Minutes

Connecticut River Estuary Metropolitan Planning Organization

April 14, 2010

 

Attendance:

Chester:                       -------------

Clinton:                       -------------

Deep River:                 ________

Essex:                          Phil Miller

Killingworth:               Cathy Iino

Lyme:                          Ralph Eno

Old Lyme:                   Tim Griswold

Old Saybrook:             Mike Pace

Westbrook:                 Noel Bishop                                                                                                                      

Guests:                        Stephen Livingston, DOT

                                    Joe Comerford, ETD Executive Director

                                    Bruce Edgerton, CRERPA Representative

                                    Paul Nonnenmacher, CRRA

                                    Rep. Jamie Spallone

                                    Jeff  Nelson, Governor Rell’s Representative

                                    Christine Nelson, Meg Parulis, Town Planners          

                                   

CRERPA Staff:           Linda Krause, Jean Davies   

 

 

1.  Call to Order: Chairman Mike Pace convened the meeting at 8:30 a.m. in the CRERPA Conference Room in Old Saybrook CT.

            The Chairman introduced Stephanie Warren, the new CRERPA Board member from Killingworth to the selectmen.

 

2.  Minutes: Ralph Eno moved and Phil Miller seconded a motion to approve the March meeting minutes.  All members were in favor.

 

3. Federal and State Programs:

            a. Municipal Grant Application:  Joe Comerford said the application is in process.  It was suggested that this process become a 2-year process as opposed to a yearly process.  Jean will speak to CTDOT to determine if this suggestion is viable.

             Noel Bishop made the motion to accept the application as submitted, seconded by Phil Miller.  All were in favor.

            b. Update on correspondence:  Linda distributed her letter to Commissioner Morella and Commissioner Marie regarding Connecticut Valley Railroad State Park – Recent TIGER application to enable freight on the railroad line. Linda asked for comments and/or criticisms concerning the letter.

             Tim Griswold made the motion to sign the letter as presented, Phil Miller seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

           

            c. Bridge Study:  The RPA has been asked to count boats this summer regarding three bridge openings to gather data on the Connecticut River in coordination with Shoreline East wish to add new trains between Old Saybrook and New London.  The survey will take place from Memorial Day through Labor Day.  Part time help will be hired at approximately $12.00 per hour.  Torrance is coordinating the project.  The hours will be from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

            Mike suggested that the Social Services Departments be contacted on this project. The goal of the study is to make proposals that will adequately serve the boaters and the railroads.  Linda noted that there is little public knowledge of how the bridges operate.

 

4. Plans, Procedures, Contracts, and resolutions:

            1. STIP Amendments:  There are none.

            2. Regional Transportation Plan: draft to be completed by January 2011.  Several planners in the area are working in conjunction with CRERPA on this project.

            3. Essex Transportation Plan is going well.  Nelson Nigard, a Boston company, is working on this traffic study plan and its regional impact now and in the year 2020.  Jean explained the process used to gather the information for the study.

            4. STP-Urban Projects – Killingworth and Route 1 Corridor: An email has been sent to CTDOT regarding urban projects. Route 1 from Old Saybrook thru Clinton is a key issue, and the area planners are working jointly to enhance the traffic flow on Route 1. A lengthy discussion ensured on problems on the Route 1 corridor. 

            Kathleen Iino said that CTDOT is looking into installing a sidewalk from the library to the elementary school.  No start date has been mentioned. 

            5. Bikeway Project.  Initially bikeway was from East to West.  Jean is now looking at a North/South bikeway.  Original grant request was for $6,000 from Regional Trailways; however, no money has been forthcoming.

            6. ETD:  Joe Comerford said the shelters have arrived and are on site.  Dick Smith, Deep River, will be the one to build the first shelter site.

            New buses are at the dealership.  Right now several buses are overloadrf, and putting new, 20 seat,  buses on the road is key.

            ETD requested a grant from CTDOT for alternative fuel vehicles in hopes of purchasing a new hybrid bus.

            New software has been approved and received.  The data conversion has been started.  July is the target month for startup.

            Direct service to New London has been approved by CTDOT.  July 1st is the anticipated start day.  It was suggested by the selectmen that “day tripper” routes be established, especially during the summer months.

            Future connections to major sites was also discussed.  A public hearing is scheduled for later in the month.

            Freedom Grant (Mid Shore express):  Joe is reapplying for this grant.  Joe is working on “filling the gaps” in service.  FTE vs. PTE was discussed as an increase in staff may be an issue.

 

4. Other Transportation Business:   Jean said the REPT Region 2 Regional Data Base project for the 30 towns was moving forward.  Valley and CRERPA are working together on this project.

            Lead RPO for DEMHS Region 2:  This would be a source of revenue for the RPA which would lend rudimentary support to the towns.  DEMHS has asked us to accept the task.  The RPA would be a conduit that would help to accelerate the present two-year turnaround time. Linda explained the reasons why it would be fortuitous for the Agency to take on this project.

            Linda is to write a letter stating that the selectmen are in favor of CRERPA being the lead RPO.  Jean will forward budget figures to the selectmen.

 

5. Adjournment:

            Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Ralph Eno and seconded by Noel Bishop.  All were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 A.M.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Pat Anthony, Clerk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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