New Britain Borough Community & Business Committee Meeting Minutes

March 9, 2017

The meeting was called to order by Jackie D’Agostino at 7:34 PM. Committee members present were Jackie D’Agostino, Debbie Byrne, Robyne Kelemen, Lorraine Moxey, Dick Moxey and Peg Remmey.   Sam Bryant, NBB Manager was also in attendance.

Not present were David Holewinski, Steve Gieseler, Dave Fermier, Andrea Antell, Loren Frasco, Bill Vandergrift and Steve Gilmore

Minutes of March 9, 2017 meeting were reviewed and unanimously approved.

Stephen Barth Project Overview Report: The committee had requested a report from Stephen Barth at each meeting.  Sam Bryant agreed to provide the update on Mr. Barth’s behalf.  

• Mr. Barth has hired an assistant to  help promote community events
• The launch of the business incubator was very well received and successful
• Mr. Barth is working to attract new businesses to the Country Builders project (Knoell property) and the borough.

NBB Manager’s Report: Sam gave an overview of current happenings around the borough.

• Demolition of Knoell property is on-going.  Final plans due at next Planning Commission meeting
• Current owner of Duck Deli property plans to demolish current building to make way for new restaurant and parking lot
• Bank of America kiosk at Town Center should be completed next month

Old Business:

Review of current mission statement: At our last meeting members were asked to review our current mission statement to ensure that it reflects our vision for moving our committee into the future.  Some suggestions included we add that we are working toward enhancing the experience of living and working in the borough, the removal of the language “to fill vacant properties” and to add that we are working in the spirit of the NBB Main Street Plan in addition to the Comprehensive Plan.

All agreed this discussion should be tabled until next meeting when more members are present to provide their input.  Action Item:  All members should be prepared to review and finalize our mission statement at the next meeting.

Goals/Projects for 2017:  Members were asked to consider what goals/projects our committee might consider working on.  Some suggestions included:

• Plan regularly scheduled community events
• Debbie mentioned that she wanted to do a project to save honey bees, maybe work with our other borough committees to have a “Bee Day” at the Covered Bridge Park.
• Some members suggested that we track properties that come up for sale in the borough.  Sam and Stephen could track commercial properties.
• Sam suggested that one of our members might consider becoming a member of the Central Bucks Chambers of Commerce because it would be good exposure for our committee Action Item: Sam and Peg would work on introductions if anyone is interested.
• It was also suggested that some of the business owners on this committee might consider attending the Chalfont & New Britain Borough Business Alliance.  David Holewinski is currently a member; anyone interested was encouraged to reach out to him.
• The committee discussed a creating a lighting plan.  We have chosen a decorative light fixture, but have we developed a plan where lighting might be placed?  Robyne noted that our Public Safety Committee is working on a survey to determine the lighting and sidewalk needs of the borough.  Their final plan is due to council at the April meeting. Robyne will keep us updated on their progress.  It was suggested that we work with that plan to determine where our decorative light fixtures might be placed.
• A suggestion was made that we research ideas to market our borough; some suggestions included license plate covers, bumper stickers and signage around the borough including historical markers.  
• We also discussed developing a plan for placement of benches around the borough  

New Business:

• 2017 Meeting Schedule: The 2017 Meeting Schedule was approved.  Meeting dates are as follows: March 9; May 11; July 13; Sept 14; Nov 9

• Review of current members:  The current members were reviewed to determine if we had any vacancies.  It was suggested that Jackie D’Agostino reach to members who haven’t been attending to determine their interest in continuing with the committee. Sam informed the committee that David Joss is no longer working for Federal Realty and that he would reach out to Federal Realty to ask if they had someone to take his place on our committee.
• Attendance Policy: The committee agreed that we did not want to formalize an attendance policy, but noted that all members must make every effort to attend and that out of courtesy; they should notify Jackie D’Agostino if they aren’t able to attend a meeting.  
• Selection of Committee Secretary:  Due to so many members not in attendance we agreed to table the decision until the next meeting.  Jackie noted that if we don’t have a volunteer, we will assign the responsibility for each meeting alphabetically.

• Jackie felt it was important to know what other committees and commissions are doing so we don’t duplicate effort but more importantly that we might be able to join together.  She asked the following members to provide a brief report at each meeting:

1. Council- Robyne Kelemen
2. Civic Association- David Holewinski
3. Planning Commission- Peg Remmey
4. Historic Preservation- Lorraine Moxey
5. Zoning Hearing Board- Andrea Antell
6. Parks and Recreation-- Andrea Antell
7. Public Safety Committee- Robyne Kelemen

• Peg Remmey discussed a webinar that she viewed that discussed community education and activities that bring people together.  She thought it would very informative and she will try to get information about the presentation for our committee.  

Summary of Action Items:

• All members should be prepared to review and finalize our mission statement at the next meeting.
• Continue to develop a list of projects for our committee based on our mission statement.  
• Sam Bryant to contact Federal Realty for new committee representative.
• Jackie D’Agostino reach to members to determine their interest in continuing with the committee.
• Peg Remmey will try to get information about a webinar that she attended to our committee members.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 PM. The next meeting will be held on May 11, 2017 at 7:30 PM.