Downtown Business District

Downtown Business District Meeting Minutes Wednesday, September 25, 2019 330 Main Street, Suite 200 Middletown, CT. Attendees: Marie Kalita (Chair) Rich Davis (Police Department) Diane Gervais (Commissioner) Tom Marano (Economic Development) Jennifer Alexander (Commissioner) Steve Ciskowski (Chamber of Commerce) Mary Ann Perrotti (Commissioner) Geen Thazhampallath (Director of Parking) Mike DiPiro (Commissioner) Kevin Elak (Health Department) Patrick Harding (Commissioner) Ann-Marie McEwen (The Buttonwood Tree) Lisa Melaven (DBD Office) Police Report – Rich Davis Rich reports pan handling and homeless people on the streets are on the rise. The police department is acting aggressively in addressing these situations. Mary Ellen Shuckerow and the PD are working collaboratively on resources in supporting housing and other programs for the homeless. (approx. 40 people) Parking Report – Geen Thazhampallath Geen reports the new staircase(s) are just about complete at Riverview Center and Court Street. The parking department will be installing adequate lighting and paving the surface parking lot. Geen is looking into upgrading the parking meters on Main Street. Mr. Emerson and the Parking department are working together with the idea for a potential public parking lot in the north end on Kings Ave. Planning- Tom Marano Tom reports the following:  Opportunity Zone – Showing groups around which are actively looking to invest in smaller communities/negotiating terms.  Middletown Works grant – Outreach to single parents & employers in working together.  The Celiac Epicurean - Gluten free bakery – wholesale/retail going into the Keading Park (a.k.a. Remington Rand) at the beginning of the year. Public Works – None Health Department – Kevin Elak Kevin reports the following:  “Steamed” - Dumpling restaurant on lower Washington Street, is open for business.  Powder Hollow Brewery (craft beer) on lower Washington Street is coming along.  Spread Cheese Company in Main Street Market opening November 2019.  October 1st - The City of Middletown/Stop & Shop (administering shots) are partnering with Flu Clinics.  November 1st – April 16th – Warming Centers will be open.  Kevin will be meeting with Bill Russo regarding spraying for Mosquito’s (EEE) – Preventative measures on the City’s website Chamber of Commerce – Steve Ciskowski Steve reports the following:  Thursday, October 3rd - Monthly CBB Meeting at the Chamber of Commerce, from 8:00-9:00a.m  Thursday, October 10th – Middlesex Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting, guest speaker Dan Hurley, UCONN Men’s Head Basketball Coach at the Red Lion Hotel in Cromwell at 7:00a.m.  Wednesday, October 23rd - Middlesex County’s Premier Business Expo, at the Red Lion in Cromwell from 11:00a.m. – 4:00p.m. (Open to the Public) Executive Evening Business After Work 4:00-7:00p.m. Minutes –  Motion to approve monthly meeting minutes made by Diane Gervais  2nd by Mary Ann Perrotti  Minutes accepted. Treasurer’s report – Mike DiPiro Mike reports the financials are in order  Motion to approve by Jen Alexander  2nd by Mary Ann Perrotti  Financials accepted Board Member Update –  Marie will reach out to Tom Ford to re-visit the nip patrol in the North end.  Mary Ann reports the fall plantings will be planted the week of October 1st.  Diane reports she and Marc met and agreed that the current commercials are outdated and while they want to continue with TV and Radio, a new commercial needs to be done.  Jen reports she will ask Dan Nocera, Greg Norton, Ed McKeon for quotes on doing 15 sec. generic commercials for downtown Middletown. Jen is asking the Board of Commissioners to approve Sadler, Studio and Design to create our new website on square space – between $5,000 and $7,000.   Motion to approve Diane Gervais  2nd by – Mary Ann Perrotti  Motion accepted New Business – Ann Marie reports The Buttonwood tree is celebrating their 30 th Anniversary on October 18th and 19th, with 30 hours of consecutive music. Open invitation for all!  Motion to adjourn by Mary Ann Perrotti  2nd by Marie Kalita  Adjourn accepted