Meeting Minutes – Community and Business Committee
January 11, 2018
Attendees: Jackie D’Agostino (chair, resident), David Holewinski (mayor), Steve Giesler (business), Sam Bryant (borough manager), Loren Fasco (resident), Tess LaMontagne (guest), Jeff Gilmore (liaison to council), Steve Ascher (resident)
Absent: Andrea Antell (resident), Debbie Byrne (business), Chris Fleming (business), Dave Fermier (business)
Be it noted that a quorum was not established and hence no matters could be voted upon. A decision was made to still go forth with the meeting.
Meeting called to order at 7:32PM.
Jackie D’Agostino chaired the meeting.
Steve Ascher took the minutes of tonight’s meeting.
The meeting followed the agenda topics as summarized below:
- Call to order and Pledge of Allegiance were conducted.
- Roll call was conducted and it was noted that a quorum was not established. Note that Jeff Gilmore replaced Robyne Kelemen as liaison from council.
- Meeting minutes from 11/9/2017 - no action taken due to lack of a quorum.
- Nomination of officers for 2018 – no action taken due to lack of a quorum.
- Stephen Barth’s report – not given.
- Unfinished Business
- CBC resolution was approved at the December 2017 Council meeting.
- NBB Gateway Signage Update – some examples of signage were passed around. Once the CBC decides on type of signage, CBC can make a recommendation and Sam can then ask for funding from Council.
- Welcome New Britain Resident Folder – Hometown Press is working on a mock-up. CBC will review the mock-up at the February 8th CBC meeting. How businesses can advertise in the folder will also be discussed.
- Bench, bike rack and garbage can style options – Discussed the possibility that sponsorships for the benches could be sold with a metal sign on each bench to acknowledge the sponsor. Need to decide on placement of benches, lights, and garbage cans.
- New Business
- New Borough Council Liaison – Jeff Gilmore replaces Robyne Kelemen as Council liaison to the CBC.
- Vacant Positions (1 resident and 1 business position) – Sam outlined the process by which people can apply to become a volunteer. An application form needs to filled out by the applicant and approved by Council.
- Borough Pride Items – there was some discussion about items that can be sold or given away that would display a borough motto (e.g., New Britain Proud). Steve A. shared some ideas he saw in Ridgefield, Connecticut (e.g., postcards, key chains, memo pads, etc.).
- CBC Goals for 2018 – will be discussed at the February 8th CBC meeting. Goals should set and tracked.
- Miscellaneous
- Steve A. has invited several business owners from Town Center to attend future CBC meetings.
- Ground breaking at the Knoll property is expected in March of 2018. If that does not happen, thought will be given to having a sign on the property announcing what is coming. Need to decide on a name for the complex being built there.
- Steve G. pointed out that Chalfont has some decorative crosswalks where words are painted into the crosswalks. CBC may want to consider that for the Borough.
- Adjournment – meeting was adjourned at 8:31PM.
Minutes taken by Steve Ascher