2013-11-18
BERLIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING
Monday November 18, 2013
240 KENSINGTON ROAD, BERLIN
Room 8, Town Hall, 7 P.M.
APPROVED
MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:
David Cyr, Chairman Ed Egazarian, Vice Chairman
Robert Sisti Peter Campanelli
Peter Rosso
ABSENT:
Steven McLarty
STAFF:
James Mahoney, Economic Development Director
Sheel Patel, Recording Secretary
GUESTS:
Sean Taylor, Jaroop
Carly Calafiore, CCSU Student
Chairman Cyr called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
1.AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS
Members from the Veterans Commission were in attendance to discuss and decide
which Gateway sign will be adopted for Veterans Park. Commissioner Campanelli
stated that the design should be picked first, and then dimensions could be sorted out
afterwards. After some discussion amongst both commissions, Commissioner Rosso
motioned to adopt Gateway Sign Version #2 for Veterans Park. Commissioner
Campanelli seconded and the motion was unanimously passed.
2.APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 21 MEETING MINUTES:
Commissioner Rosso motioned to approve the October minutes with one amendment.
Commissioner Sisti seconded the motion. Vice Chairman Egazarian abstained. The
motion was approved.
3.FINANCIAL REPORT
Director Mahoney reported that we are currently on track. Included with the financial
report is a copy of the budget memo from Town Manager, Denise McNair. Director
Mahoney suggested removing the $3000 request for the Infrastructure Grant Program.
Commissioner Sisti motioned to approve the amended budget, per the director’s
recommendations. Commissioner Campanelli seconded and the motion was
unanimously passed.
4.HOUSING INCENTIVE ZONE STUDY/ TRAIN STATION AREA
The Town Council authorized staff to submit a STEAP application to provide a grant to
fund this project.
5.PROMOTION
The Economic Development Holiday Gathering is scheduled for Tuesday, December
10, 2013 from 5:00- 7:00 pm at The Baltic.
6.INCENTIVE PROGRAMS
The commission decided that a press release should be done for the approved
applicants for Dr. Tosatti’s office and Good Cause Gifts.
7.GRANTS
: Currently transitioning the administrative duties to the state.
Train Station
: There were 6 responses for the RFP. It was shortlisted to 4 and the
Façade Program
interview process will begin soon.
: Director Mahoney will begin applying for our 9 STEAP grant over the next
STEAP
th
month.
8.DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION
: CIL’s revision to its wetlands permit was approved on November 4. CIL
Depot Crossing
has submitted a revision to its site plan and a special permit application for residential
over first floor commercial to P&Z.
: Director Mahoney submitted the encroachment permit application to the
Gateway
State Department of Transportation. He plans to bid the construction of the signs once
he gets feedback from DOT to confirm that they approve the design.
: Conduits were installed on one side of the train station underpass which
Town Seal
will slightly alter the Town Seal project. Chairman Cyr requested that Sean Taylor
creates a mockup of the seal with the conduits.
9.LEGISLATION
10.PUBLIC RELATIONS
Director Mahoney attended the ribbon cutting at the Learning Center on October 25.
th
11.POCD ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE
Director Mahoney stated that since the POCD committee did not meet yet, there is still
time to send in comments on the draft of the Implementation Plan.
12.DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Richards Machine application to Inland Wetlands for an addition to their building on
Massirio Drive was approved. They now need to apply to Planning and Zoning for site
plan approval. AMCO’s application for a building addition was approved by wetlands
and Planning and Zoning. The Town extended the contingency dates in its contact to
sell AMCO a parcel of land related to the project. The Finishers Court residential
project at the corner of Mill Street and Main Street East Berlin was denied by Planning
and Zoning. Corbin and Russwin’s application for site plan revision to sell land to
TOMZ was approved by P&Z. TOMZ is working on its site plan application.
13.OTHER MATTERS
Sean Taylor has applied for a vacant position on the commission. Commissioner Sisti
requested that we add the Berlin Chamber of Commerce to next month’s agenda. After
the mayoral election, a meeting will be set up with the town manager and mayor to
discuss the Berlin Chamber.
14.ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Rosso motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:44 pm. Commissioner
Campanelli seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheel Patel, Recording Secretary