East Hampton Economic Development Commission
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room, Town Hall
6:30 P.M.
MINUTES
1. Call to order
Chair Richard Leone called the meeting to order at 6:32 PM
Present: Chair Leone, Vice Chair Jack Hesen, Commissioners Dave Schulman, Kim Fontaine. Connected to Connecticut Chris Edge and Craig Stevenson
Absent: Cindy Rooth, Jon Marsh, Bryan Jackowitz
2. Approval of Minutes:
a. Special Meeting – April 29th, 2008
Due to a technical difficulties with the recording device at the last meeting the members of the commission discussed postponing the approval of the Special Meeting Minutes dated April 29, 2008.
Mr. Shulman made a motion to table the minutes of the April 29, 2008 special meeting until the next regular scheduled meeting. Ms. Fontaine seconded the motion. The motion carried (4-0-0). (Yes votes: Chair Leone, Vice Chair Hesen, Ms. Fontaine, and Mr. Schulman. Yes votes: 4. No votes: 0. Abstentions: 0.)
3. Announcements
Chair Leone reported on two businesses that opened in town both of which were very well attended. The first being Center Cuts and the second being the official opening of CVS with a very nice ribbon.
4. Town Manager’s/Town Council Liaison Report
Mr. Drewry was unable to attend this EDC meeting.
5. Public Comments
None
6. Presentations:
a. Connected to Connecticut activities report *ATTACHMENT*
Chris Edge, Connected to Connecticut provided the commissioners with a hand out. Mr. Edge reported on the recent presentation of East Hampton / Portland Chapter of the Middlesex Chamber breakfast that took place at Angelico’s Lakehouse Restaurant with the main discussion being dedicated to affordable housing. Mr. Edge provide a brief overview of the Shops in Your Hometown For Mother’s Day Promotion that the EDC and village businesses put together.
Mr. Edge reported on his meetings with the local businesses in the past month and what they bring to the town.
7. EDC Liaison Committee Reports
a. Town Council
Ms. Fontaine reported on the recent Town Council meeting that provided discussion of the proposed no phosphorus ordinance that was not passed. I a 4-2 vote the town council decided not to send it to a public hearing, instead are looking to establish an educational program. There was an update on the town manager search which currently holds 27 candidates that have applied for the position. Finally there was a presentation regarding senior tax relief by Donna Marsdin.
b. Planning and Zoning, ZBA
No report provided.
c. WPCA
Mr. Hesen reported on the May 6th meeting which held discussion on the new public water guidelines that were approved. The Marlborough sewers will be underway this month. A Public Hearing is scheduled for June 10th for discussion on Belltown Place regarding their proposed water system.
Joan Talley reported on the Brownfield Committee meeting that took place on May 15th. ATTACHMENT
8. Old Business
a. Recap of Village Center Mother’s Day event and feedback
Mr. Edge introduced Sven the owner of All about Blinds. Swen reported on the Mothers Day event and he had a fair amount of people that came through the doors and brought attention to the village center. Members of the commission shared their experience in the village on this weekend and the activity. Chair Leone thanked Chris Edge for his continued support with the businesses. Mr. Edge reported on the numbers that the businesses reported from the event and look forward to doing more to bring people downtown.
Ms. Fontaine wanted to take this opportunity to let them know she has been hearing a lot of positive feedback from the village center business owners, particularly towards Chris Edge, Connected to Connecticut, and thank him for all of his continued hard work that he does for the village center and the entire town.
b. Feasibility Study for an East Hampton - Holiday Events
Pam Amodio spoke to the EDC regarding the opportunity’s that First Night brings to a community and discussion of the fees for licensing. The members of the EDC appreciated the ideas however was more interested in keeping this event as an event for East Hampton without taking on additional fees. The EDC would like to keep the Festival of Lights the center of the event. The feasibility study stands at $1000. There was discussion of adding other events to the Festival of Lights, making this a month long event. Ms. Amodio reiterated to the commission her plan with a presentation to the businesses on if there is support for a First Night. The EDC would like it to be more of a month long seasonal event that might kick off with a First Night however as a whole it would be more of a
seasonal event and not geared towards a First Night.
Mr. Shulman moved to ask the Town Council to sign the Feasibility Study agreement for the fee of $1100 with an amended agreement regarding the month long holiday event with the title “A Feasibility Study for an East Hampton Holiday Event” Mr. Hesen seconded the motion.
Chair Leone commented on Ms. Amodios expertise is appreciated however focusing on calling it a First Night event may not be suitable for this community however we still can put together a nice holiday time for East Hampton with the events concluding on New Years Eve.
Ms. Fontaine expressed her concerns of not having the goals in writing before voting.
Chair Leone again expressed his desire to have this be an East Hampton Holiday Event and a month long concept combining with a First Night event.
The motion carried (4-0-0). (Yes votes: Chair Leone, Vice Chair Hesen, Ms. Fontaine, and Mr. Shulman. Yes votes: 4. No votes: 0. Abstentions: 0.)
c. Village Center zoning regulations, analysis and recommendation
d. Design Development Zone economic analysis
Chair Leone reported on these two agenda items that have not yet been welcomed by the town. Mr. Stevenson spoke to Mr. Carey who was not able to be present at this meeting, however will be present for the next EDC meeting in June. Mr. Carey was very welcoming of the invitation and is eager to come before the EDC for further discussion and guidance.
e. STEAP grant application, Part 2
Mr. Stevenson reported he has maintained his contacts and has asked for confirmation that the applicant was not deficient in anyway and if there is anything that needs to be readdressed or needing any additional information, which was all replied with all of the application being received and completed and this was not the reason for denial, however Mr. Stevenson feels come July this will be fairly considered and positive news will follow.
Ms. Fontaine reported on the local business, Governors Tavern, Package Store and Subways concerns on the proposed Streetscape project that is going to interfere with their parking spaces in the front of their businesses.
f. Further evaluation of “On The Mark” opportunity
Mr. Stevenson reported on the program. What “On the Mark” does is helps produce a CD/DVD to provide a marketing tool for the town. At this point Mr. Stevenson and the members of the EDC did not feel this would be a valuable resource for the town of East Hampton.
g. Open door policy and vote recording procedures
Chair Leone clarified the open door policy. It was brought to Mr. Leones’ attention that the door inadvertently had been locked and this is not standard policy for public meetings in town and during the EDC meeting the door will remain open and all are welcome to attend.
Chair Leone stated votes taken during all meetings will be recorded with individual yes or no along with the total outcome.
9. New Business
a. Business impact of Streetscape project on Rte. 66
Chair Leone wanted to discuss the negative publicity the EDC has been receiving from the project.
Ms. Fontaine reported on the local business, Governors Tavern, Package Store and Subways concerns on the proposed Streetscape project that is going to interfere with their parking spaces in the front of their businesses. Chair Leone stated this is unfortunate for the business however it was not the intention of EDC, the Town or The Streetscape project to cause harm to these businesses. Mr. Stevenson suggested investigating some additional parking as part of the Streetscape project that could be built into future plans. Ms. Fontaine suggested helping them to secure State funding to help them re-orientate the business entrances so that the parking in the front is not an issue. Connected to Connecticut offered helping the business owners in directing them towards resources to help them with these
issues.
b. Other
Chair Leone would like to draft a resolution to be addressed to the Town Council indicating the support from EDC to Connected to Connecticut and identifying the items they have been successful at due to the negativity that has been present at town council not only of the hiring but the continued support of keeping them with us. The current contract in place was discussed.
Mr. Shulman moved the EDC sponsor a resolution to the Town Council expressing the desire of the EDC to extend their contract, explaining the very positive results they have shown during their one year contract currently in place. Ms. Fontaine seconded the motion.
Ms. Fontaine suggested including copies of the reports with the letter to be forwarded to answer the questions of the critics.
The motion carried (4-0-0). (Yes votes: Chair Leone, Vice Chair Hesen, Ms. Fontaine, and Mr. Shulman. Yes votes: 4. No votes: 0. Abstentions: 0)
Ms. Fontaine moved to amend motion to include in the support letter to include the recommendation that the contract with Connected to Connecticut be extended throughout fiscal year 2008 based on their positive performance, positive feedback from businesses and our satisfaction with the job that they have done. Motion was seconded by Mr. Shulman. The motion carried (4-0-0). (Yes votes: Chair Leone, Vice Chair Hesen, Ms. Fontaine, and Mr. Shulman. Yes votes: 4. No votes: 0. Abstentions: 0)
Ms. Fontaine inquired about the EDC blight ordinance that has been drafted and forwarded to the Town Council. There was some opposition from notable village center businesses regarding eminent domain issues. Ms. Fontaine asked if this EDC would be willing in starting from scratch creating a blight ordinance that works for not only the businesses but also supports this town and gets rid of the blight in this town. The members of the EDC supported Ms. Fontaine’s comments however suggested obtaining feedback from the current town council prior to putting time into this.
10. Public Comments
None
11. Adjournment
Chair Leone moved to adjourn.
The motion carried (4-0-0). (Yes votes: Chair Leone, Vice Chair Hesen, Ms. Fontaine, and Mr. Shulman. Yes votes: 4. No votes: 0. Abstentions: 0.)
The meeting adjourned at 8:36pm.
Respectfully submitted
Kamey Peterson
Recording Clerk
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