The Chamber’s Government Affairs Council held its regular monthly meeting on April 12 , with members attending in person and via Zoom. At their meeting, the Council continued their conversations about worker shortages and housing. The April meeting also included Chamber and community updates and a summary report presented by Olivia on recent community meetings that she had attended.

Member Bob Visnick reported on Rockport’s annual town meeting, where voters approved added funding for the DPW facility, with an override vote on the May 10 town election ballot. A special town meeting on proposed zoning bylaw changes will take place on May 16. In Ipswich Market Street improvements are underway, and Town Manager Tony Marino announced that he will be resigning to take a similar position in another community. Council member and Gloucester 400+ tri-chairperson Ruth Pino talked about the stories project and an appearance by author Sebastian Junger at Cruiseport. In other business the group talked about Greater Cape Ann Small Business Weeks in June and the process for nominating and selecting the 2022 Small Business Persons of the Year for each community.

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, May 10.

Bill Scott
Chair, Government Affairs Council
Scott Energy Company