HomeMy Public PortalAbout02-17-2010 economic development minutesSub Committee on Economic Development and Planning
Wednesday February 17, 2010 at 630 pm.
Present were Sub Committee members Councilors Stephen Corbett
and John Donohue. Public attendees were Councilor Kounelis.
The Sub Committee met to interview the Town Managers appointees to
the Historic District Commission and Former Branch Library Advisory
Committee.
Candidates for the Historic Commission for re appointment are John
Hecker. New candidates are Carolyn Famiglietti, Howard Miller and
Ken Sheytanian.
Mr. Hecker stated that the Commission has been working well with
residents and is excited for reappointment and looks forward to the
potential new additional members to the Commission.
Ms. Famigleitti has a legal background and feels she can bring
"common sense" and "does not want to lose site" while working on the
commission.
Mr. Miller indicated that the commission must have an understanding
of any financial impact to the home owner and knowledge of new
building materials, cost's and technology.
Mr. Sheytanian would like to see the continued effort in the
preservation of the "history" to the community.
After further discussion a motion was made by Councilor Donohue, 2nd
by Councilor Corbett to approve Mr. Hecker for reappointment and Mr.
Miller, Ms. Famigletti and Mr. Sheytanian as new candidates to the
Historic Commission.
There was a 2-0 vote in favor of the approval to the commission.
The Sub Committee continued interviews with the Town Manager's
appointees to the Former Branch Library Advisory Committee.
Candidates for the Library Reuse Committee are Maria Papadopoulos,
Neal Corbett, Rena Baskin, Joseph Previtera and Emmitt Finocche.
Mrs. Papadopoulos has a back ground in real-estate and stated that she
would like to see what's best for the Town.
Councilor Kounelis asked all candidates "how do you feel about the
Town Council's vote on Nov 24th 2009 to lease the former branch
libraries and the work the Library Ad Hoc committee compiled."
Mrs. Papadopoulos responded "I am fully committed to the community
and very willing to come up to speed on all past documents."
Mr. Neal Corbett has a background in redevelopment and architecture
and stated that he would like to have an open mind about all viable
options for the properties.
In answering Councilor Kounelis's question, Mr. Corbett stated that his
background and experience will encourage him to study all previous
materials. He added that listening is very important in developing the
right recommendations for the future.
Mrs. Baskin a current member of the Hosmer School PTO and former
member of the Watertown Cultural Council would like to avoid the "old
way of thinking" and see that the former branch libraries continue to
be a benefit to the community.
In answering Councilor Kounelis's question, Mrs. Baskin stated that any
and all information is important to the process and that research is
important along with new brainstorming for the future.
Mr. Previtera currently sits on the parent advisory board of the
Watertown Family Network and would like to see the former branch
libraries help young families of the greater Watertown community.
In answering Councilor Kounelis's question, Mr. Previtera said his
personal preference would be "to retain the property" and that it is
"prudent to educate and research all information pertaining to the
former branch libraries."
Mr. Finocche has a background as a real estate lawyer and stated that
the town must be realistic with the properties and look to openly
identify the needs long term while balancing today's needs.
In answering Councilor Kounelis's question, he indicated that looking at
past materials makes full sense and if it is decided that the town retain
the properties, a solid long term lease must be looked at.
After further discussion a motion was made by Councilor Donohue, 2nd
by Councilor Corbett to approve all Candidates to the Library Reuse
Committee. There was a 2-0 vote in favor of the approval to the
Committee.
The meeting adjourned at 905pm.
Respectfully submitted by Councilor John Donohue