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Town of East Hampton
Economic Development Commission
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
East Hampton Town Hall Meeting Room
6:30 PM
MINUTES
Present: Chairman Richard Leone and Commissioners Kimberley Fontaine,
Alan Pawlak, Cindy Rooth, and David Shulman
Also, present: Kerry Nielson, Director of Community and Environmental Planning; Ted Morton, 36 Walnut Avenue; Roy Gauthier, P&Z Liaison; Chris Goff, Town Council; Chris Edge, Connected to CT; Lori Lanzi, Recording Secretary
1. Call to Order: Chair Leone called this regular meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes: David Shulman made a motion to approve the November 18, 2009 minutes, seconded by Alan Pawlak, vote in favor, motion passed. Vote: Yes 3 – No 0 – Abstentions 1- (Kimberly Fontaine)
Kimberley Fontaine made a motion to approve the January 20, 2009 minutes, seconded by David Shulman, vote unanimous in favor, motion passed. (Vote: Yes 4 – No 0 – Abstentions 0)
Commissioner Cindy Rooth arrived at the meeting at 6:40PM.
- Announcements – None
- Town Manager Report – None
Town Council Liaison Report – At EDC’s request, Chris Goff discussed, with Town Council, compensation for businesses downtown due to the bridges delay. Council members asked Mr. Goff to solicit ideas from EDC regarding ways to compensate business owners affected by this delay. Two suggestions: (1) a revolving loan for business owners that are not closing their doors or (2) using monies for area specific needs (i.e. signage, cleanup, etc.). Mr. Goff asked members to iron out the details by the next EDC meeting. At, which time, he will bring them back to the Town Council for review.
- Public Comments – None
- Presentations:
- Connected to Connecticut activities report. Chris Edge reported to the Commission (handout made part of the record) the contacts, visitations, and meetings he made during the last month.
Chris Edge informed the commission that the following businesses have closed in town: Whatnot Cottage, Creative Nails, Center Cut, Village Merchant and the Laundromat.
Kimberly Fontaine asked Mr. Edge if he would compile an average life of businesses in the Village Center.
Mr. Edge was asked what local business owner’s greatest needs and concerns are. Most business owners say economy and just trying to hold on. They would like to see better signage and more police presence.
Chair Leone said previous EDC members developed a form for local business to fill out in order to give this committee feedback. Chair Leone asked Mr. Edge if he would take it with him when meeting with local business owners to utilize as a leave behind to receive as much detailed input/feedback as possible from local businesses.
- David Shulman reviewed minutes (online) from various boards and commissions. At this time, there was no pertinent information to report that related to the EDC Commission. Mr. Shulman noted that many meetings where cancelled last month.
- Discussion of “linkage”/formal liaison assignments based on Governance Report findings. Chair Leone expressed EDC needs to reestablish linkage with various boards. Boards he felt are important are as follows: P&Z, Town Council, and newly combined Redevelopment/Brownsfield. Next meeting he would like to talk about EDC members volunteering to attend these meetings. Cindy Rooth does attend P&Z and will continue to do so. Chair Leone will contact the P&Z Chair to express our desire to work hand in
hand with them.
- Town/EDC Budge Process: Chair Leone met with Jeff Jylkka, Finance Director, regarding EDC’s budget. Mr. Jylkka helped simplify the budget line items and our budget has been decreased by 5%.
- Business of the month concept: Chair Leone noted we have not moved on this idea yet. Chris Edge suggested putting a sign in front of the business designated business of the month to announce it town wide. The Commission feels this concept is a good idea. Mr. Edge will get price quotes on signage. Chair Leone suggested using Chris Edge’s monthly report as a monthly EDC report for the public.
- Village Center meeting with Todd Schrager hosting: Chris Goff, Town Council: Jeff OKeefe, Town Manager; Rich Leone, EDC Chair attended this meeting. It was a disappointment to see only two business owners (Red Door and All About Blinds) present. The EDC would have liked a better turnout from local business owners. Please encourage business owners to come to our EDC meetings.
It was determined there is not enough interest or critical mass to create a local standalone business organization. The Middlesex Chamber website has a good overview on what they can offer to local businesses: http://www.middlesexchamber.com/index.php. Dave Shulman informed commission we can have events sponsored by the Chamber for East Hampton. In addition, EDC can sponsor events (i.e. meet council members or the town manager, and bring in speakers, etc.). EDC can facilitate meetings with town officials, other boards, and business owners.
Chair Leone was appointed to the Middlesex County Revitalization Commission. Their next meeting is in April.
- Blight ordinance action plan: Kimberly Fontaine proposed the EDC board form a working group to rework the Blight Ordinance and resubmit it to P&Z, Town Council, and the town attorney for review. The workshop would be open to all boards and commissions, town employees, and the public. The reworked Blight Ordinance will be limited to commercial and industrial properties, not residential.
David Shulman made a motion that EDC moves to accept the plan of Kimberly Fontaine to rework the Blight Ordinanance, seconded by Cindy Rooth, vote unanimous in favor, motion passed. (Vote: Yes 5 – No 0 – Abstentions 0)
Kimberly Fontaine asked for volunteers from EDC to work with her on this. All EDC members present volunteered. Ms. Fontaine will email a working copy to all members on or before Tuesday, March 24, 2009 for review.
- Home based business initiative: A memorandum from James Carey to the Planning and Zoning Commission was distributed. Chair Leone has communicated with Mr. Carey regarding this and requested EDC be part of this decision making process. Suggestion: Hold workshops to gather input from all people involved to be fair in making decisions regarding these issues and making regulations that are fair and easily enforceable. P&Z and EDC boards need to work together in good faith on this issue.
- East Hampton Bell Ringer: Chair Leone informed the board that they went way over their budget on this insert. The main reason for this was expanding distribution to surrounding communities. In the future, he suggest EDC look into the resources the Town Hall has for printing. Kimberly Fontaine suggested American School of the Deaf as they have state of the art printing services. It was suggested when EDC is spending town money they should solicit bids from local businesses.
- Other – Ted Morton, 36 Walnut Avenue, asked what it would take to bring a YMCA to town; if there is a possibility of having a facility for birthday parties for children, and expressed his concern about the litter in the center of town. Kimberly Fontaine did meet with Alan Hurst about the possibility of a YMCA several years ago. Chair Leone stated Brian Vezina is hoping to open a gym at the property at 11 Skinner Street, with the hopes of bringing wrestling, swimming, and more to town.
Roy Gauthier, P&Z Liaison, expressed that putting the Town Hall in the town’s center is a good idea and gives people a reason to go down town. Epoch Arts has great plans, also. Bringing businesses into the center of town will get people down town.
Kerry Nielson, Director of Community and Environmental Planning, suggested EDC coordinate with DRB and Streetscape. Chair Leone gave an overview of the Governance Report findings and explained DRB is becoming more of a staff function.
Chris Goff announced the Lake Commission has a Clean up Day on April 25, 2009.
Chair Leone announced Bryan Jackowitz submitted a letter of resignation. Mr. Jackowitz’s term expired in December 2008. The commission thanked Mr. Jackowitz’s for his time and efforts.
At this time, the commission needs to solicit new members. It would be nice to find local business owners to join.
Chair Leone informed the town has projects ready to present if we receive stimulus money. (1) Town wide water system and(2) facilities proposal. Kimberly Fontanie noted you could go to http://www.ct.gov/recovery/site/default.asp to get more information.
- Adjournment: Chair Leone moved to adjourn this regular meeting at 8:34 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lori Lanzi
Recording Clerk
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