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PORTLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
April 10, 2008
1.
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Chairman Fred Knous called the EDC meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Members present: Fred Knous, Peter LaMalfa, Cathy Probolus, and
David Rintoul.
Others present: Mary Dickerson, Consultant
3. APPROVAL
OF MINUTES
Minutes of the March 13, 2008 EDC meeting were reviewed.
MOTION BY Peter
LaMalfa to accept the minutes of March 13, 2008 as written. SECONDED
by Fred Knous and UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED, MOTION CARRIED.
4. CORRESPONDENCE
Correspondence received was discussed:
- Deana Rhodes
memo regarding the periodic Commercial Business Approvals Listing.
- A general
marina sign, to be provided by the Town, was requested at the
following seven locations on Rt. 66: two at Grove Street stop
sign - eastbound and westbound, two at Indian Hill, one at Airline
Avenue, and two at Tuccitto Road. Mary Dickerson provided a cost
estimate for review. The EDC approved that this would be an EDC-funded
project and the signs would be similar to those on Glastonbury
Road and Rt. 66 subject to the approval of the Planning or Public
Works departments.
MOTION by David
Rintoul for the EDC to authorize seven signs @ $36.00 each for marina
signage on Indian Hill, Airline Road, Tuccitto Road and Grove Street.
Seconded by Cathy Probolus. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED, MOTION CARRIED.
The EDC also
supports the initiative by Yankee Boat Works for signage.
- Deana Rhodes
memo regarding the referral proposal to refurbish and lease Town
property near the sewer plant. The proposal has incidental economic
development effect.
- David Rintoul
has scheduled the "Shakespeare in Portland" performance
for August 17, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. and will begin fundraising for
the performance of the New England Shakespeare Festival's "Much
To Do About Nothing." Also being considered are a Fall's
Children's drama program by Odd Fellows Playhouse and an Art Fund's
teen drama program, with the idea of having family Shakespeare
events. Venues for the programs would be the Town green, Brownstone,
Middle or High School (for the rain venue). A prime sponsorship
will be offered for $1,500. The EDC will include a news banner
to run on top of the website in order to make announcements of
this nature.
- The Pro Mold
opening was successful. The EDC drafted a news release to be placed
in the River East. The Hartford Courant's Portland liaison is
no longer available; however, the Sunday supplement will contain
material from the website. The EDC will provide assistance for
other businesses that will be opening this month.
- Jeanne Dilworth
sent a notice regarding the annual Brownstone Arts Festival on
Saturday, September 13, 2008.
5. DISCUSSION
- Roundtable
There was no round table discussion.
- Consultants'
Updates
Mary Dickerson,
Consultant, advised the Commission of monthly consultant activities.
- In working
with new businesses in the village district, there are issues
with inadequate signage and allowance of sandwich board signs.
The Town may reconsider signage restrictions based on building
occupancy rather than frontage for multiple occupancy buildings.
Signage permits will be required before new signage can be purchased.
- The EDC will
sponsor a community booth in the barn at the Portland Fair allowing
small businesses to advertise. There are 11 interested businesses
that will participate. A letter will be placed in the River East
asking for interested participants to send their information to
the Town Hall. The fair will offer mandatory umbrella insurance
to vendors at a reasonable rate. Mary Dickerson will explore the
cost of the display for discussion at next month's meeting.
- The EDC will
develop the "Passport to Portland Program," which is
a map of Town businesses for people to visit and obtain a stamp
in order to qualify a drawing.
- On May 8,
Northeast Utilities will hold the program, "Creative Task
Programs for Economic Development," which are different task
strategies to promote economic development in less desirable areas
of town. Mary Dickerson will attend representing the EDC.
- Mary Dickerson
has been researching some of the properties available for lease
in Portland.
- Grants
- The EDC grant
has been awarded to the Town of Portland.
- Grant money
has been set aside for the redesign from the bridge to Rt. 66,
and the next step would be to develop a proposal for the area
from Rt. 66 to Fairview Avenue. The EDC will consider updating
grant preparation with Stephanie Faust.
- The EDC is
interested in exploring new grants and is looking for new ideas
for economic development. Funds set aside for grants will be discussed
at the next meeting.
David Rintoul will explore grant possibilities to support the
"Shakespeare in Portland" festival.
- Rt. 66 Utilities
- The EDC continued
the discussion of adding water and sewer utilities. The EDC reviewed
Mary Dickerson's report, which outlines parcels in that area that
are available for large-scale industrial development.
- At their
next meeting, the Town's Conservation and Development Implementing
Plan group will explore economic development along Rt. 66 from
Main Street to Rt. 17.
- Business
Directional Signs
- See correspondence
section for discussion of signage.
- A long-term
objective for the EDC would be to explore legislative initiative
regarding signage in Portland.
- Bylaws
- Cathy Probolus
and David Rintoul will review and update the Rules of Procedure.
The EDC will review the amendments at the next meeting.
6. OLD BUSINESS
- Pine Ledge
will be presented with a recognition plaque. Publicity will be
placed in the River East and on the EDC website.
7. NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
9. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION BY Peter LaMalfa to adjourn the Economic Development Commission
meeting at 8:40 p.m. SECONDED BY David Rintoul. MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY
APPROVED, MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully
Submitted,
Linda Edwards, Board Clerk
3/16/2008
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