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Town Of Willington
Economic Development Commission Meeting
Meeting Minutes of
March 24, 2014
*Minutes are not official until approved at the next regular meeting.
Attendees: Kim Kowalyshyn Tom Treiber, Co-Chair/Secretary
Opened Meeting at 6:00 PM
Approval of Minutes:
There was no quorum so minutes from February 24, 20014 could not be approved.
Public Present:
The following were present and participated in discussion:
- Mary Huda, Town Assessor,
- Betsy Treiber, Board of Finance
- Christina Mailhos, First Selectman
- Jason Bracich
- Eric Beebe
Old Business:
Guest – Cynthia van Zelm, Executive Director, Mansfield Downtown Partnership (Storrs Center). Cynthia updated us on the project and walked us through the process involved in this complex mixed-use development. Some of the steps Cynthia discussed would be appropriate for economic development in Willington. They included market studies and plan development and the involvement of the Greater Windham Chamber of Commerce and local businesses. These are things that are in the works. Cynthia suggested using the Technology Park development at UCONN as a draw to attract affiliated businesses to Willington and applying for STEAP grants and Main Street
Investment Fund grants for necessary capital improvements.
Future Guests
Susan Yorgensen, Willington Planning-Zoning/Wetland Agent, will attend our April 28th
Meeting to provide an overview of the of the permit process, land use classifications, etc
Economic Development – Tom T. spoke with Planning-Zoning/Wetlands Agent, Susan Yorgensen. She advised that there is still a pending easement issue involving Dunkin Donuts. Love’s Travel Center (LTC) faced another public hearing on March 18 regarding a proposed change to amend the Willington Zoning Regulation: (Section 11.08.04 to allow for a landscaped buffer or a fence along lots containing gasoline stations along boundaries abutting residential zones. Right now a fence is required which could be expensive on a long boundary as well as destructive to existing trees and plants. Mycoscience – Kim spoke with the owner, Rob Whalen.
He plans to move a head with the expansion. FEDEX – Susan Yorgensen reported that FEDEX wants to expand their parking lot, which will require approvals from the Army Corp of Engineers as well as the town.
Projects
- Business Profiles – Baywood Kennels will be next.
- Marketing & Promotion – We will use our website and the town website to promote our Business Networking Meeting on April 9th.
- Process Mapping – Susan Yorgensen has accepted the invitation to attend our April 28, 2014 meeting. This presentation will kick-off the project.
- Business Networking Meeting – The next Business Networking Meeting is scheduled for April 9, 2014. We have reserved Hilltop Restaurant’s function room from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Kim will bring copies of the Business Directory. Tom T. will get a bio from Gregory Lewis. Tom B. will be asked to get a bio from Diane Nadeau. We agreed that Jackie should bring the podium. We also would like her to moderate the entire program. Tom T. will contact Hilltop to find out what appetizers they serve for groups, the cost of appetizers, water, and coffee for 25 people, when and how we will pay and whether April 7th is OK for a final head count. We are setting up a special meeting for Tuesday April 1, 2014 at Willington Pizza I to discuss the details for the meeting, etc.
Budget & Housekeeping
- EDC 2014 Budget Request was submitted to the BOF on March 6, 2014. There were no questions.
- EDC Finances – We have $805 on hand
- Email –Kim reported an email problem and is working with the town to resolve it.
- Tom B. was reappointed to the EDC by the BOS.
- Commission vacancies – 2 alternate seats are open. Jason Bacich wants to fill one of them. Kim will put his approval on the next BOS agenda. When Jason is appointed, there will be one vacant alternate seat. Tom T. will follow-up with Eric Beebe to see if he wants it.
New Business:
- Correspondence – C-PACE will attend the April 21, 2014 BOS meeting at 6:30 PM.
- Coventry Economic Development Regional Forum, April 24, 2014, 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Kim, Tom T. and Jason Bacich are interested in attending. Hopefully other EDC members will be able to attend.
- Meeting Protocol & Records Retention – Tabled
- Greater Windham area Chamber of Commerce. We recommend joining. To ensure that the EDC and the town get maximum benefit from membership, we need a liaison to keep us informed of events and opportunities. We will ask Tom B. if he will take on this role.
- New Business Activity and Contacts – Karen Warner of Karen Warner Designs, LLC asked to be in the online business directory and Kim has added her kitchen and bath design business to the directory. We will add her to mailing for April 9th business networking meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM. Our next meeting will be held on Monday April 28, 2014 at 6:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Tom Treiber
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