MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
MADDEN ROOM WEDNESDAY, February 25, 2015
SOUTH WINDSOR TOWN HALL TIME: 7:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Chairperson Louise Neary, Vice Chair Sue Burnham, Joseph Kennedy, William Jodice, Linda Jeski, Alternate Paul Burnham sat for Mark Lillis and Alternate John Mitchell (arr. 7:33pm) sat for Edwina Futtner
ABSENT: Dwight Johnson, James Murray, Mark Lillis, Wayne Kilburn, Edwina Futtner, Alternate Mohammad Quaraishi
ALSO PRESENT: Town Manager Matthew Galligan
1. Call Meeting to Order: Chairperson Neary called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.
- Roll Call: The above-mentioned members were introduced.
- Town Manager Matthew Galligan: Town Manager Galligan came before the commission to share updates on economic development activity in town. Chairperson Neary expressed a desire to know about things before they happen.
Mr. Galligan presented the following updates:
- The Scannell tax abatement application will go before the Town Council.
- Apartments have been approved by P&Z and are intended to entice young professionals to stay in town.
- A hotel will be built across from LA Fitness and another hotel project is already moving forward.
- CT Studios has new partners and a DECD application has been filed. There was an unexpected change made by DECD regarding fuel cell use. Mr. Galligan will be meeting with the commissioner to discuss this. DCK Construction Company and their equity partner is looking at constructing the fuel cell, hotel and studio complex with pads for additional businesses.
- FedEx is expanding and will be adding another 90,000 sq. ft. The project is expected to add $3-4 million dollars of personal property and about 35 more jobs created.
- P&Z has changed the zoning of the Gateway area to allow the installation of sidewalks.
- Dr. Constantino is interested in relocating to the HI-G building which will require some remediation. Currently, he is waiting for the State to sign off on a few things and he will lease the remaining 40,000 sq. ft. of the building.
- An incubator company from UConn in hydroponic technology is interested in the Fulsom Construction building. They plan to sell hydroponic equipment across the U.S. and internationally. The site would allow for tours of the facility showcasing the patented technology. The company is hoping to keep equipment costs low to help aid in their success.
- The historical house on the corner of Lot 1 of the Scannell project could be located further from the road and turned into a welcome center. The town is hoping to acquire the house without any cost to the town.
Commission members asked questions of Mr. Galligan.
- Commissioner S. Burnham asked about the apartments. Mr. Galligan stated that there would be 200 units. The units would not require elevators so as a result they’ll take up more land. They would have a village green and the plans for the adjacent hotel remain the same. The hotel would be part of Radius Suites based in Cleveland, OH and offer 110 rooms. The building would be three stories high. The apartments plan to have a workout area, Wi-Fi and a wine storage system with lock & key for renters. The issue with the fuel cell requires a minor amendment. The power produced by the cells could be sent back into the grid in case of power loss in town to areas such as the sewer plant. The credit was already agreed and the money for infrastructure costs are to be paid back from the energy created by the fuel cells. Although it is a complicated
transaction, similar agreements have been successful in other areas of the country. Commissioner Burnham asked if there have been any traffic complaints related to FedEx. Mr. Galligan is unaware of any.
- Commissioner P. Burnham asked if FedEx will be installing a traffic light. Mr. Galligan replied that the State believes that it’s not necessary although FedEx would prefer one in order to have a controlled intersection. Commissioner P. Burnham asked about the planned brewery. Mr. Galligan stated that they are waiting for the closing to be scheduled as all the approvals have been issued. Commissioner P. Burnham asked if Costco will be coming to town and if LA Fitness will be expanding. Mr. Galligan hasn’t heard anything about Costco and that he has been trying for years to get the attention of the person in charge of expansions for LA Fitness to encourage them to build another location nearby. Commissioner P. Burnham then asked about the status of the RFP for a full-time Economic Development coordinator. Mr. Galligan believes the issues is the cost
of a full-time employee since most parties want to talk to him directly. He would like to re-allocate one secretary to be more focused on economic development and hire another secretary strictly for HR. Commissioner Mitchell commented that the salary being offered for the coordinator position needs to be higher for retention and believes the town needs to promote itself and its attributes. Mr. Galligan stated that other nearby towns invest in marketing and promoting themselves, which makes it hard to compete with them. Chairperson Neary asked if benefits are included for the coordinator position. Mr. Galligan replied that they are not but someone paid well is worth the investment if they are able to bring a large business to South Windsor.
- Public Participation: The following members of the public spoke:
- Tim Shepard, 45 Newberry Road, is excited about the project planned for the Scannell property but would like to see future development projects brought forth that are good for the town. He doesn’t want to see the town’s soul sold for tax income. Mr. Shepherd sees a need for the prioritization of projects & jobs to bring to town. He also believes that the EDC should take on exploring development for the 291 corridor. Mr. Shepherd agrees that there is a need for a full time ED coordinator.
- Jim Kerrigan, 1835 Main Street, stated that to do things it takes community support and to start looking at quality jobs & businesses to bring to town. He also feels that there is a need to come up with a matrix since most communities that are successful have a formula to make sure quality businesses come to town. One way to ensure this is to increase the level of acceptable standards.
- Robert Dickenson, 19 Birch Road, believes that people chose to work in certain areas because of their access to work which can be facilitated by multi-use paths.
Minutes from Regular Meeting on 11/19/2014: A motion was by Commissioner S. Burnham and seconded by Commissioner P. Burnham to approve the minutes of November 19, 2014 and was approved by a majority. Motion passed. Commissioners Mitchell and Jeski abstain.
Minutes from Special Meeting on 1/15/2015: A motion was made by Commissioner S. Burnham and seconded by commissioner Jodice to approve the minutes of January 15, 2015 with the following corrections:
p. 2 (1st paragraph) should read ‘This unique opportunity fits…’
p. 3 (2nd paragraph) should read ‘The 7 year term is not just for one…’
and was approved by a majority. Motion passed. Commissioners Mitchell and Jeski abstain.
- Old Business: Chairperson Neary let commissioners know that formal ribbon cuttings are only for businesses that join the Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber contacts every business that comes to town and the Chamber feels it would be going behind their back to have the EDC arrange their own ribbon cuttings. Chairperson Neary will find out what is included in the Chamber’s ‘welcome’ package to new businesses to see if the commission can provide any materials to new businesses.
Commissioner S. Burnham asked if Pier One has moved to Evergreen Walk and it was confirmed that they have moved to this new location.
7. Committee Report
Report from Louise Neary and Sue Burnham - Discover South Windsor: The next meeting will be held tomorrow Thursday, February 26th at 11 am at Design Professionals, 21 Jeffrey Drive. There is some concern over the State’s tourism budget being eliminated due to cuts.
8. Communications and Remarks
Report from Louise Neary, Chairperson: None.
- New Business: None.
- General Discussion: Chairperson Neary announced that the Business Expansion Awards Dinner will be held on Thursday, April 23rd.
- Adjournment: A motion was made by Commissioner S. Burnham and seconded by Commissioner Jeski to adjourn at 9:22pm and was unanimously approved. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Catherine Potter
Clerk
Approved as corrected: March 25, 2015
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