The Town of Bethel, Connecticut, does hereby establish an Economic Development
Commission under the General Statutes of the State of Connecticut, Revision
of 1958, as follows.
The purpose of said Commission shall be to:
A. Promote and develop the business and industrial resources
of the Town of Bethel.
B. Study and investigate conditions affecting existing Bethel
industry, business and commerce and to promote and encourage the preservation,
expansion and development thereof within said Town of Bethel.
C. Take active steps to promote, encourage and induce desirable
industrial, business and commercial firms to locate in Bethel and to assist
and cooperate with existing industrial, business and commercial firms in their
operation and expansion.
D. Advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps,
charts and pamphlets; and to collect, compile and disseminate information
relative to the natural, economic and other resources of the Town of Bethel
which, in the judgment of the Commission, will further its official purpose.
E. Cooperate and coordinate with governmental and nongovernmental
groups, associations, agencies and commissions having like functions or similar
purposes.
F. Hire from time to time such assistants, experts, technicians
and professional help as the Commission may deem necessary for the efficient
conduct of its work, which expenses will be kept within the limits of any
appropriation of funds made by the Town of Bethel or by anyone else to said
Commission.
G. Maintain an up-to-date inventory of present land or buildings
available for business and industry.
H. Maintain an up-to-date inventory of all unused public
land.
I. Conduct surveys for the future use of land in Bethel.
J. Consult with and advise the Town Planning and Zoning
Commission on all phases of business and industrial development in said Bethel.
K. Aid in the preparation of business and industrial brochures
and other methods of advertising.
L. Act as the development agency for the Town of Bethel
and exercise the powers granted under Title 8, Chapter 132, of the General
Statutes of the State of Connecticut, Sections 8-186 through 8-200, as amended
by supplement thereto.
The members of said Commission shall receive no compensation for their
services as such, but shall be reimbursed out of funds appropriated by the
Town for the use of said Commission. The Commission may appoint and remove
such secretarial and clerical assistants as it may need for the performance
of its duties, which salaries shall be fixed by the Board of Selectmen with
the approval of the Board of Finance.
The Commission is authorized to receive and, upon order of its Chairman,
to pay over to the Town Treasurer any funds from any source, including contributions
made for the purpose of said Commission by individuals, corporations or associations,
or any amounts from the sale of printed matter or other material. Such receipts
when so turned over to the Treasurer shall become part of the general funds
of the Town. The Commission is further empowered to enter into a contract
or contracts from time to time for the purpose of this chapter, such obligations
to be met only from any appropriation authorized by the Selectmen upon recommendation
of the Board of Finance.
The annual appropriation for the expenses of said Economic Development
Commission shall be made by the Board of Finance of said Town of Bethel upon
application of said Commission. Said appropriation shall not exceed 1/20 of
1% of the last completed grand list of taxable property in said Town of Bethel
and shall not exceed such other limitation as may be set from time to time
by the General Statutes of the State of Connecticut.
The Economic Development Commission shall have the authority to apply
for and receive state and federal grants from state and federal agencies and
other sources on behalf of the Town of Bethel.