Untitled - Town of Windham

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEEThe Windham Economic Development Committee (WEDC) worked throughout 2012 to build on thefoundation it built during its first full year (2011) as a Town Committee. The Committee is activelypursuing its mission to enhance the vitality of the local economy by supporting existing businesses andattracting new business to Windham, encouraging economic development consistent with the WindhamMaster Plan and promoting the spirit of the Town Motto: Old Values, New Horizons.We continued to build collaborative relationships with Town Boards by meeting jointly with the Board ofSelectmen in June and the Planning Board in July. We shared our 2011 activities, our newly createdstrategic plan and gained valuable insights from both Boards.Our Design Review Sub-Committee, with input and participation from the full Committee, continuedworking with the Planning Board on their Design Review Regulation project begun in early 2011. Theresulting Design Review Regulations were adopted by the Planning Board on May 30, 2012. WEDCmember Paul Gosselin was appointed a member of the Planning Board’s first Design Review Committee.Our first steps toward implementing our Strategic Plan included the formation of three Sub-Committeesfocusing on our key goals. Those Sub-Committees, their members and their activities are:• Infrastructure – Chairman Ralph Valentine, Sy Wrenn, Bob Youngo The Sub-Committee has been meeting with our Town’s Infrastructure providers, learningtheir plans and concerns and assessing the Town’s future needs.• Land Use – Chairman Bev Donovan, Sally D’Angelo, Paul Gosselino The WEDC appointed Sub-Committee Chairman, Bev Donovan, to the Planning Board’sVillage Center District Sub-Committee. Besides contributing to meetings every twoweeks, she also participates in the Planning Board’s Village Center workshops and publichearings.o Chairman Donovan and member Sally D’Angelo volunteered for the Planning Board’sNon-Residential Zoning Sub-Committee and worked throughout much of the year on theproject now going through the public hearing process for Town Meeting.o This Sub-Committee has also actively participated in the Planning Board’s Site PlanRegulations Review now going through the public workshop process.• Marketing, Education & Outreach– Chairman Al Letizio, Bruce Breton, Dianne Connolly, JayYennaco, Bob Youngo The Sub-Committee is drafting informational and educational messages to engagecommunity members on topics of importance to the community. They are also identifyingvenues and methods to generate that dialogue.In addition to Sub-Committee work, our members attend Town Board meetings and represent thecommunity at State and Regional meetings like the Annual NH Economic Development Summit and theGreater Salem Chamber of Commerce’s (GSCC) 4 th Annual Economic Development Breakfast & PillarAwards event. We also provided recommendations to the Board of Selectmen on their action itemsincluding Regional Planning Commission membership, sale of Town and State owned land and therevision of the Sunday Ordinance.2012 ANNUAL REPORTS 113 TOWN OF WINDHAM, NH