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East Lyme Economic Development Commission Regular Meeting October 14, 2008
Members Present: Ed Shapiro, John Jensen, Camille Alberti and Charles Ambulos
Also Present: Dave LeBrie First Selectman Paul Formica Rachel Rinosky Angela Lomanto
A. PRELIMINARY BUSINESS
1. Call to Order. Chairman Shapiro called the East Lyme Economic Development Commission Regular Meeting of October 14 to order at 7:08 p.m.
2. Disposition of Meeting Minutes of September 9, 2008. Mr. Shapiro asked for additions, deletions or corrections to the September 9, 2008 Regular Meeting of the Economic Development Commission.
MOTION: Mr. Jensen moved to accept the September 9, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes of the Economic Development Commission, as presented. Seconded by Camille Alberti. (4-0) Unanimous.
3. Delegations. There were no delegations.
4. Public Comments. There were public comments.
B. REPORTS
1. Ex-officio Report. Mr. Formica reported paving is being done along Rt. 161. This work was originally scheduled for July, and DOT agreed to allow it to be delayed.
For safety the Town received approval for a crosswalk across from Dairy Queen.
All departments have been asked to reduce expenses. Department heads have agreed to work to accomplish this.
The Gateway project has rented Wendy’s for a construction headquarters. This Commission will be informed on this project as more information becomes available.
The Town has received $400,000 from the STEEP Grant. A second STEEP grant has been applied for.
Mr. Formica asked Commission members if they wish to encourage commercial development on Hope Street?
He informed the Commission that a permanent location is needed for Care & Share. The Town plans to pave the lot and put an addition on the Care & Share building. This will allow them to have a storefront. The Mitchell family is working with the Town on accomplishing this. Mr. Shapiro informed Mr. Formica that this Commission was considering this area for public restrooms. He recommended building a storage area above the building Care & Share now uses. All the studies from the Renew East Lyme, Yale Charette and the follow up done by John Shapiro point out the importance of that location as a cross road of retail and its importance to serve the retail public with public restrooms. It is not a proper place for a Care & Share store front. The adjacent area may accommodate a small parking garage that can be incorporated into the present Municipal lot.
Angela Lomanto stated Boston has restrooms that you pay for. This would help reduce costs for maintenance.
Mr. Formica reported storm water regulations have been completed and will go before Zoning. Zoning will also look at regulations on the installation of energy efficient units.
Ms. Lomanto reported three studies that are available at East Lyme Public Library have been done. They are tourist oriented and suggest public restrooms.
2. Chairman’s Report. Mr. Shapiro reported there was only one g-mail received.
3. Presentation of Bills. The Recording Secretary presented a bill for secretarial services from September 9 to October 7, 2008 for 4.25 hours of secretarial work for the Economic Development Commission
MOTION: Camille Alberti moved to pay the bill from the Recording Secretary for 4.25 hours of secretarial services for the Economic Development Commission from September 9 to October 7, 2008. Seconded by John Jensen. (4-0) Unanimous.
Telephone bill, dated July 9, 2008, was received from AT&T in the amount of $117.78 for the Tourist Information Center.
MOTION: John Jensen moved to pay Tourist Information Center telephone bill, dated July 9, 2008, in the amount of $117.78. Seconded by Camille Alberti. (4-0) Unanimous.
C. OLD BUSINESS
1. Website Promoting East Lyme. Mr. Ambulos felt the website needs to be updated. Mr. Jensen suggested that he link to Discover East Lyme. Mr. LeBrie stated Discover East Lyme obtains its information from CERC.
Ms. Alberti asked that each Commission member come to the next meeting of this Commission with the top ten reasons for businesses to come to East Lyme.
Mr. Ambulos asked how does this Commission invite businesses to come to East Lyme? Mr. Jensen replied as far as developing East Lyme’s industrial sites, the Town is at the redevelopment stage. Mr. Formica reported SECTER would like to see regional economic development.
Ms. Alberti felt there is a need to develop the Economic Development Commission website. She asked Commission member to work towards developing a plan. Ms. Lomanto suggested linking the three studies that were done to the website.
Ms. Rinosky felt the websites of the Town of Guilford and Newbury, Massachusetts were well done, and recommended that this Commission look at them.
Camille Alberti asked Commission members to visit other towns’ websites and develop ten reasons to do business in East Lyme. She asked that Commission members send her their ideas, and she agreed to collate it for discussion at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
2. New Business Info-Town Hall Help System. There was no discussion on this matter.
3. EDC Vision for East Lyme Over the Next Ten Years (For the Plan of Development Update.) Mr. Ambulos felt this Commission needs to voice its opinions on the Town’s Plan of Development.
D. NEW BUSINESS
1. Report from Niantic Main Street – New Streetscape Enhancement Project. Ms. Lomanto reported due to the economic climate we are not sending a year end mailing soliciting donations until spring.
She informed the Commission we have received corporate support from:
CL&P $5,000, Charter Oak $2500, Dime $15,000, Community Foundation of Southeastern Connecticut $10,000, Niantic Rotary $10,000+, Vespara $6500, as well as individual contributions.
She stated we are continuing to apply to foundations and corporations. Many foundation officers are focusing on human services at the present time.
We are half way to our goal for funding. She would like to have a town wide mailing.
Mr. Ambulos stated in 1950 you could hardly walk through Town it was so busy. Mr. Shapiro stated the malls have changed the small town atmosphere.
Ms. Rinosky, a Board member of Niantic Main Street, has worked on promotional activities over the past four years. We are now working on Holiday by the Sea. This is the fifth year of the Holiday Stroll which is held the Saturday after Thanksgiving from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. All stores remain open later. There are horse drawn carriages events and the Snow Ball Drop on the Green. Sponsorship dollars are needed. The casinos are no longer able to give. 38 Hope Street dollars have dwindled.
The event has a DJ, a Santa Claus who will purchase 200 gifts for youngsters from his own funds. The Children’s Museum and Youth Services have tables for youngsters.
Ms. Rinosky stated this event builds revenue for businesses in Town. She asked for support from this Commission in the amount of $2,000.
Ms. Alberti stated in light of the fact that we gave $1500 from funds from the last fiscal year, she asked Commission members to think about this expenditure, because this Commission will need funds for other purposes.
MOTION: Mr. Jensen moved to approve the expenditure of $500 for Holiday by the Sea. Seconded by Camille Alberti. Motion withdrawn
Ms. Rinosky asked that this Commission consider sponsoring a horse drawn carriage for an amount of $700.
Mr. LeBrie felt Holiday by the Sea was a great way to promote East Lyme. He received wonderful e-mails from out-of-towners praising the event.
MOTION: Mr. Jensen moved to approve the expenditure of $700 for a horse drawn carriage for Holiday by the Sea. Seconded by Camille Alberti. (4-0) Unanimous.
E. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Mr. Jensen moved to adjourn the Economic Development Commission Regular Meeting of October 14, 2008 at 8:30 p.m. Seconded by Camille Alberti. (4-0) Unanimous.
Respectfully submitted, Frances Ghersi, Recording Secretary
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