COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING COMMITTEE, TOWN OF GEORGETOWN
Minutes for Monday, February 19, 2018 at 7:00 pm

Rick Cliffe called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Members Jason Lang, Rob Lowell, and Jim Peavey, and Alternate Members Kathy Gravino, and Stephen Mace were present. John McIlvain called in by phone.Members Jenn Dobransky, Bronwen Tudor, and Alternate Members Jonathan Collins, Vicki Hart, and Mike Guethle were absent. Selectboard liaison Dolores Pinette did not attend. Alternate members Kathy Gravino and Stephen Mace were appointed as regular members for this meeting.

Guests in attendance included Mark Aukeman, Pat Burns, Juliana Cliffe, Neil Collins, Don Cowing, Bob Gravino, Ole & Sandy Jeager, Heidi Klingelhofer, and Pat & Eric Kosalka.

Items to be added to Agenda (if approved by Chair): none

Scheduled Appointments/Guests: none

Review of Past Minutes of February 5, 2018: Minutes were approved.

Correspondence and/or Handouts:

  • Economic and Community Development (Najpaur)
  • Carlos Comments on Tourism (McIlvain)
  • Bronwen and Stephen notes on Businesses (McIlvain)

New Business:

Georgetown’s Economy was the focus of this meeting. Bill Najpauer initiated the discussion by highlighting some of the statistical data included in the “Economic and Community Development” handout. This led to extensive discussion among committee members and guests, most of which are business owners/managers in town. The following key points were made during these discussions. Note that these minutes are not necessarily in the order of discussion. They are organized to consolidate by topic.

  • Business Listing:The handout had a draft listing of businesses within town. A number of committee members identified additions to the list. According to state data, 23% of Georgetown residents are self-employed. Stephen Mace recommended the following list of business categories (with examples). The committee agreed that we should create and maintain a complete listing of businesses by category (assuming business owners/managers want to be in the listing).
  • Marine (fishing, digging, boating, boat maintenance)
  • Manufacturing (Woodex, boat building)
  • Retail (Georgetown Country Store, Five Islands Farm)
  • Professional (home health care, lawyers, college professors)
  • Tourism (campground, B&Bs, seasonal rentals)
  • Trades (construction, plumbing, electrician)
  • Maintenance (property mgt., snow plowing)
  • Cottage Industries(internet based, artist, writer, consultant)
  • Service Industry in both home care and tourism
  • Business Community Impact: The handout had some federal and state based statistical data on fiscal impact (e.g. $3,896,764 landings of lobster) and employment (number of employees) but accuracy is questionable. The committee agreed we should attempt to identify community impact by both fiscal ($$) and employment estimates. For major business categories (e.g. fishing), we should also try to obtain historical data for the past 10-20 years and use it to project 10-15 years into the future. We should measure Georgetown’s economic factors within the context of the mid-coast region. Stephen noted that Josh Stoll is gathering State and federal landings data for the Marine Resources subcommittee.Josh will also provide trend data.
  • Supporting Community Businesses: Bill Najpauer recommended that the committee focus on things that the Town can influence and that the community really wants. For example, the town wharf is swamped with tourists all summer. There is no parking available. Tourist traffic is impacting commercial and residential use of the dock. Do we really want to promote and/or expand that business?
  • Economic Growth: Where can we/should we attempt to grow the economy? Heidi Klingelhofer, Five Islands Farm, said business projections show that Maine has overbuilt the fresh produce industry. Farmers cannot find nearby markets and interstate transportation systems don’t exist. She explained that the bulk of her business is locals and seasonal residents/visitors. She stopped advertising beyond the local area.
  • New Business Opportunities: Pat Burns discussed growth and potential for aquaculture. He indicated that 90-95% of seafood consumed in the US is imported. Therefore, there is a very large market most of which is relatively local. He expects 200-300% growth in oysters within the next 2-3 years. Starting new businesses has potential to create jobs, including alternatives for fishing,and digging (where the harvest is shrinking). Pat indicated that Maine oysters have been recognized as the best.
  • Water Access:Even though we are an island community, water access is a major concern for commercial users, residents and guests. 1993 Comprehensive Plan stated that at one time there were 26 access points to marine waters available from either public land or rights-of-way. .What happened to them? Almost all commercial fish landings are at the Town Wharf and Georgetown Coop. Marine Resources subcommittee is looking at potential water access points. Access must also address parking which is a major issue in some areas of Georgetown. Use regulations and enforcement are a problem, especially at Todd’s Landing. State and conservation grants are sometimes available to develop boat launching access but these facilities then become open to the public. Some townspeople do not want to share access with non-residents. Tourists often ask about access, “Where can we launch our kayaks?”
  • Tourism: Tourism is a low percentage of the Georgetown economy but it is growing. Bill Najpauer checked AirBnB and found there are currently 29 listings in town with rates up to $175/night. B&Bs are fully booked for summer and extended spring/fall seasons. The town wharf is swamped with visitors on nice summer and fall days. Pat and Eric Kosalka, Sagadahoc Campground, indicated that much of their business comes from far away, including Europe. They find the campground on the internet. This is likely true of B&Bs and seasonal rentals. Affordable, high-speed internet is essential to tourist businesses.
  • Labor Pool: Seasonal businesses are having great difficulty hiring and keeping employees even when initial pay is as much as $15/hour. Neil Collins, Derektor Robinhood, said it is difficult to get qualified/trained workers and general laborers. Lack of affordable housing is a significant issues for workers. There is no public transportation.
  • Affordable Housing: Housing is a major problem for non-residents who want to work in Georgetown. There is limited affordable housing locally, especially during tourist season. Affordable housing is defined by the State as30% or less of an individual’s income. Heidi Klingelhofer pointed out that lack of affordable housing is also driving people, especially young people with families, out of Georgetown – even when they’ve grown up here and want to stay. Jason Lang indicated that the extensive amount of conservation land in Georgetown pushes up land prices.
  • Education: According to state data, Georgetown has a very high percentage of people with college degrees which should be good for the labor pool. Question whether these are retired people or still working. Beyond the school and self-employed professionals, there is no demand for highly educated workers in Georgetown.
  • Broadband: Virtually all local businesses in Georgetown are dependent on high speed internet. While Fairpoint has enabled DSL over much of the island, it is slow by current standards and expensive. Mark Aukeman, who is heading the Arrowsic/Georgetown/Southport broadband initiative, gave a brief overview of current status. A study being conducted by an engineering company will report in a few weeks. This report will detail the best technical/cost approach to achieving current/future bandwidth on a mostly fiber optic network. Implementation is not yet scheduled. Jason Lang asked if Consolidated Communications has policies differing from Fairpoint.

Old Business: not discussed due to time constraint.

  • Timeline for Surveying the Community – any follow-up
  • Affordable Housing – any follow-up
  • Setup meeting with GVFD Chief Justin LoDolce
  • Facebook Page status

Subcommittee Reports/Updates: No reports due to time constraint.

Public Comment: Guests participated extensively in discussion of the Georgetown economy.

Adjournment: the Committee adjourned at 8:30 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,
Rick Cliffe
Committee Secretary

comp_plan_mins_02-19-18page 1