Minutes: June 2014 meeting

[Christel Manning]

The Economic Development group met on Monday, June 9, 2014, from 6 – 7 pm at 333 Front Street. Present: Christel Manning, Lee Cruz, David Hunter.

Items discussed:

1. Dining Out Night: We are aiming for Tues or Wed, June 24 or 25. It was suggested we go back to Madden’s Gastropub. Christel will call restaurant and post notice on CSNA.
2. Blighted Housing in our neighborhood: Christel reported there is a vacant house at #15 Lewis Street that was foreclosed and is now abandoned. Windows are broken and squatters have vandalized the inside. The house has been held by CHFA (Connecticut Housing Finance Authority) for nearly year. Natalie Coe was interested in buying it, and she called CHFA repeatedly but was unable to get any information on when it will be available. There are several houses on Quinnipiac Avenue that were formerly owned by Shiavone (#710, 714, and 740) that also seem to be abandoned. What can we do? Lee said this is a common problem with CHFA, they just sit on houses forever, and the neighborhood suffers in the process. He suggested trying to make change before CHFA gets hold of a house. Call Eric Johnson and Lori Johnson at LCI, also call Rafael Ramos. Ask them to notify us as soon as one of these houses become publically available. Also talk to our state reps, Robert Megna or Roland Lemar or Juan Candelaria) and discuss a strategy for cracking the whip on CHFA.