Minutes

Connecticut River Estuary Metropolitan Planning Organization

                                                            August 8, 2007

 

Attendance:

Chester:                       Tom Marsh

Clinton:                      

Deep River:                 Dick Smith

Essex:                          Phil Miller

Killingworth:              

Lyme:                          Ralph Eno

Old Lyme:                   Tim Griswold

Old Saybrook:             Mike Pace

Westbrook:                  Noel Bishop                                                                                                      CRERPA:                               Bruce Edgerton

Conn DOT:                 Kathryn Faraci

ERT:                           Doris Sanstrom, Brad Beecher, John Horn    

                                                                                                    

CRERPA Staff:          Linda Krause, Jean Davies, Wini Olson          

ESCI                           Paula Ferraro

Legislative                  Rep. Jamie Spallone,  

                                   Ellen Paul, representing Rep. Joe Courtney

 

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 conference space of the Connecticut River Estuary Regional Planning Agency at 455 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook Ct. 06475. 

                                

II.                Public Comment Period

            There was no public comment.

 

III.        Minutes                                                                    

Tom Marsh moved that the minutes of the June 13 meeting be approved as circulated. The motion was seconded by Phil Miller and approved.  Noel Bishop- abstained from voting.

 

IV.        Report from DOT

Chairman Pace recognized Rich Corona from DOT and asked him to report on the status of the Baldwin Bridge. Fine cracks have been detected in the superstructure of the Baldwin Bridge.  They will be repaired using a pressure assisted vacuum sealing technique. A test application is underway. The northbound side will be done first.  A later contract will include repairing the expansion joints.

   Noel Bishop asked if he had missed this in the press. He asked if a website is available that he could refer the public to. It was explained that the status of all bridges is published annually. A copy is available at CRERPA.

    Chairman Pace asked about the status of the Q Bridge. No bids were received.

    DOT is breaking the project into smaller contracts.

               Chairman Pace announced that Old Saybrook has received permission to close the first opening on Main Street. There will be a new alignment for crosswalks. Old Saybrook has received permission for the ZEO to remove signs from state property.

 

V.        Business                      

Chairman Pace asked if water transportation is under the jurisdiction of the CREMPO. It is.

    Chairman Pace noted that the outer light at Old Saybrook is for sale for $1.00.

              The town does not have the right of first refusal. The United States Coast Guard maintains the automated light. The Army Corps of Engineers maintains the jetty. There is a question about who owns the land under the building. The access to the

   Jetty belongs to the Borough of Fenwick and the Town of Old Saybrook.  Docking would be hazardous. Mike presented a strong case for the retention of the light. It is essential for safe boat traffic.

 

VI.       Federal and State Programs

A.          STIP

      The Baldwin Bridge proposal has been tabled.

The first proposal involves resurfacing Route 9 from Route 148 to the Haddam/Middletown town line.

The third proposal is to replace or repair overhead sign support structures throughout the state.

Ralph Eno moved that the STIP projects be approved.  The motion was seconded by Phil Miller and unanimously approved.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:56 AM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

           Timothy C. Griswold, Secretary