MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
MADDEN ROOM WEDNESDAY, July 25, 2012
SOUTH WINDSOR TOWN HALL TIME: 7:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Chairperson Susan Burnham, Louise Neary, Linda Jeski, James Murray, Dwight Johnson, Joseph Kennedy, Mark Lillis and John Mitchell (arrived at 7:34pm and sat for Joseph Carino)
ABSENT: Joseph Carino, Edwina Futtner, Alternate Gary Waterhouse, William Jodice and Alternate Paul Burnham
ALSO PRESENT: ED Coordinator Shari Fiveash
1. Call Meeting to Order: Chairperson Burnham called the meeting to order at 7:30p.m.
2. Roll Call: Chairperson Burnham introduced the above-mentioned members.
3. Public Participation: None.
4. Approval of Minutes
Minutes from Regular Meeting on 6/27/2012: A motion was made by Commissioner Jeski and seconded by Commissioner Kennedy to approve the minutes of June 27, 2012 with the following corrections: page 2 second paragraph should read “…Yoga Born Business Before Hours…”, page 1 Approval of Minutes should read “… ‘Carla’s Pasta’…”, page 2 fifth paragraph should read “Alternate Burnham…C&S Distributors…” and page 2 second paragraph should read “… visits to businesses…” and was unanimously approved. Motion passed.
5. Old Business: Commissioner Neary asked if there are any updates on CT Studios and Ms. Fiveash stated that the project is still alive.
6. Committee Report
Report from Joseph Carino, Liaison - Water Pollution Control Authority: Commissioner Carino was not in attendance therefore there was no report on the WPCA.
Report from Louise Neary and Sue Burnham - Discover South Windsor: Chairperson Burnham informed commissioners that the next meeting will be held at Design Professionals, 425 Sullivan Ave on Thursday, August 16th beginning at 10a.m.
7. Communications and Remarks
Report from Sue Burnham, Chairperson: Chairperson Burnham extended an invitation to attend and open house/ribbon cutting at 869 Sullivan Ave Unit 2 for Gem Granite and Soapstone LLC on Thursday, August 16 at 5:30pm.
Report from Shari Fiveash, Economic Development Coordinator: Ms. Fiveash reported that the Chamber golf tourney is August 9th and there are still openings for players. The Chamber’s Business Networking Group will be meeting this Friday, August 3rd at the Chamber and on Monday, August 6 from 6-7:30p.m. for what was Formally First Friday Forum. Location: Teddy's Pizza & Restaurant, 289 Oakland Road.
Ms. Fiveash completed a total of 69 business visits (increase of 20 from last month) and reported that business inquiries are still slow due to summer season. An Italian bakery is looking to locate and Sugarbelles of Glastonbury looking to expand into town.
Commissioner Neary asked if any of the visitations have resulted in businesses moving to larger venues and Ms. Fiveash is aware of some businesses are in negotiations but that none have closed.
Commissioner Mitchell asked if there is an inventory of vacant buildings in town and Ms. Fiveash replied that the realtors don’t want to share their information. Ms. Fiveash stated that there aren’t a lot of listings (between thirty and forty) but they are not all listed in the same database.
Ms. Fiveash reported that FedEx is moving along as are Hartford Hospital and Farmington Bank. Aldi’s is not planning an expansion at this time.
Chairperson Burnham asked about the credit union interested in South Windsor and Ms. Fiveash replied that conversations are taking place. Commissioner Mitchell believes that the issue is a road cut that should be shared between the neighboring businesses and thought it was a requirement when first building was constructed.
8. New Business
Chairperson Burnham shared articles that were in the Hartford Courant recently. The first one is an article about how South Windsor is looking to retain young urban professionals by building an affordable housing project that was scaled back from its original plan. Construction would begin in the fall. Commissioner Lillis asked if anyone has looked at the net to the town on this type of residential layout and Chairperson Burnham stated that the industrial frontal lots would be a benefit. Chairperson Burnham will check for official information and Ms. Fiveash commented that she saw reports in a monthly planning meeting and that the numbers looked positive. Planning & Zoning will meet Tuesday, July 31st on the project.
Chairperson Burnham also shared an article about a proposal to turn the old post office building into inexpensive office space. The building is currently owned by the town and is used for storage but incurs maintenance fees for landscaping. To help defray costs of the transformation the town plans to apply for a STEAP grant.
Commissioner Neary asked if ground will be broken for the apartments and Ms. Fiveash stated that both the apartments and hotel are still on target.
9. General Discussion: Chairperson Burnham issued a reminder that the commission will not meet in August and that the next meeting will be Wednesday, September 26.
Chairperson Burnham handed out the ‘List of Elected and Appointed Officials Effective July 2, 2012’ to all commission members.
Commissioner Neary congratulated Commissioner Mitchell on his induction into the hall of fame.
10. Adjournment: A motion was made by Commissioner Jeski and seconded by Commissioner Neary to adjourn at 8p.m. and was unanimously approved. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Catherine Potter
Clerk
Approved: September 26, 2012
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