MAINE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES

FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 2004

 

 

The Maine Community Development Association held a meeting in conjunction with DECD’s Community Development Appreciation Day at Post 2 Augusta American Legion on Friday, August 20, 2004.  Present at the meeting were:

 

Matthew Eddy                                                                          Christopher Spruce

Chuck Morgan                                                                          Joella McBreairty

Isaac Wagner                                                                           John Simko

Tony Levesque                                                                         Maureen Akerson

Al Smith                                                                                   Peter Lyford

 

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER:  The meeting was called to order by President Matthew Eddy at approximately 9:15 a.m.

 

II.         REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MARCH 25, 2004 MEETING:  Tony Levesque moved to accept the meeting minutes as presented; seconded by Chuck Morgan.  The motion passed.

 

            REVIEW OF THE JUNE 11, 2004 MEETING:  Isaac Wagner gave a brief overview of the June 11 meeting.  The topic at this meeting was “Marketing Village Centers”.  Four guest speakers were available to provide valuable information on non-traditional activities in village center communities.  Darcy Rollins, Program Coordinator of the Maine Downtown Center; Shawn Manter, Tourism Development Specialist at Northern Maine Development Commission; Tracy Michaud-Stutzman, Director of the Maine Highlands Guild; and Bruce Hazard, Director of the Mountain Counties Heritage, Inc. were the guest speakers.  The message was that in revitalizing downtown centers, many rural communities have had to rely on more marketable natural assets, cultural traditions, artistic talents, and historic resources to draw businesses to the downtown

 

III.       TREASURER’S REPORT:  Mrs. Ron Harriman presented the Treasurer’s Report as follows:

 

            Revenues:                     $  53.26

            Expenditures:                $  82.08

 

            Checkbook Balance:      $12,782.92

 

            Tony Levesque moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented; seconded by Chris Spruce.  The vote was unanimously in favor.

 

IV.       DISCUSSION ON SENDING A REPRESENTATIVE TO COSCDA CONFERENCE (ARKANSAS):  Tony Levesque moved to nominate Joella McBreairty as the MCDA representative; seconded by Chris Spruce.  The vote was unanimously in favor.

 

V.        DISCUSSION ON THE PALESKY PROPOSAL BY JEFF NEVINS, MMA:  The impact of the Palesky Tax Cap was the topic of discussion.  Jeff Nevins presented a brief summary of why this referendum was proposed.  People are angry about rising property taxes and State government.  Their frustration means that they don’t care about the effects.  An outline of the effects of this referendum on Maine communities was also presented.   MMA will be presenting a program at the Convention on October 6 that will study the ramifications/impact of Palesky on Maine communities.  MMA needs money for an aggressive campaign; i.e. advertising and grass roots campaigning at the local level.   

 

                       MCDA members discussed the effect this would have on their communities.  John Simko of Greenville talked about Policy One Research, a group hired by MMA to work with Towns.   Greenville would stand to lose about 45 valuable jobs, closing down schools, and reducing Town Office hours by one day per week.  He stressed the need to inform the public of these results should the Palesky referendum pass.

 

            Maureen Akerson spoke about the fact that the average person would vote for dropping taxes.  However, they don’t see the effects that this would bring about.  Wearing a T-Shirt designed by the local Fire Department, the message clearly shows that all departments and services offered by the local municipalities would be jeopardized as a result.

 

VI.      UPDATE ON MMA CONVENTION (October 6 and 7 in Augusta):  Matt introduced the agenda for the MMA Convention.  MCDA will have an exhibit booth set up during the convention.  On Thursday, October 7, 2004 there will be a workshop entitled The Impacts of Palesky on Economic and Community Development.  The workshop will be followed by the MCDA Annual Meeting and Luncheon.

 

VII.      NOMINATION COMMITTEE (Need two Members at Large):  The nominating committee  consisting of Al Smith, Chris Spruce and Peter Lyford will present names to be added to the ballot in time for the MCDA Annual Meeting.

 

VIII.     DISCUSSION ON 2005 CDBG PROGRAM STATEMENT:  Orman Whitcomb outlined some of  the changes proposed for the 2005 CDBG Program.  The last day for written comments is today, August 20, 2004.  Discussion on the non-profit corporation program ensued;

           

            *          must be 501 (c) (3)                              

           *          must be specifically a partnership to do economic and community development projects

 

            Orman reported that HUD is faced with a problem that States are not spending their CDBG appropriations fast enough.  Orman urged communities to go ahead with Phase II requirements; i.e. ERR and other project development elements before applying for funding.

 

The meeting adjourned at approximately 10:00 a.m.

 

Respectfully submitted by,

 

 

 

 

Joella R. McBreairty

Secretary