2001/03/12 TOWN OF BERLIN
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2001
MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:
Thomas Stregowski, Chairman Mitchell Unghire
Lawrence J. Siembab Ronald Stack
Edward Egazarian Richard Hans
Jim Mahoney, Economic Development Director
Juliet Benjamin, Secretary
ABSENT:
John Garoyan
Chairman Stregowski called the meeting to order at 7:03 P.M.
1. AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS:
Mr. Frank Muir, resident of Wolfe's Trailer Park, 501 Wilbur Cross Highway,
appeared before the Commission to discuss the proposal to change the name of
the Wilbur Cross Highway to the Berlin Turnpike. Mr. Muir stated that he had
spoken with State Representative Ann Dandrow regarding the change. He
noted that he had also discussed the possible change with several business
owners along the turnpike. Mr. Muir is not in favor of the change and he
stated that he had considered a petition against the name change. He was
concerned that numbering along the road would have to be changed. He noted
that numbering begins in Berlin at Deming Road with low numbers that work
up to high numbers at the Meriden line. Whereas, Newington numbering starts
low at the Berlin Town line and goes up as you go toward Hartford. Chairman
Stregowski stated that the Commission would take Mr. Muir's comments into
consideration.
2. MINUTES OF MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2001 & SPECIAL MEETING OF
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2001:
Commissioner Unghire made a MOTION to accept the Minutes of
Monday, February 12, 2001 as written. Motion SECONDED by Commissioner
Stack & UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
Commissioner Stack then made a MOTION to accept as written, the
Minutes of the Special Meeting of Monday, February 21, 2001, held to solicit
public comment on the proposal to change the name of the Wilbur Cross
Highway in Berlin to the Berlin Turnpike. Motion SECONDED by Commissioner
Egazarian & UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
3. FINANCIAL REPORT:
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Dir. Mahoney reviewed budget material included in agenda package. He
noted that the Town Council budget proposed for next fiscal year was
consistent in salary and benefits. The request to raise Promotions to $10,000
from $7,500 was cut back to $8,000. Contractual Services is proposed to stay
at $15,000 and the request for clerical staffing at $13,960 was eliminated from
the budget request.
Commissioner Siembab MOVED to accept Dir. Mahoney's Financial
Report as presented. SECONDED by Commissioner Hans & UNANIMOUSLY
APPROVED.
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PROMOTION:
· Budget - Dir. Mahoney submitted an updated analysis of expected
expenses for the promotion line item in the budget. He asked that the
Commission vote to transfer $4,000 from the Contracted Services item to
Promotion to cover outlined promotion items for this year. After
discussion, Commissioner Stack MOVED to transfer $4,000 from
Contracted Services to Promotion. SECONDED by Commissioner
Siembab & UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. See attached memo.
· Website - Dir. Mahoney noted that three proposals were received
through CERC for update of the Town Web page. Ashton Services came
in as low bidder. Concerns were voiced by Town Data Processing Staff
concerning security by providing Ashton access to the Town server. It
was decided that the information would be kept on the Ashton server to
preserve the security of the Town server. Dir. Mahoney recommended to
Commission that an amount, not to exceed $7,095 be transferred from
the Farmington Ave. Revolving Loan Fund to Promotion for upgrade of
the Web Page, and that the Town Council waive the bid process for this
item. He noted that about $5,000 of the amount would go to Ashton
and $2,000 to CERC. CERC's fees will be for their use as a technical
advisor and project manager for this item and to assist in developing
web page content. After discussion, Commissioner Unghire MOVED to
recommend transfer of funds, not to exceed $7,095, from the
Farmington Ave. Revolving Loan Fund to Promotion and for Town
Council to waive the bidding process. SECONDED by Commissioner
Stack & UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. See attached memo.
· Pinnacle Awards - Dir. Mahoney attended the Pinnacle Awards of the
Greater Hartford Association of Realtors, held on March 1, 2001. He
noted that it was a very nice affair and submitted a copy of the 1/4 page
ad which appeared in the Hartford Business Journal because the Town
of Berlin was a silver sponsor in combination with Plainville, Bristol and
Southington.
· IOREBA Developer's Night - Dir. Mahoney will be attending the March
26, 2001 IOREBA Developer's Night in Teaneck, N.J., for the third
consecutive year. He noted that Mr. Stockton will be unable to attend
this year CERC will also be sending someone to attend this affair.
· Other - Dir. Mahoney noted that plans are being formed for the Spring
Brokers Breakfast.
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5. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN, PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT UPDATE:
Dir. Mahoney noted that the Citizen telephone survey is in process at
this time. The Business Survey is scheduled to go out soon.
6. INCENTIVE PROGRAMS:
Legislative Proposal - As stated in the Director's Report, Chairman
Stregowski & Dir. Mahoney testified to the Connecticut General Assembly on
Feb. 20th regarding the Wilbur Cross Highway name change to the Berlin
Turnpike. Councilman Aresimowicz testified regarding the Enterprise Zone
Study and other related bills.
7. FARMINGTON AVENUE:
Both Kensington Hardware and Acme Auto will be closing their stores on
Farmington Ave. Dir. Mahoney is unsure about the future of Mary's Pastry due
to the very recent death of the owner.
8. EPA BROWNFIELDS REVOLVING LOAN FUND GRANT:
Dir. Mahoney noted that two environmental consultants were
interviewed on February 27. Dir. Mahoney stated that both he and Brian
Miller, the Dir. of Development Services recommend the selection of Marin
Environmental, based on the interview. After discussion, Commissioner Stack
MOVED to recommend to Town Council, the selection of Marin Environmental,
at a cost not to exceed $7,500 as consultants for implementation of the
Brownfields Revolving Loan Program.
The Town still needs to submit a loan plan to the EPA for their approval
detailing how the loans will be made.
9. COMPETITIVENESS STUDY:
Dir. Mahoney submitted a draft copy of An Economic Analysis of Berlin,
Connecticut to the Commission for review and comment at the next meeting.
The Connecticut Economic Resource Center, Inc. (CERC) prepared the study.
10. BERLIN TURNPIKE NAME CHANGE:
Dir. Mahoney noted that two hundred letters were sent out to property
and business owners along the Wilbur Cross Highway stating that a special
meeting would be held on Wednesday, February 21, 2001 ~ 7:00 P.M.~ the
Community Center Meeting Room, (Lower level of the Peck Memorial Library),
to solicit comments. Three people spoke at the meeting, two in favor and one
against the name change. Mr. Muir had spoken against the name change at
the Special Meeting and also this evening. Dir. Mahoney noted that the
Economic Development Commission must now review all information and make
a recommendation to Town Council. This issue is time sensitive because the
name change bill is also pending at the State Legislature. After discussion,
Commissioner Unghire MOVED to recommend to Town Council that the name
of the highway be changed from Wilbur Cross Highway to Berlin Turnpike.
SECONDED by Commissioner Siembab and UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
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11. LEGISLATION:
Councilman Joseph Aresimowicz and Town Manager Bonnie Therrien
testified on March 1, on several bills, including an Enterprise Zone study
bill, and establishing a Business Retention Zone.
12. DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Dir. Mahoney noted that Connecticut Roofing Representatives, 191
Commerce St., East Berlin, has received Site Plan and Special Permit approval
from the Planning & Zoning Commission.
The merger between Northeast Utilities and Con-Ed has run into
problems and does not look promising.
13. OTHER MATTERS:
· The Planning & Zoning Commission has given site plan approval to B&F
Machine for construction of a 21,835 square foot addition at 145 Edgewood
Ave., New Britain. The building is located in Berlin although it has a New
Britain address.
· Southington Savings Bank has applied for permission to locate a branch
office in the former Fleet Bank, far end of Ferndale Plaza.
· United Business & Industry Credit Union has applied for a drive-in window
at the former WAWA space at Ferndale Center on the Chamberlain Highway.
· Dunkin Donuts is seeking approval to operate at the present location of the
Credit Union on Farmington Ave.
· Dir. Mahoney has made a request for the Town of Berlin Engineering Dept.
to assist in mapping the inland wetlands areas on some key economic
development properties.
· Commission discussed work on faqade of Webster Square Plaza and the
Ocean State Job Lot store.
14. ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Stack MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 P.M.
SECONDED by Commissioner Unghire & UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
Respectfully submitted,
Juliet K. Benjamin, Secretary