The Economic Development Commission held a regular meeting on Tuesday August, 19, 2008 at the Multi Purpose Building in Sandy Hook, CT. 06482. Chairman Chet Hopper called the meeting to order at 7:40p.m.
PRESENT: Chairman Chet Hopper, Theodore Kreinik, Robert Morey, Robert Rau, Mitch Bolinsky.
ALSO PRESENT: Liz Stocker, Director of Community Planning and Development.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Mr. Kreinik moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held July 15, 2008. Mr. Rau seconded the motion. All were in favor.
COMMUNICATIONS: None noted.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: None noted.
REPORTS
Director of Planning and Community Development, Liz Stocker
Ms. Stocker reported that she put a listing in the North East Developers Directory with an enhanced listing on-line for $295 per year. Ms. Stocker also got a special rate of $150 for an ad in the New England Real Estate Journal. She received about 3 calls. Mr. Bolinsky asked if the Fairfield Hills Authority was going in on it with the EDC. Ms, Stocker said no they didn’t because they don’t have any advertising money. Ms. Stocker announced that the Marketing Analysis is completed and will be printed shortly. The Chamber of Commerce invited Ms. Stocker to write an article about the EDC for their newsletter, which will appear every other issue. The newsletter will also list upcoming events for the EDC
OLD BUSINESS:
Tech Park Updates:
Mr. Bruce Hoben from Planimetrics said that the Marketing Analysis was completed and that there was a mix up with the printers. Mr. Hopper said that the preliminary summery reflected on everything that went on. Discussion followed on the report. Mr. Bolinsky asked where the Conservation Department stands on the Tech Park. Mr. Hopper said that they are a commission, not a legislative body. The EDC has to go before the Board of Selectmen and the Legislative Council to sell the plan. Mr. Bolinsky added that this should be done quickly.
Fiscal Impact Analysis
Copies of the Department of CIP summary worksheets were handed out. Mr. Hopper asked if the Tech Park could receive the bulk of the money up front and then split the rest over 2 to 3 years. Mr Kreinik said that we need the 4.7 mil the first year to build roads before the lots could be sold and that it can’t be spread over 3 years. Mr. Kreinik said that Conservation believes that this is a dead project because nothing has been public for 6 months. Mr. Kreinik stated that it should be revived with the Fiscal Impact Analysis showing what happens over the next 15 years. Mr. Bolinsky said that this project has been killed politically and it has to be brought back both economically and politically. Ms. Stocker suggested that it should be brought up at the next Board of Selectmen’s meeting. The next
meeting is September 15 with the Legislative Council meeting on September 17. Mr. Kreinik said that the purpose of the Tech Park is to generate tax revenue for the town, about ½ million dollars a year in property tax. Benefits that the Tech Park would bring the town were discussed. Mr. Hopper suggested that the businesses would bring in entry level jobs. Another benefit would be the North/South road that has been in the works for 20 years. Another benefit would be keeping businesses in Newtown and they would continue to grow. Mr. Hopper discussed splitting the money between 2009/10 and 2010/2011 fiscal years.
Mr. Kreinik moved to ask for 4.29 million for bonding, seconded by Mr. Morey. All in favor.
B. Review Tech Park Proposals Market Study and Fiscal Impacts
Lawrence Kenny of AMS Consulting presented and reviewed with the Commission with the first findings for the Market Study in a hand out titled, Market Assessment – Preliminary Findings (ATTACHMENT A). Also present was, Bruce Hoben, AICP of Planimetrics.
The Commission discussed in length the infrastructure costs to the Town and other possibilities the land could be used for if not a Technology park such as the Town leaving the property as is until the market improves, open space, selling to a private developer, the Town developing the land, or a Solar farm.
See ATTACHMENT B – Lot breakdown.
The Commission seemed to be in agreement that Mr. Kenny of AMS should meet with the Engineer of the Tech Park to re-evaluate whether the land has been divided appropriately to make the most sense financially to the Town.
C. Commercial Realtors Reception – Tuesday July 22, 2008
M. Stocker presented to the Commission the current RSVP list for the reception (see ATTACHMENT C).
Mr. Hopper is to call John Trentacosta, Lyn Volpe and Mike Yau to verify attendance.
Mr. Morey asked if anyone would be giving an opening speech to introduce guests. Mr. Hopper confirmed that there would be someone to do so.
Mr. Kreinik added that perhaps the personal property tax incentives might be mentioned to anyone who may be unaware of what the Town offers to business(s).
The Commission discussed what, if any, representation should be present on the status of the Tech Park. The Commission seemed undecided on whether any representation should be made on the Tech Park because of its status. It was discussed that if the Tech Park were to be displayed, it would be a simple, undivided map only displaying the parcel as a complete picture.
D. Salute To Business 2008
Mr. Hopper stated that the Salute to Business is scheduled to be held October 2, 2008 at Rock Ridge Country Club in Newtown from 5:00p.m. to 7:30p.m.
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NEW BUSINESS: None noted
ADJOURNMENT: Having no further business, Mr. Morey moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:20p.m. Mr. Torok seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Cayenne Spremullo, Clerk Pro Tem
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