The Economic Development Commission held a regular meeting on Monday, September 15, 2009 at the multi-purpose building in Sandy Hook, CT 06482.
Present: Robert Rau (Chair), Catherine Adsitt, Mitchell Bolinsky, Ted Kreinik, Robert Morey and Donald Sharpe.
Absent: David Howard, Martha LaMarche, Wes Thompson
Also Present: Elizabeth Stocker, Director of Planning and Community Development
1. Call to Order: Chairman Rau called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.
2. Minutes of August 18, 2009 meeting. The minutes were approved unanimously as written.
3. Public Participation – There was no public participation.
4. Reports
a. Director of Planning and Community Development - Liz Stocker discussed a letter that the First Selectman received from Anne S. Evans from the U.S. Department of Commerce, regarding an initiative with Congressman Joe Courtney to support local industries. They are collecting information on local maple syrup producers and are asking if the Town for a list of their maple syrup producers or to see if they could contact their office at 860-638-6950. Ms. Stocker also received editorials for the fall preview, she will have reprints made.
b. Subcommittee Reports
i. Business Advocacy/Retention (Adsitt, Sharpe, Morey, Howard) - Mr. Sharpe reported on the new request by the Chamber of Commerce to Planning & Zoning modifying their proposal for a moratorium on road sign enforcement. He proposes to give support of the Chambers request.
Mr. Sharpe motioned that the EDC give conditional support to the Newtown Chamber of Commerce's request of Planning & Zoning for the temporary signage policy. Mitch Bolinsky seconded the motion. Motion approved unanimously. Mr. Rau will write a letter to Lilla Dean, Chair of Planning & Zoning.
ii. Maximization of Potential Sites for Economic Development (LaMarche, Bolinsky, Sharpe, Kreinik) - Ms. Stocker discussed the list of vacant industrial zoned land in Newtown. Out of 35 acres of vacant land, 23 are five acres or less. It was noted that the available 130,000 s.f. of office space at Pecks Lane and the 200,000 s.f. of space at the Pitney Bowes building on Edmond Road should be promoted before new development. Ms. Stocker shared her concerns over the empty buildings. The subcommittee will review and refine the list.
iii. Facilitate the Maintenance/Development of Agricultural Businesses (Thompson, Morey, Howard) - Mr. Rau discussed the farmers market that was moved from Lexington Gardens back to Sandy Hook. The Borough proposed accommodating the farmers market in the Borough as long as it is on Town owned property. They were offered a spot behind Edmond Town Hall, but the farmers market felt it would be too hot on the pavement. The middle school was suggested, but it will need to be approved by the Board of Education. The commissioners also discussed possible future tenants at Edmond Town once the Town offices move to Fairfield Hills. The building is in a residential zone.
iv. Alternative Energy - Tech Park (Kreinik, Bolinsky, Thompson) - Mr. Kreinik discussed an interest by a British company for placing solar panels in existing brown fields. Mr. Noel Lafayette from Tioga Energy has noted interest in two specific sites; the Noranda site off South Main Street and the Bachelder property. Tioga Energy would cap the site and put up solar panels. Mr. Kreinik asked for a GIS map of the two sites. He will invite Mr. Lafayette to the
next EDC meeting.
v. Evaluate/Upgrade as needed EDC Marketing Aids (LaMarche, Adsitt, Thompson) - Ms. Adsitt updated the commission on the development of the EDC website. She said the consultant is working on it and it looks great so far. She also explained the marketing and branding aspects and of it and noted that the goal is that the web pages are easily updated. The focus of the website is to show potential businesses what makes Newtown unique.
5. Old Business
a. Tech Park - Mr. Rau noted there were no updates. It has yet to be determined what marketing efforts will be launched. Ms. Adsitt stated that the fall preview looks good. Mr. Rau noted that the empty buildings should be occupied before marketing the tech park.
b. Budget 2009 - Ms. Stocker distributed a draft budget. She discussed the benefits of NEREJ (New England Real Estate Journal) and Sandormax, which is the website consultant. The importance of marketing was discussed, including possible marketing to other countries and making sure the website can be viewed in different languages. Commissioner Bolinsky motioned to approve the budget. Seconded by Mr. Kreinik. Motion approved unanimously. Mr. Rau encouraged the commissioners to introduce themselves to business owners within the town to get feedback to help with business retention.
c. Salute to Business - Ms. Stocker asked for commissioners to invite interested parties to the Salute to Business which is scheduled for October 22, 2009 at 5:00 pm, venue is forthcoming.
6. New Business
7. Adjournment - Mr. Morey motioned to adjourn at 9:20 pm. Mr. Kreinik seconded the motion. Motion approved unanimously.
Respectfully submitted by
Tammy Hazen, Clerk
| 
