Fosters’ Daily Democrat is running a story on the South Berwick Town Council’s narrow vote to approve a grant request for the Regional Efficiency Group’s continued work.

South Berwick Town Council approves grant request for regional authority

Read background on the Regional Development Authority .

The Portsmouth Herald reports that although there was some dissatisfaction with the progress made by the Regional Efficiency Workgroup on their first grant, Kittery Town Council voted to support an application for a second grant. Town Manager Jonathan Carter believes the proposed legislation will be postponed to be reworked into legislation that doesn’t create a regional development authority.

Read the full article: Business park plan slow to start rolling

Also, a meeting between the REG workgroup and legislators on LD2003 is scheduled for February 22 at 2pm at South Berwick Town Hall. The agenda:

• 2008 Regional Efficiency Grant Application
• Review Public Information Meetings
• Discuss additional amendments to LD 2003
• Discuss Workgroup Report to BRED Committee
• Discuss BRED Workshop scheduled for 2.26.08

Read other entries about the Regional Development Authority

Southern York County Regional Development Authority Public Information Meeting that was originally scheduled for February 13, 2008 at Noble High School Auditorium has been postponed to Wednesday, February 20, 2008 at 6:30 pm at Noble High School Auditorium.

Here are some additional materials:

Frequently Asked Questions document that was handed out at the first information meeting

List of York County Town Valuations and Scenarios regarding potential membership by towns

Final Report on Regional Efficiency Workgroup Grant

Find out more about the Southern York County Regional Development Authority.

Southern York County Regional Development Authority Public Information Meeting: The meeting originally scheduled for ednesday February 13, 2008 6:30 pm at Noble High School Auditorium has been postponed to Wednesday February 20, 2008 at 6:30 pm at Noble High School Auditorium.

Find out more about the Southern York County Regional Development Authority.

Here’s the really skinny on what I heard at the public meeting this morning:

• In general citizens think the idea of working regionally to promote economic development, job creation, and planning is a good idea, although they are not sold on the idea of a development authority
• Citizens at the meeting do not support this legislation as written, particularly because of the broad powers it would give a development authority, it would add another layer of government, it does not offer voter participation at key decision points, and much of the language is vague
• Citizens strongly stated that the process has not allowed enough citizen participation. Opportunities for input were poorly publicized and what has been offered has been too little, too late
• Citizens at the meeting would like regional development efforts to address sustainable practices and to be assured that a casino would not be part of the plan and would like to see that reflected in the legislation
• Citizens who spoke would like to see this legislation killed and an opportunity to start over with more citizen input during the process.

What did you hear?

Read more about the background of LD2003

In the last few weeks I’ve tried to find out everything I can about LD 2003, the bill that would allow the creation of the Southern York County Regional Development Authority. I’ve read the legislation, heard from proponents and opponents of the bill, and read the minutes of the Regional Efficiency Grant Working Group meetings. My initial reaction to the bill was negative, mostly because it seemed to come out of nowhere and I could find little information on it. I searched the Town of South Berwick website and only found allusions to it, but no clear statement about what it is and why it would be in the interest of the town to participate.

After reading all of the minutes of the Regional Efficiency Grant Working Group meetings, I am more positively disposed to the bill, but still have many questions. The minutes provided some insight into the vision behind the bill, the potential benefits, and the process for moving ahead. The positives that I saw: (more…)

The Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission (SMRPC) has posted more information about LD 2003, Southern York County Regional Development Authority on their web site, including upcoming meeting schedules. They have also have a link to the minutes of the Regional Efficiency Grant Working Group meetings. These minutes include meetings beginning in January 2007 through January 2008 and cover the genesis of LD 2003.

Two public information meetings have been scheduled to receive public input on LD 2003 “An Act to Create Southern York County Regional Development Authority.”

South Berwick: Saturday, February 9, 2008 at 9 am at Marshwood High School

North Berwick: Wednesday, February, 13, 2008 at 6:30 pm at Noble High School

Read all posts about the Regional Development Authority with links to text of legislation.

Portsmouth Herald reports this morning that the work group of seven towns that wrote the legislation to create the Southern York County Regional Development Authority met on Friday. The meeting was attended by Senator Peter Bowman and Representative Bonnie Gould, cosponsors of the bill. The group met to prepare for the work session scheduled for February 26 in Augusta.

According to the Herald’s report, both Bowman and Gould are still in support of the bill, contrary to what was reported earlier. Both indicate that they would like to see some changes to the bill before it is passed, however.

The most encouraging news is that the work group plans to provide more information about the bill to the public prior to the work session. They will hold two public hearings, yet to be scheduled, one at Noble High School and one at Marshwood High. Also Jeff Grossman will be working on a brochure of frequently asked questions and a website so people can get more information.

Here’s a link to the full article in the Portsmouth Herald: Regional authority bill still alive

For more than a year South Berwick, Berwick, Eliot, Kittery, North Berwick, and Wells have been discussing the creation of a regional development authority. As a result, LD 2003, “An Act To Create the Southern York County Regional Development Authority” was sponsored by Senator Bowman of York and cosponsored by Representative Gould of South Berwick and Representatives Wheeler of Kittery, Chase of Wells, Weaver of York, and Hill of York.

On January 17, the legislation went before the Business Research and Economic Development Committee (BRED) in Augusta for a public hearing and a vote. At the time of the hearing, Senator Bowman, the original sponsor, had withdrawn his support because he was concerned that the legislation was too strongly worded and that local citizens were not fully informed about it. Consequently BRED tabled their decision and set a work session for Feb. 26 so they can hear more input and review possible amendments to the legislation.

Citizens of the towns involved have an opportunity to learn more about the legislation, ask questions of its proponents and opponents, and let our legislators and the members of the BRED Committee know what we think of the legislation before the February 26 work session.

Here’s more information about the bill.

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Here’s a round up of newspaper articles on the proposed Southern York County Regional Development Authority from newest to oldest. Let me know if you know of others and I will add them.

Development authority bill not killed in Augusta
Foster’s Daily Democrat, NH - Jan 25, 2008
Despite Sen. Bowman’s withdrawal of support, the Development Authority bill may yet still live. Jeff Grossman optimistic that Feb. 26 work session will result in viable bill…

South Berwick panel’s vote on business development agency delayed …
Foster’s Daily Democrat, NH - Jan 22, 2008
The tabling of legislation for the proposed Southern York County Regional Development Authority (SYCRDA) last week was met …

Development authority bill loses Bowman’s support
Foster’s Daily Democrat, NH - Jan 17, 2008
Peter Bowman, D-York County, who originally sponsored legislation for the creation of the Southern York County Regional Development Authority, has withdrawn …
(more…)