MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
SPRENKEL ROOM WEDNESDAY, September 17, 2014
SOUTH WINDSOR TOWN HALL TIME: 7:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Chairperson Louise Neary, Vice Chairperson Susan Burnham, Linda Jeski, Dwight Johnson, Joseph Kennedy, Wayne Kilburn, Paul Burnham (Sat for Mark Lillis) and John Mitchell sat for William Jodice
ABSENT: Edwina Futtner, James Murray, William Jodice, Mohammad Quraishi and Mark Lillis
1. Call Meeting to Order: Chairperson Neary called the meeting to order at 7:31p.m.
- Roll Call: The above-mentioned members were introduced.
- Public Participation: None.
- Approval of Minutes
Minutes from Regular Meeting on 7/23/2014: A motion was made by Commissioner Jeski and seconded by Commissioner P. Burnham to approve the minutes of July 23, 2014 with the following correction:
Page 2. Item 7: ‘Daniel Dzen, a 20 yr. old S. Windsor resident…’
The motion was approved unanimously. Motion passed.
- Old Business: CT Studios’ last formal proposal by DCK, made in July, is a scaled back version of the original project. This was not met positively by the Town Council since they would prefer the original proposal. Changing the scale of the project would cause big delays.
Commissioner P. Burnham informed the commission that the utility companies are no longer allowing banners at the center of town and was in effect as of the beginning of the year. This is a new limitation as banners were allowed in the past.
Chairperson Neary announced that the Hooker Brewery is not considering South Windsor but that the Aviator Club is working on coming to town.
Commissioner Mitchell noticed that signs are posted on town owned property next to Dairy Queen indicating an upcoming hearing at Inland Wetlands. Commissioner Mitchell commented that under the town charter, a referendum is required in the sale of town owned property if it is valued over $25,000, but that no such item has been voted on.
6. Committee Report
Report from Louise Neary and Sue Burnham - Discover South Windsor: Chairperson Neary and Commissioner S. Burnham both attended the August meeting. Commissioner S. Burnham reported that as of the August meeting there had been almost 24,000 unique visitors to the site for an average of 3,000 per month. Connecticut Valley Brewing is a new sponsor. The group is still trying to bring in major sponsors such as Mill on the River. Platinum sponsorships are $750 per year.
Commissioner Kennedy suggested getting South Windsor high school students involved in making the website more exciting to attract a younger audience and printing mouse pads with the Discover South Windsor logo to remind users to visit the site.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, October 16th at @ 11am at the new offices of Design Professionals on Jeffery Drive. (There is no September meeting)
Commissioner S. Burnham mentioned that the new Connecticut Transit bus line is in the initial stages but that it is to be operational in March 2015. The train service from New Haven to Hartford is to be ready in 2016.
7. Communications and Remarks
Report from Louise Neary, Chairperson: None.
8. New Business:
- Commissioner S. Burnham asked Commissioner Mitchell about the plans he received in the mail outlining the town center expansion which will create a village center. Commissioner Mitchell commented that the design is a beautiful concept and that it will be broken up into different court areas. The project is moving forward and a P&Z Public Hearing on the project is scheduled for Tuesday, September 30.
Chairperson Neary views the concept positively since it will offer apartment housing above shops and may appeal to younger people interested in living in town
Commissioner Mitchell commented that the Plum Ridge area will not be infringed upon due to height of the banks, there is great potential for commercial development, and the plans include sidewalks and bikeways.
Commissioner P. Burnham is concerned about the existing homes and the possibility for eminent domain, located within the development area and why this concept is being brought forward since it is what was proposed in Evergreen Walk.
Plan documents were mailed to surrounding neighbors and should also be available on the town’s website.
9. General Discussion:
- Commissioner P. Burnham has called town hall about the lack of a job posting for the Economic Development Coordinator, which was included in the 2014-2015 budget, without success. He has learned about business expansions while out looking for support for the Wapping Fair such as the Fed Ex building addition to house four conveyor belts. The addition is to be occupied by August 2015.
- Commissioner Mitchell suggested observing the sand pile in town, which indicates to him that no new buildings are being built.
- Commissioner P. Burnham read through the info on the town’s website about the mission of the EDC and found that the commission is an advocate and recruiter for businesses. He would like to hear about business news before reading it in the press.
- Commissioner Mitchell believes that there is really a need to make economic development a priority in order to maintain a reasonable tax rate and that an economic development coordinator working full time is essential.
- Commissioner P. Burnham shared that there is a new Italian bakery on Sullivan Ave.
- Concerns were raised about the viability of the commission and a suggestion was made to form an ambassador group to make contact with new businesses. Commissioner P. Burnham suggested that a letter welcoming new businesses and offering contact information should be given to new businesses.
- Questions about a regional Chamber of Commerce consisting of several surrounding towns, including South Windsor. How will a regional chamber of commerce handle their own individual town? General correspondence could be done for a wider audience but specific issues would be handled by each chamber’s director.
- Commissioners were reminded of the Business EXPO on November 6.
- Commissioner P. Burnham asked if anyone else heard about the hotel (Cambria Suites) being put on hold again.
- Commissioner P. Burnham reported that Folsom Construction will be liquidating its assets in November and going out of business.
- The 46th Annual Meeting & Business Person of the Year Ceremony will be held at Maneeley’s on Thursday, September 25. Please RSVP to Donna Thompson.
- A reminder that the public hearing on the sidewalk plan will be held on Tuesday, September 30 @7:30pm.
10. Adjournment: A motion was made by Commissioner Jeski and seconded by Commissioner Kilburn to adjourn at 8:36p.m. and was unanimously approved. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Catherine Potter
Clerk
Approved: October 22, 2014
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