PORTLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
January 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, Cathy Trabolus, and Peter LaMalfa.
Others present: Michael Elliott, Mary Dickerson, Karen Mazza, Cathy Richards, and Nan Zimmer

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes of the December 19, 2007 EDC meeting will be reviewed at the next meeting.

4. CORRESPONDENCE
Correspondence received was discussed.

• Nan Zimmer advised the EDC that the Annual Meeting of the Brownstone Quorum is keynoting Ray Purtell, Director of the Glastonbury Parks and Recreation Department. The meeting will be held on January 28, 2008 at 7:30 PM in the Mary Flood Room of the Portland Library. Mr. Pertell will talk about his perceptions and practical advise from experience in Glastonbury creating a riverfront park. Portland has 37 acres available for development into a riverfront park.
  
• Letter from the First SelectPerson regarding the appointment of Cathy Trabolus to the Economic Development Commission.
  
• Notice from the Portland Planning and Zoning Department regarding "Change in Use" for the property on Sand Hill Rd.
  
• Notice of Hearing January 17 on text amendment proposal for adding hotels and motels and permitted use by site plan in an industrialized zone. More information is needed on zone and location.
  
• Peter Alter's amendment request was discussed.

5. DISCUSSION

• Consultant Reports.

Mary Dickerson.

• Mary Dickerson gave an update of monthly activity and distributed a listing of reviewed town properties. There are two residential properties on Airline Avenue, which are zoned B-2 for sale. There are also some industrial properties for sale in the area and on Silver Street. The Geatos florist property is available for sale or lease.
  
• Mary Dickerson is working with a potential new business owner (children's party store) for Portland.
  
• A new business related to the golf industry is in negotiations with Portland Electric for signing a contract for the Main Street property.
  
• Mary Dickerson is working with Daniels Oil to locate available property in Portland.
  
• Pet crematorium owners are looking for available industrial properties to lease in Portland.
  
• Mary Dickerson and Deanna Rhodes will photograph and map out town properties. A binder will be assembled containing indexed property information, property cards, zoning maps, and photographs. Eventually, the Town website will contain the same information.
  
• The schedules of various auditoriums: On Feb.9, the CT Horticultural Society is holding their "Spring into the Garden" symposium at Portland High School. On May 30-31 the Middlesex Vocal Chords will lease the Portland the Middle School Auditorium. M. Dickerson suggested the EDC provide a map or listing of local businesses for attendees of these activities that draw people from outside of Portland. A tourism flyer will be developed.

Karen Mazza.

• Karen Mazza offered suggestions on revamping the Portland Website in order to project a more positive image of Portland to newcomers; such as updating the business listing, correcting and adding links to Town businesses, and correcting the counter.
  
• The EDC recommended that the Town's website restoration be high-priority. The State University System is a good, inexpensive resource for website restoration. Also, Quinnipiac College has a graphics design program, where the students in the masters program are willing to complete website restorations for a minimal charge.
  
• Future features would include adding a home-based business section, an economic development commission survey for businesses, and a new business checklist. As new businesses enter Portland, the EDC recommended the website be updated in a timely manner.
  
• The consultants will provide recommendations for Susan Bransfield.
  
• Karen Mazza suggested the EDC sponsor a generic "Grand Opening" banner for new businesses.
  
• Discussed were business cards for the consultants.
• Site Finder
  
• The EDC recommended budgeting the site finder for another year.
  
• The site finder will be linked to the Portland Website's EDC section.
  
• Mary Dickerson will be working with the site finder.
• Discussion: Regarding Consultant's Job Description
  The EDC reviewed the agreement between the Town of Portland Connecticut and EDC Consultant B. Discussed were scope of work, including attendance of Chamber of Commerce meetings, working with the first Selectperson, and researching locations for a new farmer's market.
• Discussion: Regarding Grants
  
• Mary Dickerson reported that the Town is working on several grants and a listing has been provided to the EDC.
  
• The High Street project has been completed through the Department of Public Health.
  
• Mary Dickerson will prepare suggestions for grants to pursue for the next meeting and will catalog property on Portland Cobalt Road and Marlborough Street to determine the number of available, usable properties. The EDC will explore possible grants for the Brownstone Quarry.
• " Public Hearing Testimony
  Fred Knous offered testimony at the All-Friction property public hearing.
• " Election of Officers

MOTION BY Peter LaMalfa to nominate Fred Knous as Chairman of the Economic Development Commission for 2008. SECONDED by Cathy Trabolus. MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED, MOTION CARRIED.

6. OLD BUSINESS
A press release for the "2007 Business of the Year" award to Pine Ledge Gardens will be drawn up in the spring, in time for the new season's opening.

7. NEW BUSINESS
Members of the business community have expressed concerns with inspection services.

8. PUBLIC COMMENT
Nan Zimmer welcomed the two new consultants to the Economic Development Commission, Mary Dickerson and Karen Mazza.

9. ADJOURNMENT

MOTION BY Cathy Trabolus to adjourn the Economic Development Commission meeting at 9:05 p.m. SECONDED by Peter LaMalfa. Said MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED, MOTION CARRIED.

Respectfully Submitted,

Linda Edwards, Board Clerk
1/17/2008