Minutes
Connecticut
River Estuary Metropolitan Planning Organization
February
11, 2009
Attendance:
Chester: Tom Marsh
Clinton: Willie
Fritz
Deep
River: Dick Smith
Essex: Phil
Miller
Killingworth:
Richard Cabral
Lyme: Ralph
Eno
Old
Lyme: Tim Griswold
Old
Saybrook: Mike Pace
Westbrook: Noel Bishop
ETD: Joseph Comerford,
Executive Director
Guests: Carla Iezzi, DOT Representative
Jeff Nelson,
Governor Rell’s Representative
Geoff Colegrove,
Mid State
Bill Peace,
Selectman, Old Saybrook
Roy Piper,
Region 2 Coordinator
Paula
Ferrara, Executive Director, ESCI
CRERPA Staff: Linda
Krause, Janice Ehle-Meyer, Jean Davies, Pat Anthony
1.
Public Involvement Period:
No
public comment.
2. Adoption of Minutes:
Motion to approve the minutes for January was made by Rich Cabral and seconded by Tom Marsh.
Motion unanimously approved.
3.
ETD:
Joe
Cumerford, Executive Director, said money had been received from the state to initiate route to Middletown ($62,000 for
Operating Expenses). The route should begin as of September. Joe continues to work
on getting funding for new vehicles, and
he is optimistic about getting the
necessary funding. The Capital Plan has been submitted to CRERPA.
Municipal Grant has been eliminated
in the proposed budget to all transit districts. He
is looking at alternative options to keep program going for seniors. ETD has
received a big response from seniors for tickets for the buses.
Jean
and Joe will meet with ConnDOT rep soon to ascertain what requirements employers need to meet the transit needs of
their employees.
4. STIP Amendments:
New
project to upgrade guardrails in District 2 was presented.
Motion
to approve made by Noel Bishop, seconded by Tim Griswold. All in were in
favor.
Bill Peace said ConnDOT
doesn’t have guidelines for projects.
Shovel ready is 90 days, but
unsure what guidelines are for vendor in place. The State DOT procedurres are incapable of doing anything
quickly.
1.
Sidewalk Projects: Install as suggested by town engineer.
2. Vendor in Place: l-1/2” overlay. Use money effectively and wisely. If money isn’t
used in 90 days, it goes back to State.
Towns were asked for any other projects, which have not been previously requested.
Potential
$1,000,000 coming to this region, and we must make certain we spend is judiciously. Projects must be shovel ready.
A discussion pursued
concerning various projects, and several selectmen spoke on how they are trying to cut
costs.
5.
Legislative Updates:
Jeff Nelson,
Representative for Gov. Rell, discussed the budget. Revenues are weak,
funding has been cut, there will be fewer State agencies, and several boards
and commissions will be
eliminated.
It is hoped the CT
Conservation Corp will put unemployed to work. The Boat Safety grant has been taken away at this point. The issue of
reimbursement to towns for resident State
troopers is still on the table. There
are 69 state troopers throughout the state.
6. Adjournment:
The motion to adjourn was
made by Rich Cabral and seconded by Tom Marsh. The
meeting adjourned at 11:20 a.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Pat
Anthony, Clerk