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Oak Bluffs Select Board creates seven‑member Economic Development Council
Summary
The Select Board unanimously authorized a seven‑member Oak Bluffs Economic Development Council to promote year‑round economic vitality, with subcommittees planned for marketing, business development, real estate and events; members will be Select Board representative(s), town/committee designees, an Oak Bluffs Association representative and three at‑large residents or business owners.
The Oak Bluffs Select Board voted unanimously April 7 to establish a seven‑member Oak Bluffs Economic Development Council aimed at supporting sustainable economic growth and improving quality of life for residents and businesses.
Select Person Sean DeBettencourt moved to establish the council with the edits discussed; the motion was seconded by Select Person Emma Green‑Beach and passed on a 4–0 roll‑call vote. Select Person Mark Leonard, who introduced the proposal, said the council grew from a five‑to‑six‑month workgroup that drafted bylaws and envisions subcommittees for marketing, business development, real estate and events.
The council’s stated mission in materials provided to the board is to "support sustainable economic growth in Oak Bluffs in ways that honor the town's distinctive cultural and environmental heritage," and to strengthen business development and workforce training so the town can thrive beyond the summer season. At the meeting, Green‑Beach asked that the mission be revised to reference the town’s master plan and expressed concern about the phrase "job creation," prompting the board to approve establishment while allowing further refinements to the mission language.
Town Administrator Deborah Potter told the board the Select Board may appoint ad hoc committees and recommended clarifying the council composition language to read "Select Board member or designee," which the board agreed to. Potter also reminded members that committees cannot directly apply for grants; the town must apply for grant funds and any in‑kind or matching contributions must follow town grant policies and procedures.
The board approved the council with the expectation that bylaws and membership details will be finalized by the council and brought back to the Select Board as appropriate. The board also approved routine payment warrants at the start of the meeting.
Next steps include finalizing the council’s bylaws, appointing the initial membership, and standing up subcommittees to pursue marketing, business outreach and grant coordination.
