By the Forestville Free Press correspondents
Here is the summary of the Economic Development Commission (EDC) meeting of Wednesday, November 21, 2023, held at the Veteran’s Meeting Room, Town Hall, Stafford Springs, CT, at 6:30 p.m.
EDC commissioners present were Tony Armelin, EDC chairman; Larry McKinney, Chris Paradiso, John Wittenzellner, Scott Nigro, Larry Vaughn, and Theresa Cramer.
The following topics were discussed among EDC commissioners and several Stafford residents attending the meeting, including newly elected First Selectman Bill Morrison:
New Business Proposed
EDC member John Wittenzellner introduced town resident Eric Ross who is proposing to open an auto body business at 44 West Stafford Road, the site of the former Dick’s Auto Body. Ross described his years of auto body experience, having previously operated his own business and having spent time working for other auto body shops. Always interested in promoting new businesses in town, EDC members expressed their support. So, what are the next steps to open a new business? Consulting with the town’s Building and Zoning office was recommended. Newly elected First Selectman Bill Morrison, who was present at the meeting, suggested that the Town prepare an easy-to-use set of procedures for new business prospects. The commissioners generally agreed that this was a good idea.
Farm Day Success Becoming a Challenge
Stafford Agricultural Commission Chairman David Mordasky summarized the evolution of Farm Day, which, over the past three years, has become a well-attended annual town event. Centered around the Town of Stafford’s Heritage Park at the intersection of Stafford Street and Route 190, the event is a collaborative endeavor of the Stafford Agricultural Commission, the Witt Farm, the Foster Hill Farm, and the Tronsky Farm with the support of various Town of Stafford services.
Mordasky emphasized that Farm Day has developed into a larger event that needs professional accounting oversight by the Town of Stafford. He said that a fundamental goal of Farm Day remains to provide agricultural scholarships. The event needs to be organized under a supervised accounting system, remarked EDC member John Wittenzellner, who is the owner of the Witt Farm.
On behalf of the organizers of Farm Day, Wittenzellner and Mordasky discussed their concerns in order to start a brainstorming process that can help to develop ways of improving the multifaceted management tasks related to an event of this type.
American Woolen Company Update
Jacob Harrison Long, owner of American Woolen at 8 Furnace Avenue in Stafford, reported that 78% of the woolen fabric manufactured at his mill is sent to China for garment construction. Long believes that American consumers are increasingly concerned about where their clothing is made, favoring domestic manufacturers in light of recent supply chain interruptions.
Long continues to build a consortium of investors and U.S.-based garment manufacturers, which he hopes will help develop New England’s blue-collar workforce into a “guild-quality” resource akin to the workforce prevalent in the world-class Italian textile industry. Long envisions Stafford becoming a destination for textile tourists, entrepreneurs, and skilled craftspeople proud of their expertise in producing high-quality woolen material. He mentioned how Japanese clients know where New England is and are keenly aware of the region’s charm. Stafford Springs is a “darn good story,” quipped Long.
Long wanted to update the current members of the EDC about his ongoing efforts to promote Stafford as he continues to work with U.S. Representative Joe Courtney to gain support with State of Connecticut officials to capitalize on the social and physical assets of Stafford and other regional businesses in Rhode Island and New York City that are involved in the consumer nondurable goods industry.
Long added that woolen fabric made in Stafford at American Woolen will be used by designer Ralph Lauren to make apparel for the 2024 Winter Olympic Games.
“Biofinishing” for Eco-friendly Production of Leather Goods
In regard to promoting a consumer nondurable goods industry in the area, Long said that he has encountered a company named Evolve by Nature, based in Needham, MA, which is creating “green chemistry” solutions for tanning leather without noxious chemicals.
The presence of the New England Meat Outlet at 30 Furnace Hollow Road in Stafford may offer an unusual yet practical business opportunity for someone. The outlet is a source of hides that can be “biofinished” for use in the production of leather goods.
Chestnut Hill Historic House: Is Preservation Possible?
Stafford Historic Advisory Commission Vice Chairman Donald Passardi informed the EDC about concerns over the fate of the colonial-era home at 75 Chestnut Hill Road. Recent work on the surrounding land suggests that the current owner, Lots & More of South Windsor, may be preparing to sell or subdivide the acreage. Passardi is seeking consensus among various Town commissioners to sign a collective letter expressing concern about the fate of this colonial-era structure, which oral tradition suggests had been relocated to Stafford from another town in eastern Connecticut in the 1700s. It is hoped that options other than demolition of the historic home may be possible.
EDC member Wittenzellner said that he has reached out to the owner of Lots & More, who originally intended to grow flowers on the 20+-acre property for two Lots & More stores and rent equipment from the Chestnut Hill location. Wittenzellner said that, in the past, the Town had denied the renting of equipment from that site. Before the next EDC meeting, Wittenzellner said that he will contact the owner to get an update.
Overview of EDC Agenda Items
Town Sewer Plant Expansion
Water Pollution Control Facility Superintendent Rick Hartenstein presented a brief overview of the expansion project under review for the water pollution treatment facility at 50 River Road. Hartenstein reported that the current plant processes 1 million gallons of sewage daily. If the volume of sewage increases to 1.2 million gallons daily, the current design cannot handle that volume and the solids will float and not be adequately processed, a condition which must be reported to State of Connecticut agencies. The proposed $17 million expansion would allow for treatment of 2 million gallons per day. The details of this proposal will be presented by Hartenstein and the WPCA at a public hearing that is projected to be scheduled for January 2024.
Town Marketing Package
Theresa Cramer has been working on videos for viewing on Facebook and Instagram to promote patronizing Stafford businesses on “Small Business Saturday” (November 25, 2023).
Stafford Brownfields Initiative Update
In the absence of Amber Wakley-Whaley, who usually gives the brownfields update, Theresa Cramer turned the discussion toward the possibility of using the Staffordville School, now vacant, as an incubator space for developing businesses, artists, or tradespeople. Larry McKinney commented on the cost of heating the building and that conducting private business in a town-owned building may present issues with regard to liability insurance and general policy regulations. Cramer replied that grants may be available to develop incubator spaces.
Tax Incentive Ordinance
Currently, no further details are available regarding a tax incentive ordinance. Further development of this ordinance will require review by the town’s attorney. First Selectman Bill Morrison asked Chairperson Armelin to sent him background materials about the plan that had been discussed by the EDC members with then First Selectman Sal Titus at a previous meeting of the EDC.
Potential New Businesses and Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies
Work is proceeding by the new owner of 2 Middle River Drive to convert the former Bank of America building into a new site for Domino’s Pizza. Workmen are actively working there daily, preparing for an opening in approximately six months. John Wittenzellner commented that a ribbon cutting had not taken place when Kolossos Restaurant and Pizza relocated from 30 West Stafford Road to the former Muzio Plumbing building at 18 West Stafford Road, because the restaurant had to reapply for a license to serve alcoholic beverages. Once that license is obtained, the EDC will plan to do the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The owner of Country Village Shops at 30-38 West Stafford Road has applied to the Stafford Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) to do the following (1) to convert two buildings on site into storage facilities, (2) to demolish one building, and (3) to update the former site of Kolossos Restaurant and Pizza in order to rent it to another restaurant. This project is currently on hold awaiting PZC approval. No opening date has yet been determined.
John Wittenzellner commented that the garage building and its associated property purchased by the State of Connecticut during the construction of the Route 190/Route 19 roundabout in Stafford is available for sale.
Possible budget uses
EDC member Theresa Cramer commented that the Stafford Arts Commission and the newly organized Events and Celebration Committee may experience shortfalls in their 2023-24 budget year, and she asked if the EDC would consider allocating funds from the EDC budget to assist them. Chairperson Armelin responded that any such request should be presented in person by Commission/Committee members at a meeting of the EDC.
The Forrestville Correspondents – Our family has lived in Forestville for over a century. You will likely ask: “Where is Forestville?” In the 1950s and 1960s, the Town published separate booklets of men and women voters by voting district. Judging from the voters’ family names, Forestville folks resided along the stretch of today’s Route 190 that runs from the intersection of Route 32/Route 190 to Route 319/Route 190. Despite increasing commercialization in this area since the 1960s, a few family homes remain, and we are committed to monitoring what is happening in ”our neck of the woods.”