East Hampton Economic Development Commission
Approved Meeting Minutes
September 18, 2007
Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room, Town Hall
1. Call to order
Chair Mary Ann Dostaler called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
Present: Chair Dostaler, Vice-Chair John Hesen; Commissioners Patience Anderson, Brian Jackowitz, Jon March (Arrived 7:13 PM), and Cindy Rooth; Craig Stevenson and Chris Edge from Connected to Connecticut
Not Present: Commissioner Rich Leone, Recording Secretary Kathleen Wright
2. Approval of Minutes:
a. Regular meeting: August 21, 2007
Ms. Anderson said the date of August 22, 2007 was incorrect, and it should be August 21, 2007. Mr. Bergen noted that the change was reflected on the most recent revision
Ms. Rooth made a motion to approve the minutes of August 21, 2007 as amended. Vice-Chair Hesen seconded the motion. The motion carried (4-0-1). (Yes votes: Chair Dostaler, Vice-Chair Hesen, Ms. Anderson, and Ms. Rooth. Yes votes: 4. No votes: 0. Abstentions: Mr. Jackowitz. Abstentions: 1.)
b. Special meeting: August 30, 2007
Ms. Rooth made a motion to approve the minutes of August 30, 2007. Vice-Chair Hesen seconded the motion. The motion carried (4-0-1). (Yes votes: Chair Dostaler, Vice-Chair Hesen, Ms. Anderson, and Ms. Rooth. Yes votes: 4. No votes: 0. Abstentions: Mr. Jackowitz. Abstentions: 1.)
3. Announcements & Communications
All announcements reported by Chair Dostaler unless otherwise noted.
a. CMSC “Preservation of Place” grant Mr. Bergren & Chair Dostaler met with Ann Faust to move forward on the Preservation of Place grant application. The deadline is 9/28/07.
b. EDC submission for 2006-07 Town Annual Report A draft will be ready for perusal by next meeting.
c. Belltown Festival of Lights Monica Kangley is starting preparations for the 2007 Festival of Lights to be held the weekend of 12/8 & 12/9/07. Ms. Kangley is coordinating with the Library and Fire Department for the event and she will present at the EDC October meeting.
d. Connecticut Mainstreet Center workshop Ms. Anderson said the CMSC workshop was a wonderful event. She heard about communicating with business people. She thanked EDC for the opportunity to attend.
e. Connecticut Mainstreet Center - American Institute of Architects will present a symposium on economic well being in Connecticut all day 9 AM to 4:30 PM on 10/5/07 in Southport, Connecticut at the Pequot Library. This will include such topics as the loss of character of Connecticut towns, sprawl, and congestion. Chair Dostaler can arrange attendance for members.
- Downtown Resource Center event will be on 10/26/07 from 9 - 4 on effective communication strategies featuring Jane Jenkins. Chair Dostaler can arrange registration & attendance fee for 1 member.
- The next division meeting of the Chamber of Commerce will be on 10/3/07, 8 - 9 AM, location tba.
- The Chamber of Commerce preview of Expo 2007 will take place on 10/27/07. Passes are available to the preview and to the Expo. Fliers are available
f. MERG annual meeting will take place on 9/25/07 at the Crowne Plaza in Cromwell. This group's goal is to raise the profile of micro businesses in Connecticut. There will be a membership appeal. More information is available for EDC members and others.
g. Rockfall Foundation Symposium will be held on 10/19/07. Julie Ciucas spoke well of this event. The topic will be "Can we plan for a better Middlesex County?"
h. Leadership summit sponsored by the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities will be 10/24/07, 8 -5, in Hartford.
i. First annual Smart Growth conference at Southern Connecticut State University will be held 11/14 sponsored by 1000 Friends of Connecticut.
j. Parks and Recreation will hold the annual ghost run 11/3/07.
k. Vice-Chair Hesen said the Rapallo Viaduct work will be started shortly & the Lyman Viaduct is on a slower track
l. The Airline Trail grant to finish the trail from Smith Street to Watrous Street has been approved. Ruth Plummer has been invited to the October EDC meeting to present.
m. Town Council has approved EDC's Connected to Connecticut recommendation for EDC coordinator and the firm has been hired.
n. A letter drafted for support for Dream Developers for the concept plan was passed out for EDC perusal. Mr. Jackowitz asked about a zoning issue. Chair Dostaler said the original site plan for the commercial parcel was approved by Planning & Zoning some time ago as part of the original Laurel Ridge development. Some spaces will be for lease and the owner, Dr. Mantikas, will occupy the third floor. Chair Dostaler will forward the letter to Planning & Zoning with EDC approval. The letter was approved by consensus.
o. Chair Dostaler asked Mr. Bergren to complete a nomination form to nominate the Brownfields Steering committee for recognition of their efforts. The deadline for applications is 10/4/07. Chair Dostaler will work with Mr. Bergren on the nomination application.
p. Chair Dostaler asked if all members have copies of community guides. Mr. Crawford said next time will be easier. He suggested a photo contest for the cover of the guide. This can be kept in mind for the next update of the guide.
q. Reschedule October EDC meeting to change the starting time from 6:30 pm to 7 pm.
EDC agreed by consensus to reschedule the October 16th meeting for 7:00 PM rather than 6:30 PM.
r. Chair Dostaler thanked Mr. Bergren for sending letters to applicants for the EDC consultant position.
4. Special Presentations
a. Butler Construction site plan for 4-lot industrial park
Anthony Salamone introduced himself and showed plans. The project will go forward in phases as permissions are received from the Town. Access was discussed. The ultimate entrance will be off of Rte. 16. So far agencies and commissions and neighbors have been favorable. The intent is to proceed with the first 4 lots as soon as possible. No market study has been done so far except by word of mouth. No problem is foreseen with getting tenants. A date for availability depends on the trend of the economy. Much has been done to bring the site up to grade. With wetlands setbacks there will still be enough room for adequate sized sites. There were no contaminants but there was blight, which has been addressed. Chair Dostaler asked to be apprised of any needs for the project. Sewer is available. Test wells will be drilled. Mr. Salamone is not aware
of any problems with electrical service and he will check into that.
b. Sue Berescik, Library Director, Solar Energy Program
Chair Dostaler introduced Ms. Berescik. She gave EDC some handouts. October is Energy Awareness Month and it was thought this a good time to offer programs to get the issue in front of East Hampton residents.. On 10/17/07 a solar installation company will present. She hopes to put the power of EDC behind the event. She is looking for co-sponsorship but not looking for funds. Chair Dostaler said there is a need for EDC to be more informed about this topic. At the upcoming energy expo, a representative from the library will attend and provide information back to EDC.. A series may be offered in the future.
EDC agreed by consensus to support the Solar Energy Program.
Jon March joined the meeting at 7:13 PM.
c. Baldwin Media Marketing, Water System Public Information Campaign
The Water System Public Information Campaign will help the public to understand the efforts for a water system in anticipation of the upcoming referendum. Ms. Baldwin is a communications expert. She is happy to have been awarded the contract but there is much work to be done. She said she understands that people are hungry for information. The goal is to raise awareness to understand benefits. Budget and time are limited. Implementation plan components include ads in newspapers, a direct mail piece, a poster campaign, possibly inserts in Shaw's grocery bags, a Q & A piece to answer concerns, a Power Point presentation and three info sessions. Ms. Baldwin is securing dates and locations for the sessions. She invites EDC commissioners to attend and participate. A special Town Meeting will take place 10/29/07. There will be speakers and
she will facilitate. Mr. Bergren said that everything we do will follow the letter of the law. Ms. Rooth said that some people in the town will be against it because it is not expansive enough, and some will object that they do not want to pay for water when they already have it, and these issues should be addressed. It must be kept in mind that this has been mandated by the consent order to address the water issues in the Village Center. EDC offered its public support of the water system proposal. Ms. Baldwin will keep EDC apprised. There was a discussion of strategy for getting the word out.
5. Public Comments
Irene Curtis said she does not want chlorine in the water. She wants a good road surface when the project is done. Ms. Baldwin said the roads and sidewalks will be improved. Ms. Rooth said she cannot drink water with chlorine in it.
6. Town Manager’s report
a. 2007 STEAP grant application schedule - No funds have been appropriated by the legislature. If they are appropriated, RFP's will be accepted in January 2008 at the earliest.
b. Water system update The key meeting will be on 10/29/07, a Town Meeting at the high school, presenting the formal resolution. There will be a discussion. This will be a public information session on the larger version. Also there will be an entirely new voting process with cards like the SAT test. Registrars will have training sessions for the public. Jon March asked if there will be a flat rate for users. Vice-Chair Hesen said there is a flat rate. Chair Dostaler said that if it runs in front of your property the assessment is the same.
c. Main Street bridge project By the end of month the engineer will have the required information. Some considerations include how the bridge will look, structural concerns, utilities, soils, timelines, the traffic impact, and potential Fire Department and Police Department issues. By October it is hoped there will be an acceptable design and bid packages will go out. Bids will come in during the Winter and construction can start in Spring.
d. Water tower demolition Funding has been approved. Taking samples of paint and other preliminaries are in process. The Town will hire a consultant to do the work properly. The town is working with the property owner to resolve issues. The Town will move the process along vigilantly.
e. Other - A grant for $28,000 to bring Airline Trail to the Village Center has come through.
- A Rte. 151 traffic study of safety improvements was the subject of a public September meeting on a traffic study authorized by Town Council. TPA and Tighe & Bond have recommendations. The narrowness of the road and the integrity of the Village Center must be considered. There have been several bad accidents. DOT will be apprised with the intention of demonstrating that improvements are needed.
7. EDC Budget / Liaison / Committee Reports
a. EDC budget Vice-Chair Hesen said that the biggest item is for professional and technical services. Chair Dostaler said now that we have consultants in place we can make progress on some of the initiatives that we have identified as goals.
b. Report from EDC liaisons to: Redevelopment Agency; PZC; WPCA
- East Hampton Redevelopment Agency - Chair Dostaler Chair Dostaler said there is great excitement. Regular meetings are scheduled for the 4th Monday of each month at 6:30 PM, A special meeting will be held on 10/1/07 at 6:30 PM in order to get going. Chair Dostaler will serve as liaison.
- P&Z - Chair Dostaler There are no public hearings scheduled for the October regular meeting. There is no word on action on home based business regulations.
- WPCA - Vice-Chair Hesen Vice-Chair Hesen said that the operation of the Town Center water system is stable. He handed out a letter regarding an Exclusive Service Area (ESA) situation. Vice-Chair Hesen will return with clarifications.
c. Streetscape Steering Committee - Chair Dostaler It took longer than anticipated to approve the design scope. Mr. Bergren said that the Streetscape Steering Committee has a copy of the scope. He has spoken with the Chairman on some concerns and they will sign the scope and move forward. Chair Dostaler said the next Streetscape Steering Committee meeting will be tomorrow evening in the Annex at 6:30. She invited Connected to Connecticut to attend.
d. Brownfields Steering Committee The Brownfields Steering Committee has provided a recommendation to Town Council on end uses for 3 town owned properties in the Village Center. It is a well constructed rational and allows the grants to move forward. There was a public information session held last week and there was an article on the activities in the Hartford Courant.
8. Business Updates
a. Business outreach - Nothing has been heard from Especially For You on a photo opportunity for an Anniversary event.
- Mr. Bergren attended the grand opening of the Savings Institute. The branch manger will attend the EDC meeting in October.
- Encore Encore, a dance studio, has opened. Mr. Hesen will visit the business.
- Mr. March met with Tees on Lake.
9. New Business – Consider, discuss and take possible action on the following:
a. Establish scope for work with Connected to Connecticut Chair Dostaler said we will schedule a special meeting for this topic and have a full discussion to identify priorities and look at the RFP. Mr. Stevenson asked for an explanation of the Streetscape Steering Committee. Chair Dostaler explained that East Hampton has received a $500,000 STEAP grant for a streetscape, and she gave some details. EDC wants to make sure the grant is used effectively in part to show progress in order to acquire further STEAP grants. There was a discussion of DOT's role. Mr. Bergren said a major issue is drainage. Mr. Jackowitz said it is important to be in good communication with businesses that will be affected by the Streetscape. Mr. Hesen said that the Marlborough sewer system construction will have some impact. Mr. Bergren said the earliest
construction date for the Marlborough project would be 2008. The Streetscape Steering Committee meeting time is the third Wednesday of the month. Chair Dostaler said it is critical to make it a successful project. Ms. Rooth said it is important to meet with all the businesses and to give EDC a face in the community. Mr. Stevenson described the intention to compile a business inventory using a standard survey form. He enumerated questions to include on the survey. Mr. Stevenson would get an electronic business list using Info USA for East Hampton.. Ms. Anderson said she wants to see previous data that was collected in the EDC survey used. Chair Dostaler will forward copies of the previous business survey data from 2006. Ms. Rooth proposed that there be a Meet & Greet event for business people to meet EDC's new consultant. There was a discussion of when to schedule the event. Chair Dostaler said when the date is decided the Community Room or Goff House location should be secured.
Mr. Stevenson said we could send all people who responded to survey letters, announcing that EDC has engaged a consultant who will call next year or sooner if requested. Ms. Anderson said the one key area is to help existing businesses currently in East Hampton. Mr. Stevenson said that Connected to Connecticut will attend Chamber meetings. Ms. Rooth said all studies EDC has already done should be seen by Connected to Connecticut. There was a discussion of the web site. Mr. Stevenson felt strongly that East Hampton should participate in Site Finder and it would help Connected to Connecticut to be more efficient and increase East Hampton's visibility. Ms. Rooth said she preferred the Vernon web site list of properties. Mr. Stevenson offered to bear the cost of Site Finder to let EDC test the program. Chair Dostaler said it is not a priority. Ms. Anderson wanted to entertain a motion for a special meeting for further discussion. Chair Dostaler asked how detailed the contract should
be. Mr. Stevenson said to leave the contract general but also the priorities should be named and EDC can have monthly assessments with Connected to Connecticut. Chair Dostaler asked Mr. Stevenson to draft a contract and meet with she and Mr. Bergren and develop a draft to be considered by the full commission at a special meeting. Mr. Stevenson will give a demonstration of Site Finder at the special meeting. Chair Dostaler will bring copies of previous studies. Chair Dostaler asked Connected to Connecticut to examine Implementation Tables in the POCD.
EDC agreed by consensus to hold a special meeting to define the scope of work with Connected to Connecticut on 10/2/07 at 6:30 (location tbd).
b. Examine zoning re: day care centers
Ms. Anderson made a motion to table item 9b to examine daycare center zoning regulations until the next regular meeting. Mr. Jackowitz seconded the motion. The motion carried (6-0-0). (Yes votes: Chair Dostaler, Vice-Chair Hesen, Ms. Anderson, Mr. Jackowitz, Mr. March, and Ms. Rooth. Yes votes: 6. No votes: 0. Abstentions: 0.)
10. Old Business – Consider, discuss and take possible action on the following:
a. Home-based business, Design Development and Village Center zoning regulations
EDC agreed by consensus to schedule a special meeting on 10/10/07 at 6:30 (location tbd) on Home-based businesses, Design Development, and Village center zoning regulations.
11. Public Comments None
12. Adjournment
Mr. Jackowitz made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Rooth seconded the motion. The motion carried (6-0-0). (Yes votes: Chair Dostaler, Vice-Chair Hesen, Ms. Anderson, Mr. Jackowitz, Mr. March, and Ms. Rooth. Yes votes: 6. No votes: 0. Abstentions: 0.)
The meeting adjourned at 9:10 PM.
Respectfully submitted, Kathleen Wright Recording Clerk
Attachments referenced in these minutes can be viewed at East Hampton Town Hall.
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