EDC Minutes

May 2, 2005

Selectmen’s Conference Room

Town Hall

Call to Order

Chairman Louis Bachetti called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.

Attendance

Members present were Louis Bachetti, David Reed, Ed Jekot, Maura Gardiner, Robert Schmidt, and Richard Cheney. Mr. Cheney arrived at 7:09.

Approval of Minutes

Motion by David Reed and seconded by Maura Gardiner that the minutes of the April 4, 2005 meeting be approved without change. The motion passed. Voting in favor of the motion were Lou Bachetti, Robert Schmidt, Ed Jekot, David Reed, Richard Cheney, and Maura Gardiner.

Correspondence

None

Reports

Town Guide for Citizens - Permits and Applications –

Commission members decided to have the Land Use Office develop some additional permit guidelines for homeowners. Land Use officials agreed to do this after a discussion with Chairman Bachetti.

Supporting Local Business and Industry

Richard Cheney will bring a draft of a survey for local businesses to the next meeting.

Tourism Development Discussion

1. David Reed will share his power point presentation highlighting potential tourism sites and activities in Somers with town officials and local organizations. Dave will report back about the level of interest these groups have in working with the EDC on this project.

2. David Reed will make refinements to his presentation and report back at the next meeting.

Commercial. Industrial, and Retail Vacancies

David Reed and Lou Bachetti are in the process of compiling a database of commercial, industrial, and retail vacancies in Somers that will be placed in notebooks. It was suggested that these notebooks be accessible in the Town Clerk’s Office and Land Use Office for people looking for available properties in Somers. Ed Jekot will assist in this process.

Planning Commission and EDC Subcommittee Meeting

The Planning Commission has named three members to work with EDC members Maura Gardiner and Robert Schmidt. Contact needs to be made to establish a meeting between the representatives of these groups.

Chairman’s Report – Lou Bachetti

New Businesses in Town

1. A bakery will be opening in Southfield Plaza.

2. A gift and furniture shop has opened on Main Street.

3. A new basket and speciality shop has opened in Somersville.

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn was made by Ed Jekot, seconded by Maura Gardiner and was unanimously approved. The meeting was officially adjourned at 8:53.

Respectfully submitted by,

Robert W. Schmidt, Secretary of the EDC

Minutes are not official until approved at a subsequent meeting.