1983-01-25 a
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
The last meeting of the Economic Development Commission was held on
Tuesday, January 25th, 1983. Members present were Chairman Bill
Diskin, Vincent D'Addebbo, Stanley Gable, Peter King, Bruce 2revethan,
Burt Ogle and Economic Development Director, Mrs. Barbara Geary.
The meeting was called to order at 7 :30 p.m.
The Agenda was presented and discussed at length as follows :
1. Results of Public Hearing Re: Townhouse Development:
Barbara stated that she had prepared a letter with recommend-
ations and transmitted the report to the Zoning Commission
and that the letter was read by the Secretary at the public
hearing. Stanley Gable requested an explanation of why a
verbal presentation was not done when according to the minutes
of the last meeting Mrs. Geary was to represent the Ec. Dev.
Commission. Chairman Bill and Mrs. Geary explained that
after discussing the matter with the Mayor and the Planning
Commission it was felt that a letter stating the recommendations
of the Economic Development Commission was the more appropriate
manner in which to make their views known.
2. Pre-Application to Human Resources :
Discussion was held on the Senior Center and elderly housing
proposed for the Percival School. It was reported that at
the town meeting on January 17th, the amount of $5,000 was
approved for preliminary plans for the Center. Stanley Gable
stated that the ratio for elderly housing for Berlin is the
highest in the area and that the waiting list is for people
out of town and not necessarily for Berlin residents. Bill
Diskin stated that applications must be taken from everyone
because we are subsidized by the State. However, the Berlin
residents get first preference. Mrs. Geary reported that the
application to the Department of Human Resources was nearing
completion.
3. Annual Repcit Fiscal year 1981-1982: Everyone was given a copy
of the report submitted for Annual Town Report for fiscal year.
4. Municipal Development Project:
Mrs. Geary reported that in accordance with the Executive
Boards 's request she had solicited bids for a Marketability
Study by area consultants. She had received five bids and
was in the process of making a recommendation to the Executive
Board and was working with State Department of Economic
Development to ensure concurrence with the recommendation.
5. New Stationary for Commission:
New stationary has been ordered and received.
6. Financial Report : As of December 31, 1982 our finances are as
follows :
#1702206.00 Sec.
#1703 $625 .00 - Dues & Conferences - Director
Page 2 -- Minutes of Economic Development Commission, Jan. 25th.
#1704 $317.00 - Dues & Conf. - Commission
#1706 $544.34 - Postage and Mailings
fts
7. Budney Property:
Barbara showed where property was situated on map. She
stated that she and the town engineer had looked at property
and felt that with some excavating and refilling, about 2/3 ' s
of the 25 acres would be useable. A discussion ensued.
8. Webster Square Property:
Mrs. Geary and Bill Diskin gave update of this property. It
was stated that Waldbaum and Chase were close to a lease agree-
ment for the Topps space. It was explained that the rendering
showed no treatment of planned landscaping. However, the
final plans will address landscaping in detail. Also, the
proposed plans for building next to Topps indicate that the
Mini-Auto building will be leased as a liquor store. Chase
is currently trying to market the balance of space. A pro-
posed assessment fixing agreement may be required of the Town.
9. Commercial Rev italieation:
Mrs . Geary indicated to the Commission that she would be
working with the Chamber on trying to set up a Commercial
Revitalization Committee for Farmington Avenue. Peter King
brought up the fact that the Beautification Planning Committee.
worked to come up with plans for this area also and he re-
quested that Barbara bring a set of plans to the next meeting.
Bill stated that Sherri Cup had signed a lease for the old
Kraft building for three years with an option for three more.
They plan to store all their paper in that building. It was
noted that the building would be served by Amtrak.
10. Development Team:
Barbara explained that this team consists of Barbara Geary,
Morgan Seelye and Emil Carlson. They will review plans of
developers who are considering coming into the Town, and give
them the technical assistance in terms of zoning, planning,
landscaping, financing, etc.
11. Aetna Update :
Work on the Aetna Complex is progressing on schedule. It was
reported that they appear to be interested in providing data
and working with Berlin and other towns in the preparation of
a survey of employees so that area towns could get some answers
to questions on housing needs, income, etc. It was noted that
the Berlin Depot was a consideration in their picking the
Middletown side -but that they had not yet fully researched
the use of this facility.
12. Amtrak Update :
Amtrak was asked if they had plans for the Berlin Depot
considering the fact that Aetna is building a plant in
Middletown and they indicated that they would be willing to
meet with all concerned to see about using the Berlin Depot
as an Economic Resource.
Page 3 -- Minutes of ECD Commission, Jan. 25th, 1983.
13. Overall Strategy:
Mrs. Geary stated that she would like an overall strategy
from members of the Commission. She asked that in order
to receive their impact, that all members list their thoughts
and ideas--whatever they might think was ' important for Berlin's
Economic Revitalization and what they expected from the Ec.
Development office and bring them to the next meeting.
Mrs. Geary stated that at the present time she is working with
six or seven companies; giving them technical assistance with
financing, space availability, expansion information, etc.
She has been contacted by John Eleveth of the First National
Bank regarding Economic Development and reported the Bank's
willingness to participate.
The above notes were taken by Mrs. Barbara Geary in the absence of
Ann Zesk, Secretary and translated by and typed by Ann Zesk.
Respectfully submitted,
w Ann Zesk, Secretary
PS: THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE ON FEBRUARY 22nd.