MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
MADDEN ROOM WEDNESDAY, April 24, 2013
SOUTH WINDSOR TOWN HALL TIME: 7:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Chairperson Susan Burnham, Mark Lillis, Edwina Futtner, James Murray, Louise Neary, Wayne Kilburn, Dwight Johnson, Joseph Kennedy, Alternate Paul Burnham (arr. 7:36p.m.)
ABSENT: Alternate John Mitchell, Bill Jodice, Linda Jeski and Gary Waterhouse
ALSO PRESENT: ED Coordinator Shari Fiveash (arr. 7:39p.m.)
1. Call Meeting to Order: Chairperson Burnham called the meeting to order at 7:30p.m.
2. Roll Call: The above-mentioned members were introduced.
3. Public Participation
Greg Roberts regarding the South Windsor Volunteer Fire Department’s 75th Anniversary:
Mr. Roberts introduced himself and gave information about his background and his involvement with the fire department. Mr. Roberts has a background in photography and has recently been hired by the town as the Town Fire Inspector after volunteering many years with the department. Mr. Roberts talked about his hopes for the upcoming 75th Anniversary celebration and opened the floor to questions. The events will take place over the weekend of September 20, 21 & 22 which include a dinner at Company 1 on Friday, September 20th, a convention at South Windsor High School on Saturday, September 21st and will end with a Fireman’s Parade on Sunday, September 22nd. The events on Sunday will also include activities
for attendees such as a bounce house, music and face painting provided free of charge through collected donations as a way to pay the town residents back for its support of the fire department. There are many ways in which EDC members could become involved. Commission members discussed ways to help and Chairperson Burnham has committed the Commission to helping in some capacity on Saturday, September 21st in the morning depending on who will be available that weekend. Firm plans will be made as the event draws closer. For more information, Mr. Roberts can be contacted at 860-490-8749 or by email at robertsgw@gmail.com .
4. Approval of Minutes
Minutes from Regular Meeting on 3/27/2013: A motion was made by Commissioner Futtner and seconded by Commissioner Lillis to approve the minutes of March 27, 2013 and was unanimously approved. Motion passed.
5. Old Business: None.
6. Committee Report
Report from Louise Neary and Sue Burnham - Discover South Windsor: Chairperson Burnham reported that the next meeting will be held May 16th at 10:30 am at Design Professionals and encouraged everyone to attend.
7. Communications and Remarks
Report from Sue Burnham, Chairperson: Chairperson Burnham reported on the following activity as reported in the Journal Inquirer.
On April 12th, CT Studios received a fourteen million dollar commitment from First Niagara bank to build their multi-million dollar film studio. There was a Town Council vote of 7 to 1 to extend the deadline for the commencement of construction to June 30th. Commissioner Burnham asked why there was an extension to June 30th instead of the end of May. Ms. Fiveash replied that CT Studios is currently waiting on a power of purchase agreement regarding the solar cells. This agreement is how the bonds will be repaid, almost to completion, and then the project can move forward. May 30th would not allow enough time for all of the pieces to fall into place.
Report from Shari Fiveash, Economic Development Coordinator: Ms. Fiveash reported that since January 2013, forty eight different business visits have been made and that she’s mostly helped businesses connect with programs available through the State.
Town Manager Matthew Galligan publicly mentioned a four million dollar project that had a change and that the DED wouldn’t sign a MOU (Memorandum of Understanding). Ms. Fiveash is not sure what effects, if any, there will be due to this being mentioned publicly.
Ms. Fiveash is working on coordinating a project between three different land owners. The project plans include a 500,000 sq. ft. warehouse that will need a lot of employees.
Commissioner Neary asked if the DQ Chill & Grill has opened yet. Chairperson Burnham happened to talk to a contractor on site who informed her that the opening is still a few weeks away.
Commissioner Neary stated that the American Eagle Credit Union’s new building construction appears to have been halted. Ms. Fiveash is not aware of all the details regarding this.
8. New Business: Chairperson Burnham commented that it appears that activity has slowed down in town.
Commissioner Lillis asked if the project involving the three landowners will be coming in for an abatement request and Ms. Fiveash confirmed that it’s a possibility.
Ms. Fiveash stated that the four million dollar project will not request abatement.
Ms. Fiveash commented that there is a lot going on in town and that there have been lots of inquiries about medical office space.
Commissioner Futtner commented that during the Business Awards dinner, she spoke with the Town Manager about the apartments and he said it should happen very soon.
9. General Discussion: Chairperson Burnham congratulated Ms. Fiveash on the success of the Chamber’s Business Awards dinner.
10. Adjournment: A motion was made by Commissioner Futtner and seconded by Commissioner Neary to adjourn at 8:16p.m. and was unanimously approved. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Catherine Potter
Clerk
Approved as amended: May 22, 2013
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