Chairman Anthony Camilliere convened a regular meeting of the Wethersfield Economic Development and Improvement Commission on Thursday, April 08, 2004 at 12: 22 p.m. at the Town Manager's Conference at Town Hall, 505 Silas Deane Highway.
Chairman Camilliere called the meeting to order at 12:22 p.m. and skipped over the approval of the meeting minutes due to a lack of a quorum.
Chairman's Report - Chairman Camilliere noted that he had met with Chamber President Mark Walker on Wednesday April 7 and discussed the upcoming Chamber Annual meeting to be held on Wednesday, May 19 at the Country Club. All EDIC members are encouraged to attend.
Finance Committee subcommittee report - Ken Rizzio reported on a meeting held on Wednesday April 7 at the new Wethersfield Chamber of Commerce office with President Mark Walkers to discuss the Express Loan Program. Mr. Rizzio noted that the Council had awarded $25,000 to jump start the loan program and the EDIC had previously agreed to earmark $15,000 from this year's budget for a total of $40,000 in Town funds for the program. Reference was made to a one page summary of the program in the agenda packet which will be used to approach all local banks for a contribution that is equal to or exceeds the Town contribution. The goal is to start with $200,000. The subcommittee members are presently setting up 1 on 1 meetings with the 7 local banks and hope to have the new program in place by July 1. A larger meeting will be held with all bank representatives in the next month.
Cindy Jacobs wanted to make sure that the new design review process is coordinated with any loans granted. Mr. Gillespie will be meeting with the new Finance Director to determine if the Finance Dept can administer the loan program.
Ken Rizzio made a motion to use $15,000 from the EDIC 2003/2004 budget and add it to the $25,000 granted by Town Council as the start up funds for the Express loan program. Chris Lyons seconded the motion with all members voting in favor.
Marketing and Communications Sub Committee Report - Chris Lyons referred to the meeting packet and explained the status of the business visitation program. A training session was held on March 30 attended by 25-30 volunteers. Team Assignments were discussed and a handout was included in the packet. There are 13 teams of 2 created so far and a meeting of the 3 team captains is scheduled for Thursday April 15 to get started. The subcommittee will be making a presentation to Council at the May 3 meeting.
Chris Lyons reported that he wanted to get the program underway before undertaking the next project Realtors breakfast and web site development.
Development Subcommittee Report - Peter Gillespie reported that Christine Paul continues to work on the database utilizing the assessors records and the Town's GIS. The work will take some time and significant progress is anticipated by the next meeting.
March 11 meeting minutes - Ken Rizzio motioned to approve the minutes of the March 11 EDIC meeting, seconded by Chris Lyons all voting in favor.
Town Manager's Report - Town Manager Bonnie Therrien reported on the budget issues facing the Town and on the likely loss of personal property taxes from NU's Cumberland Avenue site due to a move to Windsor.
Dates for the next Economic Summit were discussed and Ms. Therrien suggested that a meeting to discuss Redevelopment might be appropriate possibly on May 26. Peter Gillespie had started to discuss this topic with Todd Andrews from Metro Hartford Alliance in an effort to recruit speakers from some of the surrounding Towns that have created Redevelopment Agencies. Councilor Adil will lead this effort.
Town Council Liaison's Report - Councilor Montinieri was present and noted the Councils support for Economic Development in Town.
Director of Planning and Economic Development Report - Peter Gillespie reviewed the March 29 monthly report and specifically noted 2 upcoming grand openings- April 29 10 am 860B SDH Chamber of Commerce, April 24 10 am 227 Main Street La Dolce Bakery.
PZC Liaison's Report - Mr. Knecht was not present. Mr. Gillespie noted that on April 6 the PZC held a 5.5 hour meeting and approved the Mozzicato site plan application at the corner of Wells Road and the Silas Deane Highway, an extension of time for the Hughes Brothers convenience store at the corner of Jordan Lane and the Silas Deane. Work continues on the zoning regulation changes and a hearing was tentatively set for May 18 which may have to be rescheduled.
2004/2005 Budget - Mr. Gillespie distributed the proposed budget for EDIC which would have a total of $52,030 versus last year's budget of $53,382. Mr. Gillespie will request a carry over of all unused funds so that monies are available for things such as the loan program, business visitation and targeted development sites.
Economic Development Secretary - Mr. Gillespie reported that Susan Mudwilder had been selected and will start on April 12.
Silas Deane Highway Committee - Tony Camilliere explained that the Council will be holding a public hearing on Monday April 19 to adopt the ordinance to create this Advisory Committee and would like to appoint an EDIC member to the Committee. Mr. Lyons made a motion to appoint Betty Rosania to represent the EDIC on the new Silas Deane Highway Advisory Committee Cindy Jacobs seconded the motion and the vote showed all members in favor. Chairman Camilliere stated that he had spoken to Mrs. Rosania and she expressed a willingness to serve.
Economic Development Course - Mr. Gillespie stated that Mr. Vining and Marie Massaro had attended this course at NU Headquarters "Economic Development - A Crash Course". Copies of the manual were distributed to members present. Mr. Gillespie briefly reviewed the course which was instructed by Mark Waterhouse of Garnet Consulting. Mr. Gillespie encouraged all interested members to attend the next session on June 8 "Building the High Performance Economic Development Team".
Agriculture and Economic Development - Cindy Jacobs expressed her interest in developing the local cluster of agriculturally based businesses into some form of economic development program. Mr. Gillespie suggested that a meeting between the Council Committee on Open Space, the Conservation Commission, the land trust and local farmers could become a starting point. Cindy will talk to Julie Montinieri to discuss next steps.
Mr. Camillieri asked for a motion to adjourn. It was made by Chris Lyons and seconded by Joan Hughes, and passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m.