Members present: Chairperson Anthony, Vice Chairman Carino, Members DeMaio, Fields, Futtner, Kyc, Morrison, Murtha, Murray,
Members absent: Members Slicer, Lillis, Alternates Guay, Mosher, and Mitchell
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Chairperson Anthony called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Completed.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
A motion to approve the minutes of the March 27, 2002, Regular Meeting was made by Commissioner Carino, seconded by Commissioner Kyc and unanimously approved. A motion to approve the minutes of the Special Meeting with the Board of Education on April 2, 2002 was made by Commissioner Murtha with the exception that the names of members present at the meeting be included in the minutes, the motion was seconded by Commissioner DeMaio. The minutes were approved with this exception noted.
COMMUNICATION/REMARKS OF THE EDC CHAIRPERSON
Chairperson Anthony stated that she would forego her communications/remarks so they might proceed with the evenings presentation.
OLD BUSINESS
Report from Clifford Slicer, Liaison, Planning and Zoning: Commissioner Slicer was not present.
Report from Mr. DeMaio, Liaison, Inland/Wetlands: Mr. DeMaio did not have a report.
Report from Mr. Carino, Liaison, Water Pollution and Control Authority: Mr. Carino reported that the WPCA approved the sewer system for Stop & Shop with some restrictions on grease traps. They will be monitoring for an indefinite period of time.
Report from Commissioner Futtner of the Marketing/Communications Sub Committee: Prior to the regular meeting of the Commission the sub committee held a meeting with Ms. Leila Fecho of Above & Beyond Communications and Mr. Craig Stevenson of CERC.
A great deal of information was supplied to the committee by Ms. Fecho to help them in their efforts to promote economic development in South Windsor and in the state
Report from Commissioner Mark Lillis of the Business Retention Committee: Commissioner Lillis was not present. The Chairperson reported that the Business Retention Survey has been mailed out.
Report from Chairman Anthony of the Research/Analysis Committee:
Chairman Anthony proceeded to the invited guests to discuss Research/Analysis.
NEW BUSINESS
Chairman Anthony introduced Craig Stevenson and Jeffrey Blodgett, from CERC (Connecticut Economic Resource Center); Mr. Blodgett gave the final presentation on the Fiscal Impact Analysis Studyfor Evergreen Walk they produced for the Town. Also present was Leila Fecho, a communications consultant who gave a presentation to the Commission on a marketing plans and strategies.
Points of the Fiscal Impact Analysis presentation included;
Costs and Revenues attributed to Evergreen Walk
Costs: Infrastructure costs such as sewers and traffic lights.
Police, fire, public works, education, library
Bond payments
Revenues: Property taxes
Annual water & sewer user charges
Other fees, one time and recurring
Commissioner Murray raised a number of concerns regarding some of the costs attributed to the police and the CERC personnel agreed to do further research and supply the explanations.
Commissioner Carino discussed traffic concerns that will result on other streets in town in addition to Buckland Road and said one positive is that improvements will be made by the developers that will benefit the east side of Buckland Road. Chairman Anthony said she expects there will be exit ramp improvements by the state.
The Chairman stated all of the figures used were supplied by the Finance, Assessor and Town ManagerThe speakers will make corrections and prepare a final report for Ms. Anthony to present.
Mr. Blodgett closed by stating that this analysis is based on current estimates. Costs and revenue may change which obviously can not be factored in.
Points of the Communications Plan presentation included:
Ms. Leila Fecho, of Above & Beyond Communications, presented the members with a marketing/communications plan so they may prepare to present Evergreen Walk to the community, civic organizations and the media.
The members discussed the need for Commission members to speak in various locations to help to educate the residents about the benefits of development so that they can see the direct need for commercial growth in order to continue to receive the services they are accustomed to and to may make informed choices about whether or not they wish to support a project.
A number of marketing tactics were discussed to help prioritize the messages and plan for a consistent communications campaign aimed at a number or audiences. The intent is to change the perception that many may have about economic development. The members concurred that this presentation was extremely helpful and agreed.
After reviewing all of the information distributed, and answering a number of questions.
Mr. Blodgett and Ms. Fecho were thanked and left the meeting.
Chairman Anthony said she will appear at the public hearing on May 7, 2002 before the Planing and Zoning Commission to speak on behalf of the Economic Development Commission regarding the recycling plant proposal on Route 5 and Chapel Road. Mr. Stevenson then resumed with a discussion of the Commissions position on this matter offering talking points and topographical maps for their review.
GENERAL DISCUSSION
The Chairman suggested that all members appear in support of the Evergreen Walk project on May 20, 2002 when she will present the Fiscal Impact Analysis to the Town Council.
She also reported on the success of the joint meeting of the Board of Education and the EDC. It was agreed that they will have a second meeting on June 10.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion to adjourn was made at 9:35 by Commissioner Morrison, seconded by Commissioner Kyc and unanimously carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Joan Beaudry
Recording Secretary
Minutes Approved at meeting of 5/22/02
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