2007/02/12
TOWN OF BERLIN
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2007
BERLIN TOWN HALL
7:00 P.M. – ROOM 8
MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:
David Cyr, ChairmanMichael Bragulla
Christine Fairwood Ronald Stack
Thomas Veronesi
James Mahoney, Economic Development Director
Juliet Benjamin, Secretary
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Peter CampanelliPatricia Maerz
GUEST:
Kate Fuechsel, Executive Director Berlin Chamber of Commerce
Chairman Cyr called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
Note: Due to a scheduling conflict, the EDC Meeting was held in Room 8, not
Caucus Room A as originally scheduled.
1. AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS:
Kate Fuechsel, Ex. Dir. of the Berlin Chamber of Commerce discussed
the daytime discussion held in Town Council Chambers with members of the
Berlin Police Department and town retail shop owner’s to discuss the recent
burglaries and ways of making their businesses safer.
The Chamber Annual Meeting shall be held on Friday, March 30 at the
Hawthorne Inn.
2. MINUTES OF MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2007:
Commissioner Bragulla made a motion to accept the Minutes of Monday,
January 8, 2007, as written. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Stack & unanimously approved.
3. ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
After discussion, Commissioner Bragulla made a motion to extend the
tenure of the present officers for one year. This motion was seconded by
Commissioner Veronesi & unanimously approved.
Chairman – David Cyr
Vice-Chairman – Christine Fairwood
Page 2 – Town of Berlin - Economic Dev. Commission – February 12, 2007
Treasurer – Ronald Stack
4. FINANCIAL REPORT:
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Budget for Fiscal Year 06-07 – Dir. Mahoney noted that the current
year budget is right on track.
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Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 07-08 – Dir. Mahoney stated that he
has not gotten an actual recommendation from Town Manager Kemp,
but his impression is that slight cuts will be made to the Streetscape
and Contractual Services items.
5. PROMOTION:
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Discussion of Awards - Dir. Mahoney explained that the EDC usually
presents four awards at the Chamber Annual Meeting, in addition to the
Chamber Awards. 1.) The Volunteer of the Year Award is intended to
honor someone who works to promote economic development within the
Town. Edward Egazarian was suggested as a recipient because of his
work over the years to promote economic development and his effort to
change the name of the Wilbur Cross Highway in Berlin to the Berlin
Turnpike. 2.) Business of the Year/Expansion Award – Budney
Overhaul & Repair was suggested for this award. 3.) Developer of the
Year Award – Several developer names were suggested, but Merit
Associates was a strong favorite for their work at Sage Pond Place,
moving their corporate offices to Berlin and their construction of the new
Walgreen Pharmacy, which is in process. 4.) Regional Business
Developer of the Year Award – It was suggested that this award be
given to the State Dept. DECD or Department of Economic & Community
Development for their effort to work with businesses that are downsizing
or closing to find training or new employment for the displaced workers.
After discussion, Commissioner Bragulla made a motion to choose the
following companies to receive EDC Awards for this year:
Volunteer of the Year – Edward Egazarian
Developer of the Year – Merit Associates
Business of the Year – Budney Overhaul & Repair
Regional Business Developer of the Year – DECD
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Stack & unanimously
approved.
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IOREBA – Dir. Mahoney invited anyone who would be interested in
attending the IOREBA Annual Developers Night on March 26, 2007 in
New Jersey to let him know. He also asked if anyone was interested in
attending the next regular meeting of IOREBA on Monday, February 26,
2007 at the New York Athletic Club.
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Developers Showcase – Dir. Mahoney asked whether anyone was
interested in attending a Developers Showcase sponsored by The Real
Estate Exchange on Wednesday, March 28. Anyone wishing to attend
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should contact him for more details.
Page 3 – Town of Berlin - Economic Dev. Commission – February 12, 2007
6. INCENTIVE PROGRAMS: (Tax Abatement & Façade Enhancement &
Infrastructure Loan Program)
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Colossale Application – Dir. Mahoney stated that Colossale has been
approved by the Town Council for tax abatement and an infrastructure
loan under the EDC program.
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Jacunski-Humes Architects will be filing an application for tax
abatement in the near future. They have recently purchased the
building at 15 Massirio Drive from Knaus Builders and are moving their
offices to that location.
7. GRANTS:
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EPA Revolving Loan Fund - $460,000 – Dir. Mahoney had nothing
new to report on this item.
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Town Center l – Town Center Park Improvements & Site
Remediation, $500,000. –
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Town Center 2 – Town Center Site Remediation $1,000,000
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STEAP Streetscape - $150,000 (reallocated), $400,000
anticipated new grant –
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New STEAP Grant (pending) Streetscape - $400,000
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Train Station Grant- pending funding initiative including local
match - $1.700,000 – Dir. Mahoney noted that the State of
Connecticut has not initiated funding for the project yet and he is
waiting to hear from the State legislators on when funding will be
available.
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Farmington Avenue Underpass Project - $17,600,000. – Dir.
Mahoney noted that things have been quiet now that winter has
finally set in, but he is waiting for work to gear up in the spring.
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Economic Development Fund – $94,000.
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Town Center Remediation Bonded Local Match - $410,000. –
Manafort Brothers has begun work on the remediation and removal
of the pile and capping the site. They will also be working on a
portion of the American Legion Site.
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Town Center Remediation Other Local Match - $166,000.
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Preserve America Grant- A letter was forwarded to Assistant Town
Manager Tammi Saddler regarding this grant. The Worthington
Meeting House Committee plans to apply for funding to work toward
completion of the work on the Meetinghouse.
8. DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION:
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Streetscape – Meet with Bloomfield – Dir. Mahoney contacted
Bloomfield and today received a copy of their Village Design District
regulations. He will be sending copies out to the EDC members. Dir.
Mahoney felt that it would be unnecessary to meet with someone
from Bloomfield at this time. Dir. Mahoney agreed to check into what
other towns have recently done streetscapes and put together a list of
the towns.
Page 4 – Town of Berlin - Economic Dev. Commission – February 12, 2007
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Underground Utilities –
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Façade and Landscape Incentive – Dir. Mahoney noted that the
budget request has been submitted.
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Ciammella LLC Property, Farmington Ave. – A concept plan
prepared by the Developer was submitted.
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Train Station
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Town Center Remediation Project
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Design Standards (Downtown, Berlin Turnpike, Industrial) –
Copies were distributed last month and Chairman Cyr is waiting for
comments from EDC Commissioners.
9. LEGISLATION:
Dir. Mahoney noted that he has discussed legislation to accelerate the
release of Steap Grant Funding with Representative Aresimowicz.
10. MEDIAN PLANTINGS ON BERLIN TURNPIKE:
Chairman Cyr stated that he found out the State of Connecticut had put
together a proposal for a reconfiguration plan for the Berlin Turnpike. This
proposal has not been funded.
Chairman Cyr asked to have a new item added to the agenda, Making
Berlin Take More Representative of Berlin, which would include the issues of 1.
Median Plantings and 2. Design Standards for the Berlin Turnpike.
11. PUBLIC RELATIONS:
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Gateway Signs – Dir. Mahoney asked that WS Sign Design be
allowed another month to come up with designs because their
representative has been in the hospital.
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A Periodic Column in the Berlin Citizen – Chairman Cyr and Dir.
Mahoney will collaborate on a column about what is in process on
the Town Park project.
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Photos for Display – Dir. Mahoney plans to take some progress
photos of the Walgreen Pharmacy site and the remediation work at
the Town Center Site.
12. SPONSORS FOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS:
13. PLAN OF CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE:
Chairman Cyr stated that the POCD Subcommittee meeting was held on
January 17 and the EDC list of items was included in the agenda package.
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14. DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
Dir. Mahoney discussed Thomas Bukowski’s request for a zone change
from residential to BT for a parcel fronting the Berlin Turnpike south of his
Safari Golf property. The Planning & Zoning Commission turned down a
similar request by Coccomo Brothers. This was for property at Orchard Rd,
Toll Gate and the Berlin Turnpike and subsequent meetings have been held
Page 5 – Town of Berlin - Economic Dev. Commission – February 12, 2007
and discussion of other ideas related to the zone change request for this
property.
Other items from the Director’s Report are:
Cambridge Specialties has submitted a plan for a 10,000 square foot
addition.
Royal Machine on Willow Brook Drive has submitted a plan for a small
addition.
The Zoning Board of Appeals approved a liquor license for a new
operator of the former Ultimate Billiards in the Webster Square Plaza.
The Zoning Board of Appeals refused approval for a car repair business
at the former Kensington Auto location on Farmington Avenue owned by the
Bishops. The request was refused because the property was not zoned for the
use and did not fit the Plan of Conservation and Development.
Kensington Photo is planning to relocate to a unit in the former New
Britain Candy Building on Mill Street.
Arrow Drug has expanded with the addition of a patient clinic area in
their location at the Ferndale Plaza.
Dir. Mahoney noted that he has a draft copy of the proposed zoning text
amendments. He noted that many of the changes pertain to senior housing.
Commissioners discussed the proposed restriction of senior housing by not
allowing it in residential zones where as the EDC would much rather see senior
housing confined to residential zones and not located in commercial/industrial
areas using up important commercial and industrial zoned properties.
15. OTHER MATTERS:
Chairman Cyr noted that Monica Holloway of Zoning was going to send out
notices about property owners picking up trash along Christian Lane to
help make the area more presentable. Commissioner Veronesi noted that
the area behind Roger’s Market and the Ferndale Plaza is really an eyesore,
especially with all the trash near the brook and what gets blown over to
adjoining properties. Chairman Cyr stated that he plans to call Mr.
Sussman again to encourage him to install new light poles within the plaza,
especially now that Bella Pizza has moved to its new location.
16. ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Stack made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 P.M.
Seconded by Commissioner Bragulla & unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Juliet K. Benjamin, Secretary