The Peterborough Welcome Team will be adopted as an ad hoc wing of the Economic Development Committee.
Karen Hatcher, who has been representing the Welcome Team at town board meetings, addressed the EDA to ask for their support, financially and through their website.
“In New England people will leave you alone,” she opened. “It’s out of respect, but you could not leave your house and never meet anyone.”
Hatcher led an initiative called Celebrate New Jersey in that state, her home before moving to Peterborough three years ago.
The Welcome Team will operate as part of the Marketing Subcommittee, whose head, Jeanne Dietsch, said the new program “fits with our strategic plan.”
She mentioned “stickiness,” the town’s ability to keep residents over time. The Welcome Team would provide recommendations, connections and introductions to new residents, making them more likely to remain in town for the long term.
Hatcher said it needs a budget of about $3,500 at first, but will hopefully be sponsored by businesses in the future.
The funds will go to welcome baskets for new residents, and to host quarterly meet-and-greet event.
The first meet-and-greet will be held on Nov. 4, and is going to be sponsored by Roy’s Market.
The EDA also heard from Town Administrator Rodney Bartlett on upcoming improvements to the Downtown District, with improved lighting, safer walking paths and new greenery.
The estimated-$1 million project is designed to increase pedestrian traffic around Peterborough businesses. The EDA offered a letter of support.
The town is applying for grants to fund the work, which Bartlett hopes will begin in the spring of 2017, and still needs approval from the Department of Transportation.
Brandon Latham can be reached at 924-7172, ext. 228.