, any of the things that you need help with in terms of business growth in the community, um, I'm available for whatever that may look like.
>> Okay. Well, appreciate that. I I have over the last over the time I've been on the economic development, I've gone to the the chamber website a number of times and so I've noted which businesses are members there and uh you know we
our approach with the businesses is to develop a a directory and I don't know if you've ever gone to software directory. I was very impressed by that because I think that um it's kind of progressive of a of a government agency
to do that without um without really the involvement of a centralized business group whether that's a a bid or a um main street type of organization or a chamber of commerce. So I >> well was able to do it >> very inexpensively.
>> Correct. basically just a hosting charge once you $42 free software >> on WordPress and and a free add-on to WordPress and did the work myself. So it's anybody >> to do it
>> who's who's doing that piece of it right >> initially going developing a a survey that involved also asking to to give us permission to go on and the survey
included the questions we wanted to include what name of the business what's the physical address what is a for description of the goods or services you offer and and your hours and all the
email and and well not not email we asked for their email and said we wouldn't ever publish that that we'd only use it for communication to them and very infrequently if we did. Um and then we also asked about you know a
few attitudes toward the atmosphere of business in town and whatever to got to get and what priorities they would see for economic development and we got a pretty clear list of priorities which is kind of served as what our goals have been. You
know they wanted to see Southwick promoted as a recreational community. So we have pursued that. We've done this enjoy Southwick signage campaign with the QR code that takes them to not
only the shop Southwick section but also to the other recreational assets, the the golfing and the boating and the you know to the boat ramps and bike trails and hiking and all the others.
So that was a a priority based on what they said they wanted. And I wanted to do it as a pre-ervice so we didn't exclude everybody. I wanted to be 100% inclusive of any business that qualified to be in
it. >> Has that been something that you've um maintained or had to refresh over time? I mean, anytime a business closes, I try to pull it off right away. And it doesn't take a huge amount of maintenance, but I do track
>> the traffic >> and we've gone up to something like 13,000 page views and I think we're up to 22 or 2,300 unique users. >> Are you able to see whether you're
getting viewers from outside the um immediate region? Yeah, it does. Not exactly because it goes by. So, we'll get pounds and different ones, but you don't know for sure that it's it's
identifying them exactly correctly. And we're not we're not trying to reach out outside. Our main goal with this is to encourage people to shop shop locally and to be aware of all of the recreational assets, though. Also people
that come in in addition to these small ones that we hang in windows we have on six of our recreational kiosks the north and south boat ramp two places on the bike trail where we have big kiosk and
New England trail and grandboat boards we have a twoft by one foot tall hung off the kiosk with a med heavy metal bracket and a weatherproof sign showing both ways. so that people coming through all of those places and
just >> can stop >> immediately go to their the website and see well as long as I'm out here hiking or biking you know what else can I do in town >> I think that's fantastic I'm very impressed
>> so that's the type of things we're not you know I've thought a lot about well are we really doing the same type of a chamber would I find that we're not >> I would say parts of that are the
directory aspect of it is something that um the chamber maintains but the um the vacation and the recreation focus of of what you're doing is a little bit outside of our scope. um you're almost
delving into the um uh visitors bureau type of things, >> right? And we've talked about doing a printed map too as a destination map and that would be advertiser supported because it would obviously >> be a bit more expensive and using free
software and on our website >> it would be um but I think if if you're thinking of the sort of kind of touristy map that I'm used to seeing and >> I'm thinking of the same thing the hilltowns are doing with Jacob Lus
association that type of thing but they're they're obviously mult town and I would make it a just soft process. >> Um, yeah, I think you'd obviously have to weigh the cost of that production to the value of it to somebody who would
get their hands on it who hadn't didn't have any familiarity with this. The idea is you could reach people that you couldn't reach through necessarily a website that's people going through a a travel center or place that distributes
brochures and and you could do it fairly reason. I've got all the numbers from the the one the Hilltowns do and I know they they charge $95 per advertiser. >> I think that's very reasonable. >> Yeah.
>> I have a question. What is the chamber fee a member? >> So, it depends on the size of your business, but um our smallest um entry level membership for businesses that have up to three employees is $250 a year. >> Up to how many? 200
>> up to three employees. And then between four and 50 employees, it's um $400 a year. >> Do you still do like coffee hours, the mayor coffee hour practices? >> Yep. We have um
I did a count last year. I think we did in the neighborhood of 65 events >> over the course of the year. Yep. I was tired. >> Yes. Um we're doing our um monthly morning brew tomorrow morning. We usually hold that at Shaker Farms
Country Club. Um tomorrow, however, we're having it at the shortstop in Westfield. Okay. >> And that's an open networking hour. It's open to anybody. Um, you don't have to be a chamber member. Um, people come and spend an hour and introduce themselves
and give a little pitch or ask for something that they may need. >> Um, that I think is actually one of the most valuable things that we offer because it's I I have seen relationships bloom between companies because people
know who they're dealing with >> and it's been very effective. >> How many members do you have? We have uh 256 businesses >> as of today. >> How many active like attend the meetings or do you do you know off? It's kind of hard to say.
>> It is kind of hard to say. Um I would say we have a core of probably about I'm going to say about a hundred businesses that are that show up on a regular basis. I have a handful of folks who are at everything. Okay.
>> So, it's it's a it's a pretty involved >> 65 events. That's a lot. >> It is. I mean, some of those are ribbon cutings or they're um lunch and learn events that >> aren't a heavy lift for me and then others are, you know, >> the golf tournament which is
>> months of planning. Um, >> did you work with Kate Fielding? >> I did not. Okay. >> Um, I knew Kate. I had been working in a different industry when I first became aware of the Westfield Chamber. Um, so I know of her and she's she and I cross
paths occasionally because >> she's still involved with it. >> On the airport commission. >> Well, that's great. >> Yeah. >> And and what recommendations would you have for or opportunities would you identify for for more interaction? So,
one of the things that I um worked on last year and would really like to do more of is um really focusing on the small local businesses. Um, I don't know how closely
you follow social media in Westfield, but there's been a lot of um, conversation about downtown is dead and there's nothing to do. And >> and I I don't believe that. >> No, I don't either. >> I don't believe it at all. >> It's actually like the coffee shop in
Tribeca. I mean, I think it's going it's improved a great deal. So, um, I'm I'm trying to get my head around how to kind of build up public sentiment, um, to understand that
you might have to walk 50 yards from where you park your car. >> Um, and >> and they have that shell now, you know, where the downtown is great, have the tree there. >> Yep. Um, last holiday season I put together a shopping guide for people
strictly chamber members. Um, and I did include our Southwick members where it was appropriate to do so. I I feel like sometimes I'm shouting into the wind to remind people >> we have all of these wonderful resources here. And so
>> I'm I'm I'm hugely enthusiastic about this area. I didn't grow up here. So I have the spirit of a convert and I just think there is so much here. So I am working on um building up not just the
businesses but I think the community as a whole. And one of the things that we need to do to help kind of spread the word about how wonderful Western Mass is is to get outside of our own communities. So what you're proposing
with the map I think is fantastic because you're not going to distribute those around town necessarily. You're going to put them out at the turn is >> that is is to get visitors to come in from outside and just you're talking about it. We've both got that same
challenge and I would see that as a potential place maybe a combined destination for Westfield Southwick. Yeah, I I completely agree. I mean, >> you're connected by a bike trail. >> Yeah, we have the airport, you have the
lake. Um there are just endless >> number of things to do. >> That would be a a larger economic base to to launch a a bigger and better map and distribute it more widely >> potentially. Yes. and would justify you
I was one of the challenges I was struggling with is how far can we go in distribution when I look at the brochure distribution companies there's a cluster around the birkures
which is you know for just southwick is a little bit of a challenge to get people to come from there to here >> yeah I don't mean I don't see that >> there's a a cluster further south into Connecticut and then a cluster that goes more to the east but with a combination
of plus we don't have any overnight other than campgrounds. >> Yeah. Do you have any in the hilltowns like Russell in Huntington that are involved members? >> Yes. Um we have Russell, Huntington, Montgomery, um Chester.
>> Nice. >> Blandford, but a lot of those communities don't have any real business. No, they don't. >> Um, you know, in Huntington, there are a handful of businesses, but many of them haven't joined the chamber, and I've
spent some time in those communities to pound the pavement a little bit. And they're I don't I've been unsuccessful in um selling the need for chamber membership. And I think for a lot of those businesses, what they've been doing is
working from them. And so, they don't really need to to do anything different. And I, you know, I have to respect that. But someday I will come across somebody who wants to expand a little bit beyond and and hopefully they'll join us and tap into the the networking and the
>> resources that we we do offer. But um your point about the overnight, it's a sore point because >> it's it's limited in in Westfield County. >> We have, you know, we have the the Hampton out by the by the turnpike which
is very nice but >> that's what I think of when I but I I've not thought about it from that >> we wanted one here's a >> mine >> I um to me the the um we don't get a ton of
visitors in with the university but we have folks >> Oh you got a lot of businesses and hospital and >> we have come folks coming to to do business travel >> to visit the university to visit the hospital. We've got um you know some
pretty major businesses in Westfield >> and >> they all go to a Springfield or Springfield to stay overnight. So there's a missed opportunity. >> Well I think Hampton is always um fully I think they have you know vacancy problem or they're always full aren't they?
>> Um I don't know if they're always full but I think the bigger problem is that there's nothing there. So, if you're staying there, you have to get in your car to go down into >> spot. That's not a problem I'm going to solve today, though. Um, but it is
anyway, >> but getting people I was focusing on day trips was was what I was thinking of. So, I was thinking target people that are >> are a day away and uh they can just come out because
it's a day trip from Austin even. >> Yeah. And I think you know if you think of it in the reverse of going >> to the Birkers or going to Tangle Wood for the day. >> Yeah. >> We have a a pretty >> wide Yeah. scope. >> Years ago they tried doing a boutique
hotel right downtown. My neighbor Mr. Reed who owned Mezzek and a few other businesses really tried hard to do that like where the Tribeca the Lancer is. And it just kind of there was a lot of politics involved and it just didn't happen. But he really wanted it. He's a
good friend of my dad's. He was um a neighbor of mine. But that would have been nice. Or even where um Westwood is. >> I thought that would have been a fabulous hotel where where the office building is. I thought that would have been great. >> Walkable. >> Yeah. I mean, you got it right there.
How many floors up? And >> and you're right near the river. You're right for the bike. >> Yeah. Yeah. I also didn't grow up in this area. I grew up in the Midwest, but I've lived in the area for 27 years. And uh I've watched Westfield just get
better and better in terms of walkability and and effectiveness and safety and you know I've been envious of I wish we could do some of the things you've done >> here and that's >> but the size is >> 44,000 versus
>> right but I'm >> yeah your your centered area your business areas is a very nice town. >> It used to be the place to be. When I was growing up, everyone went to downtown Westville shopping. The stores
were amazing. It was like how Northampton used to be when it was really busy. I mean, it was I mean it really they had the Strand. They had two movie theaters, um women's stores, Antwanets, Bernardet, there was Eaton's men's store. I mean, um Fines, it it was
amazing. But just like the malls, you know, crushed everything and the and the downtowns just died >> and now the malls are being crushed. >> Yeah. Well, they're being repurposed now. >> Yeah. >> So, the direction I would think of is my
career is in marketing. I'm a little iron, but I think in terms of maybe a co-op advertising effort for, you know, town center type businesses and the destination map is one example
of a co-op advertising effort, but something else where the businesses would participate in in an event. I know you had a restaurant week and whatever. I didn't see any coffa advertising associated with it. But that's where,
you know, the businesses could participate in in an event with a a special mailer or somehow distributed brochure that that would
>> be more affordable because, you know, you have dozens of of advertisers >> participating on it. at this point. >> Um the challenge that I it's not really a challenge but for sort of the limitation for me is um I work for the
chamber members. So if I'm >> I'm trying to draw in everybody to the chamber so that I can support everybody. But I I have to kind of walk the line of working members and not giving benefits to non-members. Well, they they would pay for a co-op
>> and there would be there could be a special price if you're a chamber member. You get a discount on on the co-op advertising. >> Um, a flaw. I know what you mean. Um I think that um
I think the point I was trying to make earlier was that uh we are all now doing battle against the Amazon of the world in terms of the retail piece of it and retail is you know one small component of >> the businesses that comprise the chamber
>> but it seems to be the thing that that the residents are most focused on because it affects quality of Right. >> Right. And and there is I think small local walkable business are best
position to compete against the Amazon experience because they can't Amazon can't duplicate that experience. >> No. Um, and I think the I don't know who's behind the whole shop local concept, but
they've done a very good job in making it clear that shopping locally has an impact on your communities. Another thing that I wanted to mention was that um, Westfield last well 2024 became um, part of the Mass Cultural Commission.
>> Yes. And so there actually is a cultural map um circulating that shows every all of the attractions, businesses, and organizations within that geographical area of Westfield. So
>> does it take advertising? >> It I no because it's already funded by the state cultural commission. >> So there's no specific promotion of those businesses. Just showing that they're there. >> Correct. Right. Which is different than what I would picture destination.
>> Yeah. Um it's fairly new. I have seen it in circulation only I'm going to say probably in the past month, >> right? >> Um it's shown up on social media quite a bit and immediately um there was a lot of squawking about what wasn't on it.
Not >> not what is on it. >> That's always half empty, not half full. >> Exactly. Um >> is this museums and stuff getting involved in this? So like participating in Millia Park or the children's museum, that kind of >> Yes. So the Westfield Cultural
Commission um is a geographical area within the town that runs basically from sort of where the post office is up to Franklin Street and then a block or two on either side of Elm Street and
Main Street. And it in there we have two arts organizations in Westfield. Wow. >> Yeah, I was just say wow. That's the wow territory. >> Bob and >> yeah, Boblass and um >> Bob Plass. >> And then the Westville Athanam is part
of it. The Westville women's club. There are maybe only about eight or 10 organizations that are actually part of the cultural commission, but the map included all of the businesses >> um that were part of it. >> Um so that is something that exists.
It's but it's different from what you're talking about, Greg. >> Okay. So, we're we're gonna have to move on, but what would be the best way to follow up with >> I think we should um >> I think we should plan a conversation outside of this meeting where we just
kind of >> sketch out what your high vision view is and what it would take um on my part and on the part of this body to >> let me know forward. You know, I'm, as I said, I'm retired. I've got a fairly
flexible schedule. If there's a time that works well for you, I'd be glad to come down to field. >> That would be wonderful. >> And benefits of membership was what we would want to know too for our community. The benefits, >> it's usually >> although we're we're talking about things outside of >> Right. But I'm just saying because I
remember when we we had to start stop our South Association of Merchants and everything. That's when we probably when I met you >> and um we were trying to get people to burge over or to join but it was kind of hard. It was a hard cell and then there was something that fell apart and went
to Springfield. Um there was some something that happened there but it was hard to tell people in South that you know really these are the benefits is why you would want to join the chamber when our association had to close. >> And part of it is our our small businesses our restaurants are so busy.
>> Yeah. and they they don't have time to do that. >> They're not they don't have kind of the leisure time to whine and dine and breakfast and >> well that's then that's not a problem. That's that's a wonderful thing and I'm I'm glad to hear that that they're in in
that much health um because I think that's not always the case certainly with the small local businesses. But yes, I mean I'm happy to espouse the the reasons that people join that businesses join that why they renew and why they stay with us.
>> Um >> are there insurance any any insurance benefits or >> there are not we don't offer any kind of benefits. Um that used to be the role of the chamber. >> Yeah. often times. Um but what happens now is we either direct um those
inquiries to a member or in the case of health insurance um to the health connector through the through the municipality through the Commonwealth rather. Um >> okay, >> get your email. I >> I've got two questions. So when you talk about
>> you have plans for and Russell and so forth, what do you mean when you say that? Uh >> what does that mean? >> That they are part of yes >> our group that if you own a business in Russell and you would like to get more
publicity if you want to learn more about running a business if you're looking for resources Westfield is the chamber of commerce of record for >> resist area. Yes. Okay. >> But that doesn't mean that you can't
join the Springfield or the Northampton or any other chamber. But um when the Westfield Chamber incorporated in 1959, it did include those communities as part of the organization. >> And then we briefly touched on benefits.
I mean, you know, other than the networking aspect, what would you >> um one of the things that I do on occasion is have conversations like this with um city council or the mayor's office. And so sometimes um a member
will come to me with an issue that they they need some support with or some help with and I will act as an advocate on their behalf. Um we have one member who um requires a um
>> a seal of I think it's it's not a bill of lading. There's a special certificate that I provide to them because they are shipping merchandise overseas. So quirky little sort of >> mechanisms that it's sort of like having a notary right
>> work on your paperwork. Um >> and then >> we don't have any actual like health benefits or insurance benefits or anything like that. >> They used to though. >> Yes. >> Yes. because that that was a strong point and I was trying to tell people >> that's
>> um nowadays there is an element of trust that comes thank you with um chamber membership um it's not quite the same as a >> better business bureau rating >> I think I brought enough for everyone
but it's that same sort of a um yeah a reflection >> well it's yeah it's got a great reputation chamber sounds I brought the right number. >> Amanda, very nice photograph. >> Thank you. My uh boyfriend/partner took that. He's
>> semi-professional. >> Good hair day. So, you know, you got to get on. Um >> All right. Well, I appreciate the opportunity to be with you all. This has been great. And like I said, this this body is a member of the Westfield
Greater Westfield Chamber. And so, um, anything that you may >> have, um, a need for that I may be able to support you with, let's explore it. But let's do and I start with a >> there's a business that would fit well with us and our infrastructure, send
them here. >> Fair enough. >> We have many of those. And any of you who are available tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock who would like to come to our >> at the coffee hour at the short stop, please. plan on going skiing tomorrow, but I may stop there before I go.
>> Come by, warm up, have a little fuel, and then uh >> won't be quite as cold tomorrow. >> No, it's going to be in the 40s. That's why I'm going. >> It is. >> I heard it's going to be 40. I saw that on TV. >> And then the weekend >> then we're going to get like 14 inches of snow. Heavens. >> All right. >> Thank you all. It was a pleasure meeting
you all. >> Sure. >> Okay. We'll turn to our other guest. >> Yeah. 537. What do you have to share with us today? >> Well, I was I'm making a stop with all
my liaison groups just to make sure they're on track to medical for the end of June. And this organization is by far ahead of everybody else. >> Okay. So,
>> but I >> I did want to review packages. >> Yeah. And I wanted to review make sure we're on common ground. >> Um, >> you don't think? >> No, because it says my network is is
limited to >> first page is what you signed up for for year one and year two. >> Yep. >> Year one is due June 30th. Okay.
The second page is the list of all of your lead roles, which the first two are the two that you're on the hook for for this year. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> And I was going to highlight the need to
include your supporting parties. You already have that on your agenda. Wasn't surprised to see that. >> Well, you brought up that >> what I I wanted clarification. I'm glad you're here. What interaction do we need to have with our supporting parties on
these goals? >> It it'll vary. Uh for instance, with the open space committee that conservation commission was on the hook for to organized, okay, that had three or four support groups.
Conservation didn't believe they needed the support in order to get the get the committee organized. Okay. But what we did was we shared the list of tasks that were going to go to
the open space committee. We shared that with each of the support groups and said, "Please discuss this. If you have any concerns, let us know. And oh, by the way, if I don't hear from you by such and such a date, we're going to
assume that you're on board." >> Okay? So it could be as simple as sending an an email to each of the supporting parties saying here is what we are planning to have accomplished, >> right? >> Do you have any input or comment or
whatever. On other cases, it's more if it's a more complex lead item that the support groups may have a lot of interest in giving you direction or assistance in accomplishing the task.
You might want to involve them earlier in the process. Yeah. And I'll >> I will do that early to all of them anyway. >> Yeah. give them a chance because I would think like one of them is a website and you know so agricultural commission or
one of the others says well we should be mentioned here and there should be a link to us here and whatever we'll do it you know but we got basically five months left for year one ends June 30th
and you got to remember that your support groups may only meet once a month at best. Yep. >> So, you want to you want to get their input as soon as possible and then allow enough time for me to review your your case to make sure you're green for the
endogeny. So, we should submit our final description or >> right, you know, the the the last item in this package is
>> auto. Oh, okay. >> Claim an action item completion. All right, we'll do that. >> Save the best for last. >> I always wanted to make sure that you had that and and we'll, >> you know, I don't like to wait till I know. >> That's great.
>> I'll try to get those. Sorry. >> Who's who um chooses the supporting parties for an item? Is that >> good question? >> No. Empac was master plan advisory committee that developed the master plan along with their consultant pioneer valley planning.
>> Okay. developed the who the support parties would be. We had some serious debates on some of them and others none >> that that organization put it in. We haven't changed anything of the support parties unless the request has come in. So it's there from the beginning.
>> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Gotcha. >> Okay. And then the next to last item is just your prioritization that you guys prioritized some time ago. Oh, good. >> Yeah. And and that's a guide to what we
are doing doing first. And we have it as you as you see on the agenda, we have, you know, each of the we have the two that we said we'd complete plus a third one that we wanted to make progress on. So, we had a head start into the
>> into the next year. So, I'm here to help you get get your lean. any roadblocks you have, you need assistance, get in touch with me and I'll >> Sounds good. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, I appreciate your clarification.
Sorry for all the back and forth. We had a discussion about because one of the the proposals is that we take on the social committee at least in terms of getting it set up. And I was concerned we don't
>> have the man power, the woman power to yeah >> to actually do any of their work. But you clarified that that really doesn't come out of this committee. It just becomes a whole separate >> right self-standing committee >> and they'll they'll pick up the action
items. >> So you don't have to worry about those. The only thing I additional that I'd recommend is you'd have to send something to the select board to ask them to >> they they're the have to format. >> Yes. Yeah. >> And so you got you got to justify it
that letter why why it's needed and it would be a a permanent committee not ad. And I also if you've got any ideas on possible membership names of people that might be interested >> anybody
>> membership >> doesn't have to be social committee >> doesn't have to >> you know it shouldn't be it could be but it doesn't have to be from your organization it's just that we have a lot of committees in town that can't as you know >> we're starting
>> too many committees not enough Indians >> now the good news is one of the six action items that the select board has signed up or to do for the June 30th is to come up with a promotion campaign to fill the vacant seats on all the subcommitt all the committees.
>> Well, they're they're doing this newsletter now, isn't >> going to do a newsletter and are they going to get everybody in town to be on it? >> Yeah, >> that'll be a vehicle to >> That's one of the action items that she has.
>> So, yeah. So that's all I wanted to say. Okay. I'll be your support for anything I can do. >> All right. We'll send you stuff as soon as we can pull it together. >> Okay. Great. Hey, thanks for stop working with this organization.
>> Thank you. Likewise. >> Thank you. Okay. All right. Now we'll jump into our >> Oh, I'm sorry. The planning board did last night approve those additions and subtractions that were requested. >> Okay. Great. >> Yes. I'll just I'll shoot you an email
tomorrow. >> Super. Excellent. >> All right. >> All right. >> Yep. >> Very good. Have a good meeting. I'm going to go upstairs. I'll stay in PC. And >> thank you. >> And I I think we can move pretty quickly for the rest of the agenda.
>> Thank you very much. >> Okay. Let's do a quick vote to approve the minutes from our December meeting. Everybody received it. >> Uh I'll make a motion that that we approve it. We have a second. >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. I. It's approved.
>> Okay. Uh big question we've got to resolve quickly is the 2027 budget. It's due by the end of this month. Um, the one issue that I've heard that would be significant or that I I
identify as as perhaps requiring an increase would be taking on the social media piece of our master plan goal. We've got the website, but it also includes social media. None of us have
the time to create content and monitor whatever. But >> but Serena has identified someone she has used and I I you gave me the >> I'll pass it back to you
>> little dog social media and I looked their website up and they have like 30 >> uh very young. They're called groovers. >> Uh, you know, mostly women that that do it and all fairly young and look like
people that would be expert in social media. They're not local, but >> they're out of Cumberland, Maryland, but they've come up here and taking pictures because they do my postings every month and they send me um once a month what I like about, you know, they post
something every day or if I like it, I don't like it. They track it. um they they come up with the content. I mean, it's great. >> And what I would picture is a weekly post. >> Yeah, me too. We don't need a daily one. >> And I would I've been thinking about it.
I would brand it as Enjoy Southwood. >> Yeah. >> Make that the brand. And wherever you put that logo, you would make it a live link to go to the site we already have. And then the the weekly posts would, you
know, it might highlight recreation, it might highlight restaurants or local shops or >> and it's great because once they get to know you, then they can know what you kind of want to do and they'll develop that for you, which is great. I haven't actually had the time to really talk to
them a lot because they do a lot of insurance agencies and how my company Mr. found them was at a they went to a convention in Boston. So now they have quite a following of insurance agencies and so they specialize but they do other things. So you know that that's what's
nice about them and I think it's relatively inexpensive. I told you what I'm paying, >> right? And what do you think for a weekly post? I would say, cuz mine's monthly, I would say it would might be it's $119 a month. I would say probably $80 maybe.
>> Okay. So, $80 a month would be under a,000. >> Yeah. >> Just under a,000, >> which I would say I have gotten a lot of um Well, here's the thing. In in today's world, you can't be without social media. I never had a Facebook account myself, but in the competitive business
that I am in and everyone else, you need you need a real estate. You you need a presence >> and to put it in in >> they are phenomenal. >> Is it only Facebook? Sorry to interrupt. >> No, they do Instagram. >> They do Instagram and Facebook. >> So that was both. And the great thing
about it is social media for this kind of local advertising is by far a bargain compared to any other media and print and newspaper advertising. >> That's all far more expensive to get that kind of reach
>> and they can target. Yes. >> So it it's really good target. >> They came up here, they took photographs of the town. Um and it's pretty much I mean with insurance it's kind of different you know life insurance umbrella insurance but um so they would
do anything because this is what they're creative people this is their big staff >> they're like a big yeah some they'd have somebody on there that would yeah would take to this >> and they probably have I'm sure they have other towns or maybe EDCs that do this that >> that um >> support them and vice versa
>> and I would you know it's it's a small enough expense I don't think we need to do a major search of alternative >> and for my insurance company to endorse them. Montre is like the biggest insurer in Massachusetts. That says a lot. >> Um >> and
>> and I don't want to go out there saying I'm promoting this. I don't want it to be the conflict of interest. I'm just saying they've been very good >> for my business in the last 10 years. I think I've used >> the alternative. I'm sure we could find people locally, but not with the depth of staff that we
>> we really rather than somebody doing it part-time on the side, somebody who's >> really focused on social media would be better than finding somebody who's doing it as a side hobby. And I I think >> yeah, this is their everyday job. >> It's a very good price.
>> It is. >> Um >> but again, they have a lot of insurance agencies. Maybe that's why the price is so low. But but again, if if we're doing it weekly, I can't see it being a lot of money. And what's nice about they track it. That's the biggest thing. And they're not going to they're not going
to lose it. Oh, I went for coffee and I didn't get back to you. >> You know, for a company like that, they're going to do a whole batch at once. So, they're not they're not necessarily even working every week. They're they'll >> spend a day and do maybe several months worth.
>> Yeah. Um, no, >> but they also monitor and that's >> that's the key. >> The tell you how many hits you get a month and a week. >> I can track how many come through our website, but they'll plus monitor comments. That's correct. Appropriate
>> and that's something that >> you know it takes they can do it. >> They take the Google listings and everything. they're doing a whole bunch of different clients whereas somebody just focused on us that would get expensive if they're >> Yes, it would, >> you know, doing it just for us. So, I
think we need a company like this rather than some individual doing it. Um, so the the amount we've got in our regular budget, we had 1,900 at the start of the year. We have 1665
still in the account uh through through June >> and that's not including the gift account, right? No. >> And then the gift account has another 1483. So >> got about $3,000. >> What other needs? And this is the only
really specific significant account other than promotion for if we do South African Bloom. Oh, they have some expenses, but not as >> well. We mentioned if we do the trade shows or something like that, we'll need money for that for um you know,
advertising, for um signage, that kind of thing. >> And this is it's hard to think ahead, but we have to decide by the for >> fiscal right 2027. >> But they're going to ask us that because I've been to those meetings with Joe
Dee. They'll ask you that. Yeah. And we may not have to do it that way. Nicole's trying to >> Yeah, she's >> if we come up with a an agreement here of what to target, what to ask for. I'll just go and meet with Nicole or anybody
that wants to come along and we'll start with that and then then she'll decide from there where whether we need to go in on a Saturday. >> Well, you can say this and miscellaneous, which would include the dot dot dot dot, you know. >> Yeah. You never know. Yeah. say roughly
a thousand for this. >> Uh we'll we'll have a little bit of expense for website hosting. Uh that we we have that's not not much. >> Maybe a few hundred for uh South African
Bloom if we do that. >> We should we should have more than that. I mean we we didn't >> Yeah, >> we we held >> How much do you think we should spend? We should budget for South Nent. >> Yeah, it would be nice. Yeah. We didn't Yeah. We gave everyone a drive. >> Give Give me a number.
>> Like, you get a car. I get a car. It's a little hard to say right now, right? >> We have no choice. We've got to We got to decide. >> Well, I know. Um, >> last time I went with Michael, we asked for $5,000. It didn't happen. I maybe
>> What do we get? What do we get now? >> We We We get 1,900 if we go level. >> And what do we have left now? >> And we have We have 1665 in one account. And then uh 1483 about >> the 14 doesn't matter though that's
>> right >> that that is won't expire >> it won't right >> the 1483 >> so what what are we going to do with the balance of what we have right now >> uh we don't have any specific plans other than south and blue >> will we keep it or is it going to go away
>> the the 1665 will go away >> so we need we need to spend it >> we could spend it on something like this Yeah. >> So that's what we have this year. But what what the we're deciding on is what
we have per fiscal 2027. >> Is there a breakdown of the 1900? Like does it break down like with supplies or >> we we just put it mostly in the supplies website. >> Okay. >> Just supplies website. That's I I don't
know that it matters. >> Okay. in this because we don't have significant breakdowns like labor and >> Elvin what do you think I know you're new to this but what what would you say you've been here a few times a few meetings >> and you are the economic development
what do you plan to start from the tip >> um I mean if there's any local conferences I mean we went to the developers conference that happened to be free but if there's any other local conferences that give us information uh >> how much do those cost roughly >> I don't know
>> you don't It's a per person. >> I don't I don't anticipate, >> you know, those I'd want to not say, well, we might want to do this. I'd want to identify them and say, here's what it would cost and here's what we want to budget for and here's why we want to go.
>> Yeah. >> I having the the free one, I assume they're going to do it again. >> I can't imagine a conference better than than that for what we're doing. >> So, >> how long is Tucker here for? I'm confused about what whether they're
are they totally closed. >> I think they're doing they're doing catering because they cater the Lions um at the American Legion >> and I've been to their website and they still have >> they put a for sale sign right out now Birkshire Hathway >> right up by the street.
>> I'll have to change that in. So anyway, I was just thinking about them. I mean the only >> but Rome was open. >> The only thing that we know is that food gets people there. So we're going to have a decent turnout. you know, if we want to do a I don't want to say a business fair, but uh just if we just have a
>> Well, the one we identified is is to do the one featuring people like mass development and and other things for businesses. Um, >> as far as food though,
>> but I'm saying the the what kind of >> event >> event that's the one called for in in the strategic plan. >> I know, but we're >> I know. And this is the 250th this year, but I know next year is not the 250th,
but we wanted to do something. We talked about that with Diane Gail about having something at the congregational church in the parking lot or something like that. I mean, I don't know. Not that we'd have to rent and have a big expense for our commission, right? >> You know, if we went there, I think they
would um let us use it. >> Rome is still open. >> Rome is open. I went there today. >> It's very nice in there. >> And they have a banquet. It's very nice. It's tile. It's black and white. They got the plantation shutters. The food's phenomenal. They have an open like bar area and they have a wall there. Then
they have the dining, but they have the back um room, too. I didn't go in the back. easily spend on depending on how many we have come what $1,500 on something like that for our derves and all right >> I would say so yeah >> are we going to
be able to put something together this summer for that type of thing I don't know that we have the resources to do it >> and we're trying to do south >> we have to charge the people >> well I'm the resources by by that I mean power
>> the the time and >> I mean we're we're already committed to doing Southwick and Bloom. I don't want to short change that. >> Uh would it be better to think of this, you know, to put put a plan together
before we actually budget for it? We haven't >> Well, I don't know. If they're not going to give us the money, there's no sense of wasting our time putting a plan together because we have what, two weeks, a week to get there. >> I think that they they would want a plan before they give us the money.
They would say, "Well, if we're gonna give you the money, we want to see what you're going to do. >> We can we can have a rough plan, but >> yeah, we can't." So, >> in two weeks. >> Well, okay. So, I guess we need to know the number. What are we going to ask for from them? How much money? >> That's what we're talking about right now.
>> Yeah. So, so can't we just ask for that and say it's going to be maybe this, that, and the other thing? Do they have to I mean, we can't we don't have to give them definitive dates and times and places. I don't think we have to do that. I've been to a couple we can't do that. I mean, we just can't make
>> Well, I think we we'd have to outline the plan in in a certain amount of detail. Not committing to a place and time, but to say here's how many roughly how many people we would we would be aiming to get, what the benefit would be
to the town. That >> see I don't remember Michael doing that in front of the finance committee. I don't remember him doing that. I I I want I want to frame everything in terms of a measurable benefit. How are we going to in what way would this
benefit the businesses or the town residents? I >> we want to buy a lot of popcorn >> cotton candy. Yeah, >> I mean we had our action items and I like three or four of those or five of those >> pertain to getting a you know a business
incubator a small forum. >> That's correct. I have that too >> that is called hold hold a small annual small business forum now that is one of our goals. Yeah. >> And the goal is is to formulate the
plan. That's not one of the, as we were talking, Norm, it's not one of the ones we've committed to get done this fiscal year. Um, but that's one that we wanted to to put together a plan so that we could possibly do it in the next f
fiscal year. >> Yeah. And that the idea of that is to to get as many businesses or prospective businesses connected to the various
uh groups like you know we've we've had talked to us over the time >> and there's I have a check mark here printed brochure of local business >> that was what we were talking about with Amanda. Okay.
>> Advertising opportunity and I'll follow up with her to to see if that's that's something we can work together on. >> So weren't >> I I thought that our second priority was having to do with a get together for
small businesses. >> Yes, that's that's our >> annual small business forum. >> Right. That's our third on here. We our first was the database business owners was the website social media >> the third we don't have to complete we
only committed to complete two but I wanted to get started on the third get a head start for for next >> well I think exactly what you have to tell them and we want this amount of money I don't think we have to get real definitive do we have do we have enough
in our existing $1900 what do you propose we do give me a 4,500. >> Yeah, I was I was going to say I was going to say 4,000. >> Yeah, I was thinking about >> 4,000. >> That's more than double, don't we?
>> Yeah, currently have. >> But look at everything's gone up. Cost of everything. >> It is. But they need to decide whether or not they want us to do things or not. >> Yeah, exactly right. >> You know, we can't do things. >> We can't be strangled. >> We did, you know, we donated for the uh Bloom thing, you know. Yeah, we can keep
on doing that, but the town needs to get some skin in the game. >> Yeah, they certainly do. I don't want I don't want the burden of the cost of Paul and us for South and >> No, but so they have to give us covered for that >> validity quite honestly. We need we need the money to function. >> Yeah.
>> To even Here's the word um to give us optimism, you know. I mean, we have to >> motivate us. >> Motivate. That's the word. Thank you, Julie. It's late in the day. Um we need motivation. >> How much do some of the others like historical and so forth? I wonder. Oh,
>> I'm not sure. I can only speak to planning board and planning board gets uh 2250. >> That's it. >> That's it. >> Are you serious? We just went up on the taxes in town.
>> Residential quite a bit. >> I don't know if that'll get >> Well, my taxes went up. >> Well, that's from the rebalance. >> No, I know. I know. But >> Well, they get 2250. >> Yeah, I did ask. the planning board do that
>> 3500 >> 3500 >> it doesn't hurt to ask more if they >> yeah because don't agree >> shoot higher yeah >> it's like putting a bid in >> I will >> you know and it's not just me deciding so I'll bring >> your experience you've been in this a
lot longer than I have I will >> raise I'll sit down first have a conference with Nicole >> before I go before to ask and and kind of get her opinion on what's realistic >> and just get >> So how this goes not to interrupt you
but so say we ask for a number and they say no. So then what happens? Do we come back with another number? Are they going to say are they going to say no you're not going to get anything or they do you know how the process is going to work? >> It's a question I think between we're we're guaranteed at least level funding.
>> Okay. >> I don't think they're looking to cut us down. >> All right. The question is if we want to go up, how much are they willing to go up? And it's a a balancing act. They're they're dealing with a whole lot of things that they're
>> they've got a vote to go up on paying a higher share of >> Oh, they was on the Yes. Yeah. >> That's going to >> Yeah. >> you know, make things tighter. >> So, I will I'll just take the input from everybody. I I appreciate your your bow
and I I respect that. >> Well, it's just kind of an odd situation cuz it's like zero money for when you're thinking about a whole year. That's nothing. >> Yeah. >> I mean, really. I mean, to buy groceries for a whole year, what does that You know what I'm saying, >> right? >> I mean, I know it's a small town. I know.
>> And we also have have goals that we can things we can do without spending money. Like we did the business directory, spending almost nothing. and some of the other things we have as we go through Google. We're not really spending money.
Uh and I I wondered if there's time to to talk about our our mission vision statement. Can anybody say our mission off the top of their head? >> I've got one that goes this far this long because we we did that how many times?
>> Mission is catalyst for >> No, you can. I can. >> I No, I can't say. >> I got Mark settled in on one. >> Yeah, we did. Right. I'd like to revisit and something that we can remember and say >> something a little bit shorter than >> I've got a a propo well since we're
talking >> promoting local business and growth of the community something like that I mean >> well so I I think when you what we're talking Nicole our big thing is >> um we're trying to engage as many businesses as we can and we really need
an event to be able to do that >> right >> we haven't planned that event if the money's unavailable We're not going to plan out event, but we might be doing something a year from now in the spring or something like that. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> Okay. I will take that message
>> because we need visibility. I mean, if we're going to be doing any >> add your 25 cents. >> Yeah. So um we can use like the breakdown the you know all the expenses from last year of South and Bloom and
just that amount is you know as large it is >> and this is not like it's not a whole amount in there because lots of you know gifts were donated. >> That's right. >> So it's not included. >> So and if we want to do bigger and better >> what give me a number just for South.
>> Well you had receipt receipts. I don't remember how much we spent. >> I can I can >> Well, I know we have the signs. I have the signs in my car. >> Not a logo. Yeah. Like, but if we want to move bigger and better, >> right, >> we spent the money.
>> We spent >> $230 after June 30th >> on those on those signs. >> That was for Southwest >> and that was only 25. I I'm sure there's going to be more participants this year.
And we cannot go like I said bigger and better if we don't have any funds. And >> so so what what's the number that >> a thousand? See a,000 for that 15 for our event and another thousand for this >> social media. >> Yeah. >> 35 >> minimum.
>> Minimum >> or we can't >> I would go for four. Yeah. Try four. >> All right. I I will pass that on and I I'll say, >> you know, we could do a a bigger Southwick and Bloom if we could go up closer to a thousand. We
>> want to do a thousand for the >> social media >> for social media. >> And if we want to start getting people together for events called for in our master plan, we need another 1500 for that. >> Perfect. One, two, three. Down.
>> One, two, three. Okay, that gives me a good >> That's great. >> All right. >> Because we we have found that, you know, again, we can have businesses donate for an event, but it's just not like having a Tuckers or A Romas, you know, having the air there and people come for that.
We've just proven that hand. >> Yeah. >> And, you know, right now we've got we've already committed to doing the social media as one of our goals. And we do have money in the budget where
we could start it. I and I don't know if we particularly need to do a a vote on it, but why not? But let's >> I'd like to move that we proceed with engaging the the little >> the little dog
>> the little dog social media group. have Serena follow up with them >> and get a quote on what it would cost >> weekly. I mean >> to do a weekly post as well as the monitoring of the >> So what what does that really mean that
to do a weekly post? What what would that look like? Just >> Well, see, I'm not a Facebook user. Yeah. What it would mean is we could put out there whatever we want to put out there. It'd be a a promotional ad, so to speak, that would appear in
the feed of residents, targeted paid targeted ad, and it would promote, they would propose a variety of things. We would say, "We want to promote our restaurants in rotation. We want to promote our recreational assets." And >> yeah, we used to feature a business that
had every month, >> you know, different kinds of >> Yeah. I'm sorry, the question. Will they be able to promote also sufficient bloom? So I don't bloomote anything. >> They could even promote their vacancies on economic development.
>> Just think of just think of them as an ad agency. That's what they are. Anything that we will >> they're an advertising agency. Yes. >> It's it would drive traffic, >> you know, it wouldn't have to say everything on that post. it it would have a link to our website where we
would you know like for South and Bloom you know >> so you say residents I mean I don't get anything being a Westfield resident I don't get anything from Westfield or anybody else just because I'm west I don't understand >> no this is for Facebook Instagram users
>> people that go on Facebook and have >> have accounts on Facebook it shows up when they go in to look at right at, >> you know, they ask me things like, "Are you going to be closing early for this holiday? Are you going to be doing this?" And they just ask those things just to help me along. They they're so
helpful. That's the thing. They're thinking ahead of what I'm thinking. >> If I have a Facebook account, how do how does that account know that I live in Westfield or South? That that's all metrics. >> Yeah. It's all algorithms or whatever. >> They those are all selectable.
>> That's like when you go in a grocery store and they you get the print out afterwards. They know exactly what you're going to buy, what you have bought. So, they give you that. Oh, come back in. We'll give them $5 off. So, >> it's it's almost like a memory bank. Yeah. >> Yeah. That's stored there. >> I know. I've never been I don't been I
don't have a social footprint either. >> What What percentage of people don't use that? >> And what do we do about them? >> I'm just think I'd like to target the businesses. I mean, that we already have in our database and so forth. I mean, that would be huge. I mean the
um >> yeah I know what you're saying >> target well they're all in the you know a lot of it will just send them to the business directory where they can find the business they need >> but who's going to take the time to do that if they're already on Facebook are do you think all the businesses ex Well
I know we're on Facebook >> if you're on Facebook on your phone you see oh you know find out what restaurants and when they're open just tap here tap here instantly they go to our directory oh I can I can choose whichever restaurant I want. That's the
the nice thing about it is it's all right on your >> instantaneous marketing lunch how they interface with our town website or something like that. >> Well, we would just ask them to do what we want.
>> Yeah, >> they'll they'll put the link in. We'll tell them, you know, here the here's here's a website. explore it and here are the >> you know they can create the the link just by knowing the website and going to it. >> They can link to any
>> any tab or page or >> whatever there and it would just be a tapped link >> or just to our >> and you know what I'll do if you want next meeting I'll ask them if they could join us by Zoom or something I could ask them but it's at night I don't know if
you night you don't want to do that >> I'd rather have you just interface with them because it will bog down the meeting and make it longer. >> Well, just to answer kind this kind of question finish on a on a reasonable time here now. So, >> I also have a question. So, can we do we
need to go like a sign a contract with them to be like, you know, for >> I did sign a contract like >> Okay. Well, what what I'm asking is like for example, if we decide to go with them and kind of like go like six months and see how it's actually productive, is
it like help helpful? This was a copy of the contract. This is going back. >> I read that and I saw that they had, you know, 15 day, if you were on a council, you can do it 15 days in advance. It sounds pretty >> I mean, they're very they're very young comp. I mean, the girls, the staff is in
there. >> It's not like we have to walk. >> You want to see this? >> Up with content. So, let's say after six months, you decide you don't want to, you know, >> you just give them notice. That's all. Mhm. And then they basically allow you the the sign in information for
>> Right. We've got to make sure that if they set up a new page that we have ownership of that sure it's all in here. >> But if they're dealing with an insurance company, they're not they're not dealing with a a fly by night. I mean, >> and and then we need to know what form
of payment do they want. Do they want a revolving credit card or what do they want? >> I'll ask them. >> They what they how do they do mine? They take it they take it out of my my checking account. You can do a fairly annual. >> Oh, we might be able to do advanced pay there. >> Yes.
>> You know, to pay for three or six months at a time >> if we're committed and then we can >> hopefully we can check with accounting and make sure that you know. >> And what's nice about it, >> do they do the work then give us an invoice that we pay later or
>> because they physically been up here looking at they've taken pictures. not going to do a weekly >> uh >> check run. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> For every time they posting the work. >> Yeah. >> It'll hopefully they will allow us to lock in about three months.
>> And it we can't expect them to go three months at a time without being paid for in advance. >> Oh, that was the other thing we talked about the payment issue here, >> right? >> Getting the original invoice down. >> Yeah. I'll try to try to get that
figured out. There's got to be >> there's got to be a better way of that. >> Yeah. So, >> I mean, Southwest is the one that prints the invoices. We need an original from Southwest. I'm like, wait a minute. >> Okay. So,
>> okay. So, how are we now? >> I I make a motion that that we have Serena follow up with a a serious, you know, investigation of doing this and >> Okay. All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Okay. Unanimous.
All right. Let's go pretty quickly through some of these. We've already updated. I'm just putting into the agenda all of our short-term goals. Starting with our master plan things. I think we've already talked about our our three
master plan uh goals. Then the other uh goals are to plan a bigger and better South and Bloom. touched on that in terms of budget. Uh I don't think necessarily there's anything more unless Julie or Craig if you is there something
else we need to do now to get that moving. >> What? South Bloom. >> Yeah. >> Not right now. >> Okay. >> Maybe make it not even just say South Bloom, but an overall beautifification thing of the of the town. >> Well, this one is specific. It's in
service of that. >> Okay. >> But I'd rather keep it specific here. All right. >> Uh, and then EDC input to zoning revision. I just wanted to ask Alvin if there's any Did you meet yet on that? >> So, our next working group meeting will
be February 5th. >> Okay. >> So, if you have any particular ideas again, I >> I'll probably wait to see what comes out of that. >> Okay. >> I do want to have an EDC input on that. So, we'll see what comes out of that and then then if if there's time I'll we'll have
a a discussion of it at our next meeting in February. Um to say what kind of input we'd like to have to it. I would like >> you know it's even within the master plan. It says that the EDC should have input to zoning. >> Definitely. Uh,
>> and when we get the drafts, I'll make sure it's a forward to group so you guys have eyes on it and have get your input. >> Okay. Then updated property t tax analysis and I've been doing some work
on that and getting some downloads working with people there. I'm going to attend the next uh if I something else doesn't come up, I will attend the next meeting of the board assessors. uh just to stay in touch with them and
my goal is to do the the better connection. It's in terms of the business of the town. One of our goals to make sure the town is healthy economically and property tax is the primary uh revenue input in addition to fees and certain other things. And then
I want to build more on the expense side to show how we can >> it will guide us into what kind of economic development will benefit the town. Uh then a wish list of desired qualities
for new businesses. I'm open to any input anybody has. I want to develop something like, you know, even as we're talking to Amanda here, I'd like to take to her a list. Here's businesses we would love to have in Southwick if they any come across
>> your desk. >> We'd like to hear about it, >> right? So, that's that's part of the goal of that. And then I'm continuing to uh promote the rail trail
connector and got conversation going with David Dori. >> Okay. >> And uh >> you know what you know part of it we're waiting for that developer. >> Oh from the depot >> from the 22 depot he
>> he that wide open >> to it. So unless he but I would feel better if we were locked into that >> rather than just that promise in a letter >> because we don't want to put a whole lot of work into it and have them turn
around and say no you can't cut through here. >> Yeah. >> Because it all depends on cutting through a very small corner of that property. But it's a huge advantage to to them. And I I'll just mention one thing that came out that'll really help
me, you know, promote this railroad connector is they just completed a study at the end of the year and got a copy online. I can send it to any of you that are interested. They did a >> complete economic study by Cambridge Econ.
>> Yeah. >> Uh it's very complete, very thorough, very professional. It talks about the whole thing from Northampton due to Haven. But I also was able to get
uh the data for Southwick specifically. I have it here. >> Like how many people? Like a car. >> How many people? >> Yeah. >> Use it. Okay. >> And they set up a counter at Sam West Road, >> which is not right next to parking. It's
right kind of in the middle between parking and Westfield. And what was the count >> for a year? I calculated they've done it by week and by day and by hour and by month and >> but the total for from September 24 to September 25
was over 60,000. >> Wow. >> That's a lot. >> And I don't know how many >> repeat >> repeats. I'm gonna say on average it's probably not more than six because there's some people that go through once
or twice and some people that go through >> 20 times >> but it probably averages out to a lot. >> So that's 10,00 by 12 10,000 >> 10,000 users. >> Yeah. >> Walkers, bikers, skateboarders using it multi-use trail.
>> It's significant and and backed up by that study. They claim hundreds of jobs are produced by that whole city. >> Yeah. >> 81 mile trail and tens of thousands of dollar tens
tens of millions of dollars of of business added up. And >> so there's a strong argument for it. And plus, I think it could be financed by a couple sources. David Dorants
>> has has a grant source. It would be 50%. >> But I also think the complete street grants would cover this because they cover railroad connectors. >> That's a million dollars. >> Yeah. No, that would >> and the study would help. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And we use the study and all of
that to >> promote and say, "Here's why we want to do it." And and how it because it will it'll push up the traffic >> because it it will provide not only the connector but parking >> because we're going to offer shared
parking in that spot. It'll bring people into the town center. It brings in people coming into to park there, use the trail, people come from other places to >> bike into Southwick. it would, you know, with 60,000 trips a year, quite a few
would come into Southwick >> instead they'll just go by. >> So maybe it's something that uh our committee could spearhead. I know that when open space um you know and I put my open space hat on, we had several parcels
that we um as a neighborhood actually said, "Okay, let's come up with 30,000 or 100,000, you know, the Pinsky Preserve and so forth." Mhm. >> Um that was all purchased by local neighbors. >> Mhm. >> To make that happen. So I'm just thinking >> instead of trying to get instead of
trying to get the money out of the government, everybody thinks that the government is some on out there. It's really >> cash. No, it's not. >> Well, it's it's money we've already paid in taxes. Every other town is getting it. We need to get our share. there's going to be a shortfall and I'm just
saying >> to sponsor the shortfall and say let's let's take it upon ourselves to try to raise that money you know from businesses and then have the data here to support why we're doing that >> right >> yeah we'll see that's one possible I don't think we'll have to go that route
but it's something to keep in mind >> but it shouldn't be a deal breaker because there's no money >> that's right >> yeah I I think we can get 100% of covered Well, good with grant and money that we need to just claim our share of
money. >> Yeah. Who's going to write the grant? >> Getting it. >> Um the the one who will the committee that will maintain it is park and rap. >> A park and rack. Okay. >> So, they will probably take the lead in in the actual
>> production and construction. I had proposed that to the select board that they do an ad hoc committee with to look at the completed you right >> and they said ah we don't need another
>> it's a million dollars but anyway that's we'll do we'll do another approach we'll we'll figure it out one way or another >> okay >> but I'm going to keep working with different people to figure out how to do it and and If if Alvin can get that
developer to >> Yeah. So start working. >> Has that house come down yet? I haven't been buy. So they're still playing with money. >> A lot of flipping and Yeah. >> The old building will own house by the those condos that they're supposed to be building.
>> Okay. So that will be a big >> actually break the crown already by the comos. >> Yeah. >> Deep street kind of. keep going >> and they're not running out of time, you know, Bill. >> I'll have to check because you that all
happened before me. So, I'll I'll check in >> if there's a expiration date on >> I think you have >> I don't know if it's two or three years um that you have to >> break around or you have to reapply for a new permit.
>> Yeah. And they they've got a big investment in the land. they should be motivated to it moves through >> and we'll we'll hope that that it will happen. >> Mhm. >> Okay. Uh
>> mission statement. I want to wrap up. >> Okay. >> Pretty quickly, but I jotted down a simpler version of it. >> Good. We have a very long one. I'm suggesting just, you know, kind of have three sections in here. >> Yeah.
>> They're very simple sections. The first is say what's the big goal we're looking for. The second is what we're going to actually do and then yeah, qualifications. So that starts out >> to measurably improve affordability and
quality quality of life in Southway. Those are the two things I think we want to do. We either anything we do should be tied to well does it improve quality of life or does it improve portability. >> I already think we have quality of life
in South. >> No. Does it improve? >> No, I know I'm too >> right. It has to We don't want to do something that has no effect. >> No, you have to have a positive. >> We want to have a and to say to measurably improve affordability or quality of life. by affordability. If we
can do bring in a a business that can then raise the tax base that improves affordability. >> Or if we can do something I that that makes the town more beautiful and you
know plant more flowers whatever that improves quality of life. >> One or the other three. >> So I'm saying to improve affordability or quality of life by implementing or promoting. So there's two things we can do. We if it's something we can
implement like South African Bloom, >> we can but if it's something that we're just promoting, we can't actually we don't have the power to do it like zoning, we'll promote it >> because we'll we'll make the arguments this will, you know, help business and
improve the tax base or help the town, make it more quality of life and then finally consist of a master plan. So we've got a guiding thing. >> What is that? >> The third one is what? >> Well, that's just the third section that
it's consistent with our master plan. >> Oh, >> so the first section to measurably improve affordability, quality of life by secondly implementing or promoting economic development projects. Thirdly, consistent with our master plan. >> But is that a mission statement?
It it defines it's something a mission statement to me is is something you measure every one of our goals against. >> Yeah. But if you're going on to publicize something, you're not going to put that our mission statement, >> you know, like put in print.
>> I want it to be a working thing because >> Okay. All right. >> I hear people say, "Well, what do they want us to do? What should we do?" That's our big question right there. >> So, I want a simple thing we can say this is what we should be doing. and anything we we a mission statement
is something you can say well should we be doing that does it fit our mission statement um is it actually you know like something that is a >> it's an enigma to me >> a bad mission statement is we wow we want to you know grow
that doesn't what's the benefit of growing or we want to promote business well why well no what we want to do is improve through quality of life. >> Quality of life. So that means yeah business >> through economic development projects
that we either promote or implement ourselves and they must be consistent with master plan. >> I I don't know if this is overlapping into a vision or something like that. You know to me this is almost more of a vision and then the mission is how do we
get there very tangible way and how we get there. So I know >> well how we get there I would think of is the tactics strategy and tactics how we get there. >> Well that's really our mission >> right well
I don't I don't know that it's important to distinguish between mission and vision. I just want to have us all know what I want us on the same page and saying here's the type of things we should do. We should do things that fit with something that we can say off the
top of our head that that is not so full of jargon that we can't remember it. And if we read it, we have to >> Well, that one that you just recited, I can't I can't recite that right away. >> No. >> Well, it's a little cumbersome
to me. >> No, let's let's table this to later. Think about it. >> Okay. >> I'll I'll send it out in the minutes. so that you have something to think about. >> Yeah. Turn it up >> and then >> tone it down a little.
>> I want to bring up I put next meeting is scheduled for February 11th and I want to see if that works for people because it's the second Wednesday of February. The third >> is that vacation week. >> The third is number one, it's vacation
week. Number two, it's Ash Wednesday. And I've got commitments. >> Yes. at my church that I've got to be there. >> Oh, that's why we're having February 11th. >> Can I back up one second? This finance thing, are you going there yourself in front of the finance committee for the budget?
>> Anybody's >> Is that the end? Is that the What date is that? Is a Saturday morning? >> It's usually on a Saturday, but >> I'm going to see if I talk to >> Nicole beforehand and let know. >> And anybody's welcome if you want to talk to Nicole with me, you're welcome.
>> I don't mind. Yeah, I will. I'll let you know when I let me know what what she uh agrees but possibly talking with her uh we can resolve it without going before but we asked for big increase the >> oh all right so we can go through her
she's a liaison she was trying to say >> she's trying to take care of she's trying to >> because it was very intimidating when I >> take care of some things in advance >> so that >> I got you >> not everybody has to go before the
too >> or that if they do some of the things already ironed out. >> Gotcha. >> So that >> and I didn't mean to. So now back to the schedule February 11th at the >> second Wednesday of February. Is that
okay with every >> Yes, I will do. >> Okay. So I've got it on the agenda. I'll put it make sure make sure it's uh in the minutes and that that's >> okay. the house, see if it could be publicized to anybody who might be a
visitor or would be confused by it. >> Okay. >> Um any other odds and ends? Anything Alvin that you'd have to bring up? >> Uh from planning board perspective, um we last night we did uh or say planning
board um approved um another extension of outdoor cooking at Crepes Tea House 15. >> Oh, I wanted to know about that. >> Hills Road. >> No, they are we done with that? Are we done yet? >> So, there's still an issue with But they were saying where does it matter where they're sitting? It's indoor or outdoor.
>> So, that's the thing that's still on the agenda is the the gazeos or whatever outdoor structures. >> They were not what? >> I'm sorry. They were not what the they were not what >> the outdoor structures are still on the agenda and at this point the board of
health is reviewing um and and and planning board's looking for a recommendation for the board of health to determine whether this the the seats will be temporary or or or permanent >> permanent. Yeah. >> For for >> was it three to >> seasonal from April to October.
>> Yeah. >> So what is the concern? I mean, people sit around in the woods any What is the concern? >> Um, again, >> yeah, it's it's the um uh separate traffic and parking issues.
>> Yeah. Yeah. All three. >> What's that got to do with where people are sitting in? >> I know because they were saying that in the newspaper article. It doesn't matter if they're inside or outside. People will be moving around. They're not going to be set fixtures. Um, >> so they just want to ensure that the crepe sea house abides to their capacity
that they don't go over their 93 patrons capacity. >> I don't think they will. >> Um, I guess because there's a concern that okay, if they have 93 inside, then you know, they want to ensure that you don't have 93 inside and then have 20 outside and then you have more people than you're supposed to have. So they
just want to ensure that they properly move move seats. >> Is that also from a fire standpoint? Um, >> do you know what I'm saying? Like an insurance reg? >> Yeah. I mean, well, the fire um department has asked that they have a fire lane adjacent to um
>> the the outdoor uh structure, >> the outdoor cazibos, whatever they want to call them. >> Yeah. >> So, so I mean, there's different departments that have a different say in into the matter. So that's why it's taken so long and why it's still >> the owner's been very I think very cooperative and very nice about I know
he's been tough but >> I would be tough too if it was taken that long and >> I'm sure he's paying a lot of legal bills. >> Lot of money for those >> and I would love to see this wrap up because I think this is the kind of business we love to have. It's it's a
wonderful addition. It's a great >> a great location business. So >> yeah, >> we would like to do anything we can to >> if we can help them out. >> Yes. >> So I just don't understand. But we're talking about outside. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> Well, I mean you can have a get together
in a park, >> right? >> 500 people who >> but it's on that property. They just want to make sure it's not over taxing >> minimums for Yeah. >> But there's been other concerns that the neighbors have been complaining about. Um >> noise
>> noise. Um they have again with their outdoor cooking permit they they can only do it once per week um for different reasons from different departments but um and they've they've gone beyond that um and and violated
their permit at least twice. >> Yeah. >> They were more than once a week. >> I'm sorry. >> They grilled more. >> Yes. Yes. So and they've been caught at least twice. I don't know if they've done it more >> cuz I know they said the capacity of the water was like 12 to,300 gallons was
about all that they were using and it was far less than what >> they you know I think I don't 35 I don't know what the exact numbers are. So in other words it's a they got caught doing something they should have not done and yeah >> yeah so >> I don't know.
>> So yeah I mean but it's been a multitude of things but hopefully we can get to a conclusion so later. >> Yes. Hopefully. It's been how many? Three or four years? >> A long time. >> Longer than I longer than I've been here. So, >> okay.
>> I'm pretty sure he's very exhausted. >> Yeah, I'm sure he is. >> So, anything else? >> All right. Make a motion to I'll make a motion to second. All in favor? >> I thank you.