[NOTE: These minutes are made available to the public prior to Economic Development and Improvement Commission acceptance.]

Town of Wethersfield
Economic Development & Improvement Commission
Regular Meeting
Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 12:00 Noon
Town Manager's Conference Room, Town Hall
MINUTES

  1. Call To Order - Chair Rosania called the meeting to order at 12:04 P.M.
  2. Attendance - Members in attendance: Chair Betty Rosania, Howard Greenblatt, Frank Frago, Bill Knapp, Ralph Keleher, Joan Hughes, Paul Montinieri, Doug Sacks, Brian Silver, Ken Rizzio and Joe Cornelio.

    Members absent: Chris Lyons and Cindy Jacobs.

    Also in attendance: Bonnie Therrien - Town Manager, Phil Knecht - Planning and Zoning Commission Liason, Peter Gillespie - Director of Planning and Economic Development and Denise Bradley - Assistant Planner.

  3. Old Business
    1. Farmer's Market Status - Bonnie Therrien noted that no action will be taken on this issue until the 2007 agenda.
    2. Silas Deane Highway Plan - Next Steps - Bonnie Therrien reported that the Engineering Services for the renovation of the Silas Deane Highway by DeCarlo & Doll in an amount not to exceed $100,000, has been placed on the July 17th Town Council agenda. Work shall include the Church Street/Silas Deane corner as well as Nott and Wells Road areas. Bonnie stated that she is still hoping for a shovel in the ground by the fall. Peter Gillespie noted that there will be a presentation made by Fuss & O'Neil for both the Wethersfield and Rocky Hill Planning and Zoning Commissions on July 18th in the Police Department Meeting Room at 7:00 P.M.
    3. RFP Marketing and PR Assistance/Tourism Commission - Keiler - Bonnie Therrien reported that a meeting was held with Keiler during which was discussed; enhancing our current Economic Development and Tourism web sites, coordinating press releases and media contacts, and helping with the development of brochures. A discussion ensued regarding sources of tension with the interaction between the Economic Development and Improvement Commission and the Tourism Commission and this contract. Ms. Therrien noted that $25,000 award to Keiler & Company from the Economic Development and Improvement Commission and Tourism Commission budgets for the marketing of the Town of Wethersfield in the areas of economic development and tourism has been placed on the July 17th Town Council agenda.
    4. Wethersfield Offers Program - Peter Gillespie noted that the item has languished for the past few months and questioned whether a smaller action group should be formed separate from the Marketing Subcommittee. A discussion on how to proceed will be taken up during a Special Meeting of the Marketing Subcommittee on Wednesday July 19th.
    5. STEAP - Bonnie Therrien reported that the $500,000 State award to both Wethersfield and Rocky Hill will be used for capitol improvement and continuing revitalization of the Silas Deane Highway. Peter Gillespie noted that a meeting would be set up with the State Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD).
  4. New Business
    1. Double A Transportation Shuttle - Paul Montinieri noted that there will be an unveiling at the July 17th Town Council meeting. He reported that there will be a tour of Old Wethersfield and that the bus will accommodate 25-30 people.
    2. Silas Deane Highway Façade Program - Peter Gillespie reported that the business survey is currently being finalized and the Silas Deane Highway Façade Program flyer will be mailed along with the survey. Frank Frago noted that the business mailing labels must be updated.
    3. Preserve America Grant - Next Steps - Peter Gillespie reported that the RFP is being finalized. The goal is to advertise the RFP in the next few weeks, complete interviews, formalize a shortlist and get item on the 2nd Town Council Meeting agenda in September.
    4. Redevelopment Agency - Bonnie Therrien reported that the Ordinance creating a Wethersfield Redevelopment Agency will be on the Town Council's July 17th agenda.
    5. June 14 - Breakfast Seminar - Peter Gillespie gave a synopsis of the speaker's presentations. He noted that while the number of attendees was lower than previous events, there were new businesses represented and the seminar was productive. Mr. Gillespie discussed the need to find new techniques to get the interest of more local businesses.
    6. Business Survey - Frank Frago reported that the survey questions are being finalized and should be mailed around August 15th.
    7. Election of Officers - 2006/2007 - Bill Knapp motioned to reappoint Betty Rosania as Chair and elect Paul Montinieri as Vice-Chair. Ralph Keleher seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
  5. Reports of the Town Manager -

    Town Manager's Report - No report was given.

    Town Council Liaison's Report - Andy Adil reported on the following:

    Planning & Zoning Commission Liaison's Report - Phil Knecht reported on the following agenda items from the June 20th meeting:

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

  6. Chairman's Report - No report was given.
  7. Sub-Committee Reports -

    Financial Strategies - Ken Rizzio noted that the mortgage closings on the three active loans projects still have not been completed and that $12,000 is still available for façade improvement.

  8. Minutes- Approval of June meeting minutes - Frank Frago motioned to approve the minutes. Joe Cornelio seconded and all voted in favor.
  9. Correspondence
    1. A letter dated June 16, 2006, to Peter Gillespie from Cynthia Petruzzello, Vice President of the CT Brownfield's Redevelopment Authority regarding updating the inventory of Connecticut's Brownfield's.
    2. An invitation to "The Connecticut Economy", a conference hosted by the CBIA on Thursday September 7th at the Rocky Hill Marriott.
  10. Adjournment - Ralph Keleher made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 12:56 P.M. Frank Frago seconded the motion and all members voted in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Denise Bradley, Assistant Planner