BERLIN INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT PARK AUTHORITY
Board Meeting
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
BIDPA MEMBERS
|
STAFF
|
Terry Block, Acting Chair |
Pamela Laflamme, City Planner |
Paul Lozier |
Patrick MacQueen, City Manager |
Mike Caron |
Norm Charest, Economic Development Director |
Don Huot |
|
|
City Councilor, Diana Nelson |
Members Excused: Andre Duchesne, Richard Huot
Members Absent: Jerry Dumoulin, Elizabeth Ward
Others present: Al McLain; Chuck Morley; Don Piper; Jonathan Halle, Warrenstreet Architects; James Wagner
The board meeting began at 6:00 P.M; there was no quorum for this meeting.
Mr. Block served as chair for the meeting in place of Mr. Huot who was excused.
Minutes:
Without a quorum, minutes were tabled until the June meeting.
Financial Report:
Without a quorum, the financial report was tabled until the June meeting.
Sale of Lot #7 – Al McLain:
Mr. McLain spoke to the board regarding the change in the sale agreement regarding the timeframe issue for development of his property which he stated he had no problem with (the board wanted to see two years rather than three years for repurchase by BIDPA if no development has started). The other change he wanted to discuss was regarding the type and amount of development that needed to be done in the two year timeframe. Mr. McLain explained that he would be selling this parcel with his other parcels to one new entity of which he would be part of and that the actual development may not take place on Lot #7 exactly. Mr. Block expressed a desire to enter into this sale with the newer entity rather than just Mr. McLain. Mr. McLain indicated he would discuss this with his attorneys and those involved with his entity
and get back to Mr. MacQueen.
Sale of Lot #9 – Chuck Morley:
Mr. Morley spoke to the board regarding the repurchase clause in his sale agreement with BIDPA asking for a three year time frame for sale rather than a two year agreement. He wanted to know why the board had not wished to allow three years for development rather than two years. He explained that he needed three years rather than two as there is a need to bring in a skill set from another company they are in the process of acquiring and it is necessary to give a proper amount of time to allow the transaction to take place. The Board indicated it would like to allow Mr. Morley to start work on the property doing the site assessment as he needs to have approval from the property owner in order to start this type of work. The Board also indicated that at next month's meeting they would ratify the change from two
years to three years.
Discussion with Jonathan Halle – Warrenstreet Architects:
The board discussed whether they wished to have a committee or the entire board to review the project as it moved forward. It was decided to let a committee of whoever is interested and filter information back to the entire board at the monthly meetings. Ms. Laflamme will be the primary contact for Mr. Halle. Mr. Block attempted to work through the objective of the project with the board related to the expansion of the Maynesboro Industrial Park working all the way to being able to take it to the Planning Board for a preliminary review to allow for quicker approvals once companies are ready to begin projects. Mr. Block expressed a desire to keep a cohesive feel between what would be the new and old parks. Ms. Laflamme explained to Mr. Halle what work has been done to the point by Wright-Pierce, the
engineering company that did the feasibility study for the property.
The board reviewed some of the objectives that were important to them during this process. Mr. Block indicated that we are trying to define what type of park we would like to see to control the growth of this park rather than let the growth control the park. This process is to be more a vision of what the board would like to see as an outcome of this project. Mr. Halle asked whether BIDPA would put the infrastructure in place or would this be a more conceptual project. Mr. Caron inquired about what level of detail the board could get regarding the cost of developing the property per lot. Mr. Halle indicated that this could be done, but the board needs to figure out what it wants to see up front.
The board discussed that it was unlikely we would be able to develop a park in totality upfront, but that rather we could put together a plan of phasing the development and put together costs, a plan, etc., and get this to a point where we can market the property. It was discussed that Mr. Halle would review his scope of work; get it back to the board for feedback to move the process along. This project is projected to be done in about three to six months.
Mr. Block suggested that we should have a core group of individuals working on potential tenants for the new park from the state and the community involving Michael Bergeron from NH DRED, Jim Wagner as the Androscoggin Valley Economic Director, maybe some representation from the Planning Board, etc. Mr. Halle agreed and will work on getting the scope together and back to the board in approximately two weeks. Mr. Block summarized the discussion by reviewing the objectives as the start of master planning the park.
Mr. Block then mentioned that the board has already made contact with Katie Paine of KD Paine & Partners to do some marketing work for the board and Mr. Halle mentioned that he would be happy to work with her and will get in touch with her to involve her in the project. There was also discussion about bringing in a civil engineer to help with the project at this time as well. Mr. Halle will look into this and get back to the board. The idea would be to take this to the Planning Board for preliminary approvals.
Mr. Charest mentioned he would get in touch with North Country Council to understand the availability of money for park development through EDA. There was also mention of looking to Rural Development for assistance as well. Mr. MacQueen stated that tax increment financing could be a possibility for the match money for EDA money. Mr. Halle questioned whether Brownfield money would be a possibility for the project to clean up the landfills on the property. Discussion ensued, and it was thought that this might not work as the City contributed to the contamination.
Economic Director’s Report:
Mr. Charest pointed out to the board that Jim Wagner was present as the potential new economic development director for the Androscoggin Valley. Mr. Wagner explained the scope of his work as he understands it at this time.
Mr. Charest shared with the board interest from a developer who is interested in purchasing only 40 acres of the Route 110 property. This discussion will be on the agenda for the next meeting.
Maynesboro Industrial Building:
· ISI request for gate at the Maynesboro Industrial Building – Mr. Charest shared with the board the need for a gate as requested by Steve Griffin of ISI. The board agreed this was a good idea to allow it and that it would be ratified at the next meeting.
· Mowing – Steve Griffin contacted Mr. Charest to discuss mowing the property during the summer at a prorated cost as they are the tenants for only half the building and requested that BIDPA be responsible for billing the other tenants rather than ISI. Mr. MacQueen indicated that was addressed in the lease and that staff would look at the language. Mr. Charest suggested that the issue be tabled for now.
Mr. MacQueen came back with the language from the lease at this time and found that BIDPA will be the responsible entity for the billing for the mowing costs from the individual businesses.
· Heating Solution for MIP – Mr. Charest indicated that Progressive Energy had been to the building to review the possibility of heating the ISI space with Natural Gas rather than oil and those they are working on a proposal for heating the space.
· Electricity upgrade at MIP building – Ray's Electric will be doing the work this weekend.
· Signage at Maynesboro Industrial Park – Ms. Laflamme shared the updated design from Jackson Sign smith. The board members presented requested a breakdown of costs and designs for the next meeting.
There were no member or public comments.
Adjournment: The board adjourned the meeting at 7:50 PM.
*DRAFT MINUTES TO BE PRESENTED FOR ACCEPTANCE AT JUNE 2007 MEETING*
| 
