The Town of Newton hereby establishes the Newton Economic Development
Advisory Commission. The Commission shall be the link between the
governing body of the Town of Newton and the business and residential
community. Its establishment is to research, study, evaluate and make
recommendations to the Mayor and Council as to the economic vitality
and development in the Town of Newton on an ongoing basis.
The members shall receive no compensation for their services.
The Economic Development Advisory Commission may have the following
powers and duties:
A. To inquire into, survey and publicize the extent, advantages and
utility of vacant properties in the Town which can be economically
developed.
B. To solicit businesses or industry to purchase or lease property within
the Town.
C. To serve as an ombudsman for business and community organizations
through engaging liaison with those organizations that are deemed
essential to the success of the various programs, projects and policies
of the Commission.
D. To coordinate programs and projects aimed at the retention of existing
business, as well as the attraction of new or expanded business opportunities,
within the Town.
E. To survey and determine what businesses would be successful in the
central business district and in other business districts and to encourage
such businesses to locate within the Town.
F. To encourage business owners to maintain and/or improve/beautify
their property.
G. To investigate the availability of state or federal grants which
may be available for general economic development or commercial and
industrial enterprises within the Town.
In the event a member shall miss three consecutive meetings,
the Commission shall report such absences to the Mayor and Council.
If the Mayor and Council, after inquiry, are satisfied that the absences
were not for reasonable cause, the Commission member may be removed
by resolution of the Mayor and Council.
The Newton Economic Development Advisory Commission shall submit
a budget each year to the Town Council for approval.