Minutes

Present: A. Barberet, P. Barry, T. Callahan, E. Daniels, C. Henry, R. Miller, W. Rosen, L. Schilling

Absent: M. Berliner, R. Hudd, AJ Pappanikou, E. Paterson, W. Simpson

Staff: M. Hart, ~~Assistant to~~G. Padick, C. van Zelm

1. Opportunity for Public to Address the Committee

None

2. April 8, 2003 and May 13, 2003 Meeting Minutes

Phil Barry made a motion to approve the minutes from the April 8, 2003 and May 13, 2003 meetings. Bill Rosen seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

3. Update re: Mansfield Downtown Partnership

Cynthia van Zelm, Executive Director of the Partnership, reported that the Partnership had received three responses to its request for qualifications (RFQ) from potential developers. The Partnership will now move forward to interview all three respondents. With respect to other activities, the Partnership has produced a new brochure and continues to work to expand its membership. In addition, the organization recently conducted its annual meeting and the membership elected Janet Jones to the Board of Directors. Lastly, the Town has received a rural business enterprise grant from the US Department of Agriculture to be applied toward Storrs Center development activities. Town and Partnership staff collaborated to prepare the successful grant application.

4. UConn Landfill

Larry Schilling reported that effective June 5, 2003 the University received the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) conditional approval of the University’s long-term monitoring and closure plan for the landfill. The DEP’s approval is conditioned upon: 1) linking various private properties on Meadowood Road to the University’s water system; and 2) establishing long-term monitoring wells on Separatist and Meadowood Roads. Once the University receives final approval for the long-term monitoring and closure plan, the University must still apply for various other permits from the DEP as well as a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers.

5. Substance Abuse Task Force

Tom Callahan explained that Martin Berliner served as a member of the Task Force, and would be in the best position to comment on the recommendations set out in the Task Force report. In Martin’s absence, Matt Hart reported that one of the recommendations was for the town to consider adopting an ordinance regulating underage drinking on private property, and that town staff was presently working on a draft.

6. Update on Town of Mansfield Plan of Conservation and Development

Greg Padick, Mansfield Town Planner, gave a status report regarding the process the town has followed to update its Plan of Conservation and Development. There are several issues that concern both the town and the University:

· Water and sewer connections at Four Corners

· Commercial areas generally

· Mixed use projects

· Design standards for commercial areas

· King Hill Road commercial area

· North Campus area

· More specific references to UConn

Rich Miller spoke to the importance maintaining greenways.

7. Update on University Master Plan Process

Larry Schilling explained that the master plan update process started this past spring, and that the consultants were presently collecting information and conducting a space needs assessment. The consultants will conduct additional meetings this fall upon the students’ return, and plan to complete the update by spring of 2004. Tom Callahan added that much of the UConn 2000 program is complete, and that the University is updating the master plan to prepare for the UConn 21^st Century capital improvement program. As part of this process, the master plan team will conduct public meetings to solicit public comment.

8. Other Business

a. University Spring Weekend – Bill Rosen moved that representatives from the University of Connecticut and the Town of Mansfield shall present to each meeting of the Town/University Relations Committee: a) suggestions for improving conditions at UConn’s Spring Weekend 2004; and b) progress reports on suggestions already accepted until the final plans have been approved and put into operation. Audrey Barberet seconded. Bill read excerpts from the minutes when he presented the same motion the previous year. From his perspective, there is no drawback to adding this as a recurring agenda item. With respect to Spring Weekend, the issue affects not just the University but the entire community. We have not progressed very far; and we were again lucky in 2003 to avoid serious injury. We have to recognize the dangers, and the potential is too great not to try to do something. We need to change the mindset of the event to achieve real change, and we need cooperation and informed opinions. There is no harm in talking. Audrey Barberet re-stated her support of Bill’s motion, and Carole Henry applauded his tenacity with respect to this issue. The motion passed by acclamation.

b. UConn Co-op v. Town of Mansfield – Tom Callahan asked for a future briefing concerning this lawsuit.

c. Bill Rosen departure – Tom Callahan reported that Bill Rosen was moving out-of-state, and that this was his final meeting as a member of the committee. The members thanked Bill for his service, and wished him all the best.

The committee adjourned the meeting at 5:15 p.m. Due to vacation schedules, the August 2003 meeting has been cancelled and the committee will re-convene on September 9, 2003.

Respectfully submitted,

Matthew Hart

Minutes

Assistant Town Manager