September Meeting 9.21
Call to order
A meeting of The Park Rd Association was held at Playhouse on Park on 9.21
CO-Presidents - Welcome / Urgent Business - Tracy Flater & John Paindiris
Clean Up Walk
We don’t have committee chairs or a committee. Is anyone willing to take the lead to make this happen?
Normally would happen Sept 30th - Tracy and Johnny will be out of town
Spread the word, contact Johnny and Tracy for more information
Let’s get the area beautified before the parade!
Need to rebuild committee
ISO Membership Chair
Responsibilities: soliciting members, updating directory
One Park: Joe Angelico
Marty Kenny, developer for Park One project has passed unexpectedly
Progress continues on project
Tentative plan for grand opening in late October
Parade Committee - Tony Landino
No parade last year due to weather, paying close attention to forecasts this year
Parade will be October 7th
Hopefully we can rebuild our momentum after two years without the parade
Sponsors make this happen, we rely on fundraising and donations
Grand Marshall Renee highlighting fidelco, kenways causes, and foodshare this year
More info on nonperishable drop off coming soon
Playhouse on Park Comedy Night Benefit October 3rd- tickets available at Playhouse on Park
Happy hour on Thursday October 5th with Smoke Public House, Portobello, and Plan B participating, 5-8pm.
Anything you need to know is on our website www.ParkRoadCT.com
Many local businesses doing giveaways, deals, and specials day of the parade
Riverbend will have their book mobile
Singers will be on Effie’s patio
Seeking volunteers for the parade- please contact Tony if you or anyone you know may be interested in volunteering
Town Reports:
Economic Development Coordinator Kristen Gorski
Introducing Lauren Lauren DeLisa Siegel, new full time economic development specialist
Lauren will specialize in working with our local business community in West Hartford
Lauren owned her own catering and prepared foods company for 20 years, personally knows the business owner perspective and wants to help local businesses stay in business
Surveys will be going around about a streetscape
Honest Beauty, Korean Beauty store opened on Park
Adult use cannabis store Budr opened on Prospect with a warm welcome from the community
Sweet Spot LLC is building an adult use cannabis store to open next year- the second store in town, meeting our limit of 2 adult use stores
Chipotle with drive thru will be built in Prospect Plaza along with two unknown commercial spaces
Retirement Savings Program- My CT Savings for small businesses, connected with local businesses last month in a business walk on park road
Small Business/Nonprofit grant program is still available- has given out 1.3 Mil through the program, still has money left to give
Town Manager - Rick Ledwith
Visions Arrow initiative had first public meeting
Task force looking to eliminate traffic related deaths
Survey and interactive map available to express safety concerns regarding specific crosswalks
Town has doubled their traffic stops
Public Session 12.6
Redesign of Park Rd next year for safety
Uconn project- wetlands hearing happening 10.2
Public outreach hearing next Tuesday at St Joseph’s at 7pm to discuss Uconn project
Saturday 5-9- Fire Dept Event
Saturday Sept 30th Trout Brook Trail Tour
Development team wants to continue trail through Uconn campus
If everything goes to plan the trail will be approx 3.8 miles
Police - Chief Vernon Riddick, Lt Tommy Lazure
Introduction of community relations officers
No major crimes on Park, just routine traffic stops
Police presence seeking visibility to keep Park safe
Lock your cars!
PD has free wheel locks available for steering wheels to prevent car theft
860.523.5203- nonemergency line to reach out with any concerns. Please reach out if you have any concerns!!
St Joseph’s dietary employee assaulted on her way to the bus stop after her shift, several injuries including injuries to wrists and ribs. Someone has been taken into custody, West Hartford PD had assistance from Hartford PD
Concerns expressed in meeting regarding safety on the corner of Oakwood and Park
Both pedestrians and drivers need to exercise awareness of surroundings
Burglaries are down 26%, Auto theft is up 250% in the region
We need to be tougher on crime with more programs for rehabilitation
Against the law to pursue for a non-felony
Confidential tip line 860.570.8969 or WHPDTips@westhartfordct.gov
Weha Jazz in Blueback Oct 8 2-5 to breakdown barriers between PD and local youth
Citizens Academy 6 week program, needs more sign ups or it will be canceled
Citizens Academy is recommended for business owners
Chamber of Commerce - Christopher Conway
Ribbon cutting at Aurora Foundation
Newsletter has gotten very long, lots going on
Golf Tournament was sponsored by Budr, who are doing very well
Meeting tomorrow at Noah Webster House to network
Fourth Friday Lunch at Luna Pizza 11-2
Economic Development Update 10.17 at Pond House
Dual Business after hours 10.12 Balance Massage and Wellness on Newington border
Spooktacular Soiree at Noah Webster House Oct 19, Costumes encouraged
10.12 Hisbiscus and Honey Ribbon Cutting
Chamber Rebrand, new logo and new website
New website has more resources and is very easy to update
Playhouse on Park, Tracy Flater:
Playhouse on Park 15th Anniversary Season is kicking off with The Complete Works of Jane Austen Abridged
You can subscribe, sponsor, and buy tickets
Playhouse on Park has been hit extremely hard by the Pandemic and needs community support
Theatres across the country are closing weekly, please support your local arts
Greater Hartford Theatre week is coming up!
Next Meeting: October 19th - 8:30am to 9:30am
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 9:47am.
Caraline Gartrell
Transcriber
9.21.23
Date of approval