1990-04-09 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MINUTES -- APRIL 1990
The April 9, 1990 meeting of the Economic Development Commission was called to
order at 7:10 P.M. by chairman Mary Jean Agostini. Those present were George
Soliwoda, Don Ward, Ron Stack, Bruce Trevethan, and Charlie Karno. Those
absent were Rich Davidian, Dick Swanson, Ken Julian, and Gary Bouchard.
A motion was made by Mr. Soliwoda, seconded by Mr. Stack and voted unanimously
to approve the minutes of the March 12, 1990 meeting as submitted.
Mr. Trevethan gave the financial report. As of Apri16, 1990, $12,540.48
remained in the budget; 71 .7% of the budget had been expended. A motion was
made by Mr. Soliwoda, seconded by Mr. Ward and voted unanimously to accept
the financial report as presented.
Mr. Karno passed out copies of a letter from Larry Wagner regarding the Redcoat
Square project and Kensington Welding project. After reviewing both projects,
it was determined that the Redcoat Square would be eligible for funding and
Mr. Wagner listed his recommendations in the letter. Mr. Wagner also stated
that it would be difficult to defend funding the Kensington Welding project.
Mr. Karno passed out copies of the Farmington Avenue Revitalization budget.
The commercial loan portion has a remaining balance of $27,706.00, and $52,310.00
remains in the residential portion of the program. Extending the program area
for residential eligibility was discussed.
A letter was received from Mayor Peters requesting the Commission reconsider
the priorities for sidewalks in the Farmington Avenue area. He recommended
that sidewalks between Burnham Street and Lower Lane be given top priority.
Because of the heavy pedestrian traffic from the high school to the Webster
Square area, the Commission felt the original designation for top priority
should remain. A motion was made by Mr. Stack, seconded by Mr. Soliwoda and
voted unanimously to give first priority for sidewalks to School Street to
Farmington Avenue to Seymour Road; second priority to Burnham Street to Lower
Lane; third priority to Porters Pass from Skinner Road to Farmington Avenue:
and fourth priority to the north side of Farmington Avenue from Massirio Drive
to Porters Pass.
The Town has made a proposal to Northeast Utilities to provide a tax partnership
for real property to encourage NU to expand their facilities in Berlin. The
package was reviewed by the Commission. A motion was made by Mr. Trevethan,
seconded by Mr. Ward and voted unanimously to accept and support the proposal
which Mayor Peters has offered NU for a tax partnership.
Mr. Karno reported that the Town is waiting for a decision from EIS as to
whether they will remain in Berlin.
Mr. Karno passed out a listing of available industrial and commercial land and
space in town. He requested the Commissioner' s assistance in up-dating the
list.
Mr. Karno reported that the Cornerstone Industrial Park on Four Rod Road is
moving along. Seven buildings are proposed of various sizes to total approx-
imately 99,000 square feet.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MINUTES -- APRIL 1990
Page 2
Two industrial buildings have been proposed on Beckley Mills Road to house a
sandblasting business. The proposal is presently going through the approval
process .
A zone change request has been made to the Zoning Commission for property
between Spruce Brook Road and Bishops Curve, from GC-1 to GC-2. A motion was
made by Mr. Ward, seconded by Mr. Stack and voted unanimously to support the
zone change request because it will help to redevelop the area.
Mr. Karno passed out copies of the results of the Plan of Development Steering
Committee survey for the Commissioners to review.
A drawing for the Spruce Brook Industrial Park sign was reviewed. The sign
would be internally lit with power from the pump station. It was the consensus
of the Commission that this sign proposal was not acceptable because of its
contemporary style. The Commission would rather see something with stone or
wood and will contact Mr. Karno with ideas.
Mayor Peters has requested each department submit a ten year plan by July 1 .
Mr. Karno will draft a plan to be ready by the next meeting for Commissioners' s
review and comments.
Miss Agostini has been requested to speak at the next luncheon meeting of the
Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber has asked if there are any projects that
the Chamber and the Commission might work together on. Miss Agostini suggested
that the Chamber of Commerce might be interested in working on a town promotional
brochure with the Commission.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
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Sharon Guite
Secretary
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