About the EDC

Charge

The Economic Development Commision's charge is to:

  1. Advance the economic development and public welfare of the Town of Tolland by promoting and assisting the growth and development of business.
  2. Promote job opportunities within the Town of Tolland, through the expansion of commercial activity.
  3. Review economic conditions and trends in Tolland on an on-going basis.
  4. Recommend to the appropriate Town officials and agencies, strategies for improving the Town's economic condition.
  5. Coordinate with other groups organized to promote economic development in Tolland and work closely with the Town Manager and Director of Planning and Community Development.
  6. Prepare and distribute appropriate materials such as brochures and maps and utilize electronic media to promote economic development.
  7. Promote the economic viability of the Town while improving the quality of life of its residents.
  8. When requested by an applicant, review and make advisory comments on commercial applications to the Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) and / or the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA).
  9. Comment to the PZC or ZBA on commercial applications when the EDC believes a comment is in the economic best interest of the Town.
  10. Accept other responsibilities consistent with Chapter 97, Section 7-136 of the Connecticut General Statutes as may be assigned to the EDC by the Council.

Rules and Procedures

(Approved by EDC 1/5/2011)

Article I. Authorization, Powers and Duties

The powers and duties of the Tolland Economic Development Commission are as set forth in the Section 7-136 of the Connecticut General Statutes and authorized in Chapter 17 of the Code of the Town of Tolland.

Article II. Members, Appointments and Terms

The Commission shall consist of five (5) members appointed by the Town Manager, in accordance with Chapter V of the Charter, for terms of five (5) years each, so arranged that the term of one (1) member shall expire each year, and there shall be two (2) alternate members with one appointed each December for a two year term.

Article III. Officers and Their Duties

Section 1. The Officers of the Commission shall consist of a Chairperson and a Vice Chairperson.

Section 2. The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings and shall have the duties normally conferred by parliamentary usage on such officers.

Section 3.  The Vice Chairperson shall act for the Chairperson in his/her absence and have the authority to perform the duties prescribed for that office.

Article IV. Election of Officers

Section 1. An annual organizational meeting shall be held within 30 days following each December 1, at which time officers will be elected and Rules and Procedures reviewed and made part of the annual meeting.  Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of members present.

Section 2. Nominations shall be made from the floor at the annual organizational meeting and elections of the officers specified in Section 1 of Article III.

Section 3. A candidate receiving a majority vote of the members present shall be declared elected and shall serve for one year or until his/her successor shall take office.

Section 4. Vacancies in office shall be filled by regular election procedure as herein specified with terms to run until the next annual organizational meeting.

Section 5. Resignations from the Commission shall be in written form and transmitted to the Chairperson, who will then forward same to the office of the Town Manager.

Article V. Meetings

Section 1. Regular meetings will be held at the Town of Tolland, Town Hall at 7:30 a.m. on the first Wednesday of the month, except as may be otherwise noted in the schedule of meetings on file with the Town Clerk or as may be cancelled.  Notices of regular and special meetings shall specify the agendas for such meetings.  Business not included on the agenda may be considered and acted upon if two thirds of the members present vote to add such business to the agenda.

Section 2. The assembly of three members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, and the affirmative vote of three members of the Commission shall be necessary to approve or reject any business item.

Section 3. In case any member of the Commission is unable to attend a meeting or act on an item of business because of absence or self-interest, their place shall be taken by an alternate member.

Section 4. All meetings of the Commission are open to the public.