The Economic Development Advisory Board met for the first time Tuesday night and discussed some of its key goals.

The seven-member Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB) originally was proposed by Select Board vice chair Shahidul Mannan as a means to brainstorm how to attract new businesses to Hopkinton and increase the commercial tax base while supporting current local businesses.

Members include Kelly Grill, Parker Happ, Robert Hummel, Sravana Krishna, Finley Perry, Wilson St. Pierre and Jordan Thayer. They were appointed to staggered terms by the Select Board. Grill, who did not attend the meeting, was appointed to a one-year term as the representative for the Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce. Happ, the Planning Board representative, also is serving a one-year term.

The others are at-large members. Perry and Hummel are serving two-year terms, while Krishna, St. Pierre and Thayer have three-year terms. All terms expire on June 30 of their respective year.

Town Manager Elaine Lazarus thanked the members for volunteering their time to help revitalize Hopkinton’s economy. She explained the basics of serving on a board, such as not discussing EDAB business outside of meetings if a quorum of members is present or via group emails. Posting agendas in a timely manner is important to avoid violations of Open Meeting Law.

“It’s important to remember that an agenda is for you, but it’s also for the public so the public has notice of what you’ll be discussing,” she said.

Members asked about taking minutes with artificial intelligence apps. Julia Chun, the town’s sustainability, economic development and equity project manager, said that the Sustainable Green Committee uses an AI app, but members check it for accuracy. St. Pierre volunteered to take minutes for the first two meetings. Members discussed trying out a few apps for comparison. Chun recommended Otter.

Chun later described the economic development aspect of her role. She works to obtain and manage grants for the town. She also is working on the town’s economic development plan, which she hoped will serve as a “guiding post” for the EDAB for future years.

The plan’s creation is funded through a grant from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). The MAPC has consultants who will work with the EDAB, she added.

Both Chun and Lazarus offered to support members as the EDAB gets established.

Officers elected, goals reviewed

Members agreed that the officers should be newer residents of Hopkinton so that they can provide a fresh take on the town.

Jordan Thayer was elected chair in a 6-0 vote. He has lived in town for about five years. Thayer works as the director of product innovation & AI at SimpliSafe, a home security company. He has been involved in developing products and services for small businesses.

Hummel was elected vice chair in a 5-0-1 vote, from which he abstained. He works as the town planner in Wayland and previously served as a senior planner for Belmont.

Thayer reviewed the board’s mission. The EDAB was formed to advise the town on strategies and actions to promote economic development initiatives and programs to foster business retention and attraction. Its role also is to support local businesses, promote sustainable development and expand the commercial/industrial tax base.

The charge calls for the EDAB to recommend economic development strategies with these directives in mind. The EDAB also will conduct public outreach on economic development issues, plans and ideas to inform its recommendations, and it will collect data as needed.

Lazarus said the board will be able to use the town’s meals tax established in January for economic development initiatives. The amount is expected to grow to about $100,000 by the end of the year.

Perry said he thought that the money was supposed to be allocated toward the development of a town economic development office. Lazarus clarified that while this idea originally was proposed, there will not be enough money to contemplate that goal for a while.

She added that the board will need to submit a report in January recapping its efforts this year. It also will be involved in the town’s budget process.

Happ said he believes that Hopkinton “is on the cusp of growth.” He hopes the EDAB will spur commercial development while “keeping the charm” of a small town.

Chun added that the EDAB needs to determine the development opportunities that “will give us the biggest bang for our buck.” She suggested a diverse array of businesses as well as seeking mid- to large-sized companies.

Perry, who was the chair of the Growth Study Committee, said he hoped to create more commercial opportunities to take the burden off of residential taxpayers.

Members agreed that the South Street area would be a key area for business development. They also discussed how zoning would come into play.

The next two meetings will be held on Sept. 16 and Sept. 30 at 7 p.m.