East Lyme Economic Development Commission
Special Meeting
November 20, 2007
Members Present: Ed Shapiro, John Jensen, Mary Royce,
Camile Alberti, Richard Gada and
Steve Santino
Also Present: John D’Amato
David LeBrie
A. PRELIMINARY BUSINESS
1. Call to Order. Chairman Shapiro called the East Lyme Economic
Development Commission Special Meeting of November 20 to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Disposition of Meeting Minutes of October 9, 2007. Mr. Shapiro asked for additions, deletions or corrections to the October 9, 2007 Regular Meeting of the Economic Development Commission.
Mr. Shapiro asked that Mrs. Shapiro’s first name be spelled “Candy”.
MOTION: Mary Royce moved to accept the October 9, 2007
Regular Meeting Minutes of the Economic
Development Commission, as amended. Seconded
by Steve Santino. Richard Gada abstained from voting.
(5-0-1) Motion carried.
3. Delegations and Guests. Mr. D’Amato reported the site plan is to combine lots 16 and 17 at Liberty Way. There are 12 units spread across the two lots. Twelve units are planned to be built.
Mr. Jensen asked what is the advantage to combining the lots? Mr. D’Amato replied the lots were too small, and it was easier to combine them.
Mr. Jensen asked what kind of buffer will there be for Smith Insurance? Mr. D’Amato replied it will be landscaped with Norway Spruce and White Pine. A stepped retaining wall is proposed.
Mr. Shapiro asked what is the occupancy of your units? Mr. D’Amato replied 95%, with a 10% turnover.
MOTION: Mr. Jensen moved to approve the proposed plans as
presented, provided they are in keeping with other
buildings in the Park. Seconded by Mr. Gada. (6-0)
Unanimous.
4. Public Comments. There were no public comments at this time.
B. REPORTS
1. Ex-officio Report. Beth Hogan was unable to be present, and there was no ex-officio report.
2. Chairman's Report. Mr. Shapiro reported Commission members were invited to the inauguration of Paul M. Formica as First Selectman of East Lyme and the swearing-in of other elected officials on Monday, December 3 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at East Lyme Community Center.
A Memo was received from Esther Williams requesting this Commission’s 2008 Schedule of Meetings.
A letter was received from Thomas Sheridan of the Chamber of Commerce thanking this Commission for its membership, informing them of Chamber activities and requesting renewal of membership.
Mr. Santino felt it would be worthwhile to continue as a member of the Chamber. Mr. Jensen felt it was useful to have a voice within the Chamber.
Mr. Santino suggested inviting a representative of the East Lyme Chamber to a meeting of this Commission.
3. Presentation of Bills. The Recording Secretary presented a bill for secretarial services from October 9 to October 23, 2007 for 4.25 hours of work for the Economic Development Commission
MOTION: Mrs. Royce moved to pay the bill from the Recording
Secretary for 4.25 hours of secretarial services for the
Economic Development Commission from October 9 to
October 23, 2007. Seconded by Mr. Santino. (6-0)
Unanimous.
C. OLD BUSINESS
1. Review - Policy & Procedure for the Town Website. Commission members reviewed Policy and Procedure for the Town Website. Camile Alberti asked the Commission to decide whether there should be one or two links to the Town website. Mr. Shapiro felt there should be one for profit and one not for profit.
Mr. Jensen asked who will oversee these links? Mrs. Alberti felt if this Commission is responsible for this website, it should be the decision maker. Our benefit would be to highlight and profile the amenities of East Lyme.
Mr. LeBrie reported he is a for-profit organization and keeps his website maintained. He also has the right to not accept a site.
Mr. Jensen stated he recognizes a need for merchants to be on the town website but felt a professional needs to maintain it. He felt if it is not monitored it would be worthless. Any for profit can pay a fee.
Mr. LeBrie stated Discover East Lyme does not charge a fee to a civic group. Businesses pay to advertise.
Mrs. Royce suggested that the Commission prepare an RFP for one link for one year. Mrs. Royce was asked to prepare a sample bid specification.
Mr. LeBrie stated he posts a new business on Discover East Lyme website for one month free of charge.
Mr. Santino asked what is the cost of a website on Discover East Lyme? Mr. LeBrie stated $100-$350. It only accepts businesses that operate in East Lyme.
D. NEW BUSINESS
1. Presentation of the Revised Gateway Project Endorsement by EDC. Commission members reviewed draft letter to the Zoning Commission endorsing the Gateway Project.
Mr. Jensen felt the developer should improve the dirt road at East Society Road.
Mr. Santino felt the developer should consider employment studies. Mrs. Alberti felt the mixed use of the project may be able to provide employees.
Revisions were made to the letter. Mr. Shapiro was asked to send the revised letter to the Zoning Commission.
2. Schedule of 2008 EDC Meetings.
MOTION: Mr. Gada moved to schedule the 2008 Economic
Development Commission meetings on the
second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m., providing
there is no conflict with holidays. Seconded
by Mr. Jensen. (6-0) Unanimous.
E. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Mr. Gada moved to adjourn the Economic Development
Commission Special Meeting of November 20, 2007.
Seconded by Mary Royce. (6-0) Unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Frances Ghersi, Recording Secretary