WCA Minutes 9/10/2015
September Meeting, 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Introductions
Jan’s first meeting since she was elected president. Has been in the neighborhood since 1978, looking forward to working with the association.

Old business:
– Complaint about overlook trash barrel – it’s now on the pickup route. Alert the town help line if you see trash pileup problems.
– Traffic committee contacting the Mayor about Mather traffic calming plan. See further discussion later in meeting.
– Public parking – sent letter about signage in the public lot and asking for enforcement.
– Davenport-Dunbar plantings on Clifford; Michael is in contact with town, but enforcement is complaint-driven.
– Dave reported on library branch – peeling paint may be fixed/covered, will ask to have hours posted on the new door window.

New business:
– Whitneyville Fall Festival is this Saturday, 9/12 10:00am – 4:00pm. Need someone at the table from 3 to 4 (Deb and Scott will do this). Stop by the table and say “Hi”.
– League of Women Voters candidates forum October 29 7pm to 9pm at Miller Library. We are co-sponsoring with several other civic associations. Send questions for candidates to Jan (president@whitneyville.org)
– Hamden Land Conservation Trust is looking for a Scout Troop to help steward Johnson Pond. There are troops in Spring Glen, but not in Whitneyville.

John Hudak, Regional Water Authority, Environmental Planning Department.
jhudak@rwater.com or www.rwater.com
An informative presentation on the history, real estate, and environmental activities of the Authority, including details on Lake Whitney and the local treatment plant (one of four). Sign up for Lake Whitney Management Plan updates (annually) by contacting ask.whitney@rwater.com

Rep. Mike D’Agostino
Asked for feedback on residential parking issue in the town. Also discussed strategies for engaging town on parking and zoning enforcement issues. Also provided updates on legislature.

Roundtable

Agreed to write an open letter to request town explain why Mather/Waite traffic calming work was not completed as described at WCA May meeting and a pre-project meeting was not held.
Announcement: Hamden Land Trust fundraiser wine tasting and art show, at Whitney Center, 9/17, 5:30-7:30.

WCA Minutes 5/14/2014
Annual Meeting

Greetings – quick agenda review

Old business updates:

ECS – brief presentation on Hamden’s shortfall in funding from the state. See http://hamden.org/ECS for more details.

Summer music concerts are planned and will be publicized soon.

Litter pickup report – 10+ bags collected by volunteers and picked up by the town

Bell – will be reinstalled soon, even if bollards are delayed

Davenport Dunbar plantings – WCA sent letter to ask that dead shrubs be replaced, town is working on it

Mailing from Mike D’Agastino promoted WCA and 1253 and invited all to join, thanks to him

Thanks to Laine and 1253whitney.com for all his support and providing a meeting space.

Annual Meeting Voting:

By laws approval – membership definition, board definition, geography definition
Vote on bylaws – passed with unanimous vote.

Board slate presentation
Jan – President
David Bechtel – Vice President
Deb W. – Treasurer
Michael – Past President

Floor nominations – None

Vote on board – passed with unanimous votes on each office.

Standing Committees approval
1. “Gardening and Beautification”
2. “Business Liaison”

Introduction of Guest: Dale Kroop, Hamden Economic Development
Overview of the department, what they can offer.
Reminder of benefits of economic development on tax rates.
Discussion of challenges and opportunities in Hamden and several specific sites.
New Economic Development Plan will be similar to the existing one, commission meets second Tuesday of the month at 5:30 – meetings are open to public.

New Issues from Floor:

380 Mather – Curt Leng, Chief Administrative Officer
-Traffic improvements on Dixwell will be made by the developer
-Town commissioned an additional traffic study with further ideas
-Planning and Zoning imposed some conditions
-Traffic Commission approved with conditions
-State DOT must approve – pending
-Apart from the project, traffic calming on Mather is progressing:

-T intersection with Waite St.
-Sidewalk improvements and connections
-Marked crosswalks and sharrow
-Refuge island at Servoss

Announcements:

Update from Laine on 1253 Whitney. Many events are happening, like game nights on Tuesdays. Check the web site at 1253whitney.com for more details.

Next Meeting: July 9, 2015