MINUTES
TOWN OF SIMSBURY
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
JANUARY 8, 2004
I. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Economic Development Commission was called to order at 7:35 A.M. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. Present were Chairman Lou George, David Balboni, Sharon Craig, Nancy Haase, Alan Levesque, and Dave Ryan, as well as other interested parties.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – 12/11/03
Sharon Craig made a motion, seconded by Nancy Haase, and passed unanimously to approve the Minutes of 12/11/03.
III. FIDDLER’S GREEN PROPERTY TRANSFER
Rich Correia introduced Dr. Bruce Kaplan and his wife, Madeline, the new owners of the above property. The Kaplan’s gave a brief personal background of themselves to the EDC members.
They have been residents of Simsbury since 1977; have 3 grown children who went through the Simsbury school system; have invested in the Town in different ways; own 2 multi-family homes in Tariffville, and a medical building on Hopmeadow Street. Dr. Kaplan serves as Chairman of the Board at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Bridgeport and was a practicing OB/GYN doctor prior to that.
Their vision for the Fiddler’s Green Property is to restore and beautify the location, while giving them the opportunity to make money. The 40,000 square foot building has 10 offices in the main building, 4-5 rooms in the lowest level, the Sakimura Restaurant, and Finnegan’s Tavern.
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The land between Finnegan’s Tavern and the Hopmeadow sidewalk will be used as outdoor dining with a picket fence surrounding it. The courtyard area between Finnegan’s and the Victorian building will also be used for outdoor dining/seating, and Sakimura would like to enclose their patio with a fence.
The first entrance to the parking lot behind the building will be closed off, and clapboard and windows will be replaced. The Kaplan’s have met with the Fire Marshal; the sprinkler system is 70% intact; and they stated they will do what is required by the Fire Marshal.
It was stated the renovation process is estimated to cost approximately $1,000,000-$1,500,000. Currently the monthly rent collected is over $10,000, and the Kaplan’s expect this to double by July 1st when they obtain more tenants. It is also their goal to have all work completed by this date.
The financing has been obtained through Hudson United Bank, and the Kaplan’s said it was done expeditiously in a 7-day period. Simsbury Bank had been approached, but they were not able to get the deal done. A discussion took place regarding the need of a good community bank; being able to support businesses in Town; and similar cases where the Town Banks are not enabling prospective businesses in Town.
EDC members all agreed the time frame for the Town Board process is extremely important. The Kaplan’s were told to keep the EDC members updated on the process and to make them aware of any delays.
The Economic Development Commission unanimously approved being in favor of supporting the Fiddler’s Green Property project.
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IV. EDC BUDGET DISCUSSION FOR FISCAL YEAR 04/05
It was stated the EDC budget for last year was $35,375. The cap increase for this fiscal year is set at 4.5% bringing the new budget to the amount of $36,966. It was also stated that the bulk of this budget goes to Main Street.
A discussion took place by the EDC members whether or not to increase the budget for the new fiscal year. It was stated that the budget has “widdled away” over the last 4 years, and this makes it difficult for the EDC to do their job. It was expressed that the new budget should be justified.
The need for funds to promote the Town were discussed, such as; printing of brochures, putting more funds into Tourism, the Visitor’s Center, and the Town Web page. It was also suggested contacting and updating Brokers on a quarterly basis as to the happenings in Town.
Any expenditures that are not used go back to the General Fund.
Lou George said he would get a budget worksheet to all EDC members before January 15th. A special meeting will be scheduled for this day for further discussion and finalization of the 2004/2005 Budget and also the Plan of Development.
The Economic Development Commission members were unanimously in favor of the January 15th Special Meeting.
V. REPORTS
Philip Janes, Director of the Visitor Center, presented to the EDC a report (Addendum I) why the Visitor Center should be considered as a line item in the Town budget.
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Mr. Janes explained since the Center has opened in 1999 over 2,300 people have come through the Center, and hundreds of phone inquiries from people seeking information about Town events.
Mr. Janes stated that last year the Visitor Center was a line item in the budget but was not approved.
Approximately $3,500 was raised in the private sector and from a couple of local businesses (as a one-time only donation), but these funds ran out in September. Mr. Janes expressed this Center should be funded by the Town because it brings economic value to Simsbury.
He stated when events take place, such as; Talcott Mountain Festival, Septemberfest, sports events, weddings, etc. calls are received from people inquiring as to what they can do/see in the Town of Simsbury.
It was explained there is nothing similar to the Simsbury Visitor Center in the state of Connecticut. Other Towns have a different makeup.
It was agreed by the EDC, at the January 15th Special Meeting, they will discuss supporting the Visitor Center and how this should be funded.
F.V.V.A. - Last year a $1,000 contribution was given to the Farmington Valley Visitors’ Assoc., and the EDC said at the next meeting this would be discussed for the 04/05 fiscal year.
Bill Voelker reported that he was contacted by a couple of potential investors looking for 4,000-5,000 square feet each for businesses. Sites were given, and he’ll update the EDC if anything happens with these leads.
Mr. Voelker stated the hearing for Andy’s expansion (liquor store) has been rescheduled for January 14th at 7:00 P.M. in the high school amphitheater. Rosetti’s moved amicably, and Andy’s is taking over the A.C. Peterson, Rosetti’s, and old CVS space. Only interior renovation will take place.
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It was agreed by all EDC members that by its very nature, the Economic Development Commission supports business within Simsbury, and therefore supports the growth and expansion of an existing business.
It was unanimously approved by the EDC to support the growth of Andy’s business and to send a letter stating this approval to the Zoning Commission by the hearing scheduled January 14th.
VI. AMENDMENT OF EDC 2004 REGULAR MEETING SCHEDULE
The February 12, 2004 regular meeting has been changed to February 5, 2004.
VII. OTHER BUSINESS
Nancy Haase reported to the EDC members that she met with Scott Haney from WFSB yesterday and did the shoot for “Every Town Has A Story” which will air on January 16th between the 5:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. news.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
The Commission members were all in favor, and the meeting adjourned at 9:25 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Laurie Lungarini
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