EDC Minutes

November 6, 2006

Selectmen’s Conference Room

Town Hall

Call to Order

Chairman Lou Bachetti called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.

Attendance

Members present were, Louis Bachetti, David Reed, Robert Schmidt, Ron Elliott, Maura Gardiner and Richard Cheney.

Approval of Minutes

Motion by David Reed and seconded by Maura Gardiner that the minutes of the September 11, 2006 and October 2, 2006 meetings be approved without change. The motion passed. Voting in favor of the motion were David Reed, Robert Schmidt, Louis Bachetti, Ron Elliott, Maura Gardiner. Richard Cheney arrived after the vote had taken place.

Correspondence

The Chairman mentioned that a journalist from the Connecticut magazine approached him and wanted to publish something about the town of Somers. Vice chairman, David Reed stepped up, and agreed to provide the journalist with an article.

Updates/ projects

Tourism:

David Reed reported that he has distributed a number of the brochures to the various venues that the group had previously identified. He also noted that the brochure is available in electronic format and can be sent to various organizations that will be holding events in town. This electronic format can then be sent, by the organizers, as an attachment to the participants in the events. It was also recommended that the brochure be put on the Somers web site for all to view and use as deemed appropriate.

After five business event:

Rick Cheney provided the group with a recap of the events of the evening and following that the group expressed its sincere thanks to Rick for orchestrating the event. The entire group also wishes to formally thank Rockville Bank and Joanna’s Café for there sponsorship and active participation in the event. Next steps were discussed and a newsletter discussing the evening’s event will be sent to all businesses in town. The newsletter will also include the volunteers who agreed to be members of a steering committee and a couple of proposed dates and times for the inaugural meeting of this group. Lou Bachetti will take the responsibility of guiding this group through their first meeting.

Preferred business discussion

No report.

Business Directory

Lou Bachetti working with the assistance of Jeanne Reed has developed a format for collecting key information from the various businesses in town. Jeanne will be calling the various businesses and inputting the collected data that will be used as the basis for the directory booklet. Advertising to be included in the booklet was also discussed and it was agreed that the cost to place an ad in the booklet would be $45 for a quarter page ad, $85 for a half page ad and $145 for a full page ad. It was also agreed that a full page ad on the inside cover, front and back, and adjacent facing pages would cost $200.

Way finder sign project

Bob Schmidt has agreed to take the leadership position for this project and will provide a plan of action by the next meeting

Chairman’s Report:

A local engineer is looking for approximately 500 sq ft of industrial space within the community and the group has agreed to solicit various landlords to assist the engineer.

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn was made by Rick Cheney seconded by Maura Gardener and was unanimously approved. The meeting was officially adjourned at 8:40 p. m.

Respectfully submitted by,

Ronald L. Elliott, Acting Secretary of the EDC

Minutes are not official until approved at a subsequent meeting.