Members present: Chairperson Marjorie Anthony, Members Joe Carino, Terrie Kyc, James Murray, Mark Lillis, Edwina Futtner, Janis Murtha, Marilyn Morrison
Members absent: Joseph DeMaio, Clifford Slicer
Alternates absent: David Fields
Alternates present: Daniel Rys, sitting for Joe Demaio
John Mitchell, sitting for Cliff Slicer
Dwight Johnson
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Chairperson Anthony called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Completed.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Russell Ohlheiser, Jr. from O & W Heat Treatment
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
A motion to approve the minutes of the July 23, 2003, Regular Meeting was made by Commissioner Murray. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Rys and passed unanimously.
Commissioner Carino moved to proceed to New Business. Commissioner Mitchell seconded and passed unanimously.
COMMUNICATION/REMARKS OF THE EDC CHAIRPERSON
Chairperson Anthony stated that Evergreen Walk is going forward. US Foods is closing their Warehouse on Nutmeg Road. The Chair is still working on trying to get someone in Geissler’s Plaza; she approached Buckland Imaging/MRI, but they will probably be going into the new ECHN building. Also, Franklin Distributors will not be putting on their addition.
OLD BUSINESS
Liaison Reports:
Report from Clifford Slicer, Liaison, Planning and Zoning Commission:
Commissioner Slicer did not attend.
Report from Mr. DeMaio, Liaison, Inland/Wetlands:
Commissioner DeMaio did not attend.
Report from Mr. Carino, Liaison, Water Pollution and Control Authority:
Commissioner Carino stated that the Evergreen Walk sewer line was approved. He is sure this will be appealed by the Intervenors.
Sub Committee Reports:
Report from the Marketing/Communications Sub Committee:
The Chair had the video; everyone watched and agreed unanimously that it was well done.
b) Report from Commissioner David Fields of the Business Retention Sub-Committee:
Commissioner Lillis had nothing new to report.
c) Report from Research Analysis/Recommendations Sub-Committee:
The Chair stated that CERC should be finished with their report by the end of October, they are
awaiting Board of Education information. It will be submitted to the Council as is; when the
BOE information is completed, Council will be notified accordingly.
NEW BUSINESS
Russell Ohlheiser of O & W Heat Treatment requested review of the tax abatement for 50% for three years for his addition in 2002, which was denied by the Town Manager. Mr. Ohlheiser had met with the former Economic Development Coordinator, Denise Whitford, and had been assured that he would be approved. He was never told when the paperwork had to be submitted; when it was submitted, he was told it was too late and was denied. The Commissioners all agreed that he should not be penalized for being late when Ms. Whitford omitted the time factor. Commissioner Mitchell suggested a motion be drafted to the review committee and the Town Manager to recommend a reconsideration of the tax abatement. Commissioner Murtha seconded and it was unanimously approved.
GENERAL DISCUSSION/CORRESPONDENCE
Commissioner Lillis stated that the fact that the Town is not supporting the O & W tax abatement is not good for the Town. Commissioner Mitchell feels that the Town really needs an Economic Development Coordinator.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m. was made by Commissioner Lillis, seconded by Commissioner Rys and unanimously passed.
_____________
Debbie Kocher
Recording Secretary
| 
