EDC Minutes Thursday, February 11, 2010
Present: David Cole, John DeCristoforo, Jim Keating, Charlie Polka and Wilma Asch. Absent: Howard Huelsman, Bruce Greenfield, Mark McGuire and Todd Roberts
Guest: Ron Lyman
A. Vice Chairman Charlie Polka called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM in the EDC Office in Town Hall.
B. A correction was noted in the Minutes of January 14, 2009. In the New Business, 375th anniversary paragraph the Old Saybrook Historical Society, not the Historical District Commission, is working with Herb Clark et al. A motion was made (Cole/ DeCristoforo) to accept the Minutes of January 14, 2009 as modified. The motion passed unanimously.
C. Ron Lyman, developer of Max’s Place at the intersection of Spencer Plains and the Boston Post Road addressed the Commission. He reported that he had received the last of the governmental approvals about six weeks ago. He has completed many of the related site activities such as the drainage improvements that impact Chalker Beach. He has started clearing his parcel. He is negotiating with potential grocery stores and expects to have a lease signed soon. Since the new lessee will have some plan modifications he anticipates one more round of requests for Old Saybrook Zoning Commission approval. He hopes to start this year, with the development open between May 2011 and May 2012. He thanked the EDC for its support and will keep us informed of
progress.
D. Committee Reports – There has been little or no business related activity in the various land use boards and several of their meetings have been cancelled.
E. Old Business
a. Executive Director Wilma Asch will call Tim Londregan about meeting with the EDC in March.
F. New Business
a. Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce Business Expo is progressing. As a sponsor the EDC will have an advertisement in the program. The Commissioners discussed the content of the ad and John DeCristoforo will work with Executive Director Wilma Asch to prepare the final content. Wilma will handle the promotion in town government locations.
b. Executive Director Wilma Asch distributed a proposed budget identical to last year except for collective bargaining unit negotiated increases.
c. Planning for the Old Saybrook 375th anniversary is progressing. Executive Director Wilma Asch is on the committee. The commission discussed the EDC involvement in the activity. The consensus is that at a minimum we should make a financial contribution. Other ideas were discussed. It was decided to continue the discussion at the next meeting.
d. Our commission vacancy was discussed and potential candidates were considered. The vacancy was advertised on January 29th. There have been no new applicants. A round of interviews will be scheduled for the next meeting. Jim Keating will continue to try to reach Howard Huelsman about his membership swap.
G. Executive Director’s Report
a. Executive Director Wilma Asch distributed a written report. In addition she reported that the KHCAC Museum is active. The US Postmaster General will participate in a Katharine Hepburn postage stamp unveiling on May 12, 2010 at 11 AM at the Kate.
b. A new plasma town message board will be installed outside the Kate and landscaped by the garden club.
H. Action plans
a. Executive Director Wilma Asch and John DeCristoforo will work on the ad copy for the Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce Business Expo.
b. The commissioners are asked to consider the EDC’s role and activities in the Old Saybrook 375th anniversary.
c. Several membership related actions will be taken.
I. On an approved motion (Cole/DeCristoforo) Vice Chairman Polka adjourned the meeting at 8:39 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
James D. Keating - Secretary
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