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:

  1. Call to order and Pledge of Allegiance were conducted.
  2. 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.
  3. Meeting minutes from 11/9/2017 - no action taken due to lack of a quorum.
  4. Nomination of officers for 2018 – no action taken due to lack of a quorum.
  5. Stephen Barth’s report – not given.
  6. Unfinished Business
  1. CBC resolution was approved at the December 2017 Council meeting.
  2. 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.  
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  1. New Business
  1. New Borough Council Liaison – Jeff Gilmore replaces Robyne Kelemen as Council liaison to the CBC.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.).  
  4. CBC Goals for 2018 – will be discussed at the February 8th CBC meeting.  Goals should set and tracked.
  1. Miscellaneous
  1. Steve A. has invited several business owners from Town Center to attend future CBC meetings.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  1. Adjournment – meeting was adjourned at 8:31PM.

Minutes taken by Steve Ascher