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

WCA 3/11/15 minutes

Michael Ross described the planned changes in the WCA by-laws, voting will take place at the annual meeting on May 14,2015, copy of exact wording available after meeting and they are posted online.

After everyone introduced themselves, Michael Ross asked for suggested topics of concern.

1-Block watch info. Could there be a link on the website to Hamden Police block watch info? Should officer be asked to speak again at a meeting, as the good weather approaches?

2-Whitneyville library in need of building repairs.

3-Proposed construction on Mather St.

4-Parking in Whitneyville center.

5- Hamden Hall construction. Bob Izzo of Hamden Hall spoke, public input at planning and zoning is now closed, plan has been approved. He offered to meet with concerned residents from Hall St and area.

Curt Leng , chief administrative officer, updates

1-Trash containers now come in 3 sizes and are available to anyone who requests them.

2-Parking in Whitneyville center—he stated that Hamden will now receive the funds from parking violations. There was discussion how to address parking problems , suggestions were– strictly enforce 2 hour parking, designate commuter parking spaces, install a sign about parking behind the Board of Ed building( Curt expressed concern about the students that still use that facility). Curt didn’t know if or what % of moving violation on Whitney Ave goes to Hamden. He will get back to us. No conclusions drawn.

2-Mather St construction- 400 unit luxury apartments approved for land between lakes and the vacant brick building on the south side of Mather near Dixwell. He stated there would be an exit directly onto Dixwell and also onto Mather. [70] unit disabled housing approved for opposite (north) side of Mather.

3-Mon 3/16, Mayor Jackson will present the budget, it will be online after the presentation. There are funds allocated for repairs to the Waite St bridge. Treadwell St bridge is being worked on presently.

4- Bell at corner of Whitney and Putnam. 3 bollards will be installed at the curve of the pocket park sidewalk to protect pedestrians ( they were not installed in phase 1 of the streetscape as planned ) They are intended to be break away ,should be inexpensive and easily replaced. Bell will be replaced once they are in.

5-An arborist has been hired for the town, no details available.

6-Putnam Ave sidewalks- completing the north side is planned for this spring/summer.

7-Snow removal- the town made a special effort this year to clear areas such as major bus stops. Curt made the suggestion of the creation of a volunteer snow brigade, using See Click Fix for snow removal, next year town is planning on making a grid to prioritize, cite and fine for failure to remove snow on homeowners sidewalk.

8-Miller library update-

Roof repairs complete, children’s room improved, interior painting, expanded historic society area, ceiling tile replacement.

2 desks will be consolidated in to 1

New coffee and relaxation area

Library website updated

Miller- open hours on Sun

9-Whitneyville library, Sat hours 10-1, recommendation made to keep in next year budget. Wireless has been installed, parking lot paved, $ in capital budget for more repairs.

10-Town will support litter pickup, Janet Kazienko will contact town for assistance with a spring litter pick up event.

11-$40,000 for new tree planting in budget.