Town of Wethersfield
Economic Development & Improvement Commission
Regular Meeting
Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 12:00 Noon
Town Manager's Conference Room, Town Hall
MINUTES

  1. Call To Order - Chair Rosania called the meeting to order at 12:01 P.M.
  2. Attendance - Members in attendance: Chair Betty Rosania, Howard Greenblatt, Frank Frago, Paul Montinieri, Chris Lyons, Bill Knapp, Ralph Keleher, Joan Hughes, Cindy Jacobs and Joe Cornelio.

    Members absent: Doug Sacks, Brian Silver, Kate Mullen and Ken Rizzio.

    Also in attendance: Bonnie Therrien - Town Manager, Andrew Adil - Town Council Liaison, Peter Gillespie - Director of Planning and Economic Development and Denise Bradley - Assistant Planner.

  3. Old Business
    1. Farmer's Market Status - Bonnie Therrien reported that in order to submit, the marketing grant required three (3) cosigners from the local farming community. Anderson was not interested. She expressed interest in getting the committee back together but sees no progress this spring.
    2. Silas Deane Highway Plan - Next Steps - Peter Gillespie reported that there were three (3) engineering firms on call and that we are waiting to see if Rocky Hill would like to partner on a specific project. Bonnie Therrien noted that the State Department of Transportation (DOT) will be paving the Silas Deane Highway from Route 3 to Rocky Hill and the remainder will be completed in 2007. Ms. Therrien also reported that the Town Council allocated an additional $10,000 for street trees.
    3. RFP Marketing and PR Assistance/Tourism Commission - Peter Gillespie reported that the proposed contract had been received from Keiler and is currently being reviewed by the Town Attorney.
    4. Wethersfield Offers Program - Peter Gillespie noted that he has met with Doug Maine of Wethersfield Life to discuss what the town would like to see accomplished through this program. The 1st of the advertisements may be set for the next edition of Wethersfield Life.
    5. Display Board - Commissioner Montinieri reported that the display board has been completed and that it was done under budget.
    6. STEAP - Bonnie Therrien reported that the State Legislature has cancelled both the March and April Bond Commission meetings and that there was no new information to report.
  4. New Business
    1. Budget 2006/2007 - Bonnie Therrien reported that the Mill Rate went up two (2) points to 32.43. Andy Adil noted that the budget was primarily a maintenance budget with some initiatives for the EDIC to promote its objectives. Ms. Therrien discussed that the Board of Education was responsible for most of the increases which will allow for facilities updating, a teacher leadership/mentor group and an increase in salaries. An early retention program will be established for the Fire Department, there is money available for the Community Center and to retain an architect for Mill Woods Park. She reported that 15-20% of the original budget proposal had been cut.
    2. Double A Transportation Shuttle - Commissioner Montinieri reported that there continues to be steady progress on completing the prototype. He noted that after the prototype is complete, the bus should only take approximately ten days to complete.
    3. Silas Deane Highway Façade Program - Peter Gillespie noted that the Finance Committee met and put the finishing touches on the brochure. The brochure will now go to the Town Council in June for review. Mr. Gillespie reported that tenants will be eligible to apply for funding. He reported that funds will be available for exterior improvements only and discussed the detailed terms of the loans. The brochures will be mailed after Council approval in June. Commissioner Frago questioned how much money is funded for this project. Chair Rosania noted that there is $200,000 available. Andy Adil commented that improvements should be done in targeted areas. Chair Rosania commented that the program needs marketing, media and print coverage. Ms. Rosania also noted that when a project is under construction, she would like to see a sign posted on the property advertising that it is an EDIC sponsored project.
    4. Preserve America Grant - Next Steps - Bonnie Therrien noted that a committee has been formed to manage the project funds.
    5. Redevelopment Agency - Bonnie Therrien reported that the draft ordinance is complete and discussed holding a meeting with the EDIC and Town Council before the Town Council meeting at 6:00 P.M. on June 5th. She noted that Doug Gillette is reviewing the draft and a meeting with the property owners of the four (4) targeted sites will be set up to start dialogue.
  5. Reports of the Town Manager

    Town Manager's Report - Bonnie Therrien reported on the following:

    Planning & Zoning Commission Liason's Report - Peter Gillespie reported on the following:

    Director of Planning and Economic Development's Report - Peter Gillespie reported on the highlights from the Economic Development Report.

  6. Chairman's Report - Chair Rosania reported that she would call Joyce Rossignol regarding the Façade Improvement Program. She mentioned the need to meet with property owners and advocate on what redevelopment constitutes.
  7. Sub-Committee Reports -

    Financial Strategies - Commissioner Rizzio reported on the Finance Committee's meeting of May 3rd. He noted that there is still $12,000 in additional funds still available to non-Silas Deane Highway businesses. Additionally, a meeting will convene after the EDIC adjourns to discuss the application for the tax incentive program made by John Kupper of Express Dental Lab located at 286 Silas Deane Highway.

  8. Minutes- Approval of April meeting minutes - Commissioner Frago made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 13, 2006 meeting. Commissioner Hughes seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
  9. Correspondence
    1. Monthly Economic Development Report
  10. Adjournment - Commissioner Frago made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 12:52 P.M. Commissioner Cornelio seconded the motion and all voted in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Denise Bradley
Assistant Planner