Minutes

Present: A. Barberet, T. Callahan, B. Clouette, R. Hudd, AJ Pappanikou, L. Schilling

Absent: P. Barry, E. Daniels, J. Gauthier, E. Paterson, W. Simpson

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

1. Opportunity for Public to Address the Committee

None

2. February 10, 2004 Meeting Minutes

Audrey Barberet made a motion to approve the minutes from February 10, 2004 meeting, with the corrections to item 6(b) as noted by AJ Pappanikou. Chief Hudd seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

3. Update re: Mansfield Downtown Partnership

Cynthia van Zelm reported that the Partnership was still working on negotiating an agreement with the master developer, Storrs Center Alliance, LLC. Also, in April the Partnership plans to complete its brochure highlighting businesses and services in the community. Other tasks that the Partnership currently has underway include planning for its fall festival on the green, updating its business list and developing strategies to increase student involvement within the organization.

4. Substance Abuse Workgroup

Tom Callahan reported that the workgroup met the previous week, and that he, Betsy Paterson and Martin Berliner plan to meet with President Austin to discuss the establishment of a permanent committee to focus on substance abuse issues.

[Pappanikou] – is the workgroup primarily concerned with alcohol? [Callahan] – yes.

5. UConn Spring Weekend

Chief Hudd reported that nothing has changed dramatically, and that the university’s internal planning meetings are moving along. Public safety personnel will be paying particular attention to manage the concert and the entourage, and to utilize metal detectors.

[Pappanikou] – will the new Greek village play into this? [Hudd] – the students will not be able to deviate from any of the customary rules pertaining to the village housing.

6. UConn 2000

Larry Schilling provided an update on the following projects:

· Co-generation facility – on track to produce its own electricity by March 2005

· Student union – phase I should be completed this summer, including the theater. The complete project should be finished in the fall of 2005.

· University communications building – construction to start spring of 2005

· Torrey building – in the process of hiring an architect to replace this building by 2009

· Football complex – the design development is underway; hope to start construction in spring 2005 for completion in 2006

[Clouette] – does the EIE of this project include the relocated facilities? [Schilling] – the EIE does include the tennis courts.

[Clouette] – what is the status of the cupola on the Wilbur Cross building? [Schilling] the cupola was restored as part of the building project.

Larry also reviewed the UConn landfill closure project – the engineers have resolved the wetland issues and hopefully the DEP will issue a permit by July 2004. The university hopes to start work somewhat in advance in order to complete the project for this fall.

7. UConn Master Plan Update

Larry Schilling explained that this project was moving along, with the October 2004 trustees meeting as the target completion date. The consultants are presently focused on the recreation/athletic piece, which was never fully examined in the past, and will probably hold another public meeting in the early fall.

[Pappanikou] – what are the plans for the old football stadium? [Schilling] – it will probably be demolished in the summer of 2005.

8. Other Business

a) Martin Berliner reported that Rich Miller will be making a presentation to the Mansfield Town Council on March 22, and will discuss topics such as the East Campus, the hazardous waste storage site study advisory committee and the environmental policy committee.

The committee adjourned the meeting at 4:32 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Matthew Hart

Minutes

Assistant Town Manager