DOVER- The selectboard and the Dover Economic Development Committee met for a second time last Thursday to hash out their disagreements and find solutions. The meeting was amicable and both groups are taking steps toward trusting one another. By the end of the two-hour meeting, the selectboard and the DEDC agreed on two things: develop new criteria for the events approval process and hire an economic specialist as soon as possible. However, reaching common ground was no walk in the park for either group.

At the last meeting, the selectboard and the DEDC identified two major areas where they don’t see eye-to-eye. The areas of disagreement are economic development and trust. The DEDC broke down the issues and they focused on one of the selectboard’s main concerns, the events approval process. Approving money for DEDC-approved applicants has been a contentious issue at past selectboard meetings. Some selectboard members query whether specific proposals constitute economic development and whether the events committee’s guidelines are too loosely structured.

DEDC member Ken Black said the events committee held a two-and-a-half-hour meeting and discussed alternatives for strengthening the approval process. Black presented a recap of the meeting and the events committee agreed the current procedures have limitations. Black said the process is broken because it appears too cumbersome; requires a minimum of three separate discussions that place undue and unfair burdens on event sponsors; and puts the DEDC and events subcommittee on the front line of controversial issues.

Black suggested the DEDC could improve the events approval process by establishing stringent guidelines and requirements with the selectboard, so that the subcommittee and DEDC can implement the selectboard’s wishes. The subcommittee’s role could also change to ensure that all guidelines and requirements are met before event sponsors come before the selectboard for a decision.

Black suggested the working group may consist of an events subcommittee member, a DEDC core committee member, and a selectboard member to develop necessary guidelines and requirements and report back to the selectboard for discussion and approval. “A panel that would highlight the things that should be done would make things a lot clearer,” said Black.

The selectboard supported the idea of a small working group. They agreed that DEDC guidelines must be streamlined and the changes will help both groups understand each other’s requests, goals, and expectations. Selectboard members Jim Martin and Colby Dix both expressed an interest in participating. The DEDC members are Black, Randy Capitani, publisher of The Deerfield Valley News, and Jim DesRochers.

However, some selectboard members thought the DEDC should consider other changes as well. Selectboard members Becky Snow, Martin, and Adam Levine thought the DEDC core committee should be reduced from nine members to six. All three members thought nine was too many. Snow thought a smaller number “would streamline the rules” better. Martin thought nine on the core committee was “unmanageable.” DEDC chair Lisa Coneeny was surprised by the suggestion. Coneeny thought they had been functioning as “a cohesive committee” with nine members.

Levine thought the number should not only be reduced, but the core committee memberships should be set aside for those with the necessary qualifications. “Leave it to the experts,” said Levine. Coneeny was taken aback by Levine’s suggestion. “We are all volunteers sitting here and you are lucky we put in all this time we put in. I resent you saying we’re not qualified,” shouted Coneeny. Levine assured Coneeny that wasn’t what he said. He only wanted to know who’s qualified. “Show me who’s qualified. I’m not saying someone’s not. You don’t know who is and who isn’t,” Levine responded.

Capitani said they had already discussed whether to reduce the numbers, however the DEDC chose to remain at nine members. He noted the numbers may change if and when the town hires a new economic specialist. The economic specialist will have the necessary qualifications that Levine is looking for and also act as a conduit between the DEDC and the selectboard. “Once we have a staff person, the DEDC has more of an advisory role,” said Capitani.

After much discussion, the selectboard warmed up to the idea that hiring a new economic specialist would be in the town’s best interest. The DEDC and the selectboard agreed to reopen the search and interview potential applicants. The selectboard suggested the DEDC also rework and narrow down the economic development specialist’s job description. Levine and Martin agreed that the position should be “well-defined” and “not too broad.”

The DEDC agreed to rework a job description. The details have yet to be determined. However, Capitani emphasized that they not make it too defined. “Let’s not make it so narrow that it’s impossible for them to succeed. Don’t hang this person out to dry,” said Capitani.