ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
MINUTES OCTOBER 27, 2010
MADDEN ROOM TOWN HALL
PRESENT: Susan Burnham, Joseph Carino, Joseph Kennedy, Dwight Johnson, Mark Lillis, William Jodice and John Mitchell (arr. 7:38p.m.)
ABSENT: Chairperson Louise Neary, Edwina Futtner, Roseann Williams, James Murray, Linda Jeski
ALSO PRESENT: Consultant Craig Stevenson
1. Call Meeting to Order: Commissioner Burnham called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
2. Roll Call: The above-mentioned members were introduced. Commissioner Kennedy sat for Commissioner Morrison and Commissioner Jodice sat for Commissioner Futtner.
3. Public Participation: None.
4. Approval of Minutes:
Minutes from 09/22/2010: A motion was made by Commissioner Carino and seconded by Commissioner Lillis to approve the minutes of September 22, 2010 and was unanimously approved. Motion passed.
5. Old Business:
CT Studios Update: Commissioner Burnham reviewed the highlights of the ground breaking. Mr. Stevenson thought the event went very well and was pleased with the support of the community.
6. Committee Report:
Report from Joseph Carino, Liaison-Water Pollution Control Authority: Commissioner Carino suggests taking this item off of the agenda for the time being until there are commercial sewer applications.
Report from Louise Neary and Sue Burnham-Discover South Windsor: Commissioner Burnham attended the meeting last week and all the subcommittees met. The number of hits to the site is still increasing and the trivia contest has launched. Mary Etter from the library supplied the questions. Each prize winner will receive a prize valued at $20.00. The Chamber printed up new cards advertising the website. The next meeting is on November 18 at 10:00a.m. Commissioner Jodice asked if any of the sponsorships have been sold and Commissioner Burnham said that two platinum level sponsorships have been sold.
7. Communications and Remarks:
Report from Louise Neary, Chairperson: None.
Report from Craig Stevenson, Economic Development Consultant:
VHB has prepared bid documents for infrastructure improvements for the town.
CT Studios has received the financing needed to move forward with their project. There is still work being done on the TIF. Mr. Stevenson explained the importance of the completion of the construction of the whole project in order to secure TIF financing. There is a hotel in place. There is information on the CT Studios project on the Redevelopment Agency site. A public hearing will be held and once approval is given the plan will then be sent to the Town Council for their approval. A special meeting for information on the TIF financing will be held by the Town Council in order to answer their questions. A public hearing will be held and then the Town Council will be asked to approve the TIF package. It is hoped that this will be completed by the end of 2010. Commissioner Mitchell asked about the cost of the project and Mr. Stevenson
summarized the cost. Commissioner Mitchell asked when the town will receive a positive tax benefit and Mr. Stevenson stated that the next tax year equipment would be on the tax rolls. Mr. Stevenson stated that money to explore this project was obtained through a grant and that the town has spent money on infrastructure improvements before the CT Studios project was proposed.
Bob Ignagni, 307 Stone Drive, asked if a final figure has been determined for the TIF and Mr. Stevenson stated that a starting figure for discussion is $12 million. Mr. Ignagni asked if there is a final plan for the property and if the financing covers building the entire project. Mr. Stevenson stated that the TIF financing is being used to build infrastructure not studio buildings, etc… and that the money from the TIF will be given to the Town of South Windsor to pay for the construction of the infrastructure improvements. The cost for the issuance of the bonds comes out of the bond proceeds. The documentation for the financing has been provided to the town.
There is STC approval for the current project, four sound stage buildings and the mill building. The rest of the project will require additional approval. Commissioner Lillis asked about the group that wanted to come as a result of the building of CT Studios and Mr. Stevenson stated that they are moving forward with their business plan. Commissioner Lillis asked when construction would begin and Mr. Stevenson expects to see work beginning in the first quarter of the next year.
Evergreen Medical Associates-Requesting a tax abatement of 50% for the first two years and 30% for the following three years and will be voted on by Town Council on November 1. This is a modified request.
Town Square at Evergreen Walk-Mr. Stevenson is working with John Finguera to bring in a business class hotel with a restaurant. There is a controversial issue with developing the mixed use building with a commercial requirement on the ground floor of the residential building because of the available space at this time in Evergreen Walk.
124 Sullivan Ave-Site of the existing fire house and the zone has been changed. There is a business interested in obtaining it for expanding their business. Mr. Stevenson believes that the referendums for the sale of the property was a few years ago and it was confirmed with Debbie Reed that it has been done properly. Commissioner Mitchell would like to know how the sale will be achieved and Mr. Stevenson stated that it would be a public bid with proposals submitted.
625 Sullivan Ave-Mr. Stevenson believes they are close to moving. Commissioner Mitchell heard there are problems and Commissioner Jodice confirmed it was empty as of last weekend. Mr. Stevenson stated that property lines have to be drawn.
Gerber Scientific-Mr. Stevenson is working with a business to occupy one of the buildings on Kelly Road.
Refrigerated Warehouse lead-Mr. Stevenson is still working on this.
Sullivan Avenue-Site is being considered for a distribution center.
68 Nutmeg Road-They are looking to fill additional space they have in their building and are working with the State for financing.
West Street/Sullivan Ave-A meeting will be taking place on Thursday, October 28 with staff on this project.
85 Nutmeg Road-A State funded environmental evaluation was recently completed and Mr. Stevenson is still working on getting this site cleaned up.
Commissioner Carino commented that in reading the article in the JI on the ECHN application it seemed that the Town Council was focused on the timing of the application. Mr. Stevenson is not sure why it happened-this commission recommended the abatement in April but it wasn’t on the Council’s agenda until August/September. Commissioner Carino encouraged the commission to do what it can to help facilitate the approval. Bob Ignagni asked if anyone from the town follows up with the businesses receiving tax abatements at the end of the leases for the medical equipment as paid by the businesses (i.e. audit) to make sure that the equipment is being taxed appropriately. Commissioner Mitchell states that there is information available to give tax assessors information to tax appropriately.
8. New Business:
Revised ECHN Application: Discussed under Mr. Stevenson’s report.
Roseann Williams has submitted a letter of resignation due to increased responsibilities at work. A motion was made by Commissioner Mitchell and seconded by Commissioner Lillis to accept the resignation and was unanimously approved. Motion passed.
9. General Discussion:
10. Adjournment: A motion was made by Commissioner Mitchell and seconded by Commissioner Lillis to adjourn at 8:38p.m. and was unanimously approved. Motion approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Catherine Potter
Clerk
Approved with corrections: November 17, 2010
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