APPROVED 02-25-2010
TOWN OF ENFIELD
ENFIELD REVITALIZATION STRATEGY COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF DECEMBER 3, 2009
TOWN HALL / ENFIELD ROOM
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ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
Members Present:
Darrin LaMore, Chairman
Ken Carlson
Joe Cimino
Ken Edgar
Jerry Fitzsimons
Pam Leitao
Jack Lopes
Catherine MacKinnon
John Miller
Colleen Reidy
Jeanne Smith
William Watson
Staff Members:
Peter Bryanton, OCD
Call to Order:
Chairman LaMore opened the meeting at 7:05 p.m.
Minutes:
A motion to table the minutes of 10-22-09 was made by Mr. Edgar, seconded by Ms. Mackinnon and passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Residential Rental Permits
Mr. LaMore explained the issue of illegal rental units and boarding houses which have cropped up Thompsonville in the past few months. In response to the illegal boarding house case at 34 Lincoln Street, Mr. LaMore and Mr. Bryanton attended a meeting of the Town Council to discuss the issue. The Town Council asked the ERSC to explore the idea for instituting a formal permit system to deal with the problem. The committee members were provided with an example from New Haven, CT and asked to review it. The members had a discussion about the issue of illegal housing and how it can be regulated. Mr. Bryanton suggested that the committee forward the New Haven example to the Town Attorney’s office to determine if such a program could be set up in Enfield and provide guidance on the potential problems. The Chairman asked that the document be forwarded to the Town Attorney’s office.
OLD BUSINESS
109 Pearl Street
Mr. Bryanton explained that he had recently forwarded a letter to the PZC with the finalized ERSC recommendations, which include detailed architectural plans submitted to the Planning Department prior to the issuance of any building permits. Mr. Bryanton will keep the committee members informed on this project as it moves forward.
COMMITTEE / SUBCOMMITTEE COMMUNICATIONS
ECDC Reinstitution
Mr. Bryanton gave a brief update on the ECDC progress. He has been working with the State to identify all of the corporation’s assets and put it into a Program Income Reuse Plan. Mr. Bryanton stated that is a long and tedious process and he hopes to have it completed before the end of December.
Plan of Conservation & Development
Mr. Lopes gave an update on the Plan of Conservation & Development. He stated that the Final Report has been completed and should be posted on the Town’s website and at the Library in the very near future. Mr. Lopes also said that many of the items listed in the Plan will have a direct impact on the Committee’s revitalization efforts and that it will be important to stay on top of it.
TOD Subcommittee
Mr. Lopes said that he is still working on finding members and that it is going slower than he had anticipated. Mr. Bryanton stated that he had received information on a grant program for in-town circulator bus services. He will follow up on it and report back.
Strand Theatre
There is nothing new to report on the Stand. The building remains a favorite target for graffiti. Mr. Bryanton stated the Strand would be a good ECDC acquisition when it is finally reinstituted.
Proposed Public Safety Subcommittee
Mr. LaMore is working on the development of a public safety committee. He did speak with the Chief of Police who is interested in the idea but currently putting most of his efforts into drug trafficking activities. The Chief is working on a program to put more cops on the street in Thompsonville. Mr. LaMore will stay on the issue as crime is a major impediment to revitalization efforts.
Mr. Watson provided a brief presentation on the increasing presence of sex offenders within the community. He showed the Committee a map with push pins demonstrating the extent of registered sex offenders living in Enfield. Mr. Watson will present his finding to the Town Council as a resident of Thompsonville and will emphasize the importance of enacting a Sex Offender ordinance.
Mr. LaMore announced that the Town’s Holiday Torch Light Parade would be held on December 5th and encouraged members to attend.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Lopes. The motion was seconded by Mr. Cimino and passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Submitted by:
Peter Bryanton, Director of Community Development
Approved By:
Darrin LaMore, ERSC Chairman
Signature: _______________________________________ Date: __________________ |