2018-03-05 Town of Berlin
Department of Economic Development
BERLIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING
Monday, March 5, 2018
240 KENSINGTON ROAD, BERLIN - Room 8,To�vn Hall, 6:00 P.M.
MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:
Ed Egazarian,�'ice- Chairman Michael Baczeu-ski,Treasurer
Peter Campanelli Chris Coppola
Jeremy Libby�
ABSENT:
Da�-id Cyr, Chairman
Robert Sisti
STAFF:
Chris Edge, Economic Development Director
`'ice-Chairman Ed Egazarian called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
1. Public Comments
NONE
2. Appro�-al of Minutes —February� 2018
`'ice Chairman Egazarian mentioned a small change on page 4 of the minutes under Other
Business. Commissioner Campanelli mo�-ed to approve the February-, 2018 meeting minutes,
seconded by Commissioner Libby�. The motion carried unanimousl��.
3. Incenti��e Programs: Tax Abatement/FaCade Impro�rement
• The Commission members asked if Chris Edge could approach the Planning& Zoning
Cominission to see if the "no�-iny�l" rule could be looked at In parricular if the P & Z
Coinmission could have some lee�vay�in allo��ing it if it is not financially�iable to do other
materials or if�-iny-1«-ill make a major change to the look. Possibl�- a case by case basis,instead
of an outright yes you can. Commissioner Campanelli made a motion and it��-as seconded by
Cotninissioner Bacze�vski. It passed unanimously�.
4. Public Relations/ Promotion/ Let's Do Business
• llo or Dye Ribbon Cutting—held on February 23`d.
• i�Zeet I'our Representatives to be held on l�larch 26�' from 530 to 7 pm at the Italian Club.
��i/e�vill let the public and businesses meet the To«�n Council members, the Board of Finance
members,Jack Healy and our ne�ti�planner 1�Zark. Food«�ill be pro�-ided if RS�'Ps are done.
• Corporate Sponsorship @ Timberlin—'Io To��-n Council on 3/C/18
o Director Edge discussed the corporate sponsorship proposal at Timberlin
Golf Course. He noted that the Golf Commission has appro�ed the proposal
Town of Berlin
Department of Economic Development
for 18 sponsors at $1800 per sign. Sponsorship is for one year, and funds
abo`-e the cost of the signs and installation�vill go into a capital impro�-ement
account.
5. Grants —STEAP/Bro�vnfield/'I'OD
• Streetscape 2 — Chris Edge gave an o�-en-ie�v of the changes to be made to the
Commission 1�Zembers including sho«-ing them a map sho�ti-ing the t«-o islands to be
flattened, 3 spots to be added by Dairy Queen and a rear parking area.
• He also mentioned that he«-ould present the plan to both the Fire Chiefs and the
Police Coininission.
6. Junior Achiecement/Berlin High School
Upcoming Events
• 3/14—Personal Branding
• 3/21 —Panel Discussion—Tony�Zicacci will be on panel
7. Do�vnto`vn Revitalization
• RFQ— 889/903/913 —NO L'PDA'I'E
• To��•n Seal—Chris Edge menuoned that he is�ti-aiting to hear back from DOT. Commissioner
Egazarian said he may�have a contact at Al�7TRAIL or DOT for Chris to reach out to.
8. Planning and Zoning
• Budney� Expansion— 10,000 sq. ft. expansion«-as appro�-ed by P & Z
• ILensington Congregational Church—ZBA appro�-ed the�-ariances the�� needed and they-��-ill
go Planning& Zoning on the 8`''. Chris said he put in a letter of support for both the ZBA
and P & Z.
• �lixed L se Discussion - The Commission spoke about the potential for mixed use, but stated
that diey- are concerned about�ti�here it goes. Care of the to«�n-o��-ned Farin.ington Avenue
parcel, they� discussed finding something different for there such as 3 to 4 restaurants such as
Cho��•der Pot, Lennie &Joes or similar. They� said a round-table discussion ��-ith a few
de�relopers could be���orth��-hile to see«�hat the�- see for Berlin and ho«�w•c might get there.
The Cointnission thought this was a good idea and Chris said he«-ould look into it.
• Oudets —Commissioner Egazarian asked about the failed oudet de�-elopment in East Hartford
and see if the�� might ha�-e an interest in Berlin. Chris said he�vould reach out to his contacts
in East Hartford for background and a contact person.
• Putnam�'�ICA — Chris mentioned a recent visit to the Putnam��ICA to see their facilin-.
9. Berlin Turnpil�e
• Ne��-Park Dri�-e—the sign is back up again.
10. Adjournment ����t���t��������KD
Cominissioner Campanellli mo�-ed to adjourn the mceting, seconded by� Commissioner2�,���� _9 Qh i 1� �13
Bacze«-ski. The morion passed unanimousl}-. The time ��-as 6:50 p.m.
/� °��—
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