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Select Board rescinds 2017 EDIC order, approves revised spend plan to advance economic development planning
Summary
After a legal review showed the town’s 2017 Economic Development Industrial Corporation order lacked required state certification, the Select Board rescinded the order and approved a revised spend plan (Table B) to fund an economic development study and related consulting services.
The Town of Templeton’s Select Board voted on Jan. 8 to rescind a 2017 Economic Development Industrial Corporation (EDIC) order after town counsel concluded the earlier order had not completed required state-level steps. The board also approved a revised $200,000 spend plan amendment for a state earmark to fund planning and consulting work.
Lede: The board rescinded the prior EDIC order and then approved a revised allocation of previously earmarked funds (Table B) that the board and MRPC said would pay for an economic development plan, legal support, signage/marketing, engineering site assessments, and limited supplies for outreach.
Why it matters: The rescission clears a legal hurdle identified in town counsel’s opinion and re-centers the work on creating a properly chartered economic development committee and producing an economic development plan to present to the state. The revised spend plan moves money toward MRPC-led planning work that is required for future state certification or a possible “special act” pathway.
Background and votes: Counsel found the 2017 order was incomplete because required certification by the state office had not been obtained; the board voted 4–0 (one member recused) to rescind the order. Select Board members and MRPC staff then discussed two paths forward: (a) use a planning document to seek EOED/HLC (executive office) blessing that would support a properly constituted EDIC, or (b) pursue a special-act route to charter an EDIC with the Legislature. MRPC recommended proceeding with an economic development plan first.
The board then approved an amendment to the state-earmarked budget (Table B) to reallocate funds toward MRPC’s economic development plan and related consulting services; the amended spend plan passed 4–1 (Jeff voted no). MRPC said the plan would document local conditions the state needs to review for certification, and that funding will be used to prepare an application and associated studies.
Implementation and next steps: The Select Board instructed staff to work with MRPC on the contracted scope and to return with a chartered economic development committee (EDC) and implementation schedule. If the plan confirms the town meets criteria, the board may move to formalize an EDIC or pursue a special act as advised by counsel.
Ending: The board’s actions clear an administrative roadblock while committing town resources to a formal economic development plan that MRPC and staff say is necessary to secure state approval and move toward a legally sound EDIC option.
