May 13, 2008
TDC Board of Directors
Tuesday, May 13 2008 at 8 AM
TDC Office, 40 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Suite 8
Board Members Present:
Jack Baer
Aurora Daly
Cindy Donaldson
Joe Greco
Peter Herbst
Mark McEachern
Muff Maskovsky
Michael Menard
Vic Muschell
Vickie Patrick
Greg Perosino
Jim Rokos
Robert Rovezzi
JoAnn Ryan
Marie Soliani
Others in Attendance:
Christina Emery, Stephen Nocera, Members of the public
Meeting Minutes:
1. Call to Order
Vic Muschell called the TDC Annual Board Meeting to order at 8:05 AM at the TDC Office. New Board members, Cindy Donaldson, Michael Menard and JoAnn Ryan were introduced and welcomed.
2. Approval of Minutes
Upon motion by Joe Greco, seconded by Muff Maskovsky, the minutes from March 6, 2008 were approved.
3. President’s Report
President Vic Muschell deferred his report.
4. Executive Director’s Report
Christina Emery reported that she is working with DECD to finalize the agreement and funding assistance between the State of CT, DECD and the City of Torrington.
Milone & MacBroom have completed the first phases of the MDP (existing conditions and update of the market analysis). Copies of the MDP work done to date were distributed. The TDC paid Milone & MacBroom $50,000 for the work done to date.
5. Report from the MDP Committee
Peter Herbst, chair of the MDP Project Committee updated the Board of Directors on work completed by Milone & MacBroom on the MDP. The first phase included: Existing Conditions & Base Mapping and an update of the Market Study done in 2001.
The market study, prepared by R.L. O’Neil & Associates reports that since 2001, there has been significant retail development which has absorbed much of the initially projected demand. The study reinforces that the TDC refocusing on downtown and Main Street is the correct direction. The Warner Theatre and Nutmeg Conservatory will continue to be the draw. The TDC needs to work to make Main Street more pedestrian friendly, incorporate the riverwalk and preserve our architecture. The State of CT recognizes infill development as an important component of downtown revitalization.
Vince McDermott from Milone & MacBroom and Peter Herbst will be attending the May 14 th Planning & Zoning Commission meeting to update the Commission on the MDP work and progress.
The next phase will be developing a vision for downtown. The TDC wants to get the draft MDP to the State this fall for the review process. Vision statements should start within two weeks of the contract being signed.
There was a discussion on the importance of the arts as a draw for downtown; Muff Maskovsky reported that every zip code in the State has purchased tickets plus 28 other states. There are 500 students attending the Performing Arts School. Aurora Daly reported that Artwell Gallery recently drew 500 artists from the tri-state area and that Artwell was recently included in Yankee Magazine’s list of attractions.
6. Report from the PR Committee
Christina Emery updated the Board on the recent PR Committee meeting. The TDC will have a regular column in the Register Citizen.
7. Vote to add Item to Agenda
Vic Muschell requested that the Board vote to add an item to the agenda to enter into Executive Session regarding a TDC personnel issue. Peter Herbst made a motion to add this item to the agenda. The motion was seconded by Vickie Patrick and passed unanimously.
8. Executive Session for Personnel Matters
Upon motion by Peter Herbst, seconded by JoAnn Ryan, the Board voted to enter Executive Session to discuss a TDC Personnel matter at 8:50 AM. Stephen Nocera and Christina Emery were invited into Executive Session.
Upon motion by Vickie Patrick, seconded by Muff Maskovsky, the Board voted to exit Executive Session at 9 AM.
9. Adjournment
Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 AM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Christina Emery, Interim Executive Director
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