1998-08-10 BERLIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
The August 10, 1998 meeting of the Economic Development Commission was called to order at 7:20
P.M. by chairman Tom Stregowski. Those present were Ed Egazarian, Mitchell Unghire, Larry Siembab,
Dennis Phaneuf, Scott Veley, Ron Stack, and Director Charles Karno.
Mr. Karno reported on the Volunteer Park meeting which was held just prior to the Commission meeting.
The park is in the final stages of planning and work should begin in September. Various groups have
donated $9,000 but the project is now estimated to cost $22,000. The Commission has already committed
$5,000 to the project and Mr. Kamo suggested the Commission allocate an additional $15,000 from the
Farmington Avenue Rehab fund to get the project rolling, with any new donations returned to the rehab
fund. A motion was made by Mr. Egazarian, seconded by Mr. Ron and voted 6-1 to loan the Volunteer
Park project a maximum of$15,000 total from the rehab fund to be paid back from future donations to the
project. Mr. Egazarian, Mr. Siembab, Mr. Phaneuf, Mr. Veley, Mr. Stack and Mr. Stregowski voted in
favor and Mr. Unghire voted against the motion.
Liam Mitchell requested support from the Commission in his effort to obtain a zoning regulation change
to allow a propane distribution business on Bruce Avenue-Washington Avenue property. Fuel oil
dealership is a permitted use on the property. Mr. Kamo doesn't believe there is a significant difference
between fuel and propane dealerships and feels that propane was overlooked when the zoning regulations
were written. A motion was made by Mr. Phaneuf, seconded by Mr. Siembab and voted unanimously to
support a change to the zoning regulations to permit propane distribution businesses where fuel oil
dealerships are also allowed. Mr. Egazarian abstained from the vote.
A motion was made by Mr. Stack, seconded by Mr. Egazarian and voted unanimously to approve the
minutes of the July 13, 1998 meeting.
Mr. Karno gave the financial report as of August 10, 1998. A motion was made by Mr. Stack, seconded
by Mr. Phaneuf and voted unanimously to accept the financial report.
A new agreement has been received from Webster Bank for the Farmington Avenue Rehab Loan program
and it has been forwarded to Corporation Counsel for his review.
Vincent Brescia has plans to build an industrial development with a total of 52,000 square feet in four
buildings on his property on the west side of Christian Lane directly across from his new development.
He will have to bring a sewer line from Deming Road across the rear of land on the east side of Christian
Lane and up through his new development to serve the proposed development across the street. This
hook-up will be a significant cost and Mr. Brescia has requested assistance from the Town in some way.
Mr. Kamo suggested, in lieu of any tax abatement,the Town loan Mr. Brescia a portion of the cost,which
would be repaid through taxes. A motion was made by Mr. Siembab, seconded by Mr. Unghire and voted
unanimously to recommend to the Town Council approval of a loan of$45,000 to help offset a portion of
the cost to extend the sewer line to the proposed industrial development.
Mr. Kamo has been working with the owner of the Hi-Speed property on Four Rod Road for a possible
industrial subdivision on the site.
Mr. Kamo reported there has been some interest lately in the "Golden Triangle"property. Conceptual
plans that the Commission had done by a consultant have been helpful in marketing when interested
parties have met with him.
In response to public criticism of the abatements recently given to national retail chains building in town,
Mr. Karno has revised the program to separate retail operations from manufacturing and distribution
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facilities. The revised program lowers the tax abatement rates for retail development and gives the Town
Council more discretion, on a case by case basis, when deciding to grant retail abatements. A motion
was made by Mr. Unghire, seconded by Mr. Veley and voted 6-1 to recommend retail abatement rates of
25%-15%-5%for retail construction value between$300,000 and$600,00;and abatement rates of 35%-
25%-15%for construction value over$600,000 with the potential of creating over 10 permanent, quality
jobs. Mr. Stregowski, Mr. Unghire, Mr. Stack, Mr. Siembab, Mr. Veley, and Mr. Phaneuf voted in favor
of the motion. Mr. Egazarian was opposed to the motion.
Mr. Karno reported that the Web page improvement that was to be done with promotion money is in
limbo right now because there is a problem with our server.
The Director's Report was reviewed.
The agreement between the Town and Stockton Associates was reviewed. The Town has asked the
consultant to give the following sites priority:
1. "Golden Triangle"
2. Webster Square/Frontage Road area
3. Corbin Russwin site
4. Berlin Steel site
A motion was made by Mr. Phaneuf, seconded by Mr. Stack and voted unanimously to adjourn the
meeting at 9:00 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,,,..vh4eh)Sharon Guite
Recording Secretary