SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
February 16, 2017
Economic Development Office, Old Saybrook Town Hall
7:30 pm
Chair C. Conklin called the meeting to order at 7:31pm.
Members present: Joseph Arcari, Carol Conklin, Elizabeth Swenson, John DeCristoforo, James Keating, Bruce Greenfield, Sandra Roberts
Members absent: David Cole, Matthew Pugliese
Staff: Susan Beckman, Economic Development Director
III. PUBLIC QUESTION & COMMENT
None
MOTION to approve the minutes of January 12, 2017 with the correction that Bruce Greenfield was present; MADE by J. DeCristoforo, SECONDED by J. Arcari; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Arcari, C. Conklin, E. Swenson, J. DeCristoforo, James Keating, B. Greenfield, S. Roberts OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 7-0-0.
B. Correspondence & Announcements
The Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce sent a receipt for the EDC’s $100 sponsorship of the Chili Fest on March 4, 12-4.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
A. Benches - S. Beckman anticipates one more order for benches and asked C. Fortuna if there were capital funds that could cover an additional 5 benches to replace those that had to be removed for safety reasons. C. Conklin suggested sending another wave of requests for contributions for benches to larger businesses in town.
B. Sign Task Force – The Chamber of Commerce organized a Sign Task Force after the last sweep of temporary signs conducted by zoning. The Task Force has been learning about sign regulations and will be on the Zoning Commission (ZC) agenda March 6 to have a discussion about sign regulations to understand the regulations, ZC’s goals for the regulations and share the business perspective on current regulations.
C. Saybrook Point Wayfinding Sign – S. Beckman is to find out who is responsible for sign maintenance so the Town can be sure the sign is properly maintained. L. Swenson is willing to move the sign through the permitting process if someone is needed to head the effort.
V. SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Town-wide Promotion – C Conklin and S Beckman will meet with Judy Sullivan of the OS Chamber in early March to begin discussions about the Wednesdays in Old Saybrook promotion for the summer. The Historical Society will have events marking the 250th anniversary of the William Hart House through 2017 which will be incorporated into Town-wide promotions. They will also talk about promoting town programs on Earth Day.
B. Mariner’s Way BAR Planning Project - Another public meeting is scheduled for March 9 from 5-7pm. CivicMoxie will present some concepts for redevelopment. The public is encouraged to attend and provide feedback. B. Greenfield noted that there is a conflict with a Republican Town Committee event on this evening and was concerned that it may affect attendance. S. Beckman will talk with CivicMoxie about the conflict and options.
C. Marketing Plan – J. Keating reported that the Board of Selectman received the EDC’s request for marketing funds and passed it along to the Board of Finance. C. Conklin, J. Keating and S. Beckman met with a new town resident, Rich Scierka, who owns a marketing company and is willing to work with the EDC to develop some no and low-cost social media marketing to get the EDC started. Rich has a common sense approach to marketing and encouraged the EDC to put together a full plan with specific goals and metrics to measure impact. Rich has provided services to other municipalities.
L. Swenson suggested using social media to encourage tourism by offering local merchant coupons or rewards to anyone who “likes” or re-posts EDC posts.
C. Conklin suggested reviewing a Chamber of Commerce program on social media offered a couple of years ago by a marketing firm.
A question was asked about rest stops along the highway and if a town or business can “adopt” one and staff it with volunteers. S. Beckman will contact the Office of Tourism to get an answer.
L. Swenson asked about contacting businesses to find sponsors for Preserve Work Parties to support volunteer maintenance efforts at the Preserve. She will get more information about what they need and share it. S. Beckman will present the information at a Business Connections Hour to help raise awareness of the request for support.
D. Recognition of Long-Term Businesses/Spirit of Saybrook – J. DeCristoforo asked the Commissioners to forward potential recipients for the Spirit of Saybrook Award to him and D. Cole. C. Conklin asked if organizations might be considered. It was suggested that organizations providing services to the town that make a great place to live and visit could be recognized in the monthly Constant Contact email newsletter.
E. Arts & Culture – S Beckman reported that the initial meeting with some OS artist was attended by about 8. Discussion revolved around what is and could be done to make the arts more visible and identify the artists in town. There will be another meeting in March to continue the conversation.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
VII. STAFF REPORT
A written staff report was distributed.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 8:50pm until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Economic Development Commission which will be held on Thursday, March 9, 2017, at 7:30 p.m., Town Hall, 302 Main Street, 2nd Floor Conference Room; MADE by J. DeCristoforo; SECONDED by J. Arcari; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Arcari, C. Conklin, E. Swenson, J. DeCristoforo, James Keating, B. Greenfield, S. Roberts OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 7-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan W. Beckman
Acting Recording Clerk
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