Minutes
Connecticut
River Estuary Metropolitan Planning Organization
November
10, 2009
Attendance:
Chester: ----
Clinton: ----
Deep River: ----
Essex: Phil Miller
Killingworth: Richard Cabral
Lyme: Ralph Eno
Old Lyme: Tim Griswold
Old Saybrook: Mike Pace
Westbrook: Noel Bishop
CRERPA: ----
ETD: Joseph Cumerford, Executive Director
Catherine Iino, Killingworth First Selectman Elect
Guests: Stephen Livingston, Rose Etuka and John Rorrio, CONNDOT ; Alan Mess, Malone and MacBroom Engineers
CRERPA Staff: Linda Krause, Janice Ehle-Meyer
2. Public Comment Session – Regional Transportation Improvement Program 2010. There were no speakers.
3. Adoption of
Resolutions – CREMPO TIP/Air quality Conformance Determination
Members reviewed the projects in the regional TIP, with particular attention to local projects. It was noted that the draft RTIP has been available for public inspection for more than thirty days prior to this meeting. After further discussion, Cabral moved and Miller seconded a motion to approve the 2010-2013 CREMPO Transportation Improvement Program and the Connecticut State Transportation Program and submit the RTIP/STIP to the Connecticut Department of Transportation in accordance with their policies for transmittal to the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration. The motion was approved unanimously. Cabral then moved and Miller seconded a motion to find that the 2007-2035 CREMPO Regional Transportation Plan and the FFY 2010-2013 CREMPO Transportation Improvement Program conform to air quality requirements of the U.S. EPA (40CFR 51 and 93), related U.S. Department of Transportation guidelines (23 CFR 450), and with Title 42, Section 7506 (3) (A) and approve the existing September 2009 Ozone Air Quality Conformity Determination.
The motion was approved unanimously.
4. Rail Parking Task Force Report, November 9, 2009 meeting
Krause reported that she, Janice Ehle/Meyer and Bill Peace attended the task force meeting at Union Station in New Haven yesterday. She noted a significant difference in the issues facing stations west of New Haven and those to the east. Much of the time was spend in discussing how to manage parking permits and fees. The Task Force may provide guidance in practices and policies to avoid, as rail passenger useage increases on the Shoreline East. Possible options to serve the region’s three stations were discussed, including additional lots and shuttle service to remote lots.
5. Application to upgrade Valley Railroad line to accommodate freight: Phil Miller reported on a pending application from the Connecticut DOT for federal stimulus funds to upgrade freight lines throughout the state. One of the seven components of the application is a request for 15.5 million dollars to upgrade the Valley Railroad line between Old Saybrook and Middletown to enable the use of the line for freight hauling.
There is concern from area residents that this proposal did not receive any public airing prior to submission and that it will have a negative impact on the character of the Connecticut River landscape. Krause reported that she had talked to the head of property management at DEP, which owns the rail right of way. The ROW is a state park, with the track leased to the Valley Railroad. She also spoke with Jim Redeker, DOT’s Chief of the Bureau of Public Transportation, about the application. Each freight line prepared its own application and the package was assembled by DOT within a very short time period. The individual components were not vetted by DOT. Krause read from the Valley application, listing the types of freight that might be carried. Waste and ash to and from the CRRA facility were included in the list. Pace stated that there was no likelihood that CRRA would use the freight line and was surprised that no one appeared to have contacted CRRA. Krause also reported that opponents had contacted the Gateway Commission with their concerns. Miller pointed out that the number of at-grade crossing of the track would pose a problem. Cabral moved and Miller seconded a motion to send a letter in opposition to the grant application. The letter will be drafted by Miller. All were in favor. It was agreed that copies should be widely distributed, including the DEP and DOT Commissioners.
6. Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve minutes of September meeting was made by Richard Cabral and seconded by Phil Miller. Eno and Bishop abstained, as they were not at the meeting. All voting members were in favor.
7. Estuary Transit District: ETD Executive Director Joe Cumerford reported that this round of capital acquisitions will be made with no “out-of-pocket” cost to ETD. State and federal money will cover the cost of new buses. ETD is making progress with its ARRA grant purchases. Signs and shelters are on the way. ETD received several detailed bids for scheduling software and they are now evaluating those bids. Joe said he is pleased with the growth on the Midshore Express between Old Saybrook and Middletown. Users have been riding to work and college classes. Some people are boarding the buses at park and ride locations. The District is looking at instituting express service to New London in the near future. Dial-a-ride hours have also been expanded.
A motion to adjourn was made at 9:30 by Cabral and seconded by Miller. All were in favor. The next CREMPO meeting will be on Wednesday, December 9, 2009.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Krause, Clerk