Downtown Business District

Downtown Business District Meeting Minutes Wednesday, January 24, 2018 330 Main Street, Suite 200 Middletown, CT. Attendees: Diane Gervais (Chair) Cathy Duncan (Chamber of Commerce) Jennifer Alexander (Commissioner) Sean Moriarity (Police Department) Gary Nagler (Commissioner) William Russo (Director of Parking) Marc Levin (Commissioner) Geen Thazhampallath (Director of Parking) Mike DiPiro (Commissioner) Kevin Elak (Health Department) Mary Ann Perrotti (Commissioner) Peter Harding (Harding Development) Marie Kalita-Leary (Commissioner) Brendan Kelly (Harding Development) Tom Ford (Commissioner) Trevor Davis (Commercial Real Estate) Lisa Melaven (DBD Office) Police Report – Sean Moriarty Sean reports, it’s a quiet time of year. The police department is gearing up for Spring. On Saturday, January 22nd – Hartford Roller Derby fundraiser. The run lasted about 45 minutes; fun had by all. The police department is asking restaurant and retail owners to be courteous of double parking during business hours with deliveries. Jen mentioned more discussion needed for posters/signs being put up on street poles and parking meter poles. Public Works – William Russo Bill reports the Public Works department has been busy with the ice damage on the Ct. River. The synthetic ice skating rink down at Harbor Park is underway; looking to be open to the public during the month of February. The City closed down working on the fields, until things thaw out. Parking Report - Geen Thazhampallath Geen reports it has been a relatively quiet time with the parking department. The digital signs posted for “No Parking Bans” need to be re-positioned or re-located, sending wrong message to downtown businesses. Planning- Tom Ford and Tom Marano Tom Ford reports the following list of new businesses coming into the downtown area:  Reality Interactive – moving from Main Street Market building to the Middlesex Corporate Center.  Jerome (JR) Hargreaves moved from Mike DiPiro’s building into the Corporate Center.  CompreCare Health – Ed Mercadante, moving from Old Lyme to Plaza Middlesex  RJ Health Systems – Jim Searson moving from Rocky Hill to 237 Main Street in May 2018. Tom Marano reports via email the following information:  Will find out at 10:45am if we received the Working Cities Challenge Grant from the Boston Federal Reserve.   Innovations Places; continue to hold meet-ups.  Hajjar Apartments; Receiving calls on property.  There has been a lot of activity surrounding the new Marijuana Dispensary licenses the State Department of Consumer Protection is issuing. Health Department – Kevin Elak Kevin reports there will be a Seasonal Flu Clinic held on Saturday, January 27 th at the Cromwell Town Hall from 9:00am - 1:00pm. Chamber of Commerce – Cathy Duncan Cathy reports she is stepping down from working full time to 15 hours per week.  The Middlesex Chamber of Commerce breakfast, featured speaker Matthew Brombery, President Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, will be held on Monday, February 26th at the Radisson Hotel in Cromwell from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.  Business after work Auction and Taste of Middletown will be held on Monday, February 26th at the Hartford Sheraton from 5:00 – 7:00pm.  Taste of Middlesex County will be from January 15th – 21st. Three course meal options for $20.18 or $30.18. Visit middlesexchamber.com for the complete list and details. Minutes –  Motion made by Marie Kalita Leary  2nd by Marc Levin  Minutes accepted. Treasurer’s report – Marc Levin Marc reports everything is on task.  Motion made by Mike DiPiro  2nd by Gary Nagler  Financials accepted Chair Update – Diane Gervais Marketing: We took January off from running the commercials. We will meet with Tag Team soon to discuss the remainder of the fiscal year. Gift Cards: Gift cards did very well through the holidays with many corporate purchases as well as many consumer purchases. Just a bit above 2016. The Chamber has agreed to continue to sell the gift cards for us. Beautification: it is winter…so not much happening! Lisa will be in touch with Kelly in early spring to discuss the spring, summer and fall plantings. Budget: We need to review and set our budget for the coming fiscal year, I would like to have a budget discussion meeting next Wednesday Jan 31st 9am-10am here. Please review this past year’s budget and bring any thoughts on changes to this meeting. Annual meeting: Lisa is awaiting our taxpayer list from the tax assessor’s office to update our information and have it ready for our annual meeting. Our year in review document is being revised and our annual meeting packets readied. We also need to generate a slate of officers for fiscal year 2018/2019; we can discuss this at the budget conference as well. New Business – The Commissioners voted unanimously to fund 19 Heritage Trail Markers for the Historical Society. Commissioners Budget Meeting set for Wednesday, January 31st from 9:00-10:00am  Motion to adjourn by Mary Ann Perrotti  2nd by Marie Kalita Leary  Adjourn accepted