Economic Development Commission Minutes
Meeting Minutes of January 13, 2017
Attendees: Tom Buccino, Jason Bracich, Jackie Silverstein (Chairman)
Minutes Taken By: Jackie Silverstein
J Silverstein opened the meeting at 9:10 AM. No one from the public was present for public comment.
On a motion made by J Bracich and seconded by T Buccino, the minutes of the December 9, 2016 meeting were approved with a minor revision to the availability of Phelps Plaza. The minutes will be updated to reflect that Phelps Plaza is available and may be for sale.
On a motion made by T Buccino and seconded by J Bracich, the minutes of the January 6, 2017 special meeting were approved.
New Business
Business Cards. J Silverstein discussed the need for new business cards that can be included in the Welcome Package for the Town of Willington. A quote has been requested from Anything Printed.
Correspondence / Email
J Bracich discussed the January 9, 2017 email from T Wrubel. J Bracich will send a reply by the end of the week.
Events Magazine. J Silverstein reviewed the correspondence received by M Parsell. The Commission will consider participating in the magazine as a way to communicate the on-going efforts of the EDC.
Old Business
Business Activity. T Buccino reported St. Paul’s Church is a new business to The Mill Works, and Epona Associates and David Lussier Gallery have left town.
Admin Position. J Silverstein provided members of the Commission with a drafted “To Do” list for the EDC assistant. J Silverstein also reported she has set up a meeting with R Campbell to review the logistics for hiring the individual, as well as the associated startup costs such as a desk, computer, and telephone, associated with the position.
Commission Vacancies. The Commission has vacancies for one open seat and two alternates.
Facebook. J Silverstein reported the Business of the Week has resumed beginning with the first Sunday in January. For those businesses that have provided us with an email, they received a correspondence to let them know when their business will post. J Bracich commented he thought that was a great idea.
Business Directory FlippingBook Software – Tabled.
Mission Statement. The Commission agreed the Special Meeting held on January 6th to re-write the mission statement was productive. The newly drafted mission statement has been provided to all members of the Commission for consideration.
Plan of Conservation. J Silverstein reiterated there is a Listening Session coming up on February 7th at 7 PM, and the meeting is specifically focused on economic development. Members will try to attend. J Bracich noted and asked why the Market Study has been removed as an agenda item. J Silverstein reminded him it had been removed since the item is now on the “To Do” list for the EDC assistant that will be hired. J Bracich expressed concern that the Commission has not prioritized the market study. Discussion was had by all members of the Commission in terms of priorities and personal commitment to the review of the market study. It was agreed that each member would review the market study and bring three actionable items for discussion to the next meeting. J Bracich will re-send the final study to all members.
Spring Business Meeting. Tabled.
Welcome Letter. J Silverstein will update the welcome letter and send a draft to Commission members for review. A final copy will be sent to S Yorgensen to be added to the Welcome Package for the Town of Willington.
Treasurer’s Report. EDC budget remains at $6,745.
The Commission invited S Yorgensen to join the meeting. S Yorgensen joined the meeting. The Commission members discussed a communication plan between her and the members of the EDC as it relates to economic development activities in the Town of Willington, the email forwarded to the EDC email box from T Wrubel, and the Town of Willington Welcome Packet. S Yorgensen also provided the Commission with a commercial package, which is what is given to a prospect looking to come into the Town of Willington.
The meeting adjourned at 11:25 AM.
The next meeting is scheduled for February 10th at 9:00 AM.