Members present: Chairperson Marjorie Anthony, Vice Chairman Joseph Carino, Members, Terrie Kyc, Mark Lilllis
Members absent: Edwina Futtner, Jan Murtha, Clifford Slicer
Alternates absent: Dwight Johnson
Alternates present: David Fields, sitting for Clifford Slicer
John Mitchell, sitting for Jan Murtha
Daniel Rys, sitting for Edwina Futtner
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 November 20, 2002, regular meeting, was made by Commissioner Mitchell, seconded by Commissioner Lillis and passed unanimously.
COMMUNICATION/REMARKS OF THE EDC CHAIRPERSON
None, the Chair wished to yield to the visiting Town Manager, Mattew Galligan
OLD BUSINESS
Liaison Reports:
Report from Clifford Slicer, Liaison, Planning and Zoning Commission:
Mr. Slicer was not present.
Report from Mr. DeMaio, Liaison, Inland/Wetlands:
Mr. DeMaio was not present
Report from Mr. Carino, Liaison, Water Pollution and Control Authority:
Mr. Carino reported that the WPCA approved the fundamental trunk line for Evergreen Walk. This is the main artery right down the middle of Evergreen Walk all the way to the Clark Street Pumping Station. Authorization was given to the Town Manager to handle the application with the Army Corps of Engineers. Commissioner Mitchell inquired whether this is typical procedure that the Army Corps of Engineers are involved. Mr. Galligan responded that it is when there are more than a half acre of wetlands that will be disturbed.
Sub Committee Reports:
Report from the Research Analysis & Marketing/Communications Sub Committee:
The Chair reported that they are in the process of working on a video. It is a combination of a power point presentation that the architectural firm has and one that the town has. Also, CERC is planning on doing some filming and will incorporate some of the Town’s video into it. They will also do the narration. The will try to get it onto Cable Access television.
b) Report from Commissioner David Fields of the Business Retention Sub-Committee:
Mr. Lillis reported that he and Mr. Fields will get together this month.
c) Report from Research Analysis/Recommendations Sub-Committee:
The Chair told the members that CERC is compiling the 25 -year study. The Town of South Windsor and the Board of Education have supplied the information needed to their statisticians.
NEW BUSINESS
Town Manager Matt Galligan visited the commission to update them on recent questions that have developed.
The Manager discussed the Plunkett-Webster tax abatement request and the EDC’s role in the procedures involved in the process of abatement. He stated that there are no changes in policy. There were some changes submitted by the commission but they have never been adopted by the council. The chair stated she would like to revisit and review these changes with the members at the next EDC meeting as it has been an extremely long time since they were submitted. The manager will put this item back on the table for their consideration. He told the commission he will notify them when that issue is ready to be discussed. The manager knows the council would like to be in the loop from the beginning of the process. He suggested to the council that whenever there is a committee recommendation made to the EDC, the council will
be copied. They will know something is in the pipeline and this may have the benefit of speeding up the process.
Action Item: The chair requested the recording secretary to include an item on next month’s agenda to discuss and work on the policy changes which will be submitted to the council.
Mr. Galligan explained that he is licensed now to use Georgia Tech University’s fiscal impact analysis software and how he will use SIC codes along with other criteria when he evaluates a companies elegibility for abatement. He explained how he worked with Plunkett Webster and had them supply these codes to determine how many dollars are actually being spent in town.
The Manager was annoyed with Design Professional’s, Peter DeMaille’s interpretation of events that he and staff were taking in determining whether Plunkett Webster was eligible for abatement. He objected to the way this entire matter was handled. Plunkett Webster will receive an abatement but abatements are not automatically to be assumed. Mr. Galligan explained his actions to the commission and stated his intentions to deal fairly and equally with all applicants.
After answering a number of questions from the members, the Chair thanked the Manager for coming and giving the commission the opportunity to discuss current issues. Mr. Galligan then left the meeting.
GENERAL DISCUSSION
None
ADJOURNMENT
A motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. was made by Commissioner Mitchell, seconded by Commissioner Lillis and unanimously passed.
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Joan Beaudry
Recording Secretary
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