MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
MADDEN ROOM WEDNESDAY, November 28, 2012
SOUTH WINDSOR TOWN HALL TIME: 7:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Chairperson Susan Burnham, Louise Neary, Linda Jeski, James Murray, Alternate Gary Waterhouse, Edwina Futtner, Dwight Johnson, Joseph Kennedy, William Jodice, John Mitchell (arr. 7:40pm)
ABSENT: Mark Lillis and Alternate Paul Burnham
ALSO PRESENT: ED Coordinator Shari Fiveash
1. Call Meeting to Order: Chairperson S. Burnham called the meeting to order at 7:30p.m.
2. Roll Call: Chairperson S. Burnham introduced the above-mentioned members.
3. Public Participation: A motion was made by Commissioner Murray and seconded by Commissioner Jeski to move item 8 up to Public Participation and was unanimously approved. Motion passed.
Design Professionals President Peter DeMallie introduced Bob Larkin who is a principal, along with partner Gary Summerset in the group interested in developing 845 Sullivan Ave into a Dairy Queen Grill & Chill. The location is the former Dairy Queen. New stone & stucco will improve the exterior and upgrades to the parking for seventy four cars will be made. The site is 3.4 acre and the group would like to reopen the entertainment area in rear and will most likely remove batting cages in favor of other family friendly entertainment. Dining on the patio for forty eight diners will be located in the front. The site plan application is before P&Z. The drive-thru lanes will be made wider to allow for passing of cars and there will be a single entrance & exit on Sullivan Avenue with adequate signage. The group is also
proposing to take over maintenance and lighting of a current gravel parking lot adjacent to current location which would reduce town staff’s burden to maintain the lot and would be under an easement agreement between town & DQ subject to TC approval. Mr. Larkin’s group is not requesting tax abatement. The group appeared before the EDC as a courtesy to allow members to keep abreast of new projects under development in town. Mr. DeMallie stated that they are waiting on an appraisal on the easement area and the completion of the final draft of such agreement. There will be a second phase (timing unknown) to open up a multipurpose room (1,300 sq ft) more commonly known as a party room. For those unfamiliar with the DQ Chill & Grill format, Mr. Larkin explained that orders are placed at the counter and then the food is delivered to each table. There are only 2 such DQ models in Connecticut. The restaurant will have both indoor and outdoor dining and plans to open
last week of April 2013. It will employ about fifty full & part time employees.
4. Approval of Minutes
Minutes from Regular Meeting on 9/26/2012:
Chairperson Burnham suggested the following corrections:
At the top of p.3 should read ‘…with the WPS can be seen as…’
Item 6. Committee Report (p. 1) should read ‘Stebbins Glass’
A motion was made by Commissioner Neary and seconded by Commissioner Jodice to approve the minutes of September 26, 2012 and was approved by majority. Motion passed.
Minutes from Regular Meeting on 10/24/2012:
Commissioner Burnham suggested the following corrections:
Item 7. (p. 2) should read ‘…Chairperson Burnham…’, ‘…state of the art car restoration…’ and remove ‘etc’ at the end of the sentence.
Item 2. Commissioner Johnson also notified Chairperson Burnham that he would be unable to attend the meeting.
A motion was made by Commissioner Futtner and seconded by Commissioner Jodice to approve the minutes of October 24, 2012 and was approved by majority. Motion passed.
5. Old Business: ED Coordinator Ms. Fiveash reported on the progress of CT Studios and stated that there is a drop dead date of December 3, 2012 to have a building on site. There is a Town Council meeting on Monday, December 3, 2012 at which time the council can decide what to do if the conditions haven’t been met.
Commissioner Futtner inquired about the construction of the apartments and Ms. Fiveash reported that the construction for the apartments & hotel will be started at the same time in order to save money on infrastructure. The abatement negotiations have not been resolved. There will be a mix of freestanding and multi-use apartment buildings in this project.
Commissioner Mitchell commented that he would like the town to be competitive and look at each project for its merits.
Commissioner Murray commented that he would like to see a big business such as an insurance company locate in town to provide a larger employment base and taxes for equipment.
6. Committee Report
Report from Joseph Carino, Liaison - Water Pollution Control Authority: Chairperson Burnham informed commissioners that Commissioner Carino has resigned and read his letter of resignation. Chairperson Burnham asked for suggestions on a way for the Commission to thank him for his years of service.
Report from Louise Neary and Sue Burnham - Discover South Windsor: Chairperson Burnham stated that the group will not be meeting in December but that the next meeting will be Thursday, January 17, 2013, 10:30 am, at Design Professionals. Chairperson Burnham stated that the meetings will continue monthly on the third Thursday of the each month. She also reported that there have been over 3000 visits each month for a total of approximately 31,000 through the end of October. Members of the committee are working with chamber members volunteers to advertise and sell sponsorships. The original operating budget financed by the Town has been spent and therefore the obligation to the town has been met they are no longer invested in the project. The Chamber is now the driving force for the website.
Commissioner Neary asked if advertising sponsorships were on a one year renewal schedule. Chairperson Burnham confirmed that the reasonably priced sponsorships are for one year of advertising through the site.
7. Communications and Remarks
Report from Sue Burnham, Chairperson: Chairperson Burnham reported that the Aucello EyeCare Center has opened and is located next to Chico’s. The seasonal spaces have been filled. A new restaurant is coming: Bone Fish Grill will be located in the space vacated by the Atlanta Bread Co. The walkways are beautifully decorated with lit trees. There was an article in the Journal Inquirer about the vacant spaces.
A meeting regarding the proposal for the ice rinks (2) is scheduled for Monday, December 3, 2012. There is some concern about the risk of the town financing this venture. It could be financed with a 63-20 financing vehicle. There is a question of the feasibility of a swimming pool as part of the project and possible relocation of the town’s Parks & Rec. offices to Evergreen Walk.
A film was recently shot in town and Commissioner Mitchell played the patriarch of the slave master’s family. The film titled ‘Tobacco Burns’ is a student film by a former South Windsor resident.
A regional animal shelter agreement has been reached with Manchester and South Windsor. There is a possibility that East Hartford will join. The shelter will be located at the former fire house on Sullivan Avenue.
The Town of South Windsor has received a $500,000 STEAP grant to convert the former post office on Sullivan Avenue and is exploring other options and grants to round off the costs.
Report from Shari Fiveash, Economic Development Coordinator: Ms. Fiveash reported that LCB on the corner of Buckland and Deming Roads for senior housing has requested a fifty percent abatement for the first five years. American Eagle Credit Union has requested a fifty percent abatement for the first three years. Construction on the credit union along Buckland Road will begin after the fire department has finished using the existing buildings on the lot for training purposes. There is construction fencing surrounding the location.
Ms. Fiveash reported on the number of visitations made thus far. There were ninety six visits through September and there have been 120 completed at the end of November. Commissioner Neary asked if the businesses have provided any feedback. Ms. Fiveash replied that a written report is given to the town manager each month. Commissioner Mitchell asked what the biggest issue is and Ms. Fiveash responded that it is taxes but that overall businesses are happy that a town representative is visiting and also happy to receive package of loans & grants that are available to them. (Jeski left at 8:42pm) Chairperson Burnham asked about the new Sugarbelles cupcake bakery and Ms. Fiveash reported that the property has been leased or purchased. The Chamber’s holiday social has been postponed until January 24th and that Donna Thompson will resend the invitation by email. The event will be held at Revolutions Bowling on 60 Bidwell Street. The Hartford Hospital medical building is almost done and
will be opening within the next two weeks.
8. New Business
A presentation by Peter Demallie regarding a tax abatement for a project on Sullivan Avenue. This item was discussed under Public Participation.
Review/Approval of Meetings Calendar for 2013: A motion was made by Commissioner Neary and seconded by Commissioner Jodice to approve the meeting calendar for 2013 and was unanimously approved. Motion passed.
9. General Discussion
10. Adjournment: A motion was made by Commissioner Futtner and seconded by Commissioner Murray to adjourn at 8:47p.m. and was unanimously approved. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Catherine Potter
Clerk
Approved as corrected: January 23, 2013
| 
