 |
Town Of Willington
Economic Development Commission Meeting
Meeting Minutes of
May 20, 2013
Attendees: Kim Kowalyshyn, Chairman Tom Buccino
Tom Treiber, Secretary Jackie Silverstein
Opened Meeting at 6:02 PM
Approval of Minutes:
Kim moved to approve the meeting minutes from April 29, 2013. Tom T. seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Old Business:
- Dunkin Donuts received IWWC approval for a permit modification and has applied for a special permit/Final Site Development plan from PZC
- Love’s Travel Center is awaiting PZC approval for a zone change and a Special Permit (Public Hearing continued to May 21, 2013). The following Love’s Travel Center representatives were in attendance to present information including illustrations on the application: Rick Shuffield, Director of Real Estate and Development, Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores (Love’s) Thomas (Tom) Galeota , Senior Engineer, Fuss & O’Neill and Leonard (Len) Jacobs, Attorney at Law, Jacobs, Walker, Rice and Barry, LLC. The highlights of their presentation included the fact that only 12 acres of 40 acres parcel would be developed. Rick Shuffield indicated that Love’s would be willing to put the remaining 28 acres in a conservation easement. He said the site,
which would be one of their smallest, would include two restaurants (one would be a Subway) and retail space – all of which would be run by Love’s personnel in order to maintain their quality standards. Rick said that Love’s own fleet and highly trained drivers would supply fuel. Rick said that Love’s is a family owned company that started about 50 years ago with one small site and has grown to 245 Travel Centers with another 17 under construction. He said Love’s was a great company to work for and was very community oriented. Rick indicated that this application initiated in 2009 had been one of his most challenging due to the extensive engineering and design work that had to be done as part of the application process. He indicated that Love’s business model was to locate near a larger competitor and provide an alternative with a focus on customer service. There would be parking for 58 trucks and a Tire Center open 24 hours a day. Tire
Center staff would monitor truck parking to prevent abuse. Three to five showers would also be available. Rick estimated $6 to $8 million in development and construction costs and a 9 to 12 month timeframe to complete construction. He said that local sub-contractors would be used in construction. He estimated that Love’s would generate about 39 jobs. Estimated tax revenue to the Town would be substantial but less than the $120,000 that TA pays. Love’s representatives agreed that the main issues raised in public hearings were truck traffic and environmental concerns. They felt that errant truck traffic would be reduced or eliminated by the Love’s site as it would be visible to trucks exiting from I-84 westbound. Currently some trucks looking for TA get lost. Rick acknowledged that Love’s would generate more truck traffic, but indicated that fewer trucks would be stopping for fuel because of Connecticut’s gas prices. Tom Galeota indicated
that Love’s had agreed to make improvements recommended by the Town to Pollster Road that would improve traffic flow and to erect signage including “No Through Trucks” signage to discourage truck traffic on adjacent town roads. Environmental concerns were addressed with plans to protect wetlands from any potential spills that were approved by IWWC. Len Jacobs described Willington’s IWWC as very knowledgeable and tough. Tom Galeota indicated that there should be no concerns about Roaring Brook as it was more than 500 feet away from where site would be developed. Rick pointed out that Love’s has an excellent track record on spills. Spills, if they occurred, would be contained and dealt with immediately by trained Love’s employees. Tom B. raised a question about noise control. Tom Galeota responded that Love’s would be exempt from Noise Control regulations. Love’s representatives thought that Willington
residents in opposition to the application had been polite and respectful. After Love’s representatives left, there was discussion. All members indicated support for Love’s application based on information provided.
- EDC Finances – Kim reported that the Town discourages the use of funds to purchase gift certificates although a gift may be purchased. Kim suggested that commission members donate personal funds to buy a gift certificate to thank the owners of Anything Printed for all the unbilled hours they put into the Business Directory.
- Business Networking Meeting – The next Business Networking Meeting is scheduled for October 2013. Jackie indicated that First Niagara was interested in hosting the event and would confirm by mid June. First Niagara would provide coaching to local businesses on writing a business plan. Prospective Commission member Ethan Griswold indicated that UCONN’s Small Business Incubator would also be a source for such instruction.
- CEDAS – There was no interest in membership at this time.
- Marketing & Promotion – Discussion tabled.
New Business:
- New Business Activity and contacts – None.
- Correspondence – None.
Public Comment:
- Present were: Betsy Treiber, Ethan Griswold, who is interested in joining the EDC, Tara Bergeron, Director Senior Services and Community Outreach, and the following representatives of Love’s Travel Centers – Rick Shuffield, Director of Real Estate and Development, Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores, Thomas Galeota, Senior Engineer, Fuss & O’Neill and Leonard Jacobs, Attorney at Law, Jacobs, Walker, Rice and Barry, LLC.
Ongoing Activities:
- Commission Vacancies - We have a full seat and two alternate seats open. Ethan Griswold, a self-employed business consultant, would like to fill the full seat and will be recommended to the BOS.
Meeting adjourned at 8:39 PM. Next meeting to be held on Monday June 24, 2013 at
6:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Tom Treiber
| |
