Minutes
Connecticut River Estuary Metropolitan Planning Organization
April
9, 2008
Attendance:
Chester: Tom Marsh
Clinton:
Deep River: Dick Smith
Killingworth: Richard Cabral
Lyme: Ralph Eno
Old Lyme: Tim Griswold
Old Saybrook: Mike Pace
Westbrook: Noel Bishop
ETD: Kimberly Morton, Mike Sanders
Guests: Kasey Faraci, DOT, Jeff Nelson, representing Gov. Rell, Ellen
Paul representing Congressman Joe Courtney, Paula Ferrara,
Executive Director of the Estuary Council of Seniors
I. The meeting of the Connecticut River Estuary Metropolitan Planning Organization was called to order by Chairman Mike Pace at 8:30 AM in the CRERPA Conference space, Suite B of the Marketplace, Boston Post Rd. Old Saybrook.
II.
Public Comment
There were no comments from the public.
Rich Cabral, in his capacity as Chairman of the Estuary Transit District, introduced new acting Executive Director Kimberly Morton. Ms. Morton served for 18 years as Director of the Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority. She currently is the Assistant General Manager of Administration of the Connecticut Transit System. She served as the temporary Director of Southeastern Area Transit when it needed help.
Mike Sanders, a DOT Transit Administrator, acknowledged that there is a consensus that there have been shortfalls in the operation of the ETD. Without placing blame, the ETD is encouraged to solve its own problems and restore accountability.
Noel Bishop asked that the record show appreciation to several First selectmen who are now on the Board. A settlement has been negotiated with the previous director.
Ralph Eno asked that credit also be given to the CRERPA Director for helping to coordinate the effort.
Rich Cabral explained that insurance will cover a large portion of the settlement. The remainder and the legal fees must come from the local portion of the ETD funds. Chairman Pace encouraged him to look closely at the details of the old legal billing.
Phil Miller mentioned that hiring a clerk for ETD and having better minutes is a big improvement.
Ralph Eno alerted members to a letter from Paul Terell seeking local endorsement joint application for municipal grants for transit services. The towns would assign their share to the ETD. Local action is needed.
Linda mentioned that MPO also endorsed the proposed joint grant last year.
Chairman Pace asked that the Agenda be amended to consider support of the joint grant. Richard Cabral moved that the agenda be amended. The motion was seconded by Ralph Eno and unanimously approved. Richard Cabral then moved that the proposed joint grant be endorsed as presented to the Selectmen. The motion was seconded by Ralph Eno and unanimously approved.
III. Minutes
Rich Cabral moved that the minutes of the March 12, 2008 meeting be approved as circulated. The motion was seconded by Ralph Eno and unanimously approved.
IV. Federal and State Programs
A.
STIP Amendments
After discussion, Tom Marsh moved that the STIP amendments be approved. The motion was seconded by Phil Miller and unanimously approved.
Tim Griswold asked if there is a way to be protest the add-on costs required to receive state or federal funding. Jean suggested enlisting the help of the Council of Small Towns. Ralph Eno mentioned that he will sit down this afternoon and discuss the matter with Bart Russell, COST Executive Director.
Mike Sanders assured the assemblage that the concept of dividing DOT into a highway department and a transit department is not moving swiftly. A Boston consulting firm has been hired to make recommendations. Another new Commissioner will be appointed soon.
B.
REPT
Jean Davies reported that the Regional Emergency Planning Team will be considering the allocation of DEMHS Region2 funding. Jean chairs the group looking at emergency transportation needs.
REPT Chairman Rich Cabral encouraged members to attend the meeting of the full REPT at the Guilford Fire House at 9 AM on May 5. Those who are present will decide how to divide $1,000,000.
C.
Police Boat/Fire Boat
Chairman
Pace announced that, during a recent storm, the fully equipped police
boat took water over the transom and sank, resulting in loss of both the boat
and its equipment..
D.
Unified Work Program
Jean Davies distributed copies of the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) for transportation planning. She noted that the program is for FY2009-2010 rather than for Fiscal Year 2008-2009 as indicated on the cover.
Tom Marsh initially objected to having a locally funded bridge used as the cover. Jean reminded him that the region had assisted Chester when it applied for federal funding. Understanding federal requirements was an important part of the decision to use local talent.
E. Alternative
Fuel Applications
Chairman Pace asked Director Morton if the ETD is applying for vehicles that use alternative fuel. That is not being considered at this time.
F.
I-95 Progress
An environmental scope of services is being advertised for the Environmental Impact Study for the proposed widening of I-95 along the Old Lyme/New London corridor.
V. New Business
The MPO moved on to LCVSA business.
A.
Report from
the Governor
Jeff Nelson reported that STEAP grants have been awarded to Deep River, Essex, Killingworth and Old Lyme. Chester applied but did not receive an award. Phil Miller asked if Jeff could explain the criteria used in awarding the grants. Jeff did not have the criteria but suggested that OPM would.
Jeff referred to an announcement of surplus property that is available for municipalities. No Selectman was aware of having received it. CRERPA agreed to send the notice to all selectmen.
Jeff was happy to announce that the eighth graders from Connecticut and New Jersey are tied as the best writers in the country.
Parents’ Magazine considers Connecticut the safest place for a child.
B.
Learn Here, Live Here
Noel Bishop reported that Senator Giuliano has introduced a bill to provide tax incentives for UConn graduates to stay in Connecticut. Members asked him to check the details to be sure that the proposal would waive state taxes, not local ones. Chairman Pace mourned the lack of an overall economic plan.
C. From Congressman Joe Courtney – Ellen Paul
1. Education
Efforts are being made to keep firms dealing with optics and photometrics in areas close to Yale and UConn. Both businesses are appealing to the institutions to educate potential workers.
2.
Fire Boats
Ellen reported that applications for fire boats were due last week. The staff is still writing on behalf of both Old Lyme and Old Saybrook. It is an extremely difficult problem.
3.
Awards
Ellen announced that Clinton, Old Saybrook, Deep River and East Haddam have all been awarded “We the People” Book Shelves.
Grant notices are being sent by Email.
4.
Art Contest
Ellen announced that a Congressional Arts Contest is being held at the Lyme Art Academy. No local high schools have entered.
5.
COLA for Vets
Ellen announced a bill that would make the Cost of Living Allowance automatic for veterans.
6. Noel Bishop mentioned that Congressman Courtney had recently visited Westbrook. He asked if Selectmen could be notified in advance of such visits.
D.
HHW
Janice Ehle-Meyer announced that the first Electronic collection of the year would be held at the regional site in Essex on April 19. CRRA is sponsoring four collections this year. HHW will start with a satellite collection in Clinton on April 16.
E.
ECSI
Director Paula Ferrara thanked the Selectmen who participated in delivering Meals on Wheels for the Senior Center. Paula asked if anyone needed her to present the ECSI budget locally. She noted that revenue from fund raisers is increasing.
F.
SB 442
Ralph Eno announced that Senator Fontana has reintroduced a bill that would greatly reduce the discretion of Selectmen and require all expenditures to be considered by a town meeting. He urged that letters be sent to the Speakers of the House and Senate and to local legislators. Dick Smith asked that a letter be sent from the LCVSA. It was agreed that he will write the letter and CRE staff will send it.
G. Full time facilities manager.
Noel Bishop asked which towns have full time facilities managers. Most CRE towns have facility managers for schools.
H.
FOI
Linda Krause stated that CREMPO is a formal organization which needs a consistent meeting place to satisfy FOI. It was agreed that the MPO will continue to meet in the same place monthly, at the CRERPA office. Field trips may be arranged to other locations.
The CREMPO adjourned at 9:45. The members will reconvene in the Emergency Center at Old Saybrook Town Hall at or about 10:00 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Timothy C. Griswold, Secretary