MEETING MINUTES
Friday, May 18, 2023 at 8:00am
CO-Presidents - Welcome / Urgent Business, Tracy Flater & John Paindiris
Call to order
A meeting of The Park Rd Association was held at Playhouse on Park on 5.18.23.
Urgent Business
Restaurant Meeting:
Johnny & Tracy met with fellow restaurant owners to discuss fundraising efforts for the parade; ideas for day of parade; and cross promotional opportunities including a pub crawl. The pub crawl planning is in process.
Discussion of state liquor laws for Parade Day - how early can you serve alcohol: alcohol can be served after beginning at 9am. There is now a restaurant database and group text.
Beautification:
We need to resurrect the Beautification Committee. No spring clean up walk yet, in need of a late spring clean up perhaps in June. Tracy reached out to Kim at K enterprises regarding resurrecting the committee and/or the walk. Anyone interested should reach out.
Trash Barrel issue being fixed, work order to get it rewrapped
Smoke shop working with zoning over multiple violations regarding banners. A new banner has been added, the number is up to 5. Only allowed to have new business banner for 30 days after opening, post 30 days it is not permitted. Formal complaint needs to be filed in hopes of it being fixed.
One Park
Tracy spoke to Marty Kenny and invited him to attend a future PRA meeting to update the group. He thought that was a great idea. He has the schedule and will choose a meeting to attend. We expressed interest in a tour. The space is not ready for visitors/touring - yet. The restaurants and other businesses are interested in partnering to help welcome residents (create a coupon book, etc).
Join the parade committee!!!
The Parade Committee will meet next Wednesday, May 24th 8:30am - 9:30am at Effie’s Place. Anyone interested is welcome.
Kristen Gorski, Economic Development
Outdoor Dining Ordinance- End of Executive Order that allowed for temporary outdoor dining is no longer in effect, all covid expansions now need approval. Places with outdoor dining pre covid do not need to reapply, however any expansions need to be approved by town planning. Outreach has been underway to inform businesses that need to apply
West Hartford first adult use cannabis store underway, possible opening in June or July. West Hartford is capped at 2 adult rec establishments. Caribe’s is now going to be our second adult use store. Cap will not be increased until after 2024. Bulk of adult use business will be during the day, driving more business into the area and hopefully a positive change.
Funds still left in small business grant program, must be able to demonstrate negative economic effects from covid. Postcards will be sent to businesses and non-profits who may qualify. Postcard has QR code to the website, in Spanish, English, and Chinese to be more inclusive to all businesses
Third Annual Job Fair next week at Elmwood Community Center, approx 30 businesses attending. Tues 5.23 4-7pm. Additional strategic outreach has been done this year to make the event as beneficial as possible.
Pasta kitchen is remaining open until it is sold, building owner has been in contact and has had a lot of interest
Dan Pesche, Economic Development
No real update yet for early fall programming for businesses in partnership with WHPD
Rick Ledwith, Town Manager
$12-15 million revenue projected for cannabis establishments
Town may be able to use revenue to improve infrastructure in the neighborhood ie improving Park and Prospect Rds.
Busy season for community events. Saturday Lasalle, Farmington, and parts of Blueback will be closed for barrier painting (May be pushed due to projected rainfall)
Open house, Memorial Day Parade, Pride Flag Raising, West Hartford Celebrates, Juneteenth, Caribbean American Festival, and Pride Day all coming up.
Officer Santora
Return of bike officers- Monday Tues daytime, Wed Thurs Fri at night. Officers want to attend Park Rd Meeting
Catalytic Converter thefts have died down
Lock your cars!!! Most thefts are through unlocked cars
Pasta Kitchen, Birdcode, and Liquor Store near Effie’s were all broken into but it has been quiet since
Tracy Flater, Co-President
Meeting with health dept in regards of new regulations
Kristen suggested meeting with health dept and PD at same time
Playhouse won Best of Hartford!
Webster’s Bitch, a World Premiere will be at the Playhouse
Successful Encore Fundraiser
Ben Wenograd, Town Council
Wants cannabis more spread out, emphasized getting as much money as possible for the area from these businesses
Guidelines for cannabis sales may have certain amount required to spend on community
Bike to work initiative, intentionally bringing Hartford and West Hartford together
Zoning changes, expediting permit process
Chris Conway, Chamber of Commerce
Rebranding, created new logos for committees and new website whchamber.com
Business After Hours in Farmington at Anthology Senior Living on Rt 4. Reveal of Chamber Awards ie Economic Driver of the Year goes to Park Rd Association and Legacy Award going to AC Petersons
Annual meeting and award ceremony 6.26 at Farmington Polo Club
Adjournment
Thank you to the Chamber for the recognition!
Meeting adjourned at 9:30am.
Caraline Gartrell
5.18.23
Transcriber
Date of approval