Meeting Minutes: Dec. 2017

[Christel Manning]

The Economic & Community Development group met on Monday, Dec. 11, 2017, from 6 – 7:15 pm at 315 Front Street. Present: Christel, Lisa, Richard, Brenda, Lee, Sally, Sandy Martin.

 

Various items were discussed.

1. Sandy briefly introduced the CT Center for Social Innovation, a non-profit interested in building a national model for community organizing. They may want to collaborate with CSNA in the future.
2. Strong School update. City committee had its meeting and overwhelmingly rejected the Lazarus development proposal, so its time to organize to find a better solution. A small group of CNSA members and alders met at Lee’s house to brainstorm ideas. Community meeting to get public input is planned for 2/12/2018.
3. Riverfest. Tentative date is Sat, 5/19/2018 with rain date on 5/20. Lee will confirm that this does not conflict with Fair Haven pop up festival. Then Christel will call QRWA to see if date works for them. We discussed whether to continue last year’s addition of road race; decided it may not be a good fit because street closing made parking difficult. May be better for BH Café to not have a tent and grill outside; instead do simple menu (hotdogs, pizza, etc.) and take orders and cook in kitchen inside. We discussed music options; agreed to keep our regular line up of Bregamos drummers, then 2 bands with special guest in between. Rich will contact Sweet Sixteen dancers to see if they want to come back. Sally will contact Kevin Diaz who has local band, put him in touch w. Rich. Also considering asking Good Night Blue Moon back (they supported us for several years before we started paying bands). Nice to have vendors; we can ask them back plus maybe add Latino artisans. Lee will investigate that.