Minutes

Present: P. Barry, T. Callahan, E. Daniels, R. Hudd, E. Paterson

Absent: A. Barberet, B. Clouette, AJ Pappanikou, L. Schilling, W. Simpson

Staff: M. Berliner, M. Hart, G. Padick

1. Opportunity for Public to Address the Committee

None

2. May 11, 2004 Meeting Minutes

Due to a lack of a quorum, there were no minutes from the May 11, 2004 meeting.

At this point of the meeting, Tom Callahn introduced Tom Szigethy, who has recently been hired by the University as the Director of Alcohol and Other Drug Education Services. Tom has considerable experience in child welfare and substance abuse issues, and is excited to be at UConn in his new role.

3. Update re: Mansfield Downtown Partnership

Tom Callahan reported that there was a split in the two firms that had formed as the master developer for the Storrs Center project. The Partnership then decided to interview each firm separately, and elected to proceed with Leyland Alliance, LLC. Leyland has added to its team the firm of Intrawest-The Village People, which has considerable experience with resort planning. The parties are now in the process of negotiating a final development agreement, and things are moving along well.

Betsy Paterson reminded the committee that the Partnership’s Festival on the Green would be held on September 18^th from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., following the Know Your Town Fair.

4. Community-Campus Partnership on Substance Abuse

Martin Berliner and Tom Callahan reported that both the town and the university are committed to the concept of establishing a community-campus partnership on substance abuse, and hope to have a slate of members identified by September.

5. Community Liaison /Off campus Housing Issues

Martin Berliner reported that groups of town staff were continuing to look at issues relating to off-campus housing. In particular, staff is researching the viability of a litter ordinance and a housing code for rental properties in town. Mayor Paterson added that the Town Council had also formed a special committee to review these issues, and to work with staff. Tom Callahan cited the successful example of Blacksburg, Virginia, home of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virgina Tech), where parents have purchased a number of old row houses and property values in the neighborhood have actually increased.

6. Other

Phil Barry suggested that the committee carry forward University Spring Weekend as a recurring agenda item, in memory of Bill Rosen, former Town Council and committee member.

The committee adjourned the meeting at 5:18 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Matthew Hart

Minutes

Assistant Town Manager