MEETING MINUTES
April 14, 2016
Economic Development Office, Old Saybrook Town Hall
7:30 pm
CALL TO ORDER – Chair called the meeting to order at 7:35pm
ROLL CALL
Members present: David Cole, Carol Conklin, Elizabeth Swenson, James Keating, John DeCristoforo,
Matthew Pugliese, Sandra Roberts
Members absent: Joseph Arcari, Bruce Greenfield
Staff: Susan Beckman, Economic Development Director
Members of the Public: Kevin Danby
Guest: First Selectman Carl P. Fortuna
PUBLIC QUESTION & COMMENT - none
GUEST – First Selectman Carl P. Fortuna, Jr. joined the meeting. He reviewed Mariner’s Way redevelopment efforts to date, thanked the EDC for their work on the proposed zoning and discussed next steps with the Brownfields Areawide Revitalization (BAR) Planning Grant as redevelopment continues to move forward.
REGULAR BUSINESS
MOTION to approve the minutes of the March 31, 2016 Special Meeting MADE by J. DeCristoforo, SECONDED by J. Keating; VOTED IN FAVOR: D. Cole, C. Conklin, J. DeCristoforo, J. Keating, M. Pugliese, S. Roberts, E. Swenson; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 7-0-0.
B. Correspondence & Announcements
- Denise Heinemann sent an email encouraging the EDC to continue to pursue efforts to re-zone the industrial properties that she owns in Mariner’s Way to a Commercial/Business zone.
- Electric Boat has an office that works to gather special offers for their employees from businesses. If Commissioners know of businesses interested in providing special offers to be included, they can contact S. Beckman for more information. S. Beckman is also trying to get a contact within the HR office to provide Old Saybrook info in recruiting materials EB may send to potential employees.
- Letter from D. Royston received April 14, 2016 was read. The letter states that his clients F. Heinemann and E. Hallisey intend to petition the Zoning Commission to change the zoning of their property from Industrial to Gateway Business B-4. He asked to be on the agenda for the next regular meeting to discuss the proposed change.
OLD BUSINESS
A. Pathways Lighting – A draft letter to the BOS was reviewed. The letter supports the efforts being undertaken by the Town to make Elm Street Ext a Town Road.
B. Mariner’s Way – BAR Planning Project Update – the first meeting of the BAR Planning Advisory Committee will be April 20, 2016 at 7pm in the First Floor Conference Room. The Advisory Committee will be introduced and provided a review of redevelopment efforts for Mariner’s Way to date as well as an outline of steps to implement the BAR Planning Project.
C. Marketing Plan – Materials were handed out with the outline of the brainstorming session held with J. Keating, C. Conklin and S. Beckman. Also included were data on employment, wages, and the grand list. Commissioners were asked to review the information and bring ideas back to the May meeting regarding marketing priorities. J. Keating and S. Beckman will meet again to do the same and report at the May meeting. S. Beckman will follow-up on J. DeCristoforo’s recommendation to call Mark Borton and invite him to an upcoming EDC meeting.
D. Recognition of Long-Term Businesses/Spirit of Saybrook – J. DeCristoforo and D. Cole will review and update the criteria for the Spirit of Saybrook Award and consider the best strategy for continuing the award and /or recognizing long-term local businesses. They will report at the May meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
After seeing pianos placed in other towns to attract the interest of pedestrians, E. Swenson wanted to bring the concept to Old Saybrook. She reported that she found a free piano and is having it moved to the Fred Astaire Dance Studio on Main Street. The Fred Astaire Dance Studio has agreed to “host” the piano by giving it a home over night and during inclement weather. A press release about the piano being placed at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio and inviting visitors to play will go out once the piano is in place and tuned.
PUBLIC QUESTION & COMMENT - none
STAFF REPORT – S. Beckman handed out the staff update.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 pm until the next Regular Meeting of the Economic Development Commission on May 12, 2016 at 302 Main Street, Town Hall, 2nd floor conference room; MADE by D. Cole; SECONDED by J. DeCristoforo; VOTED IN FAVOR: D. Cole, C. Conklin, J. DeCristoforo, J. Keating, M. Pugliese, S. Roberts, E. Swenson; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 7-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan W. Beckman
Economic Development Director
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