Does Bill Butterly really have a plan?

Coordinate Communication

Bill can break down walls between boards and commissions by bringing the chairs of these groups together every few weeks to share information.  Often, regulations can seem conflicting and definitely frustrating for a small business to follow.  By making it easier for boards and commissions to share information, businesses will have a greater chance of following regulations properly while diverting more energy into thriving.

Problem with this:

1. The land use commissions are volunteers.  Some meet more than once a month.  Adding yet another meeting is unreasonable. 

2. If there are problems with regulations, change them. 

3. Jerry Stomski set up joint land use meetings FOR ALL MEMBERS a while ago.  Meetings like this need to be for ALL MEMBERS, not chairmen.  

4. If Butterly actually attended zoning meetings, he would know that outside of political signs, barely anything happens anymore on zoning. 

5. There are no walls between commissions.  The problem with communication is specific people.  For example, last year, there was a comment from the town planner about issues from the zoning board of appeals.  No follow up on it.  Why?  Because Martin Overton used to run the meeting top down and nothing was discussed unless Overton wanted to discuss it. 

The problem is not communication as Butterly states it.  It is partly the people on the boards and commissions.  In 2 years, there will be more seats up and it will be time again to replace personnel. 

Nurture Small and Home-Based Businesses

Bill has several ideas for providing mentoring sources and a business incubator in Woodbury.  Currently, taxes from small and home-based businesses pay for benefits that are indistinguishable from residential benefits.  It is important to realize the needs of a business owner are unique and to provide tools such as a business incubator – with access to equipment and services that a small shop cannot afford.

The town is lucky in that the talent base of residents is diverse and rich.  Its residents are employed by every size of company – from the very, very large to those with a staff of one.  Bill’s plan is to share best practices and ideas as a great, untapped resource, providing Woodbury businesses with a cost-effective way to create business/marketing plans, identify sales potential, improve product plans, and more.

This is typical political double talk.  Here is what needs to be done first in a multiphase process

1. Clean up existing regulations.  Some are plain confusing.  Some are obsolete.  Some are unnecessary. 

2. Once the world sees Woodbury's old ways are gone, they will consider coming here again.  Gone must be the days of demanding information (that costs money to obtain) from applicants that is not required.  The worst example I saw was with the barn next door to Wells Fargo.  The regulations required the property be able to handle a certain amount of water from the septic.  The owner provided such documentation.  Instead, Overton demanded to know where the septic tank was to go (which was not necessary because the owner just wanted to add restaurant as an acceptable use).  Overton did his famous the consensus of the commission statements before ever asking anyone.  Once I objected, the rest of the commission did nothing to object.  This is exactly the type of thing that turns businesses off from even coming here.  The owner probably spent a few thousand dollars on something that was not necessary nor required by the regulations. 

3. People serving on zoning need to come prepared and know what the rules are.  This has started to happen with replacements from resigned members.  It was recently that zoning members received background information about pending applications before the meeting to review.  Before, the information was passed out at the meeting while testimony was being taken, which is not acceptable. 

Create a Draw

The reality of a small town economy is that a large part of business exchange is highly localized.  Woodbury’s businesses can support each other more effectively with a town government that acts to remove obstacles.

However, the big picture should include a wider audience.  Bill’s wants to attract people from surrounding towns with ideas that are consistent and sustainable, creating events that develop a reputation for repeating their successes, like the Woodbury Farmer’s Market.  Resources are tight – no secret there – so his intention is to marry like minds.  The Woodbury Fire Department wants to restore the town’s first fire truck and volunteers are willing to provide a workforce to run the market.  Farmers have expressed an interest in supporting the cause with vendor fees.  Everyone wins – including the residents who can eat fresh produce and invite friends to what was once a great venue for artisans, restaurants, and more… and could be again.

More double talk.  No one is stopping anyone from having a farmer's market.  They can start it themselves if it is such a great idea.  There are a number of businesses, including the Flea Market, who provide this service. 

The Beatlemania event was a huge draw to Woodbury.  I wish the businesses who did so well would state it on the record. 

When I got through the political speak, I found little of substance and reaffirmed my belief that Bill Butterly does not know what he is talking about.  I recall he attended 1 zoning meeting from December 2011 to May 2013.  He may have been at more meetings, but I do not remember it. 

Butterly does not understand what are the issues with zoning or what needs to be done to fix them.