Traffic Updates

• Mather Street: Speed tables have been installed and neighbors report they’ve been a success. Rest of speed bumps will be installed this year.
• Leeder Hill/Whitney Center: A new design has been proposed with two or three speed tables and a better cross walk, possibly using a bump out near the Whitney Center. The design can be viewed on the engineering web site engineering@hamden.com. This may be done by public works this year.
• Canal Trail: Cross walks are going to be installed on streets where walkers on the canal trail have to cross adjacent streets. This is a joint project with New Haven.
• Davis St: Install sidewalks estimated to happen in spring 2026.
• Whitney Ave Road Diet and Rte 15 exchange: Updated timeline is later than we hoped – design in 2027 with installation in 2028. We had been told last June that it would be 2025/2026 so this was disappointing. CTDOT is making changes on the Rte 15 interchange off Whitney and is tying the two projects together which we think is the reason for the delay. We have asked the town to request of CTDOT that the work on Whitney happen earlier than the Rte 15 exchange.

Commercia Area Update

• Books and Co building: Finally on the market for $749,500. We will continue to work to find a buyer or leasee who would continue it as a gathering place. We plan to meet with new Economic Development Director to see what the town can do to help.
• Firehouse on Putnam will go on the market. Yoga practice has moved to Cultural Commons.
• Playwright: There’s a new owner for the Playwright, Frame Shop, parking lot and post office property.

Event Planning

Helen reported on the two major issues that came out of the visioning meeting in November.

 Revitalizing the commercial area and better branding of Whitneyville
 Providing more opportunities for getting to know neighbors and building
community

The group decided instead of an event in the commercial area we would hold an event in DeNicola Park on May 17 2025 from 3 PM to 6 PM. It seemed more doable in the absence Books & Co and Wine 101 and safer for children. This will be instead of our regular May meeting. We will be copying the event WCA held to celebrate the end of COVID but some additions.

Attendees came up with ideas for the event (to be considered by the work groups we
organized at the meeting)

Food

• Pizza Truck (David Bechtel has the name of the truck used last time.)
• Other food trucks?
• Ice cream Truck
• Hot Dog Cart
• Cookies

Games/Entertainment

• Bocce 
• Corn Hole
• Music Act 
• Other lawn games
• Check library for any rentals of games (Hamden and Wallingford)

Children’s Activities

• Hula Hoops
• Bubbles
• Crafts table
• Eli Whitney Museum activity 
• Singer of Kids Songs (Robert who has performed at Best Video)
• Petting Zoo?

Publicity

• Develop flyers, email notices
• Notice to WCA email list
• Flyers door to door, include condos, Davenport, etc.
• Yard signs?
• On-line except need to be clear it’s meant for Whitneyville residents
• Flyers in Commercial area

Other ideas/Tasks (WCA Board can handle these)

• Get necessary park permits and insurance
• lottery?
• WCA Table – place our meeting lawn signs on either side of the table with an attached sign saying “Ever wonder what these signs are all about?” 
• Have name tags and ask people to list their street (if they choose) so neighbors can find each other. (Framed may print these?)
• Recruit new WCA members
• Visioning Exercise – People can place stickies in three columns: What do you like about living in Whitneyville? What would you like to see changed? What role can the WCA play?  (Way to get more perspectives from young families)
• Make sure we have recycling bins at the event for bottles
• Deal with budget for event

The meeting ended with attendee signing up for five workgroups: Food, Entertainment/Games, Children’s Activities, Publicity, Set Up/Clean Up Crew.