MINUTES

WATERTOWN ECO= NOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

REGULAR MEETING<= /b>

&nb= sp;

TOWN HALL ANNEX<= /b>

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2006 ̵= 1; 7:30 P.M.

PRESENT:             =             &nb= sp;         Carmine DiPietro

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;        Joseph McGrail, Chairman

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;        Theodore Migliarese, Secretary

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;        Jack Traver, Vice Chairman

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;        George Velezis

ABSENT:           &nb= sp;            =              Norman Marcoux

ALTERNATES PRESENT:        John Manno

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;        Patricia Pawlak

ALTERNATES ABSENT:          None

OTHERS PRESENT:            =       Elaine Adams, Town Council=

= ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;   Chuck Frigon, Town Manager

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;        Antonio Guerrera, Town Council

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;        Tom Hill, Realtor

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;        Joseph Pawlak, Town Council

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;        Jack Walton, Town Council

1.&nb= sp;        Convene Regular Meeting - 7:30 P.M.

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Mr. McGrail, Chairman, Called the Meeting to O= rder at 7:30 p.m.

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2.&nb= sp;        Roll Call

Mr. McGrail, Chairman, executed the Roll Call.

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3.&nb= sp;        Public Participation

1.         = Anthony Price - Waterbury Development Corporation

2.         = John Joseph - Developer (interested in Sealy property)

                    &= nbsp;   Mr. McGrail reported that unfortunately both of these men cancelled this evenin= g, but will reschedule for the next meeting in October.

Watertown Economic Development Commission

Regular Meeting

September 21, 2006

Page 2

4.&nb= sp;        Minutes=

        &= nbsp;   A.        Regular Meeting - August 17, 2006

            =             M= OTION:       (Mr. = Migliarese, sec. Mr. Traver) to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes dated August 17, 20= 06 as presented.

            =             D= iscussion:       None<= /p>

            =             M= OTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

5.&nb= sp;        Correspondence

None

6.&nb= sp;        New Business

A.&nbs= p;       Economic Development Coordinator Update

=            Mr. McGrail reported they identified 3 candidates, 1 of which stood out, so they deferred offering that position until Mr. Frigon had a chance to interview him. Shortly after the interv= iew that person was offered full time employment which he accepted, so that puts this position back to square one. They may look at a couple of these resumes again, but he had a strong feeling that this will probably have to be re-advertised.

B.&nbs= p;        Update of Economic Conference

=            Mr. Traver reported a conference was held at the Marriott Hotel in Waterbury. It was kind of a high brow type presentation in terms of a lot of economic theory, the title of it was Regi= onal Economic Forecasts, so they talked about the state, the nation and then specifically the region, the Naugatuck Valley. The two speakers were Fred Cartiso= n, Director of Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis and Professor of Econo= mics at the University of Connecticut, and the other speaker was Daud Mus= ka, part of the Yankee Institute in Connecticut. They were well suited to address t= he area of economic forecast for this region.= Mr. Traver gave a description of the conference.

C.&nbs= p;       New Town Manager Update

=            Mr. McGrail reported as everyone knows, Chuck Frigon was appointed Town Manager. On behalf of this Co= mmission, they are very happy, the Town Council made a fantastic choice, and they look forward to working with him for a very long time.

Watertown Economic Development Commission

Regular Meeting

September 21, 2006

Page 3

D.&nbs= p;       New Business Opportunities

=            A discussion took place regarding new business opportunities in Watertown. John Joseph is one of several peop= le interested in the Sealy property; he wants to make a retail center there. There is another retail opportunity being discussed for Main S= treet as well. Mr. McGrail was interested/concerned about the Bailie project; however shortly after the project was approved it was put up for sale. He spoke to a representative and w= as assured that the project is still on track. They should break ground in the Sp= ring of 2007.

=            Mr. Frigon reported a meeting will be held on October 11, 2006 with the State Department of Transportation regarding the bus facility utility constructio= n, so they are ready to install water and sewer. A brief discussion took place rega= rding the installation of water and sewer all the way to = Thomaston Road.

E.&nbs= p;        Input to October Fest 2007

=            Mr. McGrail suggested this Commission might want to have a little input on next year's event, and he felt it belonged on Main Street to highlight the busine= sses, tie it into the car show, etc. He felt it was hidden at its present location.

F.&nbs= p;        Meet and Greet Meeting with Local Business instead of Expo

=            Mr. McGrail reported he attended a meet and greet at Sweet Basile's about 3 wee= ks ago, and also at the Marriott, networking with people in the local area. He wondered if they should just do= a meet and greet first, coffee and something small to eat, invite the Town Co= uncil's subcommittee, the Chamber, the Planning and Zoning Commission, sort of a Watertown version f what Sweet Basile's did, to show business support. A brief discussion took place, inc= luding business retention as well as attracting new business. A lengthy discussion took place regarding Planning and Zoning's actions regarding local businesses.

G.&nbs= p;       List of Action Items for new Economic Development Coordinator (through Town Manager's Office)

=            Mr. McGrail reported they need to get some marching orders for this position. He suggested everyone try to come = up with some ideas for what this new person should be doing. A discussion took place regarding = curb cuts. This new person should = also work in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce, who wants to send one of their members to these meetings as their representative.

H.&nbs= p;       Questions for Economic Impact Study (Konover)

=            This was already discussed under item F.

Watertown Economic Development Commission

Regular Meeting

September 21, 2006

Page 4

I.&nbs= p;         Overview of Zoning Regulations by Judy Wick at the October Meeting

=            Mr. McGrail reported Ms. Wick is interested in giving this Commission a little course on Planning and Zoning. General information would be beneficial to this Commission. He'll ask her to come to the November, 2006 meeting, because next month's meeting alr= eady has many guests.

J.&nbs= p;         Economic Development Commission Input into the Planning and Zoning Process

=            Mr. McGrail skipped this Item purposely.

7.&nb= sp;        Old and Unfinished Business

  &= nbsp;         A.        Website Update

  &= nbsp;                 &= nbsp;   Mr. McGrail reported the two students were not present tonight, but they did me= et 2 weeks ago at the high school and they reviewed some other town's web sites = to give them some ideas. He's wa= iting for the concept from these two students.&n= bsp; A brief discussion ensued regarding other town's web sites.

        &= nbsp;   B.         = Bailie Project Update

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   This was previously discussed earlier on the Agenda.

        &= nbsp;   C.        Griffin School Update

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   Mr. McGrail reported he left a message for Atty. Yamin a week ago, but hasn't h= eard back yet. There are so many different stories floating around town, so it would be good if Atty. Yamin could clear the air and let this Commission know what their intent is for t= hat property.

        &= nbsp;   D.        Business Park Sign Update

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   Mr. McGrail reported the signs have been ordered and should be installed shortly. There was a question= with the State's permitting process, but Mr. Cavanaugh, Public Works Director assured him it was nothing they couldn't overcome.

        &= nbsp;   E.         = Route 8 Signage

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   Mr. McGrail reported he still felt this was necessary and doesn't want to let it go. The legislative season wi= ll start in January and they should ask Sean Williams to introduce a bill in <= st1:City w:st=3D"on">Hartford requesti= ng this sign on Route 8, to be affixed to an existing structure, like maybe where it says Watertown 1 Mile. The St= ate said no to that request, and that it's not appropriate. He's hoping Sean Williams can help= them.

Watertown Economic Development Commission

Regular Meeting

September 21, 2006

Page 5

        &= nbsp;   F.         = Letter to Henlopen (complete)

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   Mr. McGrail reported he put complete cause he thought the Economic Coordinator would sign it, but it will go out eventually. Maybe they can have the Town Manag= er sign it.

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   Mr. Traver reported there's a Wate= rtown resident who wants to buy the Henlopen building and property; the Commission agreed to intervene and try to yelp him purchase this property. A brief discussion ensued.

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   Mr. Velezis reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission voted last night to approve another non-conforming use.

        &= nbsp;   G.        Chamber Update

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   This was already discussed earlier on the Agenda.

8.&nb= sp;        Adjournment=

MOTION:       (Mr. Migliarese, sec. Mr. Ve= lezis) to Adjourn the Regular Meeting at about 8:45 p.m. (no time given).

Discussion:       None<= /p>

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Regular Meeting Adjourned at about 8:45 p.m. (no time given).

Respectfully submitted,

Joseph McGrail, Chairman

Watertown Economic Development Commission

Approved: _______________________________

      Lynn M. LaF= orme, Clerk