SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
October 16, 2014
Economic Development Office, Old Saybrook Town Hall, 7:00pm
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.
Members Present: Members Absent:
John DeCristoforo Lauren Ashe
Elizabeth Swenson Carol Conklin
David Cole Dr. David Shearer
James Keating Maura Richards
Bruce Greenfield
Staff Present:
Susan Beckman, EDC Director
Joanne Kegel, Recording Clerk
4 members of the public were present: Ashley Malinowsky, Merit Badge Leader,
Jack Slimon, Timothy Jacobowski, Adam Casner, Boy Scout Troop 51, attending a public meeting to earn Communications Merit Badges. The Director explained the purpose and mission of the Economic Development Commission to the Scouts.
A. Approval of Minutes: September 11, 2014 meeting
MOTION: To approve the minutes of the September 11, 2014 meeting as presented; MADE: by J. Keating. SECONDED: by D. Cole. VOTED IN FAVOR: D. Cole, J. DeCristoforo, J. Keating, E. Swenson. OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED 4-0-0
B. Guests: Stephen Matic – 75 Main Street Redevelopment
Mr. Matic could not attend and postponed his visit to the next EDC meeting in November. He gave a brief update to the director advising the commission that there would be some demolition at the site during the next 6-8 weeks to prepare for redesigning the building with multiple entrances, that they are considering obtaining approval for an amendment to zoning to allow for a drive-through for a restaurant, and will update the commission on potential tenants at the next meeting.
C. Correspondence & Announcements
1. Zoning Commission Referral: 688 Boston Post Road Zoning Amendment.
The Commission discussed the Zoning Commission referral request for the Zoning Map Amendment to change 688 Boston Post Road (Map 37/Lot 54) and 1,766 s.f. of the westerly portion of 33 Main Street, Unit A (Map37/Lot 48, Unit A from Central Business B-1 District to Shopping Center B-2 District, and petition to amend the O.S. Zoning Regulations by amending Section 32.2.4 to permit service to customers at a service counter or in a motor vehicle at a take-out window in the Business B-2 District. The Commission recommends and supports the proposed changes as presented and the director will respond to the referral request.
MOTION: To respond to the referral request from the Zoning Commission in support of the proposed amendments as presented to the property at 688 Boston Post Road from a B-1 to a B-2 Zone, and amend Zoning regulations by amending Section 32.2.4 to permit service at the subject property to customers at a take-out window in the B-2 District. MADE: by D. Cole. SECONDED: by J. DeCristoforo. VOTED IN FAVOR: D. Cole, J. DeCristoforo, J. Keating, E. Swenson. OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED 4-0-0
2. Old Saybrook 2014 Affordable Housing Appeals List.
The Commission reviewed the Annual Report of New Deed-Restricted Housing for Old Saybrook for the period July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014, received from the First Selectman.
A. Mariner’s Way
1. Zoning Changes update
The director is working with Christine Nelson and Chris Costa to review existing businesses, identify potential businesses and types of businesses that would fit within the plan. They will be meeting with Jim Keating and David Shearer to get their input on the drafted regulations before presenting them to the EDC for review. The Commission discussed potential changes to Zoning as per the plan. A plan to action will be discussed at the next EDC meeting in November.
2. Brownfields Assessment Grant status
The Town of Old Saybrook received a $155,000 DECD Brownfields Assessment Grant on Sept 18, 2014 and is working with the contact at DECD on the contract and developing a Scope of Work to send to potential Licensed Environmental Professionals (LEPs) to do the site investigations. The Town has three years to complete the project. The Director will provide the Scope of Work to the Commission.
3. Branding
Logo Design Services Options:
- Online by 99 Designs – Cost: $299. Will provide 30-50 designs, but with impersonal online service only.
- Steve Alves – Cost: $700. Will provide 2 design concepts, includes design time, revisions, coordination and connections for marketing materials. He is a local businessman and will provide personalized service.
- Mike Skiles – Cost: $500. Will provide 5-8 logo options, 2 rounds of revisions, and delivery of files in a variety of formats suitable for production. He is a resident of Old Saybrook and will provide personalized service.
The Commission prefers to stay with a local vendor with more personal service. The Director and Chairman Swenson will meet to discuss the proposal from Mr. Alves and Mr. Skiles and will advise the Commission at the November meeting.
B. Chamber of Commerce B2B Showcase, October 23, 2014 4-7 p.m. at Valley Shore Y.
The EDC is sharing a table with SCORE. The Director will be there for the event raffling off a box of chocolates and collecting business cards in the process to help grow the EDC’s email list of businesses. She also has 10 tickets to use or give away.
A. Set Special Meeting for Mariner’s Way
Decision to be made at the next EDC meeting in November
B. Tourism Inventory & New Commission
The Director was approached by the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce and Bob Bell, President of the Valley Railroad regarding their new committee to promote more tourism in the Lower CT Valley. They asked that the EDC take inventory of the tourist, cultural resources, facilities and points of interest in Old Saybrook. The Commission suggested several resources, some concerns of increased traffic in summer and possible increase in tourism in the off seasons. The Director will report ideas and concerns to the new Tourism Commission. Their first meeting was held on October 16, 2014.
C. Spirit of Old Saybrook Award
The Commission has been asked to review criteria and suggest candidates for the John Baldoni “Spirit of Saybrook” award for 2014.
Criteria:
- An accomplished professional with long-term commitment and involvement with the business community.
- A strong advocate for strengthening the role of business owners in the town in order to improve the overall business environment.
- A person who has exhibited philanthropic leadership within the community
- A person whose voluntary efforts go beyond business and professional responsibilities in support of community oriented projects and programs.
- A person with a commitment to encouraging and developing local business partnerships with the public sector to enhance community services and community life.
- A person who has made a continuing effort to increase public understanding and awareness of the important role that small and medium size business play in improving the overall economic development of Old Saybrook.
The Commission agreed to discuss at future meetings for suggestions on a new candidate.
The director updated the Commission on several items of interest including the following:
- Dock & Dine is completing the permitting process and will be on track to begin construction in the spring
- Weichert Real Estate has moved into the first floor of Burton’s old barber shop at 21 Main Street.
- Great Harvest Bread on Boston Post Road closed at the end of September.
MOTION: To adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Economic Development Commission on November 13, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at 302 Main Street, Town Hall, EDC Office, First Floor; MADE: by D. Cole. SECONDED: by J.Keating. VOTED IN FAVOR: D. Cole, J. DeCristoforo, J. Keating, E. Swenson. OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED 4-0-0
Respectfully Submitted
Joanne Kegel
Recording Clerk
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