MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
MADDEN ROOM WEDNESDAY, October 24, 2012
SOUTH WINDSOR TOWN HALL TIME: 7:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Chairperson Susan Burnham and Joseph Carino Bill Jodice & Mark Lillis (arr. 7:32p.m.)
ABSENT: Linda Jeski, Edwina Futtner, Joseph Kennedy, James Murray, Louise Neary, Dwight Johnson and Alternates John Mitchell, Gary Waterhouse and Paul Burnham
1. Call Meeting to Order: Chairperson Susan Burnham called the meeting to order at 7:30p.m.
2. Roll Call: The above-mentioned members were introduced. Chairperson Burnham stated that Commissioners Neary and Murray notified her that they were unable to attend.
3. Public Participation: None
4. Approval of Minutes
Minutes from Regular Meeting on 9/26/2012: Chairperson Burnham passed on voting on the minutes until next month because of lack of a quorum.
5. Old Business: None.
6. Committee Report
Report from Joseph Carino, Liaison - Water Pollution Control Authority:
Commissioner Carino reported that the credit union has received their permit and should be ready for business by May 2013. This is the fifth bank in town which will increase competition and by some measures the success of a town is related to this type of business locating within it. Chairperson Burnham stated that they went before P&Z and received approval on October 11, 2012. Construction will begin on the 3,600 sq. ft. bldg. that will have a shared driveway with dentist Dr. Robert Grillo’s practice at 498 Buckland Road. Commissioner Carino reported that the property improvements will remove an eyesore but that they will need to obtain approval from Inland Wetlands because there is water on the site but they are not expecting a denial because the commission works well with applicants.
Report from Louise Neary and Sue Burnham - Discover South Windsor:
Chairperson Burnham reported that the last meeting was October 18, 2012. The site has had increased visitations and is now hosted on a new platform along with the chamber’s site. There has been an average of over 3,000 visits per month. Nomad’s and Mill on the River are platinum sponsors. The idea of a coloring book is moving forward. The Chamber’s staff has reviewed the advertising sponsorship requirements and has suggested that the platinum level cost drop down to $750 per year which would include an offer for hot link ads on the ‘Discover’ site and Chamber site. The next level is gold which would offer one hot link ad at $500 per year. The committee is looking for more locations to handout website cards and will continue to establish a site for coupons for businesses. The next meeting is
Thursday, November 15th, 10am at Design Professionals.
Commissioner Lillis suggested making coupons available on mobile devices to entice use by out of town visitors or those without access to printing on the go.
7. Communications and Remarks
Report from Sue Burnham, Chairperson: Chairperson Burnham reported on the following:
Chairperson Burnham was able to attend the ribbon cutting on October 14th at Pete’s Car Star that relocated to Route 5 (45 John Fitch Boulevard near the R.V. sales business). Services include state of the art car restoration and work on horse trailers.
Chairperson Burnham attended the opening of the American Eagle Credit Union.
The Journal Inquirer reported on a proposed new recreation complex. The proposal is for a 10.5 mil. complex with two ice rinks (1 inside, 1 outside) in conjunction with the South Windsor Youth Hockey Assoc. A presentation was made to Town Council on October 16th. Commissioner Carino commented that there are some questions regarding the project because the company owes the town money and it has been suggested that money owed could be repaid with the proceeds from the rink fees, etc…
Chairperson Burnham and Commissioner Carino attended the ethics training meeting held recently in Town Council chambers. The town is required by charter to have this meeting each year and over the years Commissioner Carino has become disappointed in the low attendance. Chairperson Burnham learned that voice mail is subject to F.O.I. regulations.
Chairperson Burnham reminded members to vote in the upcoming election.
The next EDC meeting is Wednesday, November 28th, one week later, because of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Chairperson Burnham received an email from Ms. Fiveash regarding three tax abatement requests before Town Council. Their next meeting is November 5th. The requests include Cambria Suites’ 100% request and two others that went straight to the council without making presentations to the EDC. Commission members would like to see presentations made to the EDC before the Town Council as they had been done in the past.
Report from Shari Fiveash, Economic Development Coordinator: None.
8. New Business: None.
9. General Discussion: None.
10. Adjournment: A motion was made by Commissioner Jodice and seconded by Commissioner Lillis to adjourn at 7:50p.m. and was unanimously approved. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Catherine Potter
Clerk
Approved as amended: November 28, 2012
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