Newtown officials are working on several fronts to better support local businesses.

Recent efforts include a re-energized promotion to get more local business owners to sign themselves into the Economic Development Commission’s local business directory, a new mandate for all town departments to utilize Newtown businesses from that directory when making purchasing decisions, and the launch of a local Business Advisory Committee (NBAC) that will report to First Selectman Dan Rosenthal.

The Business Advisory Committee held its first official meeting August 27, and those present decided that Mondays at 1:30 pm would generally be a good time to schedule future meetings, according to Mr Rosenthal, who acted as temporary chairman until a permanent chair is agreed upon by members.

The first selectman announced in mid-March, that he would follow through on a campaign promise made last fall in establishing the new ad-hoc committee. That panel, consisting of local business leaders and other volunteers, would act as liaisons between Newtown business community members and the Board of Selectmen.

The Board of Selectmen has since appointed the following business leaders to the panel: Don Drapo, Jr, of Curtis Packaging; Michele Hanson of the Farmhouse Restaurant; Chris Hottois of Flint Ridge Development; Adam Richichi of Dental Associates; Sue Shortt of Shortt’s Farm & Garden; Dan Sorrentino of Newtown Hardware; Erica Sullivan of Castle Hill Chocolate; Carrie Swan of Black Swan Hearth & Gift Shop; and Bruce Walczak of Relocation Consultants.

Town Planning Director George Benson, and Wes Thompson of the Town EDC were also at the meeting.

Mr Rosenthal said he reviewed the purpose for appointing the committee as well as the necessary Freedom of Information rules the panel is bound to follow regarding meeting notices and the filing of minutes.

He previously told The Newtown Bee that the committee, first and foremost, would exist to provide recommendations and guidance to the Board of Selectmen on ways Newtown can improve its business climate. Members would be asked to recommend revisions to town policies and regulations with an objective of retaining existing businesses and attracting new businesses to the community.

All actions related to the committee, its work, and appointees would be subject to the approval of the selectmen.

All members would have to represent businesses located in Newtown and would welcome the participation of various non-voting members when the NBAC agenda might call for their input. Among those suggested members were the chairman or designee from Economic Development Commission, president or designee of Newtown Chamber of Commerce, and an editor or designee from local media organizations.

Mr Rosenthal said he hopes to see meetings held at least quarterly, with a member selected to provide periodic updates to the selectmen. The NBAC would also be permitted to appoint its own ad hoc committees to assist with special projects.

“I sometimes hear through back channels that there is a local businessperson who is concerned about something affecting their business, but they don’t want to bring it up themselves,” Mr Rosenthal said. “The appointees are pretty well connected in the community and positioned to hear different things from members of the business community. So this committee can provide a means for any business person, owner, or resident to share their concerns or ideas, and the committee can act as a liaison in bringing that issue back to the selectmen.”

During a discussion on how much or how little information to put forth on the town website about establishing a new business in town, Mr Benson responded saying that various types of businesses may have a variety of steps they need to take, so he recommended not creating a one-size-fits-all guideline for public consumption.

Instead, he recommended that any aspiring new business owner contact his office for specific guidance.

The members on hand also decided to hold their next meeting sooner than later and scheduled their next gathering for 1:30 pm on September 24. Mr Rosenthal suggested that members begin thinking about electing a chairperson, and he said he would be willing to continue acting as chair until one is picked from among committee members.

Purchasing Referrals

Effective immediately, Finance Director Robert Tait has requested that whenever a Town department has to do a quote for goods, services, and/or materials, that department is required to pick two Newtown businesses from the directory and include them in the quote.

Department purchasing representatives must then follow-up by marking those businesses with the descriptor “NBD” in the requisition description field. The finance director said he will be looking for these designations whenever he is approving requisitions.

In his memo to town departments, Mr Tait said he plans on improving this program as time goes on, especially when the new Town purchasing agent is hired.

At the opposite end of the process, Christal Preszler, Deputy Director of Economic and Community Development, has been issuing reminders via the Town’s e-mail system, calling for local residents to visit newtown.org’s Business Directory and remember local Newtown businesses when they shop.

Ms Preszler and the EDC are also urging anyone with a business in town to add a listing to the free directory. In her latest e-bulletin, Ms Preszler reminded recipients that Newtown looks to support local merchants.

“We appreciate the diverse businesses who call Newtown home, including long-established manufacturing, retail, medical, and professional firms, as well as the ever-growing number of dining establishments,” the notice stated. “The entrepreneurial spirit within our business community helps to create jobs and support other local businesses, thereby strengthening the town’s economy.”

For more information, contact Ms Preszler at christal.preszler@newtown-ct.gov or 203-270-4281. Kim Chiappetta, Coordinator for the Economic and Community Development office, is also available to assist at kimberly.chiappetta@newtown-ct.gov or 203-270-4271.