ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
MINUTES JUNE 24, 2009
MADDEN ROOM TOWN HALL
PRESENT: Chairperson Janis Murtha, Susan Burnham (arrived at 8:22 p.m.), Joseph Carino, Dwight Johnson, Louise Neary, Marilyn Morrison, Roseann Williams and Alternates William Jodice, Joseph Kennedy and Linda Jeski
ABSENT: Edwina Futtner, James Murray, Mark Lillis and Alternate John Mitchell
ALSO PRESENT: Economic Development Consultant Craig Stevenson
1. Call Meeting to Order: Chairperson Murtha called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.
2. Roll Call: The above-mentioned members were introduced.
3. Public Participation: Peter DeMallie updated the commission on Scott Leonard’s project. There is an application with P&Z for a zone change. The most recent hearing was postponed, at the applicant’s request, because the applicant is waiting for information from a third party abutter. The applicant’s attorney couldn’t be present at the hearing either. P&Z has been very cooperative and accommodating throughout the process and a hearing has been rescheduled for July 14, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. Mr. DeMallie also reported that there are other possible commercial and industrial projects coming in the future. Mr. DeMallie reported that Arthur Sylvestri’s project is going through the approval process at this time.
4. Old Business:
CT Studios Update: Mr. Stevenson stated that a group (the Town Manager, a financial advisor, the TIF consultant, a bond attorney, the developer, the developer’s attorney and Mr. Stevenson) are working together on the TIF details. There are three new federal bond programs-one called Build American Bond and two Recovery Bond programs. The group needs to begin meeting with the State as the project moves forward. CT Studios will be on the July 20, 2009 Town Council agenda with a ‘Declaration of Intent’. The group meets on a regular basis (each Tuesday at 3p.m. in the Madden Room). The developer hasn’t completed the site plan yet, wetlands flagging still needs to be done. The property acquisition plan is currently in process. There has been interest
from local businesses interested in working with CT Studios and if any company expresses interest, please have them contact Mr. Stevenson so that the information can be used in the future. The State Legislature recently passed the approval of the transfer of property located under the power lines and is in the process of finalizing this. There was a recent media report about a group called Voices for Children that was one sided. Other reporters have written more complete articles (Hartford Courant & Hartford Business Journal)-these can be read via a link from the CT Studios site. The State budget probably won’t be passed for
another couple of weeks, but at this time there is no cap in place for movie tax credits. Commissioner Neary asked if any changes to the original site plan have been made because she’s heard that there are plans for a Sam’s/Wal-Mart to be built nearby. Mr. Stevenson could only comment that the site plan has changed, but because it hasn’t been filed yet the plans are still in the development stage and that they have the right to develop a 300,000 sq. ft. retail space. Commissioner Johnson stated that he thinks that the restaurant and retail portion of the development are companies that CT Studios already has agreements with and there won’t be an opportunity for local businesses to be considered. Mr. Stevenson stated that CT Studios is in discussion with local businesses and that they plan to work
with locally owned businesses but because this is a union project, the businesses need to be unionized. Chairperson Murtha asked if EDC commissioners could attend the Tuesday meetings and Mr. Stevenson extended the invitation-the meetings aren’t open to the public at this time.
5. Committee Report:
Report from Chairperson Murtha: (see item 6)
Report from Joseph Carino, Liaison-Water Pollution Control Authority: Commissioner Carino attended the groundbreaking for the River Road facility last night. Commissioner Carino reviewed the basics of the project and stated that in 2000 a study showed that refurbishing the facility was 20% cheaper that joining MDC and that the facility will meet all the latest requirements.
6. Communications and Remarks:
Report from Jan Murtha, Chairperson: Chairperson Murtha stated that a launch party for www.discoversouthwindsor.com will take place on Tuesday, June 30 and Wednesday, July 1 in the Friends Room at the South Windsor Public Library. Commissioner Neary asked about the videos that were previewed recently and Mr. Stevenson stated that the corrections were made and that he is working with town IT staff to add a link from the town site.
Report from Craig Stevenson, Economic Development Consultant: Mr. Stevenson introduced Kory Loucks, a reporter with the Journal Inquirer.
Mr. Stevenson reported that a STEAP grant of one million dollars will be used to pay for the development of the I-291 area (where CT Studios will be built). Mr. Stevenson stated that the CIPA study is completed and the tiger beetles are being moved and the move will be completed by July 1, 2009 with a follow up in the fall. The beetles are considered a protected species but he is unsure of their significance. Mr. Stevenson described the process for the location and relocation of the beetles. The grasshopper sparrow still needs to be moved to land that the town needs to set aside for that purpose. The State requires that any utility plan for the site not impact the vernal pool onsite. Remaining STEAP grant money will be used to plan the infrastructure for the area. The town’s Environmental Planner, Jeff Folger, has
gone above and beyond to make sure things are going forward smoothly.
Mr. Stevenson is working with Mr. Silvestri on his project.
Mr. Stevenson reported that Mr. Leonard spoke with the abutting owner and they are willing to talk about negotiating utility access.
Mr. Stevenson has received interest to develop a solar farm on a five to seven acre parcel and has located a few parcels that could work. Using the land in this way would not require any road improvements.
Mr. Stevenson has received interest in 395 John Fitch Blvd and a national daycare facility is interested in locating in town.
Commissioner Neary asked if Mr. Stevenson is seeing the same optimism expressed by Mr. DeMallie in upcoming projects and Mr. Stevenson stated that people are always exploring their options and that he hasn’t seen much of a slow down although large projects like CT Studios are fewer. Commissioner Morrison asked how soon the studio will be ready and Mr. Stevenson stated that site work could begin as early as the fall and that the permit process should be complete by the end of the year. The developer would like the sound studios ready by next summer but within the next twelve months one or two of the sound studios should be completed.
Commissioner Carino asked if there have been any inquiries about the lack of sewer access across Buckland Road and Mr. Stevenson stated that the biggest issue is the wetlands on the eastern side of the road.
7. New Business: None.
8. General Discussions: None.
9. Approval of Minutes:
Minutes of 05-27-09: A motion was made by Commissioner Burnham and seconded by Commissioner Jodice to accept the minutes of May 27, 2009 and was unanimously approved. Motion passed.
10. Adjournment: A motion was made by Commissioner Neary and seconded by Commissioner Jeski to adjourn at 8:29 p.m. and was unanimously approved. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Catherine Potter
Clerk
Approved: 07/22/2009
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