ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 2008
A Special Meeting of the Enfield Town Council was called to order by Chairman Kaupin in the Enfield Room of the Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut on Monday, January 7, 2008. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL-CALL – Present were Councilmen Bosco, Crowley, Dumont, Edgar, Jones, Kaupin, Kiner, Lee, Mangini, Nelson and Ragno. Also present were Town Manager, Matthew Coppler; Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Town Clerk, Suzanne Olechnicki; Director of Community Development, Peter Bryanton
Present from the Enfield Revitalization Strategy Committee were Colleen Cross, Lisa Irving, Chairman Darin LaMore, Pamela Leitao, Vice-Chairman Tophie Nowak and John Pereira, III.
Mr. Bryanton stated in 2003, Councilman Lee was the Chairman of the Revitalization Committee and at that time he put together an impressive action plan for this Committee. He stated since that time, they have not provided an update to the Council. He noted they are on target on many items, such as transit oriented development around the Enfield Transit Center; the establishment of a Main Street District in Thompsonville; adaptive reuse of historic structures, specifically the Higgins School; regular updates for the Town Council.
Mr. LaMore stated the Town received $3.1 million dollars from the State. He noted the Committee talked about the benefits to the community, especially for younger professionals who can travel back and forth from work. He noted there was also discussion about the possibility of a bus circuit which would travel up Route 190 and down Elm Street.
Mr. LaMore stated it’s important to make the area around the transit center more appealing for businesses ahead of the establishment of the transit station. Mr. Bryanton stated there are some areas around the proposed transit center that really could be developed. He noted one of the first things a person might look for when stepping off a train is a coffee shop, a newspaper, a drycleaner or their apartment. He stated there isn’t much more than Bigelow Commons in this area, therefore, they have to start planning around the station.
Mr. LaMore stated in the past there was a whole series of brownstones on the left side of North Main Street. He raised the possibility of using the transit center as a catalyst in this area.
Mr. LaMore stated they recently had a tour with the Connecticut Main Street Center (CMSC). He noted CMSC has been involved in revitalization of downtowns, and they provide knowledge and guidance. Mr. Bryanton informed the Council their packages include a description of the CMSC. He compared this organization to a chamber of commerce for a downtown, and they provide support for a true Main Street district.
As concerns the adaptive reuse of historic structures, Mr. LaMore referred to the Higgins building and the options that were put together a couple years ago. He pointed out this building is a focal point upon entering Thompsonville.
Mr. LaMore stated Thompsonville needs marketing, identity, uniformity and signage.
Ms. Nowak stated this Committee has worked in other areas of Town, and they’ve worked with other committees in order to get input. She pointed out things happen through the Community Development Office where people are given money stipends to help them revitalize their own buildings or signage. She added they also work with some banks in order to set up loans and other kinds of benefits for people in Enfield.
Mr. Bryanton stated the first time homeowners’ program has been very successful.
He noted about eight months ago, the Committee met with the Planning & Zoning Commission about the design guidelines issue, and they still do not have those guidelines. He emphasized that these guidelines are very important to the Committee.
Chairman Kaupin pointed out the Council will be re-establishing the Council of Chairs, and the Revitalization Committee has a seat with this group. He stated it’s hoped there will be a quarterly meeting between the different bodies. He noted they are just waiting for the Zoning Board of Appeals to elect their new officers, which should happen the end of this month.
Councilman Mangini expressed her appreciation to the Committee for all their hard work. She stated as a realtor, she refers people to the Community Development office for assistance. She noted she would like to see the Committee reach out to the local Chamber of Commerce and local realtors.
Councilman Ragno stated he would very much like to see a destination point in Thompsonville. He noted he would like to see something done with the Higgins building and the old Suffield bridge. He stated he would like to see a bike path connection with Suffield.
Ms. Nowak pointed out a pathway between Enfield and Suffield might draw train commuters.
Councilman Ragno commended Mr. Bryanton on the first-time homebuyer program. He noted at this time there’s a cycle in Thompsonville, and much of this has to do with the tenant situation. He stated a local realtor pointed out to him that Thompsonville has about 20% ownership with an 80% tenant situation. He noted one way to change this is to create more opportunities, i.e., duplex homes on Bigelow and Hartford Avenue could be converted to allow for side-by-side ownership. He stated his understanding there are currently some restrictions on zoning, but those could be amended. He pointed out this could start the process of more ownership in that neighborhood. He stated his feeling this type of initiative could help break the current cycle in Thompsonville. He suggested the Committee look into this further.
Councilman Crowley stated the Council is in the process of purchasing the streetlights. He noted there are many dark zones in Thompsonville, which cause people to be afraid to walk the streets. He stated his belief the Police Department is doing a great job in Thompsonville. He questioned the possibility of the Revitalization Committee looking at ways to fund re-establishing the police bike patrol in this area.
Councilman Crowley stated Six Flags would have a vested interest in a train stop in Enfield because people could take a train to Enfield and pick up a commuter bus to Six Flags.
Councilman Crowley stated his belief home ownership in Thompsonville is a key issue. He questioned if there’s any kind of tax break for owner occupied housing.
Councilman Crowley referred to the tower on the Caronna building. He raised the possibility of working with this building owner to do something with this tower, i.e., refurbishment with possibly a clock.
Councilman Crowley questioned if there’s a small business loan for someone who doesn’t own a building. Mr. Bryanton responded they don’t have such a loan at this time. Councilman Crowley stated his belief this is important if they wish to get some small businesses downtown.
Councilman Crowley questioned what happened to the idea of kayaks on the pond as relates to the bait and tackle shop. He noted this was part of the selling point with that building. Mr. Bryanton explained the agreement with the bait and tackle shop had more to do with renovating the building. He noted the last time he spoke with this business renovations were being done, but it’s been very slow.
As concerns a footbridge over the Connecticut River, Mr. Bryanton stated the State is interested in continuing the bike path to Enfield from Suffield where it ends in the canal area near the Route 190 bridge. He stated he is lobbying hard to make sure that bike path comes right through Thompsonville around the pond and back out to Route 5. He noted it would be fantastic if that bike path was built right over the old piers.
Councilman Crowley stated his hope the Town doesn’t give up on the Higgins building.
Councilman Lee stated if there’s going to be significant work done in the village area in the next year or so, there’s going to be a lot of parking concerns and on-street issues. He suggested as a goal, both the Council and Committee take ownership of making sure there’s more than enough parking and signage.
Councilman Lee stated he’s glad to see the Main Street program is still an option, and he’d be happy to provide more details to the Council as to how this program operates. He pointed out there’s no problem or issue in Thompsonville that isn’t currently being dealt with in many other communities in the country. He noted the evidence that has been put together through the Main Street organization is irrefutable and provides some staggering economic evidence of what can happen when things are organized in a certain manner. He pointed out he and Councilman Mangini are the liaisons to this Committee.
Ms. Nowak stated a major concern of the Revitalization Committee is that Thompsonville is ready before the train station opens.
Councilman Bosco stressed the importance of ample parking for businesses. He noted too much on-street parking doesn’t look good.
Mr. Bryanton stated they need strategically placed parking that blends into the streetscape.
Councilman Crowley stated there used to be a walk bridge between Asnuntuck and Main Street, and that should be rebuilt so commuters can get to their cars.
MOTION #9570 by Councilman Lee, seconded by Councilman Ragno to go into Executive Session to discuss Personnel Matters, Pending Litigation and Real Estate Negotiations.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #9570 adopted 11-0-0, and the meeting stood recessed at 6:45 p.m.
The Executive Session of the Enfield Town Council was called to order by Chairman Kaupin at 6:46 p.m.
ROLL-CALL – Present were Councilmen Bosco, Crowley, Dumont, Edgar, Jones, Kaupin, Kiner, Lee, Mangini, Nelson and Ragno. Also present were Town Manager, Matthew Coppler; Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Sr. Assistant Town Attorney, Maria Elsden; Town Clerk, Suzanne Olechnicki
Personnel Matters, Pending Litigation and Real Estate Negotiations were discussed with no action or votes being taken.
Chairman Kaupin adjourned the Executive Session at 7:33 p.m. He reconvened the Special Meeting at 7:34 p.m. and stated that during Executive Session the Council discussed Personnel Matters, Pending Litigation and Real Estate Negotiations with no action or votes being taken.
MOTION #9571 by Councilman Lee, seconded by Councilman Ragno to adjourn.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #9571 adopted 11-0-0, and the meeting stood adjourned at 7:35 p.m.