A new committee is looking for ways that the town can work with UMass Dartmouth for future development.

The idea for the committee came from Finance Committee Chair David Tatelbaum, who suggested the idea during a “development summit” back in August. At the summit, town officials joined together to look at the financial future of the town.

The group concluded that new development will slow down in upcoming years, citing a lack of large projects scheduled for 2017 and 2018. To be proactive about future growth, Tatelbaum suggested the formation of two subcommittees. One would look at reusing retail buildings around town and the other would explore collaborative projects with UMass Dartmouth.

The latter, the UMass Partnership Committee, met on Wednesday night to brainstorm ideas, which included thoughts on the roadways surrounding the campus, student housing and ways in which the town could make the business district along Route 6 more enticing for students.

“The university is our largest employer. It generates economic development and value in the community,” said Town Administrator David Cressman. “I don’t know if there’s been that much discussion over the years as to what we can do to help one another.”

The town is already exploring traffic patterns around the campus. Currently, the town is designing a traffic signal at the intersection of Cross Road and Old Westport Road. Town Administrator David Cressman said SRPEDD had previously looked at putting a rotary at that location, but the idea was scrapped because of the intersection’s irregular shape.

The group also discussed off-campus options for students, particularly finding ways to make the shopping district on Route 6 more enticing for pedestrians. Off-campus housing around the area of Toys "R" Us or Walmart may also be a possibility.

“The number of commuters has shrunk,” said Doug Roscoe, a UMass professor and member of the Finance Committee. “If you live off campus, you basically live in New Bedford and you take the bus in. All the related economic activity – retail, restaurants, bars, apartment rentals – that’s all going on in New Bedford.”

Roscoe said the campus community has been concerned with retention. He said students feel "isolated" on campus, and the university administration would likely be interested in ideas about how to help address those complaints.

Cressman added that projects on a smaller scale, like marketing the town on campus, may inspire more students to explore areas outside of Ring Road.

The committee, which was formed prior to Chancellor Divina Grossman’s resignation on Dec. 24, acknowledged that developing solid plans would have to wait until a new interim chancellor is finalized.

“I have had conversations with President Meehan, and he’s keen to have an interim chancellor who’s not going to put things on hold. He wants progress to be made,” said Roscoe. “I think things will be moving.”

Cressman said that, in the months ahead, he’ll be reaching out to the retail groups representing the businesses along Route 6. He will also be looking into the possibility of utilizing the campus for an arts and entertainment venue during the summer months.