ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2009 Frank Wargo opened the meeting at 5 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Present: Jeff Winter, Jeff Burcaw, Keith Wilson, Greg McGill, Buck Whiteway, Carl Perrone, Tom Esposito, Paul Scorza; Vin Nolan; Garland Warren arrived at 5:30 p.m. and Pete Bass at 5:40 p.m. Buck Whiteway was seated. Dr. Frolkis presented the hospital’s strategic plan with other members of the staff present including MaryDale DeBor, Mary Burcaw. Highlights of the plan include consumerism report cards for hospital performance; the increased costs for the hospital and the reduction of insurance payments, both from federal and private carriers. One option for the future being considered is regionalization (perhaps with Torrington and Sharon). Dr. Frolkis in two years has recruited 24 physicians. New Milford Hospital has joined planetree, a program to improve quality of care and continues with the plow to plate program. Discussion with hospital officials and EDC covered numerous topics. Jeff Winter commented on the many issues faced by hospitals and suggested New Milford Hospital should focus on its areas of excellence; EDC can help to maintain patients within the network and drive more patients into the network – EDC’s prime goal is to keep current businesses and entice new businesses to relocate and the presence of the hospital is beneficial to that end. Tom Esposito suggested using the hospital website to assist residents in locating doctors and their specialty. Pete Bass asked what the town and EDC could do to help. MaryDale replied the hospital needs ambassadors to tell its story. Pete Bass also asked if the hospital is considering satellite locations. Dr. Frolkis replied in the affirmative in light of the changing need for more out patient care. Pete Bass moved to create a subcommittee to come back to EDC with issues pertinent to EDC and the hospital. Motion seconded by Tom Esposito. The subcommittee would consist of: Jeff Winter, Pete Bass, Garland Warren, Carl Perrone, Jeff Burcaw and Frank Wargo, ex-officio. Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Murphy, present at the meeting, suggested the hospital’s presentation should be made to local PTO groups. The appointment of working group to study higher education opportunities was detailed by Vin Nolan including the cooperation with Naugatuck Community College with links to New Milford High School – college and training needs could be offered for the hospital as well as other businesses. Pete Bass moved to create a working group to study higher education opportunities, motion seconded by Tom Esposito and passed unanimously. Committee members: Pete
Bass, Maureen Laurer, Tom Esposito, Frank Wargo, ex-officio. The mayor had asked for two private citizens to sit on the committee. Jay Umbarger and Nancy Sagasse had both expressed interest in this effort – their names will be put before the Town Council. Frank Wargo mentioned the questionnaire discussed at the last EDC meeting – Vin will, with the cooperation of Northeast Utilities, received the NICS coded list for businesses. Still Meadow marketing and rezoning committee having met and reviewed the history of Still Meadow including the town’s acquisition of the site and the 1.8 million dollar bond still in place is making a recommendation that the rezoning of the parcel was needed and in keeping with the front parcel, the property should be rezoned B-2. The market value of the property as a B-2 zone will be less than that for the current residential zone. Keith Wilson moved the following resolution, seconded by Jeff Winter, motion passed unanimously: “Whereas the Economic Development Commission (EDC) of the Town of New Milford was charged by Mayor Patricia Murphy to review the potential best use of the town-owned property referred to as Still Meadow (Parcel ID#28, 1/45, 2 and 28.3/28): And whereas a sub-committee of EDC members reviewed the history of the property both prior to and subsequent to the town acquisition: And whereas the EDC sub-committee reported that the highest and best use of the property, precluding any use for the development of housing, is to mirror the zone of the contiguous parcel with frontage on Route 7, currently owned by a private entity known as Still Meadow LLC: And whereas the EDC sub-committee recommends that subject to such said zone change, a formal RFP should be fashioned to invite prospective developers to offer development plans and financial packages that will provide desired services to the community and financial remuneration to Town of New Milford for use of the property: Be it resolved that the New Milford Economic Development Commission recommends as a first step toward development and/or disposition of the property that the Town Council take action requesting that the zoning of this parcel be changed to B-2 by the Zoning Commission. Adopted this 12th day of February 2009, by a vote of its membership, as recorded in the minutes of the commission.:” Signed: Frank Wargo, Chairman. The above resolution will be sent to the Town Council with copy to Zoning Commission. Sign regulation review: Vin Nolan, reporting for the sub-committee, stated that two items under review are temporary signage and multi-tenant property signs. Vin has been researching other community signage regulations. The sub-committee will be meeting again and report their recommendations to the EDC.
Buck Whiteway, farmland preservation, reported meeting with the Mayor and other individuals interested in farmland preservation to review purchasing or in other ways acquiring development rights of farmland with direct and/or indirect benefits. Economic Development Corporation – Vin Nolan has checked with other communities with economic development corporations and commented that the Shelton template for their corporation is a good one for New Milford to use; by-laws have been composed and reviewed by Randy DiBella who has given his stamp of approval. A draft operation plan of how to make this corporation come into existence is the next step. Also, being reviewed is whether this corporation will need to be enabled by ordinance. Pete Bass commented the corporation could give the town opportunities for different resources and will offer the town the opportunity to compete with other towns soliciting businesses. Vin Nolan added that while regionalization of the corporation had not been an original thought, it might be considered. Minutes of January 8, 2009 approved by motion of Garland Warren, seconded by Buck Whiteway and passed unanimously. Frank commented on the need to balance residential and commercial/industrial properties; open space acquisition has been continuing, but no new commercial/industrial acreage has been added to the tax roles. Mayor Murphy announced the railroad having called and asked about putting a spur into the O&G properties on an easement from CL&P – this would benefit the property now and in its future role. Mayor Murphy read her letter published in the Spectrum regarding the hospital and its benefit to the community. Tom Esposito announced the next POCD meeting, February 26. Paul Scorza moved to adjourn at 7:05 p.m., seconded by Jeff Burcaw. Motion passed unanimously. Minutes recorded by:
Elaine V. Barksdale