Economic Development Commission - Minutes - 08/12/2021

Economic Development Commission
August 12, 2021
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WATERFORD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
August 12, 2021 2021 AUG 13 F
Louise Appleby Room AM 19
5:00 PM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman -Dan Radin, Eric Palmer, Edward Lusher, Jill Szymahski? “.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Vacancy
ALTERNATES PRESENT: Greg Attanasio (5:10)
ALTERNATES ABSENT: Vacancy
STAFF PRESENT: Abby Piersall, AICP, Director of Planning, Mark Wujtewicz, Planner
1. CALL TO ORDER/APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
A quorum was established, The meeting was called to order at 5:00PM
2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES - July 8, 2021 Meeting
MOTION: Motion made by J. Szymanski, seconded by E. Palmer to approve the minutes of the July
8, 2021 meeting.
VOTE: 4-0 to approve the minutes.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - July 28, 2021 Special Meeting
MOTION: Motion made by E. Lusher, seconded by J. Szymanski to approve the minutes of the July
28, 2021 special meeting with the following amendment:
“Discussion of Public Act No-2-1...” to “Discussion of Public Act No-21-1...”
VOTE: 4-0 to approve the minutes as amended
3. COMMISSION PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES:
Cannabis Policy Recommendation
E, Palmer suggested potential recommendations for the Commission to place in a policy
statement outlining the EDC position on various elements contained within the recently passed
Cannabis legislation.
G. Attanasio arrives at 5:10
Motion: Motion by D. Radin and seconded by E. Lusher to seat G. Attanasio for the
vacancy
Vote: 4-0
A. Piersall reviewed the site plan approval process and the actions the Planning and Zoning
Commission can take relative to regulation amendments and how Zoning may also play a part in
the state licensing process.
E. Palmer stated that he can have draft statement for Commission review at the next meeting.
It was the consensus of the Commission to hold a Special Meeting for August 19, 2021at 7:00pm
to discuss the draft statement and to provide for public input.
Startup Microgrants
Abby Piersall reviewed the financial aspects of the grant program with the Commission. She
stated that this is not setup as a revolving loan program in its current form.

Economic Development Commission
August 12, 2021
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Mark Wujtewicz
Planner
D. Radin stated that there is a potential for New London’s Economic Commission to partner with
Waterford to run their separate programs concurrently and participate in the awarding ceremony.
A. Piersall reviewed the verification process with in the application and suggested time frames for
the various steps of the process.
Suggested tentative deadlines would be: Oct 6 for application deadline
Oct 15 for staff review of the applications
Oct 21 for a Special Meeting of the EDC to review the applications and support material
November for a finalist event
EDC current membership skills and gaps
This item was tabled for the next meeting
Small Business Grants
A Piersall described and proposed to consider placing on the application form.
E. Lusher offered to oversee the Small Business Grant initiative.
TOWN DEVELOPMENT PROJECT AND PERMITTING STATUS
M. Wujtewicz reviewed ongoing projects with the Commission
PAYMENT OF BILLS
The Commission has received a bill for $6830.95 for the membership fee from SeCTer .
MOTION: Motion made by E. Lusher, seconded by G. Attanasio to pay the SeCTer
Membership fee.
VOTE: 5-0
CORRESPONDENCE
None
OTHER BUSINESS
J. Szymanski updated the Commission with the ongoing status of Macy’s and the Crystal Mall
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Motion by D. Radin, seconded by E. Lusher to adjourn at 6:17 PM.
VOTE: 5-0