Minutes of the West Norwalk Association
September 19, 2016
Board Members Present: Anthony Carrano, Brian Forschino, Rob Notley, Kristin Clemens & Ted Stepanoff. Isabelle Hargrove and Ken D’Arinzo were not in attendance.
Anthony called the meeting to order at 7:30pm.
Anthony motioned to approve the minutes, Brian seconded. The Board members present unanimously approved the June and July meeting minutes.
Treasurer’s Report – Account balance of around $4,000 after scholarship check was cashed.
Oak Hills Update – The President of the Oak Hills Authority provided Anthony with a letter to include in our newsletter updating on this going on at the Park. Anthony is being taken off the Oak Hills Nature Board.
Oak Hills Social Event – Anthony counted 75 people. Kristin suggested having a “signature West Norwalk Association”. We should find out if the restaurant wants to close at a certain time so we can tell people.
Annual Meeting – Could consider having the annual meeting at the Oak Hills Restaurant with drinks afterwards. Will ask Isabelle to reach out to Amar. Annual meeting is currently scheduled for 10/20 at 7pm. Isabelle will reach out to the politicians. Need to see how many we will have. Anthony will give a summary of the newsletter. Anthony will see if Mayor Rilling will attend. Anthony will announce Board Members at the meeting.
Annual Newsletter – Fox Run, Ponus, Dr. Levinson, Oak Hills Park, Oak Hills Park Nature Center, Igneri and Livingston. Will discuss quarterly newsletters. Letter from the Board – Scholarship, Clean-up Day, Fillow Street Property, Coyotes, Five Mile River, Social Events, Quarterly Newsletters. Will try to get mailed out by October 10th.
Quarterly newsletters – Safety tips, special dates, general interest stories, etc.
Revision of the West Norwalk Charter – Charter revisions will be tabled until next year. Will begin discussing early in the New Year. Need to address term limits and election of officers.
Holiday Party – Friday, December 9th at Dolce from 7 – 10pm. Last year $19 per person. Want to raise to $24 per person. Looking to raise beer prices $1 to $6. Will look into providing keg beer. At 120 people would be about $3,500 including gratuity and sales tax. The upstairs bar is no longer available. Will charge $10 per head again this year.
Will have a 50/50 raffle but no other fund raising. Will also do a food drive.
Dolce Update – Would like to start renting rooms to corporate travelers in town. Rooms would need to be booked through Corporate Travel. Dolce has 105 total rooms. The property is currently for sale. Need to keep a watch on whether they are getting offers. Dolce is putting up a replacement gate at the service entrance. Problem is Google Maps routes people to the back gate.
Anthony will speak to Tom Livingston about zoning for Dolce.
All Other Business –
Farm Animals – Would like to get a better understanding of the Norwalk rules regarding farm animals on residential property.
Fund Raising – To the extent we do fund raise, would need to determine what we would do with the money.
The next meeting will be October 10th at Fox Run School.
Anthony closed the meeting at 8:30pm.