Town of Wethersfield
Economic Development & Improvement Commission
Regular Meeting
Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 12:00 Noon
Town Manager's Conference Room, Town Hall
MINUTES

1. Call To Order - Chair Rosania called the meeting to order at 12:05 P.M.
2. Attendance - Members in attendance: Chair Betty Rosania, Howard Greenblatt, Frank Frago, Bill Knapp, Ralph Keleher, Joan Hughes, Cindy Jacobs, Doug Sacks and Joe Cornelio.

   Members absent: Paul Montinieri, Chris Lyons, Brian Silver, Kate Mullen and Ken Rizzio.

   Also in attendance: Bonnie Therrien - Town Manager, Peter Gillespie - Director of Planning and Economic Development.

3. Old Business
   1. Farmer's Market Status - Bonnie Therrien reported that the local farmer's are not interested in pursuing this project.
   2. Silas Deane Highway Plan - Next Steps - Peter Gillespie reported that the draft plan is available and a final opportunity for public input will be held. An additional $500,000 through the STEAP program will be available. Proposals are being solicited for the engineering of the Church Street intersection due June 15. Chair Rosania stated that it may be appropriate to sunset the SDH Committee and the Town Manager will look into this.
   3. RFP Marketing and PR Assistance/Tourism Commission - Peter Gillespie reported that the proposed contract had been received from Keiler, comments have been provided to Keiler and we are waiting for a response. A kick off meeting will be held as soon as the contractual issues are resolved.
   4. Wethersfield Offers Program - Chair Rosania suggested that this program is brought back to the Marketing Committee.
   5. Display Board - Peter Gillespie reported that the display board has been completed and had been set up in the meeting room. The display had been used at the CT Business Exposition on June 1 at the Convention Center.
   6. STEAP - Bonnie Therrien reported that the State had awarded both Wethersfield and Rocky Hill an additional $500,000 each for the continuing revitalization of the Silas Deane Highway. The funding is designed to be used for capital improvements such as intersections and streetscape improvements.
4. New Business
   1. Double A Transportation Shuttle - Peter Gillespie reported that it is hoped that the trolley will be ready for the Chamber of Commerce's Annual Meeting in mid June.
   2. Silas Deane Highway Façade Program - Peter Gillespie distributed copies of the brochure explaining the façade program and noted that the Town Council had blessed the program at their June 5 meeting. A meeting with the DECD is scheduled for June 12 to discuss the details of the program and it is hoped that the program can be advertised in early July.
   3. Preserve America Grant - Next Steps - Bonnie Therrien noted that a committee has been formed to manage the project and the first meeting was held on June 7. An RFP is being prepared and the agreement with the National Park Service is being signed.
   4. Redevelopment Agency - Bonnie Therrien reported that the draft ordinance is complete and was discussed at a meeting with the EDIC and Town Council before the Town Council meeting at 6:00 P.M. on June 5th. She reported that the Council will be working on the ordinance over the summer. A discussion ensued regarding the use of eminent domain. Bill Knapp reminded the Commission members that the Town adopted an ordinance that prohibits the Town from taking residential homes for redevelopment. Ralph Keleher suggested that a statement be prepared regarding the proposed ordinance so that everyone has the same facts to speak from.
   5. June 14 - Breakfast Seminar - Peter Gillespie reported that People's Bank cannot send a rep to speak and Ct River Community Bank will be contacted to fill in.
   6. Business Survey - Frank Frago requested that members review the draft survey and comment back to him by June 20
5. Reports of the Town Manager

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

   • tax break program for the disabled has been approved by the Council which will go into effect in 2 weeks.
   • tax incentive program for alternative energy improvements has also gone into effect.
   • tax fixing proposal for those 65+ has been referred to Committee.
   • Met with developer interested in Comstock Ferre.
   • Met with developer interested in SDH Plan who commented that the idea of mixed uses may work and the market is soft for Hotels.

   Planning & Zoning Commission Liason's Report - Phil Knecht reported on the following:

   • 295 Ridge Road project approved.
   • The Evangelical Church parking lot was partially approved.
   • City Fish Market is looking to add seating, expand the kitchen and add some office space.

   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 the House of Images is available for sale. The Annual Chamber meeting is scheduled for June 21.
7. Sub-Committee Reports -
8. Minutes - Approval of May meeting minutes - Commissioner Frago made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 11, 2006 meeting. Commissioner Hughes seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
9. Correspondence
   • Monthly Economic Development Report
   • June 1, 2006 - STEAP Letter
10. Adjournment - Commissioner Frago made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 1:05 P.M. Commissioner Cornelio seconded the motion and all voted in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Peter Gillespie
Town Planner/Economic Development Manager