HomeMy Public PortalAbout03-13-2012 EDP reportMEETING MINUTES
COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT and PLANNING
Meeting: March 12, 2012
Report: March 13, 2012
Attending were: Economic Development Committee members Steven Corbett, Chair,
John Donohue, Vice Chair, and Susan Falkoff, Secretary; Town Clerk John Flynn;
Rotarians and/or Faire Committee members Bill Urquhart (Rotary President), Terry
Griffith (Rotary VP), Dan McCarthy, Paul DerBoghosian, Ed Sugrue and Deb Boyajian.
The meeting was called to order at 8:10 PM. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss
ways to re -energize the Faire on the Square in light of declining fundraising and
volunteer effort.
Committee Chair Steve Corbett has served on the Faire committee and offered the
following suggestions for consideration:
• Make the Faire leadership a formal town committee with appointments made by
the Manager and approved by the Council
• Move the site to the riverfront
• Have the Rotary Club take over the leadership
Mention was made of the tremendous contributions made by Michael Donham in the
early years of the Faire. Since he resigned his position no one comparable has stepped
forward, although appreciation was expressed to Carole Katz of Watertown Savings Bank
and to John Flynn for their service chairing the effort for two years each.
Mr. McCarthy spoke of a vision of a Faire with Multicultural efforts from Watertown's
active ethnic communities. Councilor Donohue spoke about the onerous restrictions
placed on food vendors and remarked on the greater diversity of food at similar events in
neighboring towns. The pros and cons of a move to the river were discused as was the
option of closing off several blocks of Main Street if the present location is maintained.
Mr. Griffith said the Faire sounded like "a perfect fit" for the Rotary Club, whose mission
is to raise money to give back to the community. There was discussion of how to
increase revenue from the event while maintaining its open spirit. The Rotary members
requested information about revenue and expenditures for the past five years. They
envision creating a Faire committee that includes non -Rotarians. The town would
continue to provide an insurance binder. Mr. Flynn said there were legal issues to resolve
concerning the town's role in accepting donations and making payments.
The Committee voted unanimously to support the concept of reorganizing the Faire
stewardship under the auspices of the Rotary Club and thanked the Rotary Club for its
willingness to serve in this capacity. The Rotary Club will review financial arrangements
and get back to town officials with a more formal plan for reorganizing the Faire.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Falkoff, Secretary