MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
JULY 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, Commission Members Dave Ryan, Dave, Balboni, Scott Barnett, Sharon Craig and Nancy Haase, as well as other interested parties. Chairman George reported we had no clerk for the meeting and Commissioner Craig agreed to take minutes.
II. MINUTES – 6/10/2004
Commissioner Haase made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Craig to approve the minutes. Modifications were made to include Tom Pedrotty’s name, correct the spelling of Rich Correia’s name and change the interest of Commissioner Balboni to EBI, not EBR. The motion, as amended, passed unanimously.
III. REPORTS
Tom Horan reported for Sara Floraski from Main Street Partnership (“MSP”). Tom reported that the MSP had two tents at the Talcott Mountain Music Festival on July 2 & 3 entitled “Made on Main Street”. The purpose was to provide exposure for vendors in the partnership. Five retail vendors and two food vendors participated and achieved over $6,000 in sales. The participants were Jeepers, The Work Shoppe, J. Foster, Oktober Farms, Peaberry’s, Andy’s and Fitzgerald’s. It was a very successful event and the Symphony would like MSP to participate in all future Talcott Mountain events. Between 6,000-7,000 attended on Friday night and 8,000-9,000 attended on Saturday.
Commissioner Haase reported there would be a regional meeting of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) on October 7, 2004 at the New Haven Omni and it would focus on municipalities. She will have more information at the August EDC meeting.
Septemberfest: There will be an “Our Town” tent again as in past years where the EDC has “manned” a table. There was discussion as to what should be presented at the tent this year if we were going to participate. The Commission unanimously decided to participate again this year and Commissioner Haase agreed to co-ordinate with Commissioner Alan Levesque who has done most of the marketing for the EDC. It was decided that we will have new visual boards made showing three phases of economic development.
1. Completed projects over the last 18 months
· Appollo’s/ Maple Tree
· Country Cupboard
· Farms Restaurant (Simsbury Farms)
2. Projects that have been approved and are in progress
· Hopmeadow Place
· Andy’s liquor store
· Fiddler’s Green purchase and renovation
· Simsmore Square new construction
· Holloway’s
· Approval of new 15,000 sf office building at the entrance to Tower Business Park
3. Potential Development projects
· Ensign Bickford Powder Forest 55 and older housing
· Lobster Barn
· Meadowood
The EDC would like a chart showing the economic impact of these projects on Simsbury. Bill Voelker said he had that information and Commissioner Haase will contact him. A discussion ensued concerning the status of Hopmeadow Place and the EB project and their activity.
The Commission would also like to have brochures to hand out at Septemberfest regarding the EDC and its work. Commissioner Haase will contact Commissioner Levesque to see how many remain and if we need to prepare something new.
Bill Voelker, Director of Community Planning and Development, commented that he would encourage members of the EDC to observe as the EB project goes through the approval process. There will be three Commissions plus design/review. Wetlands will be first and there will be a joint meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commissions which will be a first joint meeting for these two Commissions. The Commissioners were encouraged to hear this as the EDC believes that this would aid in getting projects through the approval process faster. Mr. Voelker estimated it would take 60 days from the first public hearing at Planning and Zoning to the final approval.
Commissioner Barnett suggested we also highlight other “economic development” events such as the December hockey tournament, the Talcott Mountain Music Festival, Vintage baseball etc. not just building projects.
Commissioner Haase reported that she had been to the vintage baseball game in Hartford where the Simsbury Taverneers played. There was interest on the part of the league to play at the Meadows field during Septemberfest. Some discussion ensued as to whether that was the appropriate time for a game. The Chamber might have some concern that it might draw people away from the Septemberfest chamber members’ booths. It was suggested that the games be played early mornings on Saturday and Sunday, ending at noon, just when Septemberfest starts to go in to full swing. Chairman George will discuss with Charity Folk, Chamber director.
III. PROJECT REVIEW
Commission Ryan reported that the Simsbury Community Calendar was up and running on the website. The Commission agreed that we should have sample pages at the Septemberfest Booth. Commissioner Haase will prepare a press release concerning the Calendar.
Commisioner Barnett reported that EDC had sent a letter to Chairs of the Planning and Zoning Commissions recommending changes in the Plan of Development. Commissioner Barnett will monitor.
Commissioner Haase raised the issue of the athletics fields. Chairman George reported that the committee reviewing the fields had been disbanded and there was no word at this time concerning the fields. Chairman George will meet with First Selectman Tom Vincent to discuss.
IV. ADJOURNMENT
The Economic Development Commission unanimously adjourned at 9:07 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Craig
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