Economic Development Commission Minutes

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION                                     REGULAR MEETING

MADDEN ROOM                                                                 WEDNESDAY, May 27, 2015

SOUTH WINDSOR TOWN HALL                                                             TIME: 7:30 P.M.

 

 

PRESENT: Chairperson Louise Neary, Susan Burnham, Dwight Johnson, Joseph Kennedy,, Linda Jeski, Wayne Kilburn, William Jodice, Alternate Paul Burnham (sat for Edwina Futtner) and Alternate John Mitchell (arr. 7:39pm)

 

ABSENT: Edwina Futtner, Alternate Mohammed Quaraishi and James Murray

          The Town Council has accepted the resignation of Mark Lillis.

 

ALSO PRESENT: Town Council liaison Carolyn Mirek

 

  1.     Call Meeting to Order: Chairperson Neary called the meeting to order at 7:30p.m.

 

  2.     Roll Call: The above-mentioned members were introduced.

 

  3.     Public Participation: None.

 

  4.     Presentation of New Project by Peter DeMallie, Design Professionals. Chairperson Neary received late notification that Peter DeMallie could not attend tonight’s meeting.

 

  5.     Approval of Minutes

 

Minutes from Regular Meeting on 4/22/2015: A motion was made by Commissioner Jeski and seconded by Commissioner Burnham to accept the minutes of April 22, 2015 with the following correction, at the top of page 2, should be changed to ‘…keep money and people from going to Massachusetts.’ Minutes were unanimously approved. Motion passed.

        

  6.     Old Business: Chairperson Neary stated that Carla’s Pasta is interested in expanding and may be coming before the EDC for tax abatement. Their application was approved by P&Z.

There was some concern over the length of time given for the tax abatement for Scannell Properties but recent applications for expansion indicate that the time frame for the abatement will be shortened.

Commissioner P. Burnham asked for an update from the Town Manager. Chairperson Neary informed him that there will be no funding for coordinator in the upcoming fiscal year because it was removed from the budget. Commissioners agreed that because the previously posted position was unbenefited with an annual salary of $50,000 it was unattractive to most professionals.

Ms. Mirek asked if there has been any activity by the new economic group started by Mayor Anwar. Chairperson Neary stated that the group has not met recently.

 

  7.     Committee Report

 

Report from Louise Neary and Sue Burnham - Discover South Windsor: Chairperson Neary reported that the last meeting was in February or March. Chairperson Neary gave some background information for Ms. Mirek’s benefit. The group usually meets on the 2nd Thursday of the month at Design Professionals. There are different levels of sponsorship that offer various benefits. Discover South Windsor began as a joint venture between the Chamber of Commerce and the EDC. Chairperson Neary would like to see a sign that could be moved to different locations around town to remind people about the site- www.discoversouthwindsor.com . Commissioner Mitchell believes that people are bombarded with information all the time and suggests not installing a sign.

 

 8.      Communications and Remarks

 

Report from Louise Neary, Chairperson:

 

9.    New Business: None.

 

10.    General Discussion: Commissioners talked about the reconstruction of the sewer system on Main Street after the recent failure of a culvert.

 

11.     Adjournment: A motion was made by Commissioner Jeski and seconded by Commissioner Jodice to adjourn at 8:11pm and was unanimously approved. Motion passed.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Catherine Potter

Clerk