(Draft) Minutes of the Meeting

       May 18th, 2010

                                         Economic Development Commission

                                                   Town of Brookfield, CT

 

Present:  Hal Kurfehs, Chairman, Dave Matte, Jim Fisher, Dick Cronin, Peter Thompson, Secretary, (arrived 7:25 PM), Guest: Vinti Singh (News Times) V. Singh left the meeting at 8:15

Absent: Robert Onorato, Vice Chairman, Joe Rocky

Chairman Hal Kurfehs convened the meeting at 7:10 PM.

 

Approval of the Minutes of April 20th, 2010

Motion to approve minutes was made by J. Fisher and seconded by D. Matte, Motion approved.

 

Joe Rocky Update

A breakfast fundraiser will be held at Capellaro’s Three Oaks in Bethel, June 15th 2010 at 7:30 AM.

 

Zoning Issues

A)    Incentive Housing: Set aside a portion of Town for Affordable Housing. State to donate $2k - $5K to the Town for each approved unit.  It also allows for more decision-making participation by the Zoning Commission.

B)    Third Story Residence: There will be a public hearing, proposed by Zoning, on June 24 and all EDC members have been requested to attend. 

C)      Dunkin Donuts Drive thru: The discussion in Zoning was continued to the Meeting of May 27, 2010.

 

News Times Article

To gather background information for a future News Times Article, Chairman Kurfehs has/will interview Steve Palmer Director Planning Bethel, Betty Brosius, Director Planning Ridgefield and John Kline President/CEO of Union Savings Bank and Chair of the Danbury Main St Renaissance. Subject will be integrating Residential/Retail/Commercial activities in a town center.

 

Brookfield Craft Center

Discussed ways to possibly continue the Center.

 

Town Center District

One developer has signed a lease for a 10K sq. ft building, which would be facilitated if the State would allow curb cuts in the area North East of Federal Road/Super 7 exit ramp. Two additional developers have come forward to discuss mixed use Residential/Retail project. More information to follow.

 

Train Station

Hal Kurfehs and others met with Bill Davidson Town First Selectman to discuss the location and potential issues to be resolved regarding site selection. The group unanimously voted to have the site near the current Rail Road Station located near the 4 corners.

 

Regional Meeting

Hal Kurfehs is a member of the Western CT Economic Development group, which meets monthly.  At the May meeting, Dean Morton of WCSU Business School offered to have a student project to help in Branding/Economic Impact Statement/WEB Site development/Marketing Plan for region.  An Economic Study to identify area strengths for communication to potential Businesses was further discussed.

 

Adjourn

Motion to Adjourn was made by Richard Cronin and seconded P. Thompson, Motion approved.

Meeting adjourned at 8:27 PM

 

P. Thompson, Sec.