[Ord. No. 2461, 10-20-2009]
There shall be an economic development commission having the powers and duties set forth in this article and G.S. § 7-136 for the promotion and development of the economic resources of the Town of Windham. The commission shall be known as the "Town of Windham Economic Development Commission," and is referred to in this article as the "Commission."
[Ord. No. 2461, 10-20-2009]
(a) 
The Commission shall consist of five regular members and two alternate members, who are electors of the Town of Windham.
(b) 
The regular members shall be appointed to offices of terms of five years; the alternate members each shall be appointed to an office for a term of five years.
(c) 
The Town Council shall make the first appointments to the Commission offices. In respect of the regular members, at the first appointment one regular member shall be appointed for a term of one year; one regular member shall be appointed for a term of two years; one regular member shall be appointed for a term of three years; one regular member shall be appointed for a term of four years; and one regular member shall be appointed for a term of five years. Thereafter, as the term of each regular member of the Commission expires, the successor shall be appointed by the Town Manager to serve for a term of five years and until a successor has been appointed and qualified. As the term of each alternate member of the Commission expires, the successor shall be appointed by the Town Manager.
[Ord. No. 2461, 10-20-2009]
A new member shall be appointed to fill any vacancy occurring in the membership of the Commission in accordance with Section VII-1 of the Town Charter.
[Ord. No. 2461, 10-20-2009]
The Town Council may remove any member of the Commission in accordance with the Town Charter Section VII-14.
[Ord. No. 2461, 10-20-2009]
The members of the Commission shall serve without compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed by the town for their necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties. The Town Manager or his/her designee must review and approve reimbursable expenses before reimbursement.
[Ord. No. 2461, 10-20-2009]
The Commission may request the Town Manager to hire or assign employees necessary for the proper discharge of the Commission's duties.
[Ord. No. 2461, 10-20-2009]
Consistent with and in addition to the powers and duties granted by G.S. § 7-136, the Commission shall have the following powers and duties:
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To make recommendations to appropriate officials and agencies of the town regarding action to improve the town's economic base, condition and development;
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To conduct research into the economic conditions and trends in the town;
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To annually prepare a mission statement that will promote opportunity and job growth in the town;
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To review the town's Land Use Commission's agenda and minutes to keep abreast of development and timelines;
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To recommend or initiate updates on economic development issues to the town's website;
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To work with commissions, town staff and town officials to develop an efficient process for economic development;
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To appear at hearings, meetings and forums to comment upon, and submit information relating to, development applications or proposals;
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To maintain town presence on appropriate economic development websites and to consult with regional and statewide and federal economic development commissions and initiators;
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In consultation with the Town Manager and pursuant to the Charter, initiate applications and administer various federal and state business improvement grants;
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To recommend to the Town Council general and specific tax abatement programs and incentives under Connecticut law;
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To initiate, in consultation with the Town Manager, applications to change the boundaries of zoning districts, economic or development zones, and to amend or repeal land use regulations;
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To advertise, prepare print and distribute material to improve economic opportunity;
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To organize joint meetings of the town's various legislative and administrative bodies to review the Commission's work, plans and recommendations;
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To advise Town Council on the creation of incentive programs to increase entrepreneurship;
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To review and comment on town capital improvement plan; and
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To write and monitor a community revitalization strategy.
[Ord. No. 2461, 10-20-2009]
There may be an annual appropriation of funds to the use of the Economic Development Commission, such appropriation, however, shall not exceed one-twentieth of 1% of the last completed grand list of taxable property in the town. The Commission shall annually prepare an itemized estimate of the cost of conducting the affairs of the Commission for the ensuing year and shall submit such estimate to the Town Council not later than three months before the town budget referendum. The Commission may request transfer of any unexpended funds. The Commission may request the Board of Finance to create enterprise accounts for disbursement of funds as needed. Expenditures by the Commission shall not exceed the appropriation made by the town.
[Ord. No. 2461, 10-20-2009]
The Commission shall report annually in February to the Town Council and the Board of Finance Commission's activities and expenditures during the preceding year.