SoDo NRZ Minutes rd October 15, 2014 – Hartford Public Library’s 3 Floor Activity Room Attendance: J. Palerma, J. Gordon, R. Zaleski, C. Sicbaldi, M. Moriarty, Offr DeMaine, J. Howard, C. Ortiz, M. Gottesdiener, R. Gale, A. Ambrose Guests: S. Bronin, T. Deller, L. Stefon, M. LaJoie, M. Charles-‐Flores, N. Macy, B. Painter, Police Report: Been a relatively quiet month. -‐2 robberies both resulting in arrests; iphone thefts down -‐36 car breaks which is a little high Marathon was uneventful; Winterfest begins at the end of November. No update on the sexual assault on John/Buckingham that happened in September. Details are still sealed. Guest Speakers: Laura Stefon/ Merit LaJoie-‐ Office of the Victim Advocate Independent state agency that provides assistance to victims as they navigate the criminal justice process. They are meeting with NRZs around the city and also with groups around the state in order to increase their reach. A complaint doesn’t have to be filed against a perpetrator but could be filed against a judge or lawyer for example. The OVA’s job is to be an advocate for a victim. They are kind of like the complaint department. It’s most effective for them to receive complaints at the beginning of the process to actually be able to make a difference. Sara Bronin P&Z Chair P&Z is a citizen commission and they pass & amend the zoning regs and maintain the zoning map. They also advise the City Council. P&Z is looking for more input from various neighborhoods. Sara has spoken to most of the NRZs and is looking forward to getting input from them. Q&A: questions regarding out of code surface parking lots and the status of their compliance. Lengthy discussion of the discrepancies between the P&Z map and what the City has designated (as parks for example: Buckingham Square Park is not really a park) One of Sara’s goals as Chair is to create long term goals and a vision and create logical ideas. Committee Reports: Strategy Committee: Connie Lowell was not at the meeting and it was decided that the group will discuss the documents in November. She had provided a handout of the SoDo Mission, Vision and a strategy at the September meeting for discussion. Anyone with questions about then handouts or suggestions should email: sodonrz@gmail.com
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Social Committee: Committee will beginning planning our 2014 Holiday Party which will take place on December 17th-‐ any suggestions for locations please discuss with Robin who is also actively trying to get new businesses to attend our meetings and join SoDo. She mentioned 50 Elm is interested in hosting a Happy Hour for SoDo-‐ idea will be further discussed. We will start regularly start approving the minutes at our meetings so please read them when you get them in the newsletter and inform Moriah of any corrections that need to be made. th
Next Meeting: November 19
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