MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
MADDEN ROOM WEDNESDAY, September 26, 2012
SOUTH WINDSOR TOWN HALL TIME: 7:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Chairperson Susan Burnham, Joseph Carino, Alternate Paul Burnham sat for Linda Jeski, Bill Jodice, Mark Lillis, Edwina Futtner, Joseph Kennedy, James Murray, Louise Neary (arr. at 7:32pm)
ABSENT: Dwight Johnson, Linda Jeski, Alternates John Mitchell and Gary Waterhouse
ALSO PRESENT: ED Coordinator Shari Fiveash, Town Council liaison Cindy Beaulieu
1. Call Meeting to Order: Chairperson S. Burnham called the meeting to order at 7:30p.m.
2. Roll Call: The above-mentioned members were introduced.
3. Public Participation: None.
4. Approval of Minutes
Minutes from Regular Meeting on 7/25/2012: A motion was made by Chairperson S. Burnham and seconded by Commissioner Lillis to approve the minutes of July 25, 2012 with the following corrections: p.1 item 4 second sentence should read ‘...Commissioner Jeski and…’, p.2 second paragraph should read ‘Ms. Fiveash completed a total…’ and p. 2 item 8 ‘…the first one is an article…’ and was unanimously approved. Motion passed.
5. Old Business: None.
6. Committee Report
Report from Joseph Carino, Liaison - Water Pollution Control Authority: Commissioner Carino reported that this year has been one of the slowest years for applications. An application was submitted in July for a cupcake bakery (former location of Stebbins Glass) as part of subdividing the building. Ms. Fiveash reported that the bakery is Sugarbelles of Glastonbury. Commissioner Carino reported that the only question that came up was whether a grease separator would be needed. CT Studios also submitted an application for a major sewer system that would cover two of the internal roads. Both applications were approved. Commissioner Carino clarified that the sewer plan for CT Studio showed the internal system only and didn’t include information on where it would connect to the town’s system.
Report from Louise Neary and Sue Burnham - Discover South Windsor: The committee met on Thursday, September 20th at Design Professionals regarding the new Visitor’s Guide for 2013. They worked on submissions for the new issue. The committee is also exploring the possibility of a coloring book of different businesses that would be available on the website and could be downloaded. There may also be a contest at launch of the coloring book and businesses could be featured for a small fee. There were 3461 visits to website by mid-September and since merging with the Chamber site hits have been over 2000. The merger of the sites has been beneficial and has increased the number of visits. The average view time is three minutes. The next committee meeting will be Thursday, October 18th at
10am at Design Professionals. Chairperson S. Burnham asked if either Commissioner Neary or Ms. Fiveash could attend in her place.
7. Communications and Remarks
Report from Sue Burnham, Chairperson:
Chairperson S. Burnham reported on the following:
- A one hundred fifty five unit housing complex (Nutmeg Village) has received approval from P&Z. There will be a mix of residential units including fifteen single family homes, twelve attached duplex units and one hundred twenty eight condo units in small clusters that are designed to lure young professionals. The housing will be built on Pleasant Valley Road.
- Ground has been broken for the International Magnet School for Global Citizenship being built by CREC on Chapel Road. A webcam is available for watching its development. The building is 65,000 sq. ft. and will house grades pre-k-5. The $26.5 million dollar cost is covered by a State grant and will create 40 jobs. The 435 students will have access to the athletic fields during school hours and then they will be open to the public after hours.
- Revolutions Bowling & Lounge held their ribbon cutting recently. They are located behind Nomads on Bidwell Road.
- CrossFit BrickYard held an Open House and Ribbon Cutting. The new fitness center offers the opportunity to try new sports and will soon be offering cooking and nutrition classes.
- The proposal from Cambria Suites requesting 100% tax abatement and the request for a sign at the entrance to their property was not positively received by the Town Council. Ms. Fiveash explained that the request wasn’t realistic because the return of this type of investment is low because the life expectancy of hotel equipment is short and the length of time for the abatement was too long.
- An amended plan for CT Studios was submitted requesting a site plan modification for a six hundred sq. ft. building to be constructed on the location where the hotel is to be located. This would satisfy the requirement that the Studio begin construction within three years and avoid the ownership of the property being reverted to the town. Commissioner Lillis commented that the original intent of the EDC was not what is currently occurring with regards to the progress of CT Studios. The Reverter Clause requires that ground must be broken for construction by late October 2012. Commissioner Neary stated that the fact that they filed an application with the WPS can be seen as a positive sign. Ms. Fiveash stated that the pieces, including financing, are being put together.
Report from Shari Fiveash, Economic Development Coordinator: ED Coordinator Ms. Fiveash reported that as of a total of 96 visits to businesses have been made. There are buildings are being erected and expansions being planned. Hartford Hospital’s medical building will be opening soon and Farmington Bank will be opening in November. Fed Ex plans to open sometime next year.
8. New Business: None.
9. General Discussion: Chairperson S. Burnham reminded commissioners the 2012 Business Person of the Year banquet to be held on Thursday, September 27th at 5p.m. at Maneeley’s to honor Harold Cummings. The banquet is sponsored by the South Windsor Chamber of Commerce. Chairperson S. Burnham also reminded commissioners of the Ethics and FOI presentation in council chambers on October 22nd at 7p.m. Please RSVP to Donna Thompson. Commissioner Carino asked about the proposal to restrict the of sale of cigarettes at stores like CVS that sell prescriptions and cigarettes in the same store and commented that it is a silly idea.
10. Adjournment: A motion was made by Commissioner Lillis and seconded by Commissioner P. Burnham to adjourn at 8:15pm and was unanimously approved. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Catherine Potter
Clerk
Approved as amended: November 28, 2012
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