A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to addressing a citizen article presented at a special town meeting, which faced substantial opposition from the select board. The article, aimed at improving walkability in the town center, was defeated with 45 votes in favor and 703 against. Concerns were raised about the town’s infrastructure, notably the lack of public parking and the absence of a plan to enhance the town’s appeal. In response, members explored potential solutions, including partnering with local businesses with large parking lots to create “Park and Walk” spots. These designated areas would encourage visitors to park near sidewalks and explore the town on foot, benefiting local businesses through increased foot traffic.

The proposal also included the installation of signage featuring QR codes leading to a guide of local attractions, fostering a pedestrian-friendly environment. The commission engaged in discussions about the design and placement of these signs, emphasizing the need for clarity and visibility. Green was identified as Southwick’s color, and members favored a bright hue to attract attention. The QR codes were deemed essential, offering direct links to guides on recreation, dining, and shopping. Potential locations for these signs included high-traffic areas such as bike trails and boat ramps, catering to both residents and visitors. Collaboration with the Historical Society was also considered to incorporate historical context into the QR code offerings, promoting local heritage.

In a separate but related initiative, the commission discussed plans for a community flower-growing competition aimed at beautifying the town. The competition would encourage businesses and residents to enhance their properties along streets visible to passing traffic, creating an inviting atmosphere to potentially increase tourism and local commerce. Ideas were shared about using window boxes, containers, and any available spaces for flowers, building on Southwick’s agricultural foundation. The commission is still planning the logistics, including participant awards and event timelines. Members expressed interest in timing the competition to coincide with the town’s Open Farm Days in mid-August, engaging visitors already interested in agricultural activities.

The potential for community spaces like churches and local parks to host storytelling sessions or music performances was also explored, diversifying attractions to make the town more appealing. The commission recognized the importance of digital communication to reach businesses and residents effectively, with over a hundred email addresses already collected for outreach. Social media platforms, particularly Facebook, were highlighted as essential promotional tools.

Further discussions revolved around the development of the commission’s website, with emphasis on increasing traffic through QR code integration. The website had reportedly reached approximately 1,300 unique users and 5,200 page views. Google analytics tools were mentioned as beneficial for tracking website metrics, with a preference for daily updates. The commission acknowledged the need for a cohesive strategy to ensure the website serves as a valuable tool for town officials and potential business owners.

The meeting also touched on the importance of evaluating new businesses objectively, discussing both revenue and cost implications. Members considered analyzing fixed and variable costs within the town’s budget, recognizing the challenge of balancing objective metrics with subjective values. The commission aims to increase awareness of vacant business properties in town, linking this effort to website updates and providing resources to facilitate the process.

Lastly, the commission reviewed the town’s zoning map, addressing inaccuracies in the zoning database, particularly regarding multi-dwelling unit developments. Correcting these classifications is important for ensuring that zoning accurately reflects current developments. The commission expressed a desire to attract younger families to balance the community’s demographic, noting a decline in school attendance linked to the town’s lack of affordability for families.