Downtown Business District

Downtown Business District Meeting Minutes Wednesday, July 24, 2019 330 Main Street, Suite 200 Middletown, CT. Attendees: Marie Kalita Leary (Chair) Scott Aresco (Police Department) Diane Gervais (Commissioner) Tom Marano (Economic Development) Marc Levin (Commissioner) Cathy Duncan (Chamber of Commerce) Mike DiPiro (Commissioner) Sandy Heinly (Chamber of Commerce) Mary Ann Perrotti (Commissioner) Dmitri D’Alessandro (Middletown Framing) Jennifer Alexander (Commissioner) Lisa Melaven (DBD Office) Tom Ford (Commissioner) Gary Nagler (Commissioner) Police Report – Scott Aresco Scott reports everything is relatively quite downtown. Parking Report – Geen Thazhampallath Geen reports via email parking items are essentially new line drawing by state to conclude bump out project. Arcade stairwell is starting by next week – construction materials are in, stairs being steel fabricated off site currently. Events for summer largely over in terms of mass parking closures. New kiosk going into Dingwall lot to make those spaces public available all day for daily parking. However, no movement on making Dingwall a 2way. Planning- Tom Marano Tom reports the following:  The City is in the market to hire a certified City Planner with experience.  Opportunity Zone – Looking for CT based developers; groups which are actively developing around the State.  MEWS – The program is doing great! Have been working collectively with entrepreneurs on events in getting people into jobs.  Dominick DeMartino is rehabilitating both the Shlein’s building and 412 Main Street.  There are outside companies looking at the Rite Aid building.  E-Cigs business has closed.  Wednesday, July 24th at 7:00p.m; Community Plan of Development (COPD). A listening session where Consultants will be asking for input and presenting ideas with what can be developed in the city over the next decade. It is Important for downtown businesses to attend and share their insight. Dmitri mentioned Cinder & Salt is having a “street clean up” in the north end on Saturday, July 27th and September 14th from 10:00a.m.-12:00p.m. A free sign-up is available on the Cinder & Salt website. Receive a free T-Shirt. Public Works – None Health Department – None Chamber of Commerce – Cathy Duncan Cathy reports the following:  Thursday, August 1st - Monthly CBB Meeting at the Chamber of Commerce, from 8:00-9:00a.m. NoRa Cupcake will be hosting.  Tuesday, August 20th - Business After Work, hosted by Water’s Edge Resort in Westbrook from 5:00-7:00p.m.  Thursday, August 22nd – Middlesex Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting, guest speaker Randy Edsall, UCONN Football Coach at the Red Lion Hotel in Cromwell at 7:00a.m. Minutes –  Motion to approve monthly meeting minutes made by Marc Levin  2nd by Mike DiPiro  Minutes accepted. Treasurer’s report – Marc Levin Marie requests to have Lisa work along side of the Tax Collectors and Tax Assessors office a couple of times throughout the fiscal year to ensure we are on track with our DBD Funds.  Motion to approve by Marc Levin  2nd by Tom Ford  Financials accepted Board Member Update –  Marie reports Kim O’Rourke is looking into ordering a new trash/recycle receptacle like the one at Pat Kidney field for the North end.  Mary Ann reports the new planters are thriving and looking great.  Jen & Diane report the website committee is doing a great job on the infrastructure look of our DBD Website. Looking to bring in “what’s our message”, personal touch with what will go on the website; move towards the hometown vibe, walk able independent businesses and stories.  Jen is working on updating the downtown map for the wayfinding signs. (twice a year)  Diane reports new computer is in and will be installed with new software within the next month.  Marc reports – Marc and Diane will meet and report on marketing at the August meeting.  Tom reports Hajjar Management has put in a bid for 191-193 Main Street, formally Middlesex Fruitery which has been accepted. Midd-Town apartments are 2/3rds filled. New Business – Dmitri reports a high end spa will be moving into 506 Main Street; will be a great addition to the North end. (Formally, Brewbaker’s Café)  Motion to adjourn by Mike DiPiro  2nd by Marc Levin  Adjourn accepted