TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON
Economic Development Commission
Regular Meeting
March 20, 2012
Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room – Town Hall
6:30 p.m.
MINUTES
Present: Chair Rich Leone, Cindy Rooth, Mimi Perrotti, Jamie Bell, Todd Schrager, and Jack Solomon.
Absent: Jon March.
Also Present: Jennifer Carducci, Recording Secretary; several members of the public.
1. Call to Order
Chair Leone called this regular meeting of the East Hampton Economic Development Commission at 6:30 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes – 2-21-12 Regular Meeting
A motion was made by Mr. Solomon to approve the minutes of the 2-21-12 Regular Meeting as presented, seconded by Mr. Schrager, Vote: Yes: 4, No: 0, Abstain: 0 (Ms. Bell had not yet arrived).. Motion passed.
(Ms. Bell arrived 6:34 p.m.)
3. Announcements
Chair Leone announced the Commission will be following Roberts Rules of Order more closely.
4. Planning, Zoning & Building Administrator (new item title) – Mr. Carey was unable to attend.
5. Public Comments
Sue Weintraub, Town Council, congratulated the Commission on the publication of the first EDC Corner. She stated there will be a Town-wide “Open House” on 6-9-12. A meeting was discussed involving EDC, Library, Park and Recreation, Chatham Historic District, with the idea of showcasing East Hampton, showing we are a destination site. The Town Council would like to assist. Ms. Weintraub will email information from the State website to all Commission members.
6. Presentations
John Celino, was present to explain the project planned for 195 West High Street. Presently, there is a two-family home (green in color) on a nine-acre parcel. Approximately 40% of the property is located on wetlands (the wooded area). This parcel is zoned commercial/industrial. The nine acres will be split into two parcels; one will be the house and the other will be phased construction of storage and retail units. West of the house the first 776 square foot building will be built in the spring. Sanitarian still needs to do testing for septic (lot is not on sewer system). Eventually, the front will contain retail area of 96 x 80 with storage in the back (or may be built so they are connected if tenant wishes). The façade will look similar to Theatre Square.
The storage units in the rear will have 14’ high garage doors with a man-door. The building will be 80’ deep. A second building will then be built in back to serve as storage units; or a business could operate out of them. They will be equipped with electricity. In back of that another 8,000 square foot building (jogged) will be built, lower in height, for raw storage, no electricity or heat. This building would serve as a sort of barrier to the property next to that area. All of the building units will be built to suit, and building will be phased. The plan shown is preliminary. George Logan is now doing an environmental assessment and David Erlandson is doing the engineering. There will be a biofiltration area built where water will be cleaned. There will be plantings on the back side. Mr. Celino stated interest has already been expressed by renters. The filings for Planning and Zoning have
been started; Wetlands is next month and Planning and Zoning will be the next month.
Ms. Rooth made a motion to write a letter, in support of this project, to be passed on to the IWWA and P&Z; seconded by Mr. Solomon, Vote: Yes:6; No:0; Abstain:0, motion passed.
(Mr. Solomon left at 7:05 p.m.)
7. EDC Liaison Reports
a. Summary Discussion of other Boards and Commission Activity
Chair Leone attended the Village Center meeting and thought they had good ideas. Mr. Schrager shared information regarding Village Center cleanup on 4-21-12 at 10:00 a.m. starting from the coffee house.
Mr. Schrager mentioned there has been concern regarding the EDC developing events. He mentioned East Haddam’s EDC had sponsored a chowder fest recently. Chair Leone stated that EDC’s role should be to encourage and support our local businesses, and to showcase them. Ms. Rooth mentioned that the Arts and Cultural Commission has/will be sponsoring some events.
8. Old Business
Sue Weintraub, Chair, Town Council was present to ask the Commission their opinion of proposed sign improvements. (Pictures shown) Ms. Weintraub had visited the site with Public Works Director Hayden and Police Chief Reimondo. There would be a stationary oval piece on the left and a changeable banner holder on the right, which could be changed for different upcoming events. Discussion ensued and Ms. Weintraub will obtain a price and get back to Commission. She indicated that Public Works could be in charge of changing the banner. Ms. Weintraub will email the letter sizing (4”) to Ms. Perrotti. Mr. Shrager made a motion to support the changes to the East Hampton sign with the banner on the right and oval on left; seconded by Ms. Rooth; Vote: Yes: 5; No: 0; Abstain:
0, motion passes.
Ms. Weintraub plans to bring this choice to the Town Manager for possible financing sources.
a. Town Directory Sign – Corner of Rte. 66 and Main Street
Ms. Rooth stated that Rick Birkenstock would like to see what is proposed before be makes a decision. He is also researching the liability issue since it is on his property.
Discussion regarding the sign content was short, all agreeing that the slogan on the top would be permanent and would highlight shopping local; with a map of East Hampton in the middle area, below: sponsored by EDC. The website address would be at the bottom (or QR code), directing people to a listing of East Hampton businesses. This would enable easy changes to the list of businesses.
A motion was made by Ms. Perrotti to move forward with temporary sign at One Main Street and have mock-ups made for review, seconded by Ms. Rooth; Vote: Yes 5; No: 0; Abstain; motion passed.
b. EDC Business Breakfast – Port Mortem
The Commission discussed the Breakfast, which turned out well. Consensus was that they should be continued, on a quarterly basis, if possible. The speaker was great, information seemed well received. Suggestion was made that future planning feature outlined roles in order to improve execution. More planning time would also be helpful. Another suggestion was to contact businesses by email to determine if breakfast or after hours would be more desirable. Email could also be used for reminders. Early June was suggested for next Breakfast meeting. Suggestions are needed for a speaker.
c. EDC Corner Feedback
The EDC Corner was informational. Rich will put next content together and send out next week.
d. Business of the Month
Criteria for selection of the Business of the Month was discussed. Chair Leone will send criteria (received from Portland) around by email. Next month this Commission will finish criteria. All members should be ready for next month to select. Ms. Perrotti will have mockups for new sign; A-frame, two inserts. One business will be selected per month, starting in May.
It was mentioned that in Portland, they have a separate program, recognizing businesses who give back to the community, by way of a window sticker.
e. Home Based Business Initiative
Chair Leone spoke with the Tax Collector’s office in East Hampton regarding status of home based businesses. There is a State statute that covers them, not local. The business must register with the Town. After discussion, Chair Leone asked for a volunteer to look into statute (Ms. Rooth volunteered).
9. New Business
a. Shop Local Initiative
Discussion ensued regarding items this Commission can do to support The Shop Local Initiative. The sign at One Main, new EDC web presence, up-to-date listing of businesses (Chair Leone working on), etc. were discussed. A short, generic questionnaire for businesses was suggested and discussed. Chair Leone will mail out an Excel spreadsheet with listing.
10. Public Comments
Roy Gauthier was present, mentioning a website the Commission may find useful “openoffice.org (free). He also mentioned that Edgewater will be beginning the Zone change process in April and the actual plan will be presented as site plan in May.
Vice Chair Rooth mentioned that she attended a realtor’s meeting where the speaker said there are CHFA loans. There were loans for Manchester for the rehab of older buildings. Vice Chair Rooth will speak with Jim Carey to inquire for East Hampton.
11. Adjournment
Motion was made by Ms. Rooth to adjourn at 8:27seconded by Ms. Perrotti, vote was unanimous in favor. Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Carducci
Recording Secretary
3-25-12
All handouts are made part of these minutes and are available at Town Hall
Note: Disc #2 (of 2) recording this meeting was discovered damaged after the meeting. Hour one was recorded only. Balance of meeting transcribed from recording clerk’s minutes only.
| 
