Minutes of the regular meeting of the Economic Development Commission held on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 in the Multi-Purpose Building, Riverside Road, Sandy Hook, CT. Chairman Hopper called the meeting to order at 7:30p.m.
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PRESENT: Chet Hopper, Bruce Walczak, Joe Hemingway, Ted Kreinik Robert Rau, and Tom Long. ABSENT: Brian Aumueller Kim Danziger, Chuck Stofko,. ALSO PRESENT: Director of Community Development Elizabeth Stocker.
Minutes. Upon motion of Mr. Hemingway, the minutes of February 21, 2006 were unanimously accepted as amended.
Public Participation. None noted.
Communications. Ms. Stocker reported that the Chamber of Commerce Business after Hours will be held on March 30, 2006 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Fireside Inn.
She also noted that John Voket is the new editor for business for The Bee and would like to attend an EDC meeting to discuss action going on in town. Mr. Hopper suggested that Mr. Voket should be encouraged to attend all EDC meetings. He will be put on the May 16 agenda for participation.
Don DiBona from Tower Realty will be invited to the May 16 meeting to discuss the technology park.
Ms. Stocker distributed the ad in the New England Real Estate Journal and a copy of the ad in the New York Real Estate Journal. She has received many calls for Batchelder recently, for wood chipping and recycling. Ms. Stocker will prepare a redesign of the ad to include the future tech park and other properties
Reports.
Director of Community Development. Ms. Stocker reported under “Communications.”
Old Business
Strategic Plan. Mr. Walczak has invited the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors to the April 18 meeting for a discussion including why businesses leave Newtown and what the EDC can do to help keep them in town.
Mr. Rau reported that the State is reviewing the Patel Memorial Institute report on nanotechnology. He said that Connecticut does not now have a center of technology excellence which is needed for a nanotechnology center. Mr. Rau feels that we should wait to see what the State is going to do.
Mr. Aumueller is working on agribusiness but he was not present tonight. Ms. Stocker was contacted by a participant in the Sandy Hook farmer’s market who is looking for grants. She referred him to the State Department of Agriculture. Mr. Hopper received inquiries from a grower of Japanese moss who will be back in Newtown in May.
Tech Park – Market Study will be contracted to a consultant after the EDC is appointed as the municipal authority for the tech park.
Biodiesel process. Public Works Director Fred Hurley expressed interest in setting up a trial operation in Newtown. However, the Public Works Department is over the aquifer so another site would be needed. The Commission feels that Newtown might be interested in utilizing this process but not in having the manufacturing in Newtown.
EDC Website. Mr. Long and Ms. Stocker are updating and tweaking the site. More updates will be planned when the tech park is to be marketed.
New Business
Salute to business 2006. Mr. Hopper asked the Commissioners to think about a theme or companies for awards.
Budget considerations. Mr. Hopper said that the EDC should consider the line item of a part-time or full-time helper for Ms. Stocker in next year’s budget.
Adjournment. Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, the meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
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Ann M. Mazur, Clerk
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