02-01-2018 Planning Commission Meeting
Town of Fairlee Town Hall
Grange Room
75 Town Common Road
Fairlee, VT 05045
Thursday, February 1, 2018
PRESENT
- Commission Members: Mark Bishop, Chair; Miranda Clemson; Denis Lambert; E. Smith Reed; Susanne Pacilio
- Zoning Administrator: Chris Brimmer
- Minutes Clerk: Joanna Bligh
CALL TO ORDER: 6:05 PM
Mark Bishop, Chair, called the meeting to order.
A quorum is met.
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS:
None.
OTHER BUSINESS
Meet & Greet Prospective Commissioner Margaret Gladstone
Mark Bishop stated that this conversation is cancelled because Margaret Gladstone was unable to attend.
REVIEW OF MINUTES
MOTION: Susanne Pacilio moved and Miranda Clemson seconded the motion to accept the Minutes from January 18, 2018, with modifications. The vote passed unanimously.
PUBLIC CONCERNS AND INPUT
Town Plan Discussion
Internet Access in Underserved Areas
Mark Bishop presented a document with a list of six Internet providers in the area with information on the download speeds, costs per month, and contract terms. Mark Bishop visited EC Fiber, a consortium of 24 towns that are working to have high speed Internet in their towns. Miranda Clemson stated that for running a business, the Internet is required, for example, when using the square space card reader. Mark Bishop suggested that to improve access to the Internet in Town adding a free hot spot would be helpful. Chris Brimmer added that including a paragraph in the Town Plan about community-owned Internet might bring about discussion. After a detailed discussion among the members, Mark Bishop considered next steps might be to speak to Topsham Communications and to reconnect with EC Fiber.
Discovery Map (https://discoverymap.com/) Advertising
Miranda Clemson provided a list of Town businesses that might be interested in being listed on a Discovery Map. Mark Bishop suggested that Orford, NH, be included in the map. Chris Brimmer suggested that high schoolers in a graphic design class could be encouraged to make the map. Mark Bishop suggested that the Commission invite the Discovery Map company to make a presentation.
Economic Development
Chris Brimmer noted that the Commissioners are continuing to review the Economic Plan document. The members agreed to bring their revised versions to the meeting next month.
Housing Goals
Chris Brimmer noted that in order to establish housing goals, data is needed and a USDA contractor is in the process of doing a housing/economic study to be completed by the end of March 2018.
Social Infrastructure
Chris Brimmer noted that nonprofit organizations do not give money to municipalities. Local councils/advocacy boards can obtain money from nonprofit organizations. Chris Brimmer suggested that a business roundtable might be established that would advocate business development in Town. Susanne Pacilio noted that the Commission should identify people to be part of a business roundtable. Miranda Clemson stated that the Commission needs a definitive list of businesses in Town.
MOTION: Susanne Pacilio moved and Smith Reed seconded the motion to close the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURN: 7:45 PM
Attest: Joanna Bligh, Minutes Clerk
THE AUDIORECORDING OF THIS MEETING WAS CORRUPTED AND IS UNAVAILABLE.