EAST HARTFORD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the East Hartford Economic Development Commission was called to order at 6:04 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6, 2013 by EDC Commissioner Debbie Arrieta, Acting-Chair.
ROLL CALL
EAST HARTFORD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Present:
Debra Arrieta, Vice-Chair (re-appointed; term exp. 12/16)
Devorah Johnson
Pat Harmon
Jack Jacobs
Barbara-Ann Rossi (arrived during item 6b)
John Ryan (re-appointed; term exp. 12/16)
Susan Skowronek
Absent:
Frank Collins
Paul Sousa (appointed; term exp 12/16)
Others in Attendance:
John Choquette, Director of Development, Town of East Hartford
Alta Lash, Executive Director, United CT Action for Neighborhoods
- OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS COMMISSION ON AGENDA ITEMS
- APPROVAL OF EDC MINUTES
MOTION by Ms. Skowronek, seconded by Ms. Harmon to approve minutes as presented
APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION by Ms. Skowronek, seconded by Mr. Ryan to approve
APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY
- Main Street annual Clean-up Day will be April 27, 2013
- Mark Bassos is the contact person for this event (860-291-7182)
- Ms. Lash noted that CEDF picked up the cost of food last year and requested that Mr. Choquette touch base with Mr. Bassos on this.
- Mr. Ryan asked about locations where the clean-up will occur
- Ms. Lash will email a summary of the cost of materials and expenses for the window design project for the 4 piloted businesses along Main Street. She also noted that she looked in to acquiring awnings for one of these businesses. Mr. Choquette will look in to town regulations regarding awnings along Main Street.
- Mr. Choquette reviewed the new businesses including AutoZone, CT Shirt Man and Golden Spa
- Burnside Avenue Traffic Calming
- Mr. Choquette presented the plan which spans the entire length of Burnside Avenue from Main Street to Walnut Street. The road will be converted to a single lane traffic pattern both east and westbound with a number of left turning lanes and limited street parking. The plan would go out to bid Spring 2013. If any Commissioners have questions or concerns, please send these to Mr. Choquette and he will forward them to Public Works.
- Commissioners noted that they hope these improvements would occur during the summer months so not to create additional traffic while school is in session.
- Mr. Choquette presented the map of an area along the Silver Lane corridor that is being brought before the Planning & Zoning Commission for review and possible action to be rezoned, allowing for types of development that otherwise may not have been allowed.
- Ms. Arrieta provided a document “CT Economy Report – a University of Connecticut Quarterly Review” that depicted a map of CT’s towns showing that data was not available for EH with regards to Manufacturing Employment Location Quotients for 2011. She inquired as to why this may be. Mr. Choquette will look in to this.
- Mr. Choquette announced that the bid for the 2013 Plan of Conservation and Development was awarded to BFJ Planning. Ms. Arrieta requested that the former plan be sent to Commissioners for their review.
- Mr. Choquette informed Commissioners that a new director of development will begin March 20, 2013. The new director has previous development experience in West Haven and Bridgeport.
- A discussion was had regarding the election of a Chairperson and Vice-Chair. Commissioners will discuss and possibly add to the next agenda.
MOTION by Mr. Ryan, seconded by Ms. Skowronek
APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY AT 7:28PM
Respectfully Submitted,
Jeffrey A. Currey
Clerk
cc: Town Clerk
Development Department
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