MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
MADDEN ROOM WEDNESDAY, October 22, 2014
SOUTH WINDSOR TOWN HALL TIME: 7:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Vice Chairperson Susan Burnham, James Murray, Edwina Futtner, William Jodice, Wayne Kilburn, Joseph Kennedy, Dwight Johnson, Alternate Paul Burnham sat for Louise Neary , Mark Lillis (arr. 7:48pm)
ABSENT: Linda Jeski, Mark Lillis, Louise Neary, Alternate Mohammad Quaraishi and Alternate John Mitchell
1. Call Meeting to Order: Vice Chairperson Susan Burnham called the meeting to order at 7:33pm.
- Roll Call: The above-mentioned members were introduced.
- Public Participation
- Approval of Minutes
Minutes from Regular Meeting on 9/17/2014: A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Kennedy to approve the minutes of September 17, 2014 and was unanimously approved. Motion passed.
- Old Business: Vice Chairperson Burnham asked the commission if they are familiar with a business potentially moving to South Windsor called the ‘Aviator Club’, but they were not.
Commissioner P. Burnham asked about progress in the formation of a group to welcome businesses to town. Discussion on the item was tabled until next month.
The recent P&Z hearing approved the Village District which will include apartments and businesses. Commissioner Murray believes that the Army Corps of Engineers may need to get involved with the plans due to the proximity of a watercourse.
6. Committee Report
Report from Louise Neary and Sue Burnham - Discover South Windsor: Commissioner S. Burnham reported than an average of 3,000 unique visitors visit www.discoversouthwindsor.com each month. The next meeting is scheduled for November 20th 11am at Peter DeMallie’s office, Design Professionals, on Jeffery Drive.
7. Communications and Remarks
Report from Louise Neary, Chairperson: Commissioner S. Burnham reported on the following:
- Anixter moved to South Windsor. The company is a cable products and fasteners and will be located in the former Nassau furniture warehouse. Anixter is based out of Illinois and is moving from their previous location in Manchester.
- Assisted living facility on the corner of Deming road and Buckland Hill road is progressing
- A new Mexican restaurant has opened on Sullivan Ave near Rockville bank
- The Town pursued a STEAP Grant to fund athletic field and business operations & business center but was rejected. A second application is being submitted to fund work on the former post office, a $1.7 billion project, to house an EOC.
- A new branch of Manchester Community College with a focus on the arts and those interested in starting businesses will possibly be located in Evergreen Walk in the former Highland Park Market building.
- EDC Coordinator position status: October 10th was the closing date for resumes but there has been no update.
- Chamber of Commerce EXPO on Thursday, November 6th 1-7pm
Commissioner P. Burnham attended the Chamber’s Business Person of the Year dinner honoring Billy Mitchell and stated that the event was very nice and that Mr. Mitchell gave a quick 2 minute speech. Commissioners Johnson, Kennedy, Jeski, S. Burnham and Chairperson Neary also attended the event.
Commissioner S. Burnham reminded commissioners to vote on November 4th and that absentee ballots are available.
The next EDC meeting will be held on November 19th in the Sprenkel Room. There is no meeting in December.
8. New Business: None
9. General Discussion: None
10. Adjournment: A motion was made by Commissioner Kilburn and seconded by Commissioner Jodice to adjourn at 7:57pm and was unanimously approved. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Catherine Potter
Clerk
Approved as amended: November 19, 2014
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