East Lyme Economic Development Commission

Regular Meeting

February 12, 2008

Members Present:    Ed Shapiro, John Jensen, Mary Royce,

                                    and Steve Santino

Also Present:             Charles Ambulous

A.  PRELIMINARY BUSINESS

            1.  Call to Order.   Chairman Shapiro called the East Lyme Economic

Development Commission Regular Meeting of February 12 to order at 7:05 p.m.

            2.  Disposition of Meeting Minutes of January 8, 2008.  Mr. Shapiro asked for additions, deletions or corrections to the January 8, 2008 Regular Meeting of the Economic Development Commission.

MOTION:      Mary Royce moved to accept the January 8, 2008

                        Regular Meeting Minutes of the Economic

                        Development Commission, as presented.  Seconded

                        by John Jensen.  (4-0) Unanimous.

            3.  Delegations and Guests.   Mr. Ambulous reported he attended the Gateway presentation and was dissatisfied because he feels the developer should use that area for only commercial use and eliminate the portion planned for residential use.  He feels East Lyme does not have enough commercial property to support our tax base.  He suggested that the developer seek a medical park for that area.  He stated in the last ten years our tax base has come from mostly property owners.  

            Mr. Jensen felt since water and sewer was put into Colton Road, the Town has made great strides in attracting businesses.  Stop & Shop is also a good addition to our tax base.  The Main Street Program has been good for the Town.  He agreed the Town is running out of land for commercial development.   Mr. Jensen would support the residential area in the Gateway Plan to allow more individuals into Town who are unable to purchase homes. He felt a research or medical use is a good idea.   He felt over the past ten years the Town has not been misusing planning.  Mr. Ambulous felt our taxes have increased too much over the last ten years.  Mr. Jensen felt financing education through property taxes is a big mistake, but that this needs to be taken up at the state level.  Mr. Shapiro added the problem is that the State has removed its subsidy for education.

            Mr. Shapiro stated he would like to see a medical park planned for the Gateway project.   He agreed to suggest it to the developer.  Mr. Ambulous was asked to work with the people at the Plan of Development to offer his suggestions.

            4.  Public Comments.   There were no public comments at this time.

B.  REPORTS

            1.  Ex-officio Report.   Mr. Formica was unable to be present, and there was no report.                

            2.  Chairman's Report.  Mr. Shapiro reported the Commission has received no g-mail.

The following correspondence was received:  Eric Kwasniewski is retiring, an invitation to Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours, Chamber Voice newsletter, CCM February 2008 newsletter, AT&T January 2008 bill in the amount of $1.19, letter dated January 30, 2008 from the Niantic Main Street Program giving an update on what they have accomplished.  Mr. Gada was unable to be present, and he wished to request that the Economic Development Commission underwrite the fee for Jonathan Shapiro, a partner at Philips, Preiss, Shapiro Associates, Inc., a nationally known urban design firm to discuss the final design of Streetscape.  Mr. Gada’s request for engagement fee is $1500.

MOTION:      Mr. Jensen moved upon the request of the Niantic

                        Main Street Program for payment of Jonathan

                        Shapiro’s engagement fee for the Main Street

                        Annual Meeting, the Economic Development

                        Commission will fund an amount up to $1500,

                        not to exceed 50% of the remaining 2007-2008

                        Economic Development Commission budget.

                        Seconded by Mr. Santino.  (4-0) Unanimous.

MOTION:      Mr. Royce moved to pay AT&T January 2008

                        bill in the amount of $1.19.  Seconded by

                        Mr. Jensen.  (4-0) Unanimous

            3.  Presentation of Bills.  The Recording Secretary presented a bill for secretarial services from January 8 to January 29, 2008 for 3.50 hours of work for the Economic Development Commission

MOTION:      Steve Santino moved to pay the bill from the Recording

                        Secretary for 3.50 hours of secretarial services for the

                        Economic Development Commission from January 8 to

                        January 29, 2008.  Seconded by John Jensen.  (4-0)

                        Unanimous.

C.  OLD BUSINESS

            1.  Review Required Specifications for Inclusion on Town Website.  Mr. Shapiro agreed to contact First Selectman Paul Formica to determine whether or not Town Attorney feels the RFP is in proper form.

D.  NEW BUSINESS

E.  ADJOURNMENT

MOTION:      Mr. Santino moved to adjourn the Economic Development

                        Commission Regular Meeting of February 12, 2008 at 8:00 p.m.

                        Seconded by Mary Royce.  (4-0) Unanimous.    

                                                Respectfully submitted,

                                                Frances Ghersi, Recording Secretary