At the Tuesday, January 21 meeting, the Economic Development Commission hosted regular elections for the chair and vice chair. The commission also welcomed two new members: Mike Kondracki and Dan Calandro.

Calandro introduced himself to the crowd saying, “I’m new. I’m a finance professional … fractional CFO for small companies, high net-worth families, and now I teach and coach people how to invest on their own.”

Kondracki was next, “I was an investment banker for 20 years, and then I started my own commercial mortgage company with my wife. We do commercial mortgages nationwide … it’s fun. As for the board, I was introduced to Fairfield Hills about four years ago when we moved here, and I would like to introduce developers to the town to see if something can be accomplished.”

Following these introductions, Jeff Robinson called for nominations for the two positions the EDC has: chair and vice chair.

Fran Pennarola nominated Robinson for chair, which was passed unanimously. Robinson then nominated David Cervero for the vice chair position.

Robinson said, “I think [David has] got a lot to bring to us, although he’s only been here a short time.”

Cervero said, “I have big shoes to fill, I think Barbara [Snyder] did a great job.”

The commissioners put it to a vote, which passed unanimously.

The EDC then discussed a few different liaison positions, including a member to work with the Fairfield Hills Authority, a member to work on marketing and outreach, and a member to join the Sustainable Energy Commission to discuss the Batchelder site.

Robinson asked Cervero if he would work with the Fairfield Hills Authority to compile information frequently asked about the property and its development. Cervero agreed and asked Kondracki if he would be interested in working with him. Kondracki agreed.

Robinson asked Bruce Walczak if he would have any interest in doing marketing and working with John Voket, the economic and community development director, in developing a more concrete understanding of the goals of the EDC and ECD. Walczak agreed, and Calandro decided to join in those efforts.

The Batchelder Site

The abandoned property at 46A Swamp Road is a concern for the Sustainable Energy Commission and Economic Development Commission. The 30-acre property is contaminated, and thanks to an EPA grant, there has been a significant amount of cleanup on the surface. However, there is still a large amount of debris and contamination that needs to be cleaned and removed.

Voket shared that an individual from Norwalk Development Corps has expressed interest in developing the site and using it as “trash-to-energy type of operation that [involves] an anaerobic digester as part of the project.”

Voket also shared that Fred Hurley, director of Public Works, as well as the Sustainable Energy Commission, would like to use the property as a two-kilowatt solar farm. Voket said, “The anaerobic digester, coincidentally, was also an idea that Mr Hurley has as a possible additional component if we could get the site cleaned.”

Following this update on the physical property, Robinson communicated with the commissioners that the Sustainable Energy Commission would like a member of the EDC to work with them on an ad hoc committee for the Batchelder site. Robinson looked to Bryan Atherton, “our resident environmental person.”

Atherton agreed to the job and Pennarola offered to join the committee as well.

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Reporter Sam Cross can be reached at sam@thebee.com.