Economic Development Committee Meets

by Bobby Blair 1/10/12

89% percent of survey respondents say Holliston is not business friendly.

Members of the town's EDC (Economic Development Committee) met Tuesday morning to review the results of a recent survey completed by those who had recently taken out building permits. While committee member Mary Greendale noted that the survey was not scientific, the EDC did conclude from their results that Holliston is not business friendly. 18 surveys were completed and 16 surveys branded Holliston as being unfriendly towards business. Respondents reserved their harshest criticism for the town's Building Department and Building Inspector Peter Tartakoff. As one member of the EDC stated "I don't know if it's his personality or philosophy, but it's something the selectmen have to deal with".

While the EDC will invite them to a meeting, the committee will also forward a packet containing the survey results and various other recommendations to selectmen. Among those suggestions will be appointing an associate member to the Planning Board as well as other regulatory boards to make sure meetings have a full compliment of members.

A lack of a quorum at meetings cost developers time and money according to the EDC. EDC members also wish that Selectmen would not appoint a resident to a regulatory board if that resident already holds an elected office. The EDC will suggest selectmen hold an orientation for newly elected and appointed board members which will set guidelines. Clarification of the town's 50' vs 100' buffer zone and a bylaw requiring extra space for car parking in industrial zoned land are also on the EDC's radar. The EDC hopes that the selectmen will play a more active role in changing the mood that Holliston is anti business.

The next meeting of the EDC is February 23rd at 7 p.m. Members of the EDC include: Fran Colantonio, Mark Ahronian, Mary Greendale, Greg Carey and Peter Barbieri. 

Posted in Politics, Marketplace.

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