During the meeting, the proposed Dollar General store emerged as a focal point due to its potential incongruity with the character of the neighborhood. Safety issues were paramount in the discussion, with specific attention given to the lack of a soft shoulder on College Highway and an anticipated increase in left-hand turns. The environmental impact, notably the risk of attracting bears because of food waste, was also a topic of concern. Some attendees felt that the addition of Dollar General would lead to an oversaturation of similar businesses, thereby detracting from the town’s vision and character.

The commission acknowledged these concerns and disclosed plans to hold a public meeting to delve deeper into the Dollar General proposal and its implications for the community. The debate underscored the community’s vested interest in maintaining the town’s standards, which led to a broader discussion on the role of citizen groups in shaping local development. One member shared insights into the influence of organized citizen groups, emphasizing the importance of public participation in governance.

Furthermore, the commission members discussed the need for expertise in assessing businesses and the legal boundaries of their influence. There was a consensus on the commission’s role in balancing business operations with community standards and infrastructure requirements. The absence of a master plan was notably highlighted as a limitation in effectively guiding economic development decisions. The commission agreed on the urgency of developing a master plan to establish a clear vision for the town’s future.

In addition to addressing the Dollar General store, the commission also engaged in detailed deliberations regarding the establishment of a local business directory. The directory is intended to support local businesses by making them more accessible to the community and visitors. The technical aspects of the directory, such as the use of a purchased URL, the decision to implement a QR code for a dining guide, and the inclusion of high-resolution mapping features, were discussed at length. Ensuring that the directory is user-friendly, easily searchable, and editable was a priority. The commission also deliberated on the importance of optimizing the directory for search engines and tracking website traffic through the transition to the new G4 plugin for WordPress.

The timeline for the website launch was a major focus of the meeting, with the commission planning to start populating the directory and adding a QR code for restaurants. The distribution method for business directory letters, which may include a blend of mail and in-person delivery, was also discussed. Furthermore, a motion was approved to commence one-on-one technical work on the website, and there was brief dialogue regarding copyright permissions for photos.

Marketing efforts were another agenda item, with the commission debating the best approach for reaching out to local restaurants. The members decided to postpone outreach until the website and business survey were fully prepared. Additionally, the commission’s social media presence, particularly on Facebook, was discussed, with some members assigned to research economic development activities on Facebook in surrounding towns.