Our Government Affairs Council had their monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 14. The Chamber’s Director of Community Relations, Olivia Perez-O’Dess, began the meeting by giving her community relations update for the late January, early February time period. Highlights include:

• All 5 greater Cape Ann communities have turned in their Action plans for the State’s MBTA Multi-Family Zoning Requirements (3A). Rockport’s plan has been approved. Essex is already in compliance based on MAPC findings; they are waiting on official approval of compliance from the State. The municipalities are working towards determining if compliance is a good fit for them. If they decide not to comply, they will lose access to funding from the Housing Choice Initiative, the Local Capital Projects Fund and the MassWorks infrastructure program.
• Manchester-by-the-Sea’s per capita water usage puts them in the worst 10 out of 287 communities, this information was collected by the Town’s Water Conservation Task Force. Manchester’s water supply is good however, work needs to be done to conserve water nonetheless
• Gloucester is beginning discussions on extension of premises for outdoor dining although we are hearing that restaurants are more focused on staffing issues than the possibility of outdoor dining.
• Essex & Manchester continue to work on the planning of their off-season event and placemaking grants. Manchester’s Skate by the Sea event will take place March 3-5 & 10-12. Essex’s Spring into Essex event will take place May 19-21

Other topics of discussion during the February Government Affairs Council meeting included the upcoming Economic Outlook Breakfast on March 8 and Greater Cape Ann Caucus on March 10.

The Government Affairs Council leads the Chamber’s focus on economic development and public policy, one of our key platforms. This Council meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 7:30 to 9 AM, and participation is open to any Chamber member with an interest in being engaged with our state and local government and helping foster a vibrant Cape Ann economy. Currently, those who are part of our monthly meetings include representatives from greater Cape Ann’s industrial, tourism, government, real estate, legal, non-profit and services sectors. To learn more or join in these meetings, please contact Steve Buckley or Olivia Perez – O’Dess. Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 14.

Olivia Perez-O’Dess
Staff, Government Affairs Council and Director of Community Relations
Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce