VAN BUREN — The reactivated Van Buren Economic Development Committee held its first official meeting Tuesday night.

Discussion with Duane Walton, financial adviser and revolving loan fund administrator for the Northern Maine Regional Planning Commission, took up the bulk of the two-hour meeting.

Walton discussed services available to municipal leaders and individual businesses and told the committee that under its “new administration,” the NMRPC’s emphasis is, “we work for you.” In Van Buren, NMRPC most recently worked with Graphite Technologies Inc. and Kevlaur Industries.

He also said it was important that Van Buren submit its project plans for inclusion in the NMRPC’s overall economic development plan to help the town to get grant or loan money.

Walton briefed the committee on an economic venture the NMRPC is at work on which involves Van Buren.

Participating was Roger Cormier, a local developer instrumental in the effort. The Van Buren Town Council, on Monday, approved Cormier’s request that the town cover travel and expenses for a potential manufacturer to visit Van Buren.

The nearly hour-long briefing took place in executive session. Norman Thibodeau, Town Council chairman and a member of the group, called for the executive session because open discussion “could possibly disrupt the things going on.”

In other business, Town Manager Jayne Farrin said possible projects for the committee included updating a town brochure, developing a list of available buildings for commercial and industrial use; and following up on inquiries from business and industrial concerns interesting in setting up shop in Van Buren.

Carmen Violette, a new councilor, was elected chairman. Roberta Gibbons was elected secretary.

Other members are Town Council Chairman Norman Thibodeau; Rena Bouchard, a local banker; Gilbert Violette, a retired resident; and Frederick Cyr, former community development director. Absent was a SAD 24 liaison person the town had asked the school district to appoint.

The development committee will meet the first and third Thursday of each month, but deferred setting goals for the committee and for Van Buren’s future.