Town Of Willington
Economic Development Commission Meeting
Meeting Minutes of
April 26, 2011
Attendees: Dave Charette, Chairman Walter Parsell
Jackie Silverstein Jim Poole
Kim Kowalyshyn, Sec.
First Selectman Mailhos Selectman Millix & Mrs. Millix
Dianne Bouchard, First Niagara Bank Joanne Capo, Curves of Willington
Sioux Bryer, Creative Concepts Helen Scherwitzky, Helen’s Spirit Shop
Bob Jefferies, Bike Shop Sensi Dan, Hidden Dragon Karate
Mr. Zahid, Convenience Store Roger Talbot, Plaza Owner
Wayne Wright, Mr. Talbot’s Partner Matt Ellis, PZC
Peter Latincsics, BOF Residents
Opened Meeting at 6:02 pm
Approval of Minutes:
Walt moved to approve the meeting minutes from March 22, 2011. Kim seconded.
Four in favor & one abstention, motion passes.
Old Business:
- Review at next meeting.
New Business:
- Tonight’s meeting is a discussion with Phelps Plaza business owners and the building owner regarding strategies to bring more business to the plaza. We began the meeting with introductions.
- All business owners agreed that the biggest problem at Phelps Plaza is signage. They believe that the town needs to be more flexible, there signs need to be lighted and the big sign out front needs to be moved.
- Matt Ellis informed us that Phelps Plaza has a special permit which requires all signs to be the same. A request needs to be submitted to the PZC to change the special permit and all business owners and the plaza owner need to be in agreement on the changes.
- When the business owners have some ideas, along with the plaza owner they can request a pre-application meeting with the PZC to find out if their ideas will work.
- Dianne, from First Niagara Bank, said that there is a small plaza in Ellington that just changed their signs to lighting ones and it looks great. She also mentioned that the building and parking lot are not properly maintained. All the other business owners agreed with Dianne about the maintenance.
- Sensi Dan, from Hidden Dragon Karate, complained that his signs were being singled out. He presented the Commission with pictures of the store fronts to make his point. Matt Ellis said that a temporary sign or a sale sign is allowed in the window but not a permanent sign.
- Sensi Dan also mentioned that he would like to have another Business Forum like we had a year or so ago. He said he would actually like to see up to four a year.
- Dave let all the business owners know that we are in the process of creating a Business Directory for the Town of Willington.
- Selectman Mailhos talked with a gentleman yesterday about a town map that would be on our website and it would have all of the businesses in town in their locations on the map. She is looking into it.
- It was also mentioned that a few years ago one or two of the businesses had tables with umbrellas and chairs on the sidewalks for people to sit outside but the town required the businesses to take them down. Matt Ellis said that fell under the special permit and again if you want things changed then you need to request a change to the special permit.
- A question was asked about the special permit renewal and fee. Matt advised the business owners on what they could do.
- It was mentioned that First Niagara Bank’s sign was voted down at PZC. Store owners were concerned what would happen and again we told them that a request to change the special permit needed to be submitted to PZC.
- We were asked by the business owners what we saw when we drove into the plaza. We said stores that looked like they were closed and a rundown plaza. Wayne Wright said that they know that they have work to do but they have put a lot of money into the building already.
- Helen, from Helen’s Wine & Spirit Shop, mentioned that whoever is supposed to be maintaining the property is not. It was also mentioned that the lawn was only mowed twice last year.
- Jackie let the business owners know that we, EDC, are here for them. She said that the PZC are the enforcers, we are not, EDC is here for the businesses.
- Sioux, from Creative Concepts Beauty Salon, said that she thought this meeting was a good idea. She thought the Town was about big businesses but she can see that we are for all businesses.
We took a break and talked with the business owners.
- We discussed how the meeting went and were pleased with the outcome. Dave will try to meet with Matt Ellis to go over the Special Permit for Phelps Plaza.
- Selectman Mailhos discussed with us the STEAP (Small Town Economic Assistance Program) Grant. She is looking for a project that would be better (in terms of its impact on Willington, our budget, Economic Development and its chances of approval) than the Turnpike Road project. She would like us to think about it.
Public Comment:
- No public present.
Ongoing Activities:
- We have two alternate positions open.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30pm.
Next meeting to be held on May 24, 2011 at 6pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Kim Kowalyshyn
Board of Selectmen
860-487-3100
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