February Minutes 2024

Feb  Meeting 2.15

Call to order

A meeting of The Park Rd Association  was held at Playhouse on Park on 2.15.24

Co-Presidents Welcome 

  • Happy Birthday Tracy! Attend her and Darlene’s joint celebration at Playhouse on Park this Sunday from 6-9pm. Free admission, just bring a donation item from the playhouse wishlist! More info here

Town Reports:

Economic Development - Lauren Siegel 

  • Park lane pizza needs full renovation, very expensive and very long process. The building has not been changed in over 50 years and needs to be up to code

  • Sweet Spot grand opening on Saturday at 10am, photo ops at 9

  • 1-4 on Saturday black owned business expo 

  • Zoning dept scaling up visiting businesses for violations

Town Manager - Rick Ledwith

  • Elmwood community center- working on contract with architect 

  • Last week an infrastructure meeting was held with approx 100 attendees 

  • Vision Zero is in a great spot to move forward

  • Waste management pay as you throw: focusing on separating your trash and recycling 

Town Engineer: Park Rd Project

  • Rd safety audit back in October brought insight on what to incorporate in the project

  • 46 ft curb to curb, 5 ft bike lanes and 8ft parallel parking 

  • Curb extensions for crosswalk safety 

  • Sidewalk ramps 

  • Large cost, curbs alone expected to be 950k

  • Repairs as needed 

  • Businesses will all be able to stay open and functional during construction 

Community Development 

  • Looking to hire new staffers for the engineering team to help with town improvements 

  • Received a grant of 700k to look into the flooding in Hartford and West Hartford. The study will take about a year 

Police 

  • New community division officer with experience in patrol and as a school officer

  • Shell incident was an isolated incident 

  • More cameras in town 

  • Police are going to businesses by request for business safety audits 

  • Potential for a business safety class if there is interest 

Chamber of Commerce- Chris Conway

  • Newsletter now going out Wednesdays instead of Thursdays 

  • Please reach out if you have not been getting out most recent emails 

  • Business after hours tonight 530-730 in Farmington 

  • Upcoming Black History Month Breakfast and panel discussion on black business 

  • Chamber 101 March 1st 

  • March 18 at Mandell JCC 5-7


    Playhouse on Park

  • Come see Holmes and Watson, running until this Sunday (2.18)!

  • Playhouse is partnering with Riverbend Books, Sherlock Holmes themed books & items for sale in the lobby, a portion of the proceeds go to the Playhouse in the lobby for sale

  • Show Your Love- Donate $5 or more to the Playhouse and get a heart with your name on it displayed in the lobby!


    Riverbend Books

  • Poetry on Park- poetry party!

    • Sat 4.20, 11-2 outdoor festival with poetry readings 

    • Poetry themed activities 

    • Encouraging full walk around park rd 

    • Asking businesses to donate any outdoor space for the event

    • Riverbend is having a fundraiser to help a high school literature team go to the finals in Australia, stay tuned for details

Iron Horse Bar

  • Opening Mid April

  • Patio, food, and alcohol 

  • Unable to make use of upstairs at this time 

  • Unable to get an elevator


Next Meeting: March

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Meeting adjourned at 9:40am