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REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
December 8, 2016
2nd Floor Conference Room, Old Saybrook Town Hall
7:30 pm
CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chair Elizabeth Swenson called the meeting to order at 7:35pm.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Elizabeth Swenson, John DeCristoforo, David Cole, James Keating, Joseph Arcari, Sandra Roberts; arriving later were Carol Conklin and Matthew Pugliese
Members absent: Bruce Greenfield
Staff: Meryl Moskowitz, Recording Clerk
III. PUBLIC QUESTION & COMMENT
John & Jane Ellis, Old Saybrook residents of thirty years, and Chairman and President, respectively of the CT Sports Foundation (CSF), requested funding from the Commission to aid in the public relations and advertising efforts of their non-profit CT Sports Foundation, in the amount of $10,000. The Foundation's name will be changed to the CT Cancer Foundation and will move to new, larger headquarters at 15 North Main Street. The Foundation plans to construct a 5,000 sq. ft. cultural and operations center, to house offices, a fine art gallery, and conference center.
Mr. Ellis expressed plans for the growth of the foundation and the cultural center, which he expects will draw visitors from the tri-state region, which in turn will benefit the Town.
Commission members suggested the Ellises explore two sources of public funds, the state's DECD, and the Middlesex County Revitalization Commission.
Members acknowledged the merits of the Foundation and will follow up with the Ellises.
REGULAR BUSINESS
Approval of Minutes
MOTION to approve the minutes of November 10, 2016; MADE by D. Cole, SECONDED by J. DeCristoforo; VOTED IN FAVOR: C. Conklin, E. Swenson, J. DeCristoforo, D. Cole, J. Keating, M. Pugliese, J. Arcari, S. Roberts; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 8-0-0.
B. Correspondence & Announcements
MOTION to approve expenditure of $300 for Business Site Magazine ad; MADE by M. Pugliese, SECONDED by C. Conklin; VOTED IN FAVOR: C. Conklin, E, Swenson, J. DeCristoforo, D. Cole, J. Keating, M. Pugliese, J. Arcari, S. Roberts; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 8-0-0.
MOTION to approve expenditure of $125 for renewal of CEDAS membership; MADE by D. Cole, SECONDED by J. Keating; VOTED IN FAVOR: C. Conklin, E, Swenson, J. DeCristoforo, D. Cole, J. Keating, M. Pugliese, J. Arcari, S. Roberts; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 8-0-0.
E. Swenson read a letter from Senator Blumenthal acknowledging receipt of the EDC's letter regarding freight rail. E. Swenson distributed a memo from the EDC to the Board of Finance requesting the opportunity to update the BOF on the EDC's activities at its December 20 meeting.
IV. SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Town-wide Promotion – no current promotion
B. Mariner’s Way BAR Planning Project – S. Roberts reported the Civic Moxie team will be meeting with the Town on December 15.
C. Marketing Plan – J. Keating stated they met this week and will prepare to meet with the Board of Finance to discuss what the EDC does and why EDC needs money.
D. Recognition of Long-Term Businesses/Spirit of Saybrook – D. Cole stated the presentation of awards event was successful, and good coverage was received in the Harbor News & Shoreline Times newspapers.
E. Arts & Culture – Play Me, I’m Yours – E. Swenson gave a brief update, stating they will be meeting with the dance person, Chloe Carlson.
A. 2017-2018 Budget – vote to approve
MOTION to approve the EDC 2017 budget as presented; MADE by D. Cole, SECONDED by J. DeCristoforo; VOTED IN FAVOR: C. Conklin, E, Swenson, J. DeCristoforo, D. Cole, J. Keating, M. Pugliese, J. Arcari, S. Roberts; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 8-0-0.
B. Meeting Schedule for 2017 – vote to approve
MOTION to approve the 2017 EDC meeting calendar; MADE by J. Keating, SECONDED by M. Pugliese; VOTED IN FAVOR: C. Conklin, E, Swenson, J. DeCristoforo, D. Cole, J. Keating, M. Pugliese, J. Arcari, S. Roberts; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 8-0-0.
VI. STAFF REPORT
A written staff report was distributed.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 9:08pm until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Economic Development Commission which will be held on Thursday, January 12, 2017, at 7:30 p.m., Town Hall, 302 Main Street, 2nd Floor Conference Room; ; MADE by D. Cole; SECONDED by J. DeCristoforo; VOTED IN FAVOR: C. Conklin, E, Swenson, J. DeCristoforo, D. Cole, J. Keating, M. Pugliese, J. Arcari, S. Roberts; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 8-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Meryl Moskowitz
Recording Clerk
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