TOWN/UNIVERSITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE

COMMITTEE MEETING

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

Audrey P. Beck Municipal Building

Council Chambers

 

Minutes

 

Present:          P. Barry, T. Callahan, B. Clouette, J. Jevitts, G. Krauss, R. Miller,

E. Paterson, W. Simpson, G. Zimmer

 

Staff:               M. Berliner, C. van Zelm (MDP)

 

1.      Opportunity for Public to Address the Committee

 

None.

 

2.      June 14, 2005 Meeting Minutes

 

The committed accepted the minutes from the June 14, 2005 meeting.

 

3.      Town of Mansfield’s 2005 Plan of Conservation and Development Update – Presentation by Greg Padick

 

Greg Padick distributed portions of the draft Plan of Conservation and Development as well as a notice for the public hearing on the Plan (to be held on October 5, 2005).  Mr. Padick began his presentation with an overview of the process involved in creating and adopting the Plan of Conservation and Development and then went on to focus on the portions of the Plan that would be of interest to the Town/University Relations Committee.

 

After reviewing the four major policy goals, Mr. Padick discussed the related recommendations involving the University of Connecticut.  The Committee was free to ask questions and the issue of building additional on-campus student housing and of improving off-campus student housing was discussed in further detail.

 

4.      Update re: Mansfield Downtown Partnership

 

Elizabeth Paterson reported on behalf of Cynthia van Zelm. 

 

DECD and OPM approved the Partnership’s plan.  MDP is now able to proceed with the local approval process, which requires WINCOG and PZC approval.

 

Ms. Paterson announced the Fireworks in the Park and Festival on the Green activities.  A copy of the current Mansfield Downtown Partnership, Inc. newsletter was distributed.  Finally, Ms. Paterson announced that the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts and the Mansfield Downtown Partnership, Inc., are offering two special weekend packages celebrating the Jorgensen's 50th anniversary. In conjunction with the Tony Bennett (Saturday, December 10) and the Boston Pops (Saturday, April 1) concerts, the Altnaveigh Inn and Restaurant, the Nathan Hale Inn and Conference Center, and the Fitch House Bed and Breakfast will be offering special dinner and hotel accommodations. The weekend packages can be booked through the Mansfield Downtown Partnership Office.

 

5.      Community-Campus Partnership on Substance Abuse

 

Nothing to report at this time.

 

6.      Community Quality of Life Issues/Spring Weekend

 

Bruce Clouette reported that the party season is already in full swing.  Citizen concern has already been expressed and police actions have already been taken.  A new party house has emerged on Hanks Hill Road and the Town is committed to taking steps to end the community disturbance as soon as possible.  The landlord is currently unresponsive.

 

Martin Berliner detailed the new community policing program to begin this week and mentioned the need to begin meeting with landlords as well.

 

7.      Other Business

 

An invitation was extended to the Assisted Living Market Feasibility Study orientation meeting on Thursday, September 15, 2005 at 9:00am in Council Chambers.  Brecht Associates will be the firm conducting the study and the orientation meeting.

 

The committee meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

Martin H. Berliner

Town Manager