REGULAR
MEETING
TOWN HALL
ANNEX
THURSDAY=
, FEBRUARY
17, 2005 – 7:30 P.M.
PRESENT: = &nb= sp; Joseph McGrail, Vice Chairman
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Theodore Migliarese
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Jack Traver
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; George Velezis
ABSENT: &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Denise Benemerito, Secretary
= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Nicholas Fusco
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Norman Marcoux
ALTERNATES PRESENT: Anne Kuegler
ALTERNATES ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Raymond Primini
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Meredith Robson (arrived at about 8:00 p.m.)
1.&nb= sp; Convene Regular Meeting - 7:30 P.M.
Mr. McGrail, Vice Chairman, called the meeting= to order at 7:35 p.m.
2.&nb= sp; Roll Call
M= r. McGrail, Vice Chairman, executed the Roll Call.
<= o:p>
3.&nb=
sp; Public
Participation
= None
Regular Meeting
February 17, 2005
Page 2
4.&nb=
sp; Minutes
&= nbsp; A. Regular Meeting - January 20, 2005
&= nbsp; MOTION: (Mr. = Migliarese, sec. Ms. Kuegler) to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes dated January 20, = 2005 as presented.
= D= iscussion: None<= /p>
= In Favor: &= nbsp; Ms. Kuegler, Mr. McGrail, Mr. Migliarese, Mr. Traver
= O= pposed: = None
= A= bstained: Mr. Velezis
= M= OTION CARRIED (4-0-1)
5.&nb=
sp; Correspondence
Mr. McGrail reported he received a
resignation letter from Joseph Wasilauskas. He thanked Joe for serving on this
Commission for the past 20 years and felt he was a gentleman, a big asset to
this group, had a lot of knowledge of this Town, and just wanted to thank h=
im
for all his efforts.
6.&nb=
sp; New
Business
A.&nbs= p; Town Manager's Recommendations for E.D.C. Subcommittees
= Mr. McGrail reported the Town Manager at the last meeting recommended that this= Commission break up into subcommittee, each one attacking one issue and then report ba= ck to the whole Commission. He b= riefly reviewed the recommendations from Ms. Robson as follows:
= 1. = Development (water and sewer issues, Plan of Conservation and Development, Post Office Issue)
= 2. = Business Retention
=
3. =
Marketing
and New Business (Regional Economic
= He will distribute copies of these recommendations at the next meeting.
Regular Meeting
February 17, 2005
Page 3
= He also reported the Town Manager distributed information regarding a proposed ordinance regarding the bid process (giving local businesses an advantage during the bid process). They should Table this for now and it discuss it again at the next meeting.
B.&nbs= p; Discuss Resignations and Impact
= Mr. McGrail reported that Nick Fusco has decided not to extend his term with th= is Commission. He thanked Nick f= or his efforts as well.
= Mr. McGrail reported Mr. Marcoux is on vacation, Ms. Benemerito is absent, and = Mr. Murphy resigned (he thinks). = Ms. Kuegler is supposed to be upgraded to a full member, rather than an Alterna= te Member. Hopefully by the next= month we'll be up to speed on all the Regular Members.
= Mr. Traver requested they hold the Election of Officers at the March Meeting.
C.&nbs= p; Open Discussion
= The following issues were discussed:
· Representative from the Town Council to this Commission would be good, even temporarily.
· Industrial Park Signs are important, but the= re are many other things that need to be addressed as well.
· Water, Sewer, and Fire District issues.
· Planning and Zoning Regulation Issues.
· Develop a Corporation with private sector funding (not part of this Commission).
· Grant Money for Studies
· Enhance Current Welcome Packages
Ms. Robson reported on her recommendations regarding the 3 tracks as well as a summary of the meeting they previously attended with the Chamber of Commerc= e.
Mr. Migliarese stated he only knew Joe Wasilauskas for a year, but his genuine = concern for the Town was very evident, and he should be acknowledged and something = should be done for him.
Regular Meeting
February 17, 2005
Page 4
MOTION: =
; (Mr.
Migliarese, sec. Mr. Velezis) to send something to Mr. Wasilauskas to
acknowledge his devotion and duty to the Town of
Discussion:&= nbsp; Mr. Migliarese suggested a gift certificate.
= &nb= sp; Ms. Robson stated she was always leery using Town funds for anything like that,= but in this case, he has served the Town for a long time.
= &nb= sp; Mr. McGrail stated Mr. Fusco served a long time as well. The gift certificates should not e= xceed $50.00 each.
MOTION PASSED UNAMIMOUSLY
Ms. Kuegler asked about the budget process.&nb= sp; A discussion ensued.
Ms. Kuegler also asked Ms. Robson about State grants; she said she only knew ab= out the STEEP Grants, which is a possibility, however funding from the State has been reduced. It would have t= o be for a specific project. A dis= cussion ensued.
Ms. Robson discussed the downsides of the preferential bidding ordinance. A lengthy discussion took place.
Mr. McGrail stated he subscribed to CT Business. It's a very interesting magazine.<= /p>
Mr. Primini wanted to get the different Chairmans together for a brainstorming meeting. Ms. Robson stated she would get that meeting scheduled.
Mr. Velezis asked if there was a way of informally establishing a few goals, instead of looking at the whole pile, like a new Town Hall. Maybe this Commission could help by getting help or donations from some businesses, etc. A discussion took place regarding = local businesses the possibility of bringing new businesses to Town.
The current Town Hall repairs were also discussed, as well as the current school buildings. Referendum failure= s were discussed and how the Town needs to start spending some money. There is a very high percentage of= fixed costs in the Town's budget. A= lso many people don't bother to vote.
Mr. Velezis discussed the problems people face during the approval process when developing land.
Tape #2, Side B did not record at this point.
Regular Meeting
February 17, 2005
Page 5
7.&nb=
sp; Old
Business
&= nbsp; A. Follow-Up Discussion Related to the January 20, 2005 Meeting
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Already Discussed Earlier in Meeting.
&= nbsp; B. = Discuss Proposed Ordinance Change to Town Bidding Process
&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Already Discussed Earlier in Meeting.
8.&nb=
sp; Adjournment
MOTION: (Mr. Traver, sec. Mr. Miglia= rese) to Adjourn the Regular Meeting at 9:12 p.m.
Discussion: None<= /p>
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
Regular Meeting Adjourned at 9:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Joseph McGrail, Vice Chairman
Approved: _______________________________
Lynn M. LaF= orme, Clerk