Killington expands economic board

By Josh O’Gorman
Rutland Herald
STAFF WRITER | April 26,2013

KILLINGTON — The town has restructured the Economic Development and Tourism Commission.

The Select Board this week voted unanimously to expand the commission from four members to five.

There is no change in the commission’s mission to advise the Select Board, Town Manager Seth Webb and the community on issues associated with generating more business, particularly during the late spring, summer and fall when Killington Ski Resort and Pico Mountain see less traffic.

“The Select Board doesn’t have time to take care of all of its business and handle economic development,” Webb said during a 30-minute discussion involving the board and members of the public Tuesday.

In 2011, the Select Board approved the organizational policy for a four-person commission, which is open to residents of Killington, property owners, lease holders and anyone who owns, manages or works at a business in town, is a town employee or works in a professional capacity that would benefit the town.

The commission is advisory only and has no oversight of town employees. Currently, it only has two members: Nicole Levesque and Robert Megnin.

“The commission gives people a way to build plans up and get some steam behind them,” said Selectwoman Patty McGrath. “What we’re trying to do is bring a more diverse group together and think about economic development.”

Audience member Vito Rasenas was unimpressed.

“What I see here is kind of rearranging the furniture,” Rasenas said. “Rather than have all of this advisory and all of these people involved, we have a professional like Seth (Webb) to give direction to the town. For me, it’s going backwards.”

“I think this commission could be helpful in setting policy for the town,” Webb said. “I think it’s creating a place where we can put a framework on the town’s strategic plans and solicit citizen input.”


Comment: Damn right I was unimpressed. My feeling is we came to a decent equilibrium with economic development efforts in the town. Having installed Seth Webb as town manager with the notion that he would imbue the economic development mindset throughout the whole town government as opposed to a single department. He has done that.
Prior to his arrival the EDTC efforts were banal and they were a 7 member commission. The thing I remember most about the EDTC of the past was their penchant for studies (one of which told them their efforts were going to be futile).
This is just fanning the flames of further disruption in the town as we experienced in the fight over the 1% tax going into the general fund, the Fireside Property, Bill's country store, etc. The EDTC was on the wrong side of all those issues. Do we need to revitalize it so we can have more divisiveness in  town? The dust has just settled. Let's keep it that way.
Having said that if the board goes forward I plan to apply for a position on the commission in order to represent a more balanced viewpoint of economic development. I am not against economic development. In fact I fully support the major private development initiative in town, that of the ski village. I have taken concrete steps in that direction by supporting SP Land's permit effort at the town and regional planning commissions and will continue to do so. I believe private investment is the way to develop the town not spending taxpayer dollars in what amount to stimulus plans for a narrow set of interests in the town, i.e. the bars, restaurants and motels. That viewpoint needs to be represented on any Economic Development Commission going forward.

Vito