MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
MADDEN ROOM WEDNESDAY, April 25, 2012
SOUTH WINDSOR TOWN HALL TIME: 7:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Chairperson Susan Burnham, James Murray, Alternate Paul Burnham (sat for Joseph Carino), Edwina Futtner, William Jodice, Joseph Kennedy, Dwight Johnson, Louise Neary, Linda Jeski and Mark Lillis
ABSENT: Joseph Carino, John Mitchell and Gary Waterhouse
ALSO PRESENT: Shari Fiveash, EDC Coordinator
1. Call Meeting to Order: Chairperson Burnham called the meeting to order at 7:30pm.
2. Roll Call: Chairperson Burnham introduced the above-mentioned members
3. Public Participation: None.
4. Approval of Minutes
Minutes from Regular Meeting on 3/21/2012: A motion was made by Commissioner Lillis and seconded by Commissioner Burnham to approve the minutes of March 21, 2012 and was unanimously approved. Motion passed.
5. Old Business: None.
6. Committee Report
Report from Joseph Carino, Liaison - Water Pollution Control Authority: Commissioner Carino wasn’t in attendance therefore no report was given.
Report from Louise Neary and Sue Burnham - Discover South Windsor: Chairperson Burnham stated that there was no meeting this month and therefore nothing to report.
7. Communications and Remarks
Report from Sue Burnham, Chairperson: Chairperson Burnham reported on the Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Dinner and extended congratulations to the nominees and winners. First Niagara was awarded Business of the Year.
Report from Shari Fiveash, Economic Development Coordinator: Ms. Fiveash reported that visits to existing businesses are being conducted by the Chamber of Commerce. A short ten question survey was developed to try and open the dialogue with the businesses asking about basic information, their concerns and their knowledge about programs available for assistance. About 95% of the businesses haven’t been visited by the previous Economic Development Coordinator. There are some leads on new businesses interested in locating in South Windsor. The Studio project is still moving forward and there is a re-development meeting next month. Commissioner Neary asked if businesses are being matched with the existing vacant buildings and Ms. Fiveash stated that the businesses are being shown the buildings and those are all new
businesses to town. Ms. Fiveash reported that survey results show that each of the businesses has concerns that will need to be addressed. Alternate Burnham asked about the Dollar Tree project and Ms. Fiveash replied that they are currently looking elsewhere but that the town could offer some incentives for them to locate here. Ms. Fiveash informed the commissioners that there is no inventory of available buildings in town and that such an inventory would be an appropriate project for the EDC. Ms. Fiveash also informed the commission that there are no listings on CERC and that there could be a maximum listing of five properties at a time on the site. Commissioners discussed how this should be rectified and how an inventory of unoccupied buildings should be developed. Commissioner Lillis suggested sending out a press release to try and gather information about vacant buildings. Commissioner Jodice suggested contacting the commercial real estate companies for information about their
listings. Commissioner Murray suggested gathering the information and putting in one area on the town’s website. Ms. Fiveash suggested that each commissioner contact the realtors for information. Ms. Fiveash will speak with the Town Manager about the development of a page dedicated to available sites on the town’s website and stated that the Chamber could also add it to their website. Information can be emailed to shari@southwindsorchamber.org . Please include the broker’s information and the location of the property. Alternate Burnham asked about available undeveloped property being included in the list and Ms. Fiveash agreed it should.
8. New Business: None.
9. General Discussion: Alternate Burnham stated that the Town Manager was talking about a change from building a hotel to building apartments that was going before the Planning & Zoning Commission.
10. Adjournment: A motion was made by Commissioner Jeski and seconded by Commissioner Jodice to adjourn at 7:59pm and was unanimously approved. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Catherine Potter
Clerk
Approved: May 23, 2012
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