The meeting was called to order around 6:10. Present were Scott McCaskill (chair), Jim Bibbo (vice-chair), Kris Foss (secretary), Mel Pfeifle (Select Board) and Vincent Pagano of CNHRPC. Absent tonight was Libby Curtis Webb.
The minutes from the December meeting were accepted.
Kris introduced Dan Watts, Chairman of the Kearsarge Chamber of Commerce, and explained how we were trying to attract businesses to Bradford. She noted that there actually already were many businesses in Bradford, although most are home-based.
Dan echoed the presence of “hidden” businesses. He suggested that joining the Chamber can help a business to connect with other businesses in the area, and that the Chamber helps by promoting the businesses in their brochure and on-line. For economic development groups, if you have printed or online promotional materials, the Chamber can include them in its brochure or link to them on its web site.
Jim asked where they met and how often. Dan replied that meetings generally occur quarterly, and are hosted by a member, usually at the member’s place of business. Anyone can attend, even non-members. There is typically no set agenda; a meeting is more of a networking session where ideas are exchanged. There are also monthly board meetings. Members are notified of meetings and kept up to date via email.
The Chamber also donates funds for projects. They funded the new signs that are visible along the roadside as you enter town. They regularly donate to the food pantry and other support groups. They are looking at providing some funding for the Town Hall Theater when it gets going.
Dan said that whenever we have events coming up in town, if we let him know, he will put it in the Chamber’s newsletter.
The Chamber serves all the towns surrounding Mt. Kearsarge, with the greatest number coming from Hopkinton, followed by Warner and Bradford. Other members come from Webster, Salisbury, Andover, Wilmot, Sutton, and Newbury. He explained that the local business associations — in Warner, Bradford, etc. — were just not big enough by themselves to do what needed to be done, but that all of them together can. The Chamber currently has 180 members, and there are many businesses that have not yet joined. Even if a business thinks that they are doing well enough, with their membership, both their fee and their experience, helps other businesses in the area.
Jim noted that there were four businesses along his road (Deer Valley) and none were members.
Kris asked how often the brochures were printed. Dan said that currently they were printed quarterly. Every member business is included. Additionally, many businesses purchase ads, which helps offset the cost of printing. Ads can run from half a page to a full-color two-page spread.
Kris asked, as an Economic Development Committee, what was the #1 thing that we could be doing to support businesses. Dan pointed out that the networking aspect provided by the Chamber fosters connections and synergies between businesses, which can be especially helpful to new businesses, connecting people to people.
Kris asked whether it would be possible for an Economic Development Committee to host a meeting, and Dan replied that it would be definitely appropriate.
Kris asked Vincent whether he had ever seen similar collaborations in other towns. Vincent noted that he was Chairman of the Epsom EDC, and regularly worked with three others in the region, and remarked that he had heard many good ideas already. He said that, in many other towns, the Economic Development Committees and the Chambers of Commerce always seem to be at odds with each other. Dan noted that many other chambers are much more formal. They have paid staff. Non-members are not welcome at meetings. Meetings of the Kearsarge chamber are more like an informal neighborhood get-together, and the chamber is run entirely by volunteers.
Dan closed by saying that member businesses, and the EDC, should let non-members know about the benefits. The cost is only $50 per year.
We thanked Dan for joining us.
Discussion then moved to supporting the 4th of July celebration. Scott asked why tax rates had increased so much. Mel replied that operating costs were the main cause. The school budget went up by $1.47/1000, which she said was not acceptable for us. We need to cut back, but we need to find revenue as well. Jim, who is on the School Budget Committee, noted that the school budgets have gone up 8% just due to inflation. Schools no longer get assistance from the State and have to cover retirements by themselves. Health insurance costs have gone through the roof. Oil and gas are more expensive. All the roofs need replacing due simply to age. And the State is now requiring fire suppression in all the schools. Mel and Jim further discussed budgeting.
Kris brought us back on track. She noted that we need to look at more sources of revenue, such as fund raising. Mel noted that while Parks and Rec does a fantastic job of organizing events like the 4th of July celebration, they may not want to do the kind of fund raising that needs to happen this year, and that this is an area where the EDC could help out.
Kris passed out a revised version of the framework that Libby put together last year, and enumerated the various items. The discussion moved to financing the items. Kris suggested that the group that takes up management of the Town Hall Theater could also take on the management of the use of the BACC once the Town Offices have moved out. Mel said that we need to take the cost of running the buildings into account when setting prices. Kris noted that it’s possible the software for new town web site could include a reservation system.
Discussion circled around again to budgeting. Vincent noted that property valuations in surrounding towns like Newbury and New London are quite high, which is one reason why the region often fails to qualify for grants.
Scott eventually suggested putting further discussion off until next month. The meeting adjourned at 7:15.
Scott McCaskill