East Lyme Economic Development Commission

Regular Meeting

March 13, 2007

Members Present:    Edward Shapiro, Howard Tisler,

                                    Richard Gada, John Jensen and

                                    Robert Cope

Also Present:                        Mark Nickerson

A.  PRELIMINARY BUSINESS

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

Development Commission Regular Meeting of March 13 to order at 7:15 p.m.

            2.  Disposition of Meeting Minutes of February 13, 2007.  Mr. Shapiro asked for additions, deletions or corrections to the February 13, 2007 Regular Meeting of the Economic Development Commission.

            The following correction was noted:  On page 3, after C. OLD BUSINESS add:  “Mr. Tisler received a letter from State Rep. Ed Jutila stating he submitted proposed Bill No. 6466 to the Transportation Committee State Legislator asking for signage for the Boardwalk at exit 74 on Rt. I-95.”

MOTION:      Mr. Tisler moved to accept the February 13, 2007

                        Regular Meeting Minutes of the Economic

                        Development Commission, as amended.  Seconded

                        by Mr.  Gada.  Mr. Jensen abstained from voting.

                        (3-0-1) Motion carried.

            3.  Delegations and Guests.   Meg Parulis.

            4.  Public Comments.   There were no public comments.

B.  REPORTS

            1.  Ex-officio Report.   First Selectman Beth Hogan was unable to be present, and there was no report.   

            2.  Chairman's Report.  Mr. Shapiro stated he has had no recent e-mail on the Economic Development Google Gmail.

            Mr. Santino was unable to be present to give his report on First Selectman Beth Hogan’s letter of January 10.    

            Members of this Commission attended a presentation on the Public Safety Building.

            3.  Presentation of Bills.  The Recording Secretary presented a bill for 3.25 hours of secretarial work for the Economic Development Commission from February 13, 2007 to March 6, 2007. 

MOTION:      Mr. Tisler moved to pay the Recording Secretary

                        for 3.25 hours of secretarial work for the Economic

                        Development Commission from February 13, 2007

                        to March 6, 2007.  Seconded by Mr.  Gada. 

                        (4-0) Unanimous

C.  OLD BUSINESS

            1.  Short and Long Term Goal Work Plan Review.  This matter was tabled.

            2.  Committee to set up a meeting with Planning and Zoning prior to setting up:  “Commission Wide Meeting—Daytime Event”.  Commission members suggested that the Town Hall make the permitting process for new businesses easier.  Mr. Nickerson felt the Town has more developers trying to work within the Town’s regulations.  Mr. Jensen felt the process is too time consuming for a small business person.  The process is costly and time consuming.  He stated it took a client of his eight months from the time a permit was applied for until the business was able to open.

            Mr. Cope arrived.

            Mr. Nickerson suggested that this Commission act as a conduit.  Mr. Jensen suggested that a pamphlet be developed in Town to inform new businesses of the process.  Mr. Cope stated at a SECTOR Meeting he attended it was stated that Connecticut stifles development through over regulation.

            Meg Parulis stated when new restaurants come into Town there was nothing in place to bring them up to code.  Ledge Light should help this situation.  She added that building and fire codes are out of the Town’s control.  The Building Department has information on the process attached to its permit.

            Mr. Tisler suggested asking a retired builder to be an advocate for a smaller business. 

            Mr. Jensen suggested having a meeting with staff and Commission chairpersons. 

            Meg Parulis suggested surveying new businesses to determine what the problems are.  She suggested that the survey be followed up with an interview.  Mr. Jensen suggested inviting State Rep. Jutila, because it involves state regulations.  Mr. Tisler and Mr. Jensen agreed to develop a survey form to be mailed to new businesses.

            Mr. Tisler stated he received a telephone call on February 20 requesting that he appear at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford on February 21 to plead his case on proposed bill 64-66.

D.  NEW BUSINESS

            1.  Panel Discussion:  EDC & Niantic Main Street—New Public Safety Building.  There was no further discussion on the new Public Safety Building.

            2.  Meg Parulis—GIS System usage – Meg Parulis gave a presentation on how Commission members can use the GIS system.

E.  ADJOURNMENT

MOTION:      Mr. Gada moved to adjourn the Economic Development

                        Commission Regular Meeting of March 13, 2007, at

                        9:00 p.m.  Seconded by Mr. Tisler.  (5-0) Unanimous. 

                                                Respectfully submitted,

                                                Frances Ghersi, Recording Secretary