Town of East Windsor
Economic Development Commission
11 Rye Street, P.O. Box 389
Broad Brook, CT 06016
Regular Meeting Minutes
July 17, 2006
Chairman Moffett called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall Annex, 25 School Street, Warehouse Point, CT.
I. ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM
Members Present: Eric F. Moffett, Jim Richards, Richard Covill, Matt Crossen,
Josh Kapelner
Members unable Sharon Aprea
to attend:
Also in attendance was Laurie Whitten, Director of Planning & Development
II. GENERAL DISCUSSION
— Economic Development Issues
Jim Richards distributed the following documents to the commission members: Advertising Flyer for the 2006 East Windsor Beautification Award/Ceremony for New and Expanded Businesses on 10/26/06, Every other Thursday Networking Event presented by the Chamber of Commerce, The East Windsor Chamber of Commerce Newsletter, Volume 2, Issue 7. Mr. Richards noted the upcoming Chamber business-networking event to be held on Thursday, July 21st at The Martini Grill. The Thursday events are open to any business and the MetroHartford Alliance. It has been a successful program for business networking. Mr. Richards cited that the Chamber of Commerce
currently has 150 members. There are plans for a Business Expo to be held on November 3-4, 2006 at the Scout Hall-- promoting businesses to rent a booth. Cost for a space will be $50/booth. It was noted that Scott Haney promoted an article on the CT Trolley Museum in Hartford Magazine. There will be a golf clinic at the Willow Brook course in South Windsor. East Windsor Chamber is allowed to participate. Additional details will be forthcoming. The Flyer for the 10-26-06 Meet Your Business Neighbor/Beautification Award will be going out to all Chamber members, The Reminder, The Advocate and the Journal Inquirer.
The Beautification contest will require before and after pictures. The landscaping photos will be sent to the Planning Office with a deadline of September 10, 2006. The Commission discussed the best way to handle digital photos. Commission member Josh Kapelner stated he had the capability to print the photos in high quality. Any digital photos emailed to the Planning Office will be forwarded to Mr. Kapelner.
Town Planner Laurie Whitten discussed the added links to the website. She noted that fast buttons/links for the EDC webpage (brochure and Top Reasons.....) have been installed on the Town’s home page. The Commission members acknowledged their satisfaction with the website insertions. She further suggested a fast button on the Town’s homepage for people interested in commercial properties. The commercial classifieds are on the Chamber of Commerce’s website, however, the EDC’s website has a direct link to the commercial classified listings. Chairman Eric Moffett opined that the EDC webpage could use some expansion. Whitten explained that changes to the Town’s home page need approval by the First Selectman, but the EDC can make modifications to their specific web page.
It was reiterated that the paved property at the northern end of the Showcase Cinema’s would be an ideal place for a restaurant. The contact information of the property owner’s name will be provided to the EDC to pursue this area for development.
Website Map - Discussion proceeded on a new project that would help promote the Town – a map showing locations of restaurants. After some discussion among the members, it was concurred that symbols will be used to show locations of restaurants, financial institutions, previously owned car dealerships and shopping areas. This would be an on-line map only and when completed, would be promoted to the Tourism Bureau and MetroHartford Alliance. Chairman Moffett questioned whether there were local graphics design people that could contribute to the creation of this map. Ms. Whitten noted that a digital parcel map is completed and could be used. She will find out what’s available and provide it to Josh Kapelner and Jim Richards. Richard Covill questioned where to obtain a list or
database of the restaurants, etc. in town. The Tax Assessor’s office has a list of businesses in town.
Educational Forum – Richard Covill has been in contact with the Board of Education to pursue a schedule for an educational forum. Chairman Eric Moffett relayed that the next Board of Ed meeting in September will be a joint meeting with the members of the Economic Development Commission. This will be considered the EDC’s meeting for that month. Chairman Moffett suggested this meeting be an informal discussion prior to having it televised for Public Television. It was recommended that John Pica be contacted to find out what the issues and needs are with the Board of Education. The EDC needs to convince the Board of Education and others that commercial development is needed to generate tax revenue to build new schools.
Chairman Moffett questioned the status of permits considering that housing has stabilized elsewhere. Town Planner Laurie Whitten noted that although the housing market is evening out, East Windsor remains fairly steady. Mr. Richards commented on the abundance of farmland toward the easterly end of town that will eventually be sold by the farmers. The Town’s location makes it a viable area for builders and future residents, thus not slowing down the residential growth in East Windsor. Chairman Moffett discussed the demographics of the town, also noting the vast amount of land left.
The members discussed whether the town had a grant-writer. Town Planner Whitten explained that Ed Farrell was trained and has been working on grants. He did most of the writing for the Tschumi land acquisition. The Capital Region Council of Governments sponsored grant writing for agricultural regulations.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: To approve the regular meeting minutes of June 19, 2006.
Covill/Kapelner-Unanimous
IV. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: To adjourn the meeting at 8:07 p.m. Covill/Crossen/-Unanimous
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy J. Rudek,
Recording Secretary
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