Town of East Hampton
Economic Development Commission
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
East Hampton Town Hall Meeting Room
6:30 PM
DRAFT - MINUTES
Present: Chairman Richard Leone and Commissioners Alan Pawlak, Cindy Rooth,
and Todd Schrager
Absent: Commissioners David Shulman and Kimberley Fontaine
Also Present: Kyle Dostaler, 56 William Drive; Chris Edge, Connected to CT; Roy Gauthier, P&Z Liaison; Ted Morton, 36 Walnut Avenue; Kerry Nielson, Director of Community and Environmental Planning; Jeffery J. O'Keefe, Town Manager; Tunji Somma, Chatham Medical Offices; and Lori Lanzi, Recording Secretary
Call to order: Chair Leone called this regular meeting to order at 6:34 p.m.
Approval of Minutes: Cindy Rooth made a motion to approve the March 17, 2009 minutes, seconded by Alan Pawlak, vote in favor, motion passed. Vote: Yes 3 – No 0 – Abstentions 1 (Todd Schrager).
Announcements: Chair Leone welcomed Todd Schrager to the commission. Mr. Schrager is the owner of the Old Banks Antique building in the center of town.
Town Manager Report: Town Manager Jeff O’Keefe informed the commission the consolidation of commissions is pretty much concluded. Although the process was painful, Mr. O’Keefe is pleased with the results. At this time, all commissions are staffed by a town employee. Mr. O’Keefe himself will staff EDC.
There is an EDC document box on the copy machine. The commission members can scan all documents and they will be saved electronically in PDF files and put in the EDC folder.
Mr. O’Keefe meet with town council member Mr. Tuttle regarding Bevin Bros. Mfg. Company, 10 Bevin Road. Matthew Bevin is in the process of taking over the business. Mr. O’Keefe was expressed with the tour Mr. Bevin took him on and his progress. A succession plan is in place and has started. Mr. Bevin has cleaned up the operation and they employ 23 people. A Chief Operating Officer has been hired. His goal is to bring the factory back to life and automate some of his equipment. Mr. O’Keefe approached him regarding a hydropower dam for town use. Mr. O’Keefe encouraged the EDC Commissioners to take a tour of the facility and meet Matthew Bevin’s. Mr. O’Keefe informed Mr. Bevin’s of the possibility of money through
the Middlesex Urban Revitalization and Development Project. Mr. Bevin’s would like to participate in the Winter Festival and handing out bells to the children in town.
Cindy Rooth asked if any of the changes have been documented with the Historical Society and if not suggested they should be.
Nile Street Bridge: Mr. O’Keefe informed the commission jersey barriers have been put up as part of the bridge is in need of repair. Dwight Barton is part owner of this bridge. Business owners surrounding bridge are looking into the possibility of Mr. Barton deeding the road to them.
Main Street Bridge: Mr. O’Keefe informed the commission his hope is the bridge will open Friday, April 24, 2009. At which time there will still be some work to be completed before an official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Todd Schrager asked if there is a lawsuit against the contractor working on the Main Street bridge. Jeff O’Keefe informed him there is not but the contractor is paying a fine for the delay.
Town Council Liaison Report: None
Community Development Director Report: None
Public Comments: None
Presentations:
- Wayne Rand – New building application for Sinco Place: None
- Tunji Somma - modification to Chatham Medical Offices: Mr. Somma presented a description of the additional 5,500 square foot addition to the existing property. The building will remain a medical center and 60 to 65 new parking spaces will be added. In addition, landscaping along route 66 will be put in. Mr. Somma’s goal is make the building energy efficient and for the exterior to match the existing structure. The commission is pleased with Mr. Somma’s plans, especially the goal of going green. Cindy Rooth made a motion that EDC draft a letter in support of Mr. Somma’s project, seconded by Alan Pawlak, vote in favor, motion passed. Vote: Yes 4 – No 0 – Abstentions 0
- Connected to Connecticut activities report: Chris Edge reported to the Commission (handout made part of the record) the contacts, visitations, and meetings he made curing the last month. Chair Leone asked Mr. Edge if he asked the local businesses he spoke with last month to fill out the form EDC developed for feedback. Mr. Edge did not. Chair Leone asked if he could mail/drop off form to them and start using it in the future. Chris Edge said the Rivereast is willing to put in a small section on what EDC is doing. Commission felt excerpts from Mr. Edge’s monthly report would work fine.
EDC Liaison Reports
- Summary discussion of other Board & Commission activity: None
- Formal liaison assignment discussion: Tabled until full board present.
Old Business
a. Blight ordinance action plan update: No update
b. Home Based Business Initiative – joint mtng. w/P&Z: Chair Leone was in contact with P&Z and an EDC member will attend the P&Z meeting on May 6th at 6:00 p.m. The purpose of this meeting will be to get EDC and P&Z on the same page regarding this issue and come up with a right of use that works. If Chair Leone is unable to attend, Alan Pawlak volunteered to attend.
c. Town/EDC Budget: The town budget is going to referendum. The EDC budget was not touched.
d. Update on New Businesses in Town: The consignment shop is doing very well. They had over 100 sales in one day. Mr. Edge will meet with Brian Vezina regarding his health club project. At this time, it looks like the purchase of the building Mr. Vezina hoped to lease is a 50/50 shot of being purchased. Jeff O’Keefe suggested we inform Mr. Vezina of the lease property available on Summit Street.
e. East Hampton Bell Ringer: Chair Leone would like to see a late spring edition go out geared for graduations, father’s day, etc. Also, announcing events like the farmers market, boat parade, etc. To reduce the cost of the last one we will utilize the copy machine at town hall for the inserts and keep it local. Jeff O’Keefe stated there is a state website to advertise events in town. It is too late this year, but something to keep in mind for next year. When Mr. Edge is meeting with local business owner’s maybe, he will come across an owner who does desktop publishing for this insert.
f. Business of the Month concept: Chris Edge presented a signage idea for the business of the month. Jeff O’Keefe informed the commission that he heard the Lion’s Club is looking to sponsor a town wide Business Expos in June or July. Possibility this would be something EDC could participate in. Alan Pawlak suggested the town set up a table at Old Home Day where the various Commissions can put out information on what they do and take turns staffing the table to answer questions.
New Business
- Farmers Market Grant Opportunity: Jeff O’Keefe and Chris Edge are working together on submitting the USDA Grant. Chair Leone asked if the Farmers Market will need a specific spot and operating time for the grant and it was felt this will not be necessary. Tom Schrager talked about the farmers market he attended recently saying it was mobbed and his hope is this will be a successful grant for East Hampton. Jeff O’Keefe stated the grant is to help facilitate development of a Farmers Market for East Hampton. Chris Edge asked the commission members to email him prospects they may have for vendors for the market. Marketing is part of the grant, but leasing land is not. It was suggested to charge vendors a nominal fee.
- Strawberry Fields/Village Center event: Todd Schrager informed the commission the event will take place the 2nd week in June. The Goff House and Library will be sponsoring events at the same time to bring more people down to the Village center. Mr. Schrager said the village center is a great place to congregate and have events. It is right off route 66 and clean. Rich Leone suggested he contact Shaw’s, CVS, and Epoch Arts to see if they would like to participate. Cindy Rooth suggested he contact parks and rec, also. Mr. Schrager said any EDC participation would be welcomed. He asked if the Bell Ringer could advertise this event also. Mr. Schrager said this event is very successful in other states and his hope is it will become a large
event in East Hampton. Mr. O’Keefe suggested for 2010 the commission create a calendar at the beginning of the year so they know what happening town wide. This would help put structure to the process.
Chair Leone would like to add the Winter Festival to next month’s agenda, as he would like to see this commission have much more involvement. Todd Schrager suggested putting in an ice rink for the Winter fest and leave, it open as long as possible through the winter. Chair Leone said a sub committee will have to be formed to work on the Winter Festival.
- Lake Commission initiatives, EDC participation: This Commission approached Chair Leone to ask for EDC participation in a Doggy Social. After discussion the commissioners agreed the only thing EDC could do is support the project to get local pet businesses involved. Although this is a great idea, EDC is not really the group for participating in this event.
- Streetscape: They are doing signage for the Village. It is not clear how many signs and Chair Leone had asked for that information for tonight’s meeting but did not receive it. This discussion is tabled to next month.
- Vice Chair for EDC: Chair Leone reminded the commission they need to appoint a vice chair and he would like to nominate Alan Pawlak. Please think it over and it will be put on the agenda for the next meeting.
Public Comments: Kyle Dostaler was pleased EDC is working on the blight ordinance and home based business. Mr. Dostaler expressed he hoped the commission will look at the draft plan for metric that was designed previously.
Ted Morton is happy EDC is looking at the Village center. Mr. Morton stated East Haddam has a successful Farmers Market and suggested the commission make contact with them for ideas. Mr. Morton has attended the East Hampton farmers market and said the church has worked very well for it. He suggest postcards be made and left at local business advertising the farmers market. Maybe some acoustic music would be good as people would stay and listen and that would lead to a cold beverage and something to eat. Mr. Morton asked about closing the street for events. Mr. O’Keefe stated closing the street a couple of times a year wouldn’t be a problem. Mr. Morton would like to see foot or bicycle police patrol in the center. He stated it is a proven fact that when kids get to know
the patrol officers and there is less trouble. Mr. Morton stated the parking for the consignment shop is an accident waiting to happen. Mr. O’Keefe said he would look into it.
Adjournment: Chair Leone moved to adjourn this regular meeting at 8:25 p.m.
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