Does the Town Need An Economic Development Coordinator?

First Selectman Steve Vavrek has been serving as the town's economic development coordinator ever since a budget cut eliminated Vincent Mangiacopra's position a year ago.

Vavrek said businesses have been moving into strip malls around Monroe recently, and he did not seek money to hire a new economic development coordinator for fiscal year 2011-12. However, Economic Development Commissioner Steve Schapiro has urged the Town Council to do so.

He made one last plea before the council at it's meeting Monday night. Schapiro said .00007 percent of the budget is used for economic development, calling it a "disgrace."

"The first selectman is probably doing an excellent job, but he's not working on it every day. We need to beat the bushes," Schapiro said.

He argued that a seasoned economic development director could bring in tax revenue from new businesses that would "far surpass" the salary.

When Mangiacopra was the director, Schapiro said town officials lured Victorinox-Swiss Army and The Waterview to Monroe. He said the Economic Development Commission would benefit from a director to guide it.

"True we didn't have the right person for the job," Schapiro said. "I would be the first to admit it."

He added the human resources director could advertise to put the right person in place.

"if we put it off for a year, I think we will miss out," Schapiro said. "We only hear about economic development at election time, but at budget time you people sit on your hands and do nothing."

"If we're serious about economic development in the town of Monroe, we need someone with the right abilities — personalities aside," Town Councilwoman Dee Dee Martin said.

The Town Council decided to vote on adding $64,000 to the budget proposal to cover a salary and benefits for a full-time economic development coordinator.

Councilman J.P. Sredzinski said "very few" towns have an economic development coordinator and he expressed confidence in First Selectman Steve Vavrek handling the position.

"I put my full faith behind the first selectman," Councilman Christopher Catropa agreed.

Catropa said it does not take an economics degree to know that offering tax incentives is the best way to lure businesses to town.

The Council defeated the motion to add money for the position by a 6-3 vote along party lines.

After the council meeting, Vavrek told Patch there are 57 Connecticut towns in which the first selectman serves as the chief executive officer for economic development.