East Lyme Economic Development Commission
Regular Meeting
January 10, 2006
Members Present: John Jensen, Barbara McGrath, Howard Tisler
Richard Gada, Robert Cope and Edward Shapiro
Also Present: First Selectman Beth Hogan, ex officio
A. PRELIMINARY BUSINESS
1. Call to Order. Chairman Jensen called the East Lyme Economic
Development Commission Regular Meeting of January 10 to order at 7:30p.m.
2. Disposition of Meeting Minutes of December 13, 2005 Mr. Jensen asked for additions, deletions or corrections to the December 13, 2005 Regular Meeting of the Economic Development Commission.
MOTION: Mr. Gada moved to accept the December 13, 2005
Regular Meeting Minutes of the Economic
Development Commission, as presented. Seconded
by Howard Tisler. Robert Cope abstained
from voting. (5-0-1) Motion carried.
3. Delegations and Guests. Jessica Klotz, a student of Ledyard High School, and Dorothy Hebert, her mother, were present.
4. Public Comments. There were no public comments.
B. REPORTS
1. Ex-officio Report. First Selectman Beth Hogan reported she would like to hire a grant writer under the Board of Selectmen budget.
On January 21 from 10 a.m. until noon she will have her first informal discussion for residents to ask questions. She invited a member of this Commission to represent the Economic Development Commission.
Part of the Beautification budget is to improve the Flanders area of Town. A plan for signage is being worked on.
Meg Parulis is working on a grant for the Main Street Program. State Rep. Ed Jutilla and Sen. Andrea Stillman have agreed to write letters of support.
2. Presentation of Bills. Membership dues to the Chamber of Commerce in the amount of $278.00 have been paid. This sum came out of Professional Business Expenses and Meetings and Conferences accounts.
The Recording Secretary presented a bill for 4.75 hours of secretarial services from November 9, 2005 to November 23, 2005 for the Economic Development Commission.
MOTION: Mr. Tisler moved to approve a bill from
the Recording Secretary for 4.75 hours
of secretarial services for the Economic
Development Commission from November 9,
2005 to November 23, 2005. Seconded by
Robert Cope. (6-0) Unanimous.
3. Communications.
1. Memo dated December 23, 2005 from Barbara Richardson Crouch, Executive Director of the Niantic Main Street Program, to Tony Sheridan, President of Southeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce requesting a meeting on marketing strategies.
2. Memo dated December 22, 2005 from Beth Hogan, First Selectman, to Robert Cope informing him that the Board of Selectmen at its December 21 meeting appointed him as a member of the Economic Development Commission through January 4, 2010.
3. Memo dated December 22, 2005 from Beth Hogan, First Selectman, to Donald Clark informing him that the Board of Selectmen at its December 21 meeting appointed him as a member of the Economic Development Commission through January 4, 2010.
4. Memo dated December 22, 2005 from Beth Hogan, First Selectman, to Howard Tisler informing him that the Board of Selectmen at its December 21 meeting reappointed him as a member of the Economic Development Commission through January 4, 2010.
5. Invitation from Dime Savings Bank regarding presenting information on a $4 million Eastern Connecticut Segmented Loan Fund on January 20 at 3 p.m. at Dime Bank Corporate Office, 290 Salem Turnpike, Norwich.
6. Letter dated December 12, 2005 to John Jensen from Ted Harris regarding Sea Spray Affordable Housing.
7. Letter dated December 22, 2005 to East Lyme Town Clerk from Cordelia R. Graves, Real Estate Paralegal of Stevens, Harris, Guernsey & Quilliam regarding the Fifth Amendment to the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for Business Park West.
8. Memo dated January 6, 2006 to the Economic Development Commission from Beth Hogan, stating that she is new ex-officio for the Economic Development Commission.
9. Economic Development Commission Accounts Status through December 31, 2005.
10. Newsletter from Connecticut Conference of Municipalities dated October 2005.
11. CT Business magazine dated November 2005.
12. Memo dated December 29, 2005 from First Selectman Beth Hogan to the Economic Development Commission regarding Commercial Fishermen Leases at Cini Park. She asked Commission members to make a determination of the best possible use of this area, as well as its fair market value.
Mr. Cope asked that this Commission recognize businesses in Town on a quarterly basis. Mr. Jensen suggested that the Economic Development Commission act as liaison to the Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Cope suggested that this Commission consider taking advantage of Channel 24 to discuss the work of this Commission.
C. OLD BUSINESS
1. Boardwalk Signs I-95. Mr. Tisler reported he has telephoned Ste Rep. Ed Jutilla's office, but to date has received no response.
2. Hope Street Municipal Parking Lot. Beth Hogan reported that Ed O'Connell will work on negotiations for this matter.
3. Growth in East Lyme Forum.
a. Advertising. Mrs. McGrath reported it will cost $150 for a 2 X 6 ad in the East Lyme Tymes. It will cost three times that much for a 2 X 6 ad in the Day. Mr. Gada suggesting cutting the Day ad in half to reduce its cost. Mr. Shapiro felt by reducing its size it would have less impact.
Mr. Cope suggested placing flyers in business establishments. Mr. Tisler suggested: "It’s your Town. We need your voice." Mr. Cope agreed to assure public service mentions.
The Forum may be advertised on Channel 19.
b. Speakers' fees, etc. Mrs. McGrath reported The Guest Speaker Glenn Chalder's fee is $500. Jim Butler of the Council of Governments (COG) and the Moderator are gratis. It was felt that a microphone should be available. Barbara McGrath agreed to check with the speakers as to whether or not they needed any other equipment.
Mr. Cope asked that Mr. Jensen welcome the Guest Speaker.
c. Location/Refreshments. Mrs. McGrath felt the Commons area of the High School would be a suitable location for the Forum.
It was agreed that Ed Shapiro will be responsible for refreshments. There was a general consensus that $250 would be a reasonable sum to spend on refreshments. Coffee urns will be needed.
d. Date and Time. Mr. Jensen has been informed that some key members of boards are unable to make the Forum on January 25. He asked that the date be changed to February 8. There was a general consensus that time of the Forum would be from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
e. Invitations. Mrs. Hogan agreed to send out invitations to the Forum.
MOTION: Mr. Tisler moved to allocate $1500 for the Public
Forum. Seconded by Mrs. McGrath. (6-0)
Unanimous.
D. NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Tisler asked how Beth Hogan plans to direct new businesses coming to East Lyme to this Commission? Mr. Jensen replied the role of the EDC is not to interrupt Planning and Zoning but merely work as a sounding board.
First Selectman Beth Hogan gave the Police Station as an example. If a referendum directs that a Public Safety Complex is built, there will be an empty building on Main Street. She would like the Economic Development Commission to determine the best use for that building. She would also like its members to be involved in trade shows.
1. Election of EDC Officers for 2006. Commission members were asked for nominations for Chairman of the Economic Development Commission for 2006.
MOTION: Mr. Jensen moved to nominate Barbara McGrath
as Chairperson of the Economic Development
Commission for 2006. Seconded by Mr. Gada.
MOTION: Mr. Cope moved to nominate Ed Shapiro as
Chairman of the Economic Development
Commission for 2006. Seconded by Mr. Tisler.
Mr. Tisler asked for a paper ballot, and the vote was 3-3.
MOTION: Mrs. McGrath moved to table Election of EDC
Chairman for 2006 until the March meeting of
this Commission. Seconded by Mr. Tisler.
(6-0) Unanimous.
Mr. Jensen was asked to continue as Chairman until a new Chairman is elected.
Commission members were asked to give nominations for Secretary of the Economic Development Commission for 2006.
MOTION: Mrs. McGrath moved to nominate Richard Gada
as Secretary to the Economic Development
Commission for 2006. Seconded by Mr. Jensen.
A vote was taken and Mr. Gada was unanimously elected Secretary of the Economic Development Commission for 2006.
E. PUBLIC FEEDBACK. There was no public feedback.
F. NEXT MEETING DATE - February 14, 2006.
G. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Mr. Tisler moved to adjourn the January 10, 2006
Economic Development Commission Regular
Meeting at 8:45 p.m. Seconded by Mr. Shapiro.
(4-0) Unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Frances Ghersi, Recording Secretary