Minutes
April 7, 2008
Attendance:
Chester:
Clinton:
Deep River: Bruce
Edgerton, Rob Wylie
Essex:
Killingworth: Jere Adametz, Pat Smulders
Lyme: Frank
Skwarek
Old Lyme: Jane
Marsh
Old
Saybrook: Karen Jo Marcolini
Westbrook: Bill
Neale
Staff: Linda
Krause, Wini Olson
I.
Chairman
Bruce Edgerton called the meeting
to order at 7:32 PM, in the
II. Minutes
Bill Neale moved that the minutes of the
March 3, 2008 meeting be approved with the
proviso that
CRVCEO be translated as the Connecticut River Valley Council of Elected
Officials. The motion was seconded by Pat Smulders and
unanimously approved
III. Correspondence
The only
correspondence reported was a Newsletter from the Southeastern Council of
Governments.
IV. Staff
Report
Linda
reported that Amy Cabaniss’ father, Dr. Charles Dyer, died. Linda explained
that Amy is still connected to CRERPA. She is working on her PhD in
Environmental Issues, focusing on Household Hazardous Waste. CRERPA is
assisting and will benefit from her findings.
VI. Work
Program
A.
ETD
Linda reported that the Estuary Transit District has a
new Executive Director. She is Kim Morton, who formerly served as director of
the Bridgeport Transit District. She is supplied and paid by the Department of
Transportation.
A settlement has been reached with Brad Beecher. Mr.
Beecher will receive $60,000. Legal costs for the personnel matter are
considerable.
B.
Meetings
Wednesday
morning, the Connecticut River Estuary Metropolitan Planning Organization will
meet in the CRERPA conference space, followed by a meeting of the Lower
Connecticut Valley Selectmen’s Association. At 10 AM, the LCVSA will adjourn
and reform at the Old Saybrook Emergency Management Control Center, together
with the Emergency Management Directors from the region.
Jean Davies is the Chairman of the Transportation
ESF sub-committee of the 30 town DEMHS Region Two Regional Emergency Planning
Team. The REPT Steering Committee is preparing a funding proposal for vote by
the full REPT in May. Linda noted that the bulk of the funding will be
requested for communications improvements. Jane Marsh asked how cell phone
communication will occur without power for the towers.
Linda reported that Undersecretary of
Inter-municipal Affairs W. David Le Vasseur of OPM spoke to the seventeen towns
Connecticut River Valley Council of Elected Officials on the future of
regionalism. She reported that he focused on opportunities of doing things
bi-regionally. She is considering applying for a bi-regional Geographic Information
System project. Regional incentive money is available. Regions can apply
together.
The CRVCEO is considering holding joint
Regional Round Tables.
Linda
reaffirmed her belief that cooperation between CRERPA and Midstate will help
preserve the region as a unit and prevent a New Haven/New London split at the
Connecticut River. OPM is committed to study regional boundaries in 2011.
C.
HHW
The HHW facility in Essex will open on
Saturday, April 19 with a collection of electronic equipment.
D. Towns
1.
Chester
CRERPA has completed writing the Chester
Plan of Conservation and Development. The commission is performing a final
edit.
2.
Clinton
Tor is meeting with Alan Kravitz and Jay
Northrup to determine how CRERPA can be helpful to Clinton. .
3.
Essex
Tor will serve as a temporary planner in
Essex. The goal is to determine what service is needed.
4.
Old Lyme
Tor has completed a road analysis for
Anne Brown. They will secure illustrative photographs together. He will use the new camera with global
positioning.
5.
Westbrook
Bill Neal reported that Westbrook hired
Planametrics to do the Town Plan of Conservation and Development. Meanwhile, their planner Jay Northrup left to
take the job of Planner in Clinton. Interviews are being held to fill the
position.
VII. Reports
A. Treasurer
Linda distributed copies of the Treasurer’s report.
She noted that there were errors in the March report that have been corrected.
.
CRERPA money is now deposited in three banks. Forms
for the Essex Savings Bank were available for signatures.
A preliminary budget will be presented next month.
Jane Marsh moved that the report be accepted as
presented. The motion was seconded by Bill Neale and unanimously approved.
B.
ETD
As previously reported, the Estuary Transit District
has a new Executive Directive, appointed by DOT at the request of the newly
constituted ETD board.
C.
Referral
Linda presented the referrals on behalf of Tor.
1.
Salem
The Salem Planning and Zoning Commission are removing
the Salem Land Trust from the list of suitable recipients for donated open
space. No reason was offered. It should pose no inter-municipal problem.
2.
Westbrook
The Westbrook Flood Plain Zone regulations are being
changed to clarify the status of structures that straddle two zones. No
inter-municipal concern is anticipated.
3.
Westbrook
The Aquifer Protection Regulations are being modified
to include notification of adjacent towns and clarification of timing. The
proposed changes should be beneficial to inter-municipal concerns.
Jane Marsh moved that the Agency opinion is consistent
with that of the staff. The motion was seconded by Frank Skwarek and
unanimously approved.
OLD Business
A.
Plan of
Development
Linda reported that the
writing is actually beginning.
B.
Jere Adametz,
on behalf of Dr. Thomas Lentz and the Killingworth Planning and Zoning
Commission, thanked CRERPA for contributing to the Killingworth Plan of Conservation
and Development and presented that Agency with first edition copy of the new
plan.
C.
Job
Descriptions
Linda reviewed the written
copy of the CONNECTICUT RIVER ESTUARY REGIONAL PLANNING AGENCY STAFFING
ANALYSIS- April 2008. She noted that
CRERPA does not employ the “silo” method of job allocation. Staff members are
generally aware of what other members are working on. The staff meets weekly
and shares information. She has formed a team that can work well individually
or as a team. Flexible schedules are encouraged. Linda assured the Agency that
she has no intention of retiring in the near future.
Jane Marsh commented that the
office is tailored to Linda’s personality. She
mentioned
that when Linda was ill, the hole was noticeable. Jane suggested that it might
be good policy to fill the position of Assistant Director and develop
leadership for the future. Jane noted that it is evident that Linda and her
staff exhibit extreme interest in the subject matter with which they work.
Linda noted that she recently
delegated Gateway responsibilities to Tor.
Jean
Davies has received her AICP designation. As part of the continuing education
policy, she studied for the examination on “company time.” Linda noted that her
designation makes CRERPA eligible to serve as a consultant for towns that have
a Village District.
D.
Regionalism
Linda noted that regions are
being promoted as a way to save money.
This is not necessarily true. It is a way to provide more services.
E.
Nomination
Committee
Chairman Edgerton asked Karen
Jo Marcolini to form a nominating Committee.
Karen Jo asked Jane Marsh to assist her.
Bill Neale moved that the meeting be adjourned. Frank Skwarek seconded the motion.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 P.M.
Respectfully
submitted,
Bill
Neale, Secretary