TOWN/UNIVERSITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday, February 11, 2003
University of Connecticut
Public Safety Complex
Present: A. Barberet, P. Barry, M. Berliner, T. Callahan, E. Daniels, R. Hudd, R. Miller, G. Muccilli, AJ Pappanikou, E. Paterson, W. Rosen, L. Schilling
Absent: C. Henry, W. Simpson
Staff: D. Dagon, M. Hart, Assistant toG. Padick
Visitors: R. Adams, C. van Zelm
Matt Hart introduced Dave Dagon, the town’s new Emergency Services Administrator.
1. Opportunity for Public to Address the Committee
None
2. December 10, 2002 Meeting Minutes
Phil Barry made a motion to accept the minutes. AJ Pappanikou seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
3. Update re: Mansfield Downtown Partnership
Phil Barry reported that Cynthia van Zelm had negotiated a scope of services with firm of Looney, Ricks & Kiss to prepare the municipal development plan for the Storrs Center project. The Partnership’s Finance and Administration Committee will now work to finalize the contract with the firm. Betsy Paterson reported that the Partnership had recently received good press with the UConn Advance article, and that the Membership Development Committee was preparing a direct mail piece to residents. Larry Schilling added that the University’s Board of Trustees had approved the environmental impact evaluation (EIE) for Storrs Center, and that he hoped within the next month or two to receive final approval for the EIE from the State Office of Policy and Management (OPM).
4. Separatist Road Detention Pond DEP Progress
Larry Schilling reported that the University had finished the dam structure and back-filled the basin. They are now waiting for weather to break in the spring to complete the final planting. Martin Berliner added that the town had lost some time on the bike path and would not be able to bid the project this summer. The town will try to bid the project in the fall.
5. Spring Weekend
(The committee moved this item to the last item of business for the meeting.) Tom Callahan explained that the committee had been studying this issue for a while, largely because the University has needed the time to get its internal plans in order. Eddie Daniels then reviewed general parameters for Spring Weekend 2003. The parameters consist of a number of shared goals, such as providing safe and healthy alternative activities for students and lowering the risk of injury, vandalism and violence (see attached for more detail). Also, while the University plans to schedule events similar to those of previous years, there will be no major expansion of activities. In addition, there is a concert planned for Saturday night, to be held in Gampel Pavilion.
Greg Muccilli stated that while the students support the shared goals, they do not support the general parameters. In particular, the students are concerned that Memorial Stadium cannot be used as a location for the carnival.
Tom Callahan concluded the discussion by stating that the University would need to resolve these issues in the months ahead.
6. UConn Landfill Project
Larry Schilling reported that in January the University had conducted an information session regarding the landfill, and that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) would hold a public meeting on February 25th at the town hall. Rich Miller commented that the January meeting was not well attended, so the DEP is not sure about what will prove the best format for February 25th. Martin Berliner explained that he thought the low attendance was in part attributable to the length of the project and the fact that many concerns have been put to rest. The town has asked the DEP for its response to public comments.
In reference to a recent Hartford Courant article, AJ Pappanikou asked if the leachate from the landfill had slowed. Rich Miller said that it had, and that the Courant article was slightly inaccurate because there are several monitoring wells in excess of 100-feet deep.
Tom Callahan inquired about the estimated total of expenditures for the project to date. Larry Schilling stated that the cost to date is $11.6 million, paid from the University’s deferred maintenance budget.
7. UConn Projects Update
Larry Schilling provided the following update concerning University building projects:
· Information technology building – finishing up for the end of the month
· North Campus apartments, Greek housing complex, Towers dining facility – all expected to be open for the fall
· Benton Art Museum – project will take approximately one year
· Student Union – work is underway, with the theater to be completed this fall
· Pharmacy building – currently re-locating utilities
8. Fenton River Level A Mapping
Tom Callahan reported that the University had received the DEP’s approval concerning this project, and he asked Greg Padick if the mapping results would effect the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development. Greg replied that the planning and zoning commission (PZC) serves as the town’s aquifer protection agency, and the plan of conservation and development will reflect the revised mapping. In addition, the University will be notified as a party of interest to comment on the plan.
Rich Miller added that the level A mapping would identify the re-charge area, which is registered as an agriculture/forested tract. The mapping will assist the University in its efforts to protect the tract, and they are looking at the impact to four species of fish. The mapping study should be a two-year study.
9. Other Business
None.
AJ Pappanikou made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:15 p.m. Phil Barry seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Matthew Hart
Assistant Town Manager
Attach: (1)