MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
SPRENKEL ROOM WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012
SOUTH WINDSOR TOWN HALL TIME: 7:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Chairperson Susan Burnham, Edwina Futtner, James Murray, Joseph Kennedy, Dwight Johnson, Joseph Carino, William Jodice, Mark Lillis, Linda Jeski, Alternate Gary Waterhouse and Alternate Paul Burnham
ABSENT: Louise Neary and Alternate John Mitchell
1. Call Meeting to Order: Chairperson Burnham called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm
2. Roll Call: The above-mentioned members were introduced. Chairperson Burnham welcomed newly appointed Alternate Paul Burnham to the Commission. Chairperson Burnham introduced Shari Fiveash, Executive Director of the South Windsor Chamber of Commerce, as South Windsor’s new Economic Development Coordinator.
3. Public Participation
4. Approval of Minutes
Minutes from Regular Meeting on 1/25/2012: A motion was made by Commissioner Carino and seconded by Commissioner Jeski, to approve the minutes of January 25, 2012, with the following corrections: page 2, item 8, second paragraph: Chairperson Burnham reported that at the Planning and Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on January 5th…; add to beginning of second sentence: Chairperson Burnham attended and spoke at the January 10th Planning and Zoning Commission meeting where …; third paragraph: Chairperson Burnham and Commissioner Futtner… attended the Small Business Informational Conference at Ticket Network…; end of last sentence: the State’s Small Business Express Program for Oxford Performance
Materials…; and was unanimously approved. Motion passed.
5. Old Business
6. Committee Reports
Report from Joseph Carino, Liaison - Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA): Commissioner Carino reported that there is one application – Buckland Commons, which is a Kelley project on the corner of Deming Street and Buckland Road. The application was for approval of the sewer system and the development would be done in two segments. The first segment would be up to where there will be a bank built. The second segment would be a separate larger building to the south which does not yet have a tenant. Mr. Carino stated that the WPCA has a rule that if a developer puts in a sewer line that can be extended beyond their property, the WPCA can approve a ten year program where the developer can recoup some of their money if the subsequent property is developed. If they put the first
part of the sewer line in and there’s developable property further on, WPCA requires that they build the sewer line with a pipe big enough to handle all of the subsequent properties. Because of this requirement, WPCA feels the developer should be able to recover some of the extra expense incurred because they did not need that pipe that big. There is a ten year limit but Mr. Kelley wanted a forever permit. Mr. Carino stated that the WPCA denied that request and will never issue a permit forever. The WPCA did approve the first part of the development so Buckland Commons can go ahead with that part of their plans.
Mr. Carino stated that at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting he attended where the application for Buckland Commons was approved, a condition of approval was a temporary driveway off Buckland Road. Mr. Carino stated that many times these “temporary” conditions fall by the wayside and become permanent. Mr. Carino stated at that meeting he wanted to be sure that this temporary driveway remained temporary. Mr. Carino later received a letter from the owner, Mr. Kelley, stating that without that driveway they would not be able to do the project – the tenant would not be interested in the location. Mr. Carino feels that it is a problem in Town that things of this type are not followed through with by town staff.
At the next meeting where there is not a lot of regular business for EDC, Mr. Carino would like to report on the condition of the sewer system in Town. Mr. Carino feels there is information that is important for the Commissioners to know. A discussion about the sewer rates followed – the rate for this year is $340.00. Mr. Carino will present his report at the May EDC meeting.
Report from Louise Neary and Sue Burnham - Discover South Windsor:
Chairperson Burnham attended the meeting on March 15th at which was discussed an increased focus on obtaining sponsors for the Discover South Windsor website. Commissioners were encouraged to visit the site: discoversouthwindsor.com, and to make recommendations/comments about it.
7. Communications and Remarks
Report from Sue Burnham, Chairperson:
Chairperson Burnham strongly encouraged all Commissioners to attend Chamber functions and new/expanded business events whenever possible. Chairperson Burnham attended the following recently:
Feb. 7-ECHN (newest) Medical Building at 2600 Tamarac from 5-7pm with the ribbon cutting at 5:30pm
Feb. 23-Brooks Brothers at Evergreen Walk from 5-7pm Open House
Feb. 28-Crystal Financial on 2 Jeffery Drive Ribbon Cutting
There is an Open House scheduled at M&R Liquors on March 22, 5-7:30 pm.
The EDC’s recommendations for the Plan of Conservation and Development that Chairperson Burnham presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission on February 7th was well received. At the PZC meeting, Town Planner, Michele Lipe distributed copies of the Commercial Industrial Developer’s Guide available from the Town. Chairperson Burnham suggested Commissioners review it and pointed out that there is an action plan with guidelines for both developing a new site or adding to an existing building.
The Chamber of Commerce’s Business and Expansion Awards Dinner will be April 19th at 5:30 pm at Maneeley’s – the Chamber will be sending out invitations. Chairperson Burnham emphasized that advanced reservations are important due to the cost and if enough Commissioners want to go she will get a table for an additional cost savings.
8. New Business
9. General Discussion
A motion was made by Commissioner Lillis and seconded by Commissioner Johnson to temporarily suspend the meeting at 8:05 pm awaiting Town Manager Galligan’s attendance.
The meeting reconvened at 8:10 pm with Town Manager Galligan present. Matt answered many questions from the Commissioners about the CT Studios Project. Matt also addressed questions regarding apartments coming to South Windsor.
10. Adjournment: A motion was made by Commissioner Jeski and seconded by Commissioner Lillis to adjourn at 8:35 pm and was unanimously approved. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Thompson
Recording Secretary
Approved: April 25, 2012
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