EDC Minutes

June 15, 2006

Selectmen’s Conference Room

Town Hall

Call to Order

Chairman Louis Bachetti called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

Attendance

Members present were Louis Bachetti, Maura Gardiner, David Reed Robert Schmidt, and Richard Cheney who arrived at 7:06. Absent was Ron Elliott.

Guests: Selectmen David Pinney, Kathy Devlin, and Ernie Allsup

Approval of Minutes

Motion by David Reed and seconded by Maura Gardiner that the minutes of the May 1, 2006 meeting be approved without change. The motion passed. Voting in favor of the motion were Lou Bachetti, Robert Schmidt, David Reed, and Maura Gardiner.

Correspondence

None

Work Session – Discussion of Tax Incentives

First Selectmen David Pinney requested earlier this year that the EDC research and develop an assessment abatement policy for discussion. A subcommittee of EDC members that included Ron Elliott, David Reed, and Chair Bachetti developed a draft of a policy on targeted abatements.

EDC member Ron Elliott and the town treasurer have been working on assessing the benefit of business growth in town, especially the impact on the grand list and tax rate for the town.

The town’s three selectmen were present for an explanation and discussion of the drafted assessment abatement policy. Chairman Bachetti and Vice- Chairman Reed fielded several questions from the selectmen. The discussion focused on the pros and cons of having an abatement policy.

The selectmen will evaluate the proposal, make modifications if necessary, and make the final decision on whether the Town of Somers adopts an assessment abatement policy. They will report back to the EDC in the future.

Tourism /Business promotion brochure – David Reed

Vice-Chairman Reed provided samples of a brochure he created that would be used to promote restaurants in the Town of Somers. The brochure included a comprehensive list of ‘Fun Things to See!’ and ‘Fun Things to Do!’ in Somers throughout the year. An excellent detailed map of the restaurants was included. The goal of the brochure is to highlight events and places to go throughout the year. While visitors are in town they can patronize these eating establishments.

EDC members were asked by the Chair to critique the brochure and e-mail feedback to David Reed over the next two weeks.

Chairman’s Report – Lou Bachetti

Chairman Bachetti distributed information to EDC members on the town charter revision committee, historic structures tax credit program, and recent legislation passed by the Connecticut legislature concerning property tax exemption for manufacturing machinery and equipment. EDC member should read these materials.

Discussion arose over two projects that EDC would like to proceed with to help the commission accomplish the goals set out in the Plan of Conservation and Development. The first project involves the gathering of information that will go into a Somers business directory and the printing of this directory. The second project requires the hiring of a consultant to assist the EDC in creating a list of targeted industries that residents in the Town of Somers would find desirable.

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn was made by David Reed, seconded by Richard Cheney and was unanimously approved. The meeting was officially adjourned at 8:55.

Respectfully submitted by,

Robert W. Schmidt, Acting Secretary of the EDC

Minutes are not official until approved at a subsequent meeting.