1995-10-16 BERLIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
The October 16, 1995 meeting of the Economic Development Commission
was called to order at 7 : 00 P.M. by vice chairman Tom Stregowski.
Those present were Ed Egazarian, George Soliwoda, Dennis Phaneuf,
Ron Stack, and Director Charlie Karno. Mary Jean Agostini joined
the meeting after is was called to order. Kevin McCabe was absent.
Bruce Trevethan and Larry Siembab were excused.
There was no one present for the Audience of Citizens.
A motion was made by Mr. Soliwoda, seconded by Mr. Stack and
voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the September 11 , 1995
meeting.
The financial report was not available.
Vincent Carbonell requested an additional loan to fence the rear
yard and reconstruct a wall in the basement at 954 Farmington
Avenue. He received one bid for each project: $5400 for the
basement wall, $1470. 75 for the fencing. A motion was made by
Mr. Egazarian, seconded by Mr. Phaneuf and voted unanimously to
grant the loan for the cellar work only at 6% for 5 years,
conditional upon receiving two other quotes for the work.
Mr. Karno has looked into available programs which might help
property owners on Farmington Avenue. The State has an abatement
program for designated neighborhood revitalization areas.
However, in order for property owners to qualify they must do
improvements to the property. This would not help the owners
who spoke up the public hearing looking for some type of
tax relief because of the decrease in business during the
Farmington Avenue construction.
Ways to improve the potential for development on Farmington
and Wilbur Cross Highway were discussed. Mr. Egazarian suggested
working with the Inlands Commission to try to create more
workable lots. He asked if this Commission could meet with
Jim Horbal to review wetland and flood plain areas in town.
A motion was made by Mr. Egazarian, seconded by Mr. Stregowski
and voted unanimously to investigate wetland and flood plain
areas and how they effect commercial and industrial land, and
how this Commission can improve the situation to make the land
more developable.
The tax abatement program is up for renewal in December.
Mr. Karno asked the Commissioner' s feeling on abatements for
small manufacturing companies who wish to build new buildings
under $300, 000. It was the consensus of the Commission that
this would be acceptable if the abatement program was based
on a sliding scale. Mr. Karno will put together a new program
(ir to review at next month' s meeting.
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Mr. Karno outlined property on Wilbur Cross Highway near Silver
Lake for the Commissioners to think about for large acre
industrial development, similar to Spruce Brook Industrial Park.
He will continue to get more information.
Mr. Karno asked for the Commission' s opinion on making
manufacturing a special permitted use in the GC-1 zone which
could go on small lots as found on the southern end of the
Wilbur Cross Highway. The Commissioners do not see any
problem with this type of use as long as the buildings look
like commercial buildings and not factories. It was requested
that Mr. Karno draw up a draft of regulations.
The Director' s Report was reviewed.
A motion was made by Mr. Soliwoda, seconded by Mr. Stack and
voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8 : 40 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
( .q<1144a)
Sharon Guite
Recording Secretary
C