West Norwalk Association Board Meeting
October 4, 2010
Minutes of the West Norwalk Association
October 4, 2010
Those Board Members present were: Joel Zaremby, Galen Wells, Linda Forcellina, Margaret Karl, Ron Paladino, Martin O’Connell, Candide Valadares and Chris Potts. Gay Mac Leod, Julie and Will Harris, Betsy McGowan and Anthony Carrano were guests.
The President, Joel Zaremby, called the meeting to order at 7:35.
The First order of business was the election of Officers for the next year. Martin O’Connell moved that Joel Zaremby be elected President, Chris Potts be elected Vice President, Linda Forcellina, Treasurer and Galen Wells, Secretary. The motion was seconded by Ron Paladino and was unanimously passed by the Board of Directors.
Linda Forcellina presented the Treasurer’s Report. Martin O’Connell moved that the report be accepted as presented. Candide Valadares seconded the motion and the Board of Directors unanimously passed the motion.
Linda Forcellina reported that the WNA was now properly registered with the IRS and she thanked Chris Potts for his help. The WNA is registered with the IRS as a Civic Organization, which means that dues and other contributions are not tax deductible. She suggested that that information be put on forms.
Linda Forcellina, on behalf of the ambassador Program, agreed to contact the 8 people who volunteered to be ambassadors and will draft a job description.
Galen Wells presented the Minutes of the previous meeting. Linda Forcellina moved to accept them as written. Martin O’Connell seconded the motion and the Board of Directors unanimously passed the motion.
Next, the Fire Marshall and one of his inspectors made a presentation on fire safety. The presentation included discussion of fire alarms, extension cords and how to properly use a fire extinguisher to put out a small fire. It was a very informative presentation.
Betsy McGowan then spoke about opposition to Dolce rezoning as a hotel. She said that neighbors of Dolce are vehemently opposed to the rezoning. There have been 7 zoning changes in the last 15 years and now they want to make Dolce a hotel. Broadreach, the current owner, bought the property for $24 million and they are operating in the red. The most likely purpose is to sell the property and with the rezoning, it could be sold to Ramada or another chain of hotels. Julie and Will Harris who just bought the “convent” on Weed Avenue also expressed their opposition. They reported that Kate Johnson, a local realtor, said she lost a sale in the neighborhood because of this proposal.
Joel suggested they go to Andy Conroy and Nora King, our representatives on the Common Council. Larry Cafero, our State Rep., has said he will not take a position on the issue. Joel said the WNA would consider the matter.
Joel announced that the Holiday Party was December 9th and that the invitation was ready to mail.
The next meeting of the Board of Directors will be on November 15th at Fox Run School.
Candide Valadares made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Martin O’Connell and approved by the board. The meeting was adjourned at 9:05
Respectfully Submitted, Galen Wells, Secretary