Committee to review economic vitality manager goals; members propose focused priorities

Committee members asked Mimi, the Town’s economic vitality manager, and her supervisors to present the manager’s current goals and alignment with Select Board priorities at the committee’s next meeting.

"My suggestion is that we hear what these are," the chair said, proposing that Mimi present her goals and progress so the committee can identify a focused set of one- to three-year priorities the committee can endorse and help promote.

Mimi and another staff member explained they recently completed goal alignment with senior management and that individual goals were tied to Select Board objectives in the staff review process. Committee members said they want to hear the current goals and then provide input so the committee can better support the position — including recommending whether the manager should have a dedicated general fund budget and clearer prioritization.

Members discussed that the economic vitality manager currently may be stretched across many requests and stakeholders and suggested the committee identify four or five near-term priorities (for example, concierge services for prospective businesses, streamlining permitting, connecting prospects with landlords, and filling vacant storefronts) to demonstrate short-term returns.

The committee agreed to place the item on the next agenda and to invite Mimi (and, if appropriate, her supervisor) to present and discuss prioritization and resource needs.