Members present: Chairperson Marjorie Anthony, Members Joe Carino, Mark Lillis,
Edwina Futtner, Terrie Kyc, Marilyn Morrison, Dwight Johnson,
James Murray, and Daniel Rys
Members absent: Janis Murtha
Alternates absent: John Mitchell
Alternates present: Susan Burnham sitting for Janis Murtha
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Chairperson Anthony called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Completed
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
A motion to approve the minutes of the November 19, 2003, Regular Meeting was made by Commissioner Lillis. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Murray and approved by all.
A motion to approve the minutes of the January 13, 2004, Special Meeting was made by Commissioner Futtner. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Murray and passes unanimously.
COMMUNICATION/REMARKS OF THE EDC CHAIRPERSON
Chairperson Anthony reported that she had a meeting with the Town Manager Mathew Galligan regarding recycling center.
O&W HeatTreat will be discussed with the Town Council at the next meeting and they need to go through the process and will be coming to the Economic Development Commission.
Electro-Methods located on Governor Highway will also be discussed with the Town Council and they will be doing an expansion.
Chairperson Anthony is still working on Parkside Plunkett.
Old Monsanto Building located on Rye Street is going to be a bottling and recycling plant with approximately 65 trucks that will be registered here in the Town of South Windsor. We will be receiving the property tax on the equipment.
Property that was going to be a DayCare, located on the corner of Commerce Way and Sullivan Avenue has been sold. The new owners are putting up a building and they will be baking donuts for distribution to all the Dunkin Donuts franchises.
Old Parkway Beef Market located on Rt. 5 it’s still on market and there is no agreement made.
Chairperson Anthony indicated to everyone that a memo is going to be sent to the Board of Education Commission, Planing and Zoning Commission, the Town Manager, and the Town Council Commission to have a meeting with Northeast Utilities on March 24, 2004.
At one of the last meetings it was discussed to what we can do to lease empty storefronts and buildings. Chair Anthony is planning on doing the Real Estate Developer Day (Golf/Luncheon) in June or September. Chair feels some of the buildings need to be brought up to code. She proposed an Economic Development Commission Assistance Fund, one that would offer loans and grants.
Commissioner Murray is not sure if the Town Charter would allow it. Chair Anthony wants to present this idea to the Town Manager and the Town Council but would like to look into this further. Commissioner Rys says its feasible, other Town do it. Commissioner Lillis feels that business should have the proper management and not need the assistance. Chair wants Commissioner’s to take home what she drafted look it over and discuss at future meeting.
Commissioner Futtner suggested discussing the Real Estate Developer day with the Chamber of Commerce. Commissioner Rys says that the Economic Development Commissioner needs a list of all the vacant properties. He also stated that 601 Sullivan Avenue-Auntie Dawn’s Bake Shop has opened; he asked them to join the Chamber.
OLD BUSINESS
Liaison Reports:
None
NEW BUSINESS
Commissioner Kyc nominated Marge Anthony for Chair, seconded by Commissioner Futtner.
Commissioner Futtner nominated Joe Carino for Vice-Chair, seconded by Commissioner Kyc. All approved.
GENERAL DISCUSSION/CORRESPONDENCE
Commissioner Murray suggested an outline to be drawn of the process to which businesses need to follow when doing an expansion or bringing a new business in town.
Chairperson Anthony asked Commissioner Rys to check with the Town of East Hartford to see what they are doing with seminars for small businesses, also to bring in any information back to the committee so it can be discuss for a goal in the future.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. was made by Commissioner Futtner, seconded by Commissioner Rys and unanimously passed.
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Ether A. Diaz
Recording Secretary
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