At our August meeting held on Tuesday, August 9, Rockport Town Moderator and GA Council member Bob Visnick reported that Rockport’s Fall Town Meeting will be held on Monday, September 12, with bylaw updates, community preservation projects and property tax exemptions for residential properties on the agenda. The meeting also included member Jim Brown giving a Manchester update and member Mark Lynch reporting on the Essex bridge project and meetings producing “some movement” on the entertainment issue in Essex. Olivia reported that Gloucester’s new Community Development Director David Fields is on board.

Other Government Affairs highlights in August included setting the location (Ipswich Town Hall) for the October 21 Fall Greater Cape Ann Caucus. Ipswich’s search for a new Town Manager continues, with Olivia reporting that the Town hopes to fill the position by October. An Essex Division meeting was held at Riversbend on August 24, with Ken giving an update on Clamfest planning and KD Montgomery reporting on plans for renewing the Essex River Cultural District and announcing that the Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum will be hosting the Smithsonian Crossroads exhibit on rural America from September 10 through October 21.

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 Ken, Olivia, Peter or me. Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 13.

Bill Scott
Chair, Government Affairs Council
Scott Energy Company