TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON
Economic Development Commission
Regular Meeting
May 15, 2012
Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room – Town Hall
6:30 p.m.
MINUTES
Present: Chair Rich Leone, Vice Chair Cindy Rooth, Jamie Bell, Mimi Perrotti, Jack Solomon, Todd Schrager, Jon March (arrived at 8:05 p.m.)
Also Present: James P. Carey, Building, Planning, Zoning Administrator and Liaison; Jennifer Carducci, Recording Secretary, one member of the public.
1. Call to Order
Chair Leone called this regular meeting of the East Hampton Economic Development Commission at 6:35 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes – April 10, 2012 Special Meeting; April 17, 2012 Regular Meeting
Chair Leone made a motion to accept the minutes as presented for the EDC Special Meeting of 4-10-12 as presented; seconded by Mr. Solomon; Vote: Yes: 6; No: 0; Abstain: 0. Motion passed.
Mr. Solomon made a motion to accept the minutes as presented for the EDC Regular Meeting of 4-17-12 as presented; seconded by Vice Chair Rooth; Vote: Yes: 5; No: 0; Abstain 1 – Leone (as he was not in attendance at meeting). Motion passed.
3. Announcements - None
4. Planning, Zoning & Building Administrator – James P. Carey
Mr. Carey spoke briefly regarding 13 Summit Street project, Edgewater Hill, Storage building(s) project on West High Street; possible gas station on the Stickler property on N. Main Street and the Dream Developers project on East High Street.
5. Public Comments - None
6. Presentations – None
7. EDC Liaison Reports – None
8. Old Business
a. Town Directory Sign – Corner of Rte. 66 and Main Street
Discussion ensued regarding the banners that will hang from the stanchion on the Village Center Sign at the corner of Rte. 66 and Main Street. It was suggested that the Strawberry Festival use a different background color for their banner, since the green shown on the flyer may blend into the trees and other natural background.
Comments made regarding the directory sign on the Century 21 property were that it is structurally sound, but needs a new bracket, a power wash, and stain/paint. Vice Chair Rooth will get Rick’s input and invite him to the next EDC meeting to discuss mockup. Vice Chair Rooth is looking for information regarding the top of the roof of the sign (brackets are still there, but we do not have anything further). The consensus of the group was that a map should be the biggest part. Chair Leone to report back as to whether or not the Town can repair.
b. EDC Corner Feedback
Chair Leone stated he had no feedback on the new EDC Corner and the events were not well attended. Ms. Perrotti suggested we give it a more time and insert items further in advance of their date to be able to evaluate. Chair Leone suggested we reach out to more groups. After discussion, Chair Leone made a motion to cancel the EDC Corner; seconded by Mr. Solomon; Vote: Yes: 6; No: 0; Abstain: 0, motion passed.
After a short discussion, Vice Chair Rooth made a motion to begin publishing Press Release(s) on all events; seconded by Chair Leone; Vote: Yes: 6; No: 0; Abstain: 0; motion passed.
c. EDC Business of the Month
Ms. Perrotti shared a mockup of the sandwich sign(s). After a short discussion regarding the four similar choices, the Commission agreed on one.
Ms. Rooth made a motion to go ahead with two sandwich signs, with the agreed-upon design, Option C; seconded by Mr. Solomon; Vote: Yes: 6, No: 0; Abstain: 0; motioned passed.
As yet, EDC does not have written criteria (in the past, Portland’s criteria was loosely used).
d. Shop Local Initiative – Tabled until next meeting.
9. New Business
Discussion ensued regarding adequate notice for meetings and events, coordination with other departments and groups, substantial completion date of 6-11-12 for the Airline Trail extension project, promotion of Open House Day, Strawberry Festival on 6-9-12.
(7:40 p.m. Jack Solomon left.)
In further discussions of the Village Center sign at Rte. 66 and Main Street:
- Need criteria
- Who will keep calendar
- Who keeps banners
- Standard size, content
All Commissioners will bring suggestions to next meeting.
Mr. Schrager made a motion that EDC fund the banner for the Strawberry Festival; seconded by Ms. Perrotti, Vote: Yes 5 (Solomon left); No: 0; Abstain: 0, motion passed.
Mr. Schrager made a motion that EDC fund a permanent banner, to be (a placeholder) on stanchion between other events, to include design and production, seconded by Vice Chair Rooth, Vote: Yes: 5; No: 0; Abstain: 0, motion passed.
Mr. Schrager will reach out to Sue Weintraub regarding details.
Discussion ensued regarding the quarterly business breakfast. Ms. Bell has secured a speaker, Tag Team Business Partners of Rocky Hill (marketing – incorporating social media, the internet and traditional avenues). Dates were discussed and will be firmed up; Chair Leone has secured location (Angelico’s).
(7:57 p.m. – Mr. Schrager left.) (8:00 p.m. – Mr. March arrived.)
-A press release will be created; possibly a flyer;
-Discussions will be initiated with Rotary;
-Breakfast from 7:30 -9:00 a.m., with presentation at 8 a.m., coffee, juice, fruit provided; date to be reworked (6-28-12 or 7-26-12)
- After work sessions could be 5-7; locations could be rotated.
Chair Leone made a motion to create a flyer template for events; seconded by Vice Chair Rooth; Vote: Yes: 5; No: 0; Abstain: 0; motion passed.
Regarding Home Based Business Initiative – Vice Chair Rooth discussed with Town Clerk Wieleba (tax ramifications, etc). There will be a meeting scheduled with Tax Collector, Town Clerk, Building/Planning/Zoning Administrator to brainstorm. Mr. Carey will research for future meetings.
Vice Chair Rooth and Mr. March will continue to work on EDC online calendar possibilities/content/etc.
EDC Bylaws will be discussed at next month’s meeting.
Mr. March stated he is working on the concept of a Town Pier.
10. Public Comments - None
11. Adjournment
Motion was made by Chair Leone to adjourn at 8:13 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Carducci
Recording Secretary
(Note: Meeting not recorded on CD)
5-20-12
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