2010-11-08
TOWN OF BERLIN
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2010
BERLIN TOWN HALL
APPROVED 7:00 P.M. – ROOM 8
MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:
David Cyr, Chairman Edward Egazarian, Vice-Chairman
Christine Fairwood, Treasurer Christine Rose
ABSENT:
Peter Campanelli Peter Rosso
GUEST:
Kate Fuechsel, Executive Director - Chamber of Commerce
STAFF:
James Mahoney, Economic Development Director
Juliet Benjamin, Secretary
Chairman Cyr called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
1. AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS:
Ms. Fuechsel noted that invitations to the Holiday Gathering at the
Hawthorne on December 8 from 5 to 7:00 pm have been sent out today. She
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noted that the Chamber will be looking for sponsorship for this event and she
hopes to get holiday gifts for the raffle.
A Chamber Luncheon with Kevin Nathan, Sports Director for NBC
Connecticut will take place this Wednesday, November 10 at Shuttle Meadow
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Country Club from 11:45 am.
On the following Wednesday, November 17 a Chamber “Bored” Meeting
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will be held at the Bella-Gio Lounge, 41 Chamberlain Highway from 5 to 7:00
pm. This will be a food and fun networking reception.
Also, a Business Luncheon featuring Mike Keiser form the Entrepreneur
Circle will be held on November 30 at the Hawthorne Restaurant, with
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program at 10:30 am and networking lunch at noon.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2010:
Commissioner Egazarian made a motion to accept the Minutes of
Monday, October 18, 2010 as written. Commissioner Fairwood seconded the
motion and the minutes were unanimously approved.
3. FINANCIAL REPORT:
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Town of Berlin Economic Development Commission November 8, 2010
Dir. Mahoney noted that he did not have a copy of the latest budget
report but all accounts are on track.
4. PROMOTION:
None.
5. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN SUBMISSION:
Dir. Mahoney noted that there will be some changes to the Capital
Improvement plan based on recommendations from the Town Manager. He will
discuss these changes with the Commission at a future date.
6. SHERWOOD FALLS PROJECT REDEVELOPMENT PLAN:
Dir. Mahoney stated that the Open House with Ribbon Cutting by Mayor
Salina was held on October 21 and CIL has been doing well with sales. CIL
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has begun work on construction of Phase 2, which will consist of twenty-three
more units.
7. HOUSING INCENTIVE ZONE APPLICATION/TRAIN STATION AREA:
Dir. Mahoney noted that he will soon begin work on the RFP for a
consultant.
8. PROMOTION:
9. INCENTIVE PROGRAMS (TAX ABATEMENT & FAÇADE ENHANCEMENT &
INFRASTRUCTURE LOAN PROGRAM):
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No applications.
10. GRANTS:
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Streetscape – Dir. Mahoney reviewed Change Orders for the
Streetscape project with the EDC and discussed the reason for each
Change Order. A walk through took place with the Landscape
Architect and since some homeowners on New Britain Rd. did not
want curb trees so it was decided to add more trees on Massirio Dr.
and in the Veteran’s Memorial Park. Chairman Cyr recommended not
using the Snowdrift Crabapple Trees because they drop their fruit and
could pose a safety problem. He suggested that a decorative Cherry
Tree would be a better substitute.
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Berlin Veteran’s Memorial Park – Dir. Mahoney noted that the park
project is going along well. The bridge is in place and they are
finishing up the mitigation project behind the American Legion
building at the Veterans Park. They are trying to do as much as
possible to complete the project. Dir. Mahoney is going to the Town
Council meeting on November 9 for additional funding to complete
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work in the park during Phase I. Dir. Mahoney stated that the
Veterans are requesting that the entrance to Stop & Shop be named
Veterans Way, even though it is not actually a street, only a driveway.
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Town of Berlin Economic Development Commission November 8, 2010
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Miscellaneous - Since the Veterans Memorial Park, Liberty Bank and
Farmington Savings are almost finished Dir. Mahoney suggested the
EDC work this winter to develop a program of decorative flags,
benches, etc. on Farmington Avenue and try to have people volunteer
to donate for these items. He also noted that the EDC should
consider working with a Landscape Architect during the winter
months to form a plan for plantings for next spring.
11. DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION:
12. LEGISLATION:
13. PUBLIC RELATIONS:
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Street Signs – Chairman Cyr suggested ordering a Gateway Sign and
having it on display at the Town Hall so that everyone could see how
they will look and that they will be matching the Street Signs which were
previously on display. Commissioner Egazarian said that the EDC
should buy all the Gateway Signs and put one of them on display.
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A Periodic Column in the Citizen.
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Photos for Display – Dir. Mahoney said that he will be working on more
photos.
14. SPONSORS FOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS:
Commissioner Fairwood noted that Michael Jeske, owner of Jeske’s
Catering is reopening Jeske’s Gourmet Dinners to go.
15. PLAN OF CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE:
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Discussion of TEDS Mapping – Dir. Mahoney noted that area #2 has
been expanded to where the new Depot Crossing building is located
and the Kensington Fire House. Commissioner Egazarian discussed
adding the Webster Square Plaza area to the TEDS mapping and
including the former Saturn Dealership property and the adjacent
property.
16. DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
Changes have been made to the Achieve Credit Union location. The
banking/teller portion has been closed, but the corporate offices are still in
Berlin.
Dir. Mahoney will be going before the Town Council tomorrow night to
request further funding for the Veterans Memorial Park completion, the
proposed Police Station property (former Kensington Furniture buildings), and
the Girl Scout property on the Chamberlain Highway.
17. OTHER MATTERS:
Dir. Mahoney noted that the Inland Wetlands & Watercourses
Commission proposed regulations for an upland review area of 50’ seems like a
reasonable decision.
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Town of Berlin Economic Development Commission November 8, 2010
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Sewer Service Area Map – Dir. Mahoney reviewed the map with the
EDC.
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Chairman Cyr discussed having focus groups and a packet available
for prospective businesses. He also discussed having someone like
Mayor Salina make calls to prospective business owners to discuss
the positive aspects of moving their business into Berlin.
18. ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Rose made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 P.M.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Egazarian & unanimously
approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Juliet K. Benjamin, Secretary