Minutes
May 5, 2008
Attendance:
Chester: Sally Murray
Clinton:
Deep River:
Essex:
Killingworth:
Jere Adametz
Lyme: Ning
Rich, Frank Skwarek
Old Lyme: Jane Marsh
Old
Saybrook: Dick Tietjen, Karen Jo
Marcolini
Westbrook: Bill Neale, Lee Bridgewater
Staff: Linda Krause, Wini Olson
I.
Vice-Chairman Jane Marsh called the
meeting to order at 7:35 PM, in the
II. Minutes
Jere Adametz moved that the minutes of the April 7,
2008 meeting be approved as
distributed.
The motion was seconded by Bill Neale. Ning Rich asked why the Salem Land Trust
was being removed from the list of appropriate recipients for sub-division open
space parcels as reported in the referrals from the April minutes. She asked
if, because of the Eight Mile River relationship, it might have an impact on
contiguous communities. The motion was unanimously approved.
Linda asked that the agenda be amended to
add several items, including budget and election. Bill Neale moved that the
agenda be amended. The motion was seconded by Sally Murray and unanimously
approved.
III. Correspondence
A. Auditor
Linda announced that an auditor for FY
2007/2008 must be appointed. As Acting
Chairman, Jane Marsh initiated a discussion of the pros and cons of going out
to bid for the auditing services.
Following discussion, Bill Neale moved
that Joe Wollack of the firm of Lewitz, Balozie, Wollack, Raynor & Giroux by appointed.
The Motion was seconded by Ning Rich and unanimously approved.
B. Legislature
Linda reported that the legislative session
is “down to the wire”. It appears that the second year of the two-year state
budget will not be amended.
Since
the Regional Performance Incentive Program was previously funded from the state
surplus, the program will probably be unfunded this coming year. Linda reported that Eileen Daily has been a
prime factor in having RPAs excluded from eligibility. This seems puzzling,
since 11 of the 12 towns that she represents are in RPAs. Linda has
communicated her concerns to Senator Daily.
Proposed legislation to have all financial
matters in towns without charters go to town meeting seems to still be alive,
despite strong opposition from many small towns.
The
Riparian Buffer Bill was drastically amended and is now dead.
The
Bill concerning referral of projects of Regional Significance appears likely to
fail.
C.
DEMHS
The
DEMHS 2 Regional Emergency Planning Team (REPT) met today to allocate this
year’s funding as recommended by the REPT Steering Committee. As Chairman of
the Transportation Function, Jean Davies had prepared a proposal to establish a
data base of available transportation services. Her proposal was defeated. The
money will be used to buy an additional truck for the 30 towns.
D. DOT
Newly
appointed DOT Commissioner Joseph Marie is an intermodal specialist. Linda
commented that there is not much money for transportation and the maintenance
of the current infrastructure is an urgent need.
E. JAGLLE (Justice
Assistance Grant for Local Law Enforcement)
Linda stated that Regions had been
directed to be the applicant for criminal justice grants this year. Clinton and
Old Saybrook police departments each were allocated $5,500 for a joint project.
Cameras will be purchased and a training program will be initiated.
F. Regional Organizations
Linda
noted that the Selectmen from the nine CRERPA towns meet as part of the nine
town Lower Connecticut River Valley Selectmen’s Association and also as part of
the seventeen-town Connecticut River Valley Council of Elected Officials. The
larger group includes the Midstate towns.
Linda reported that many of the northern tier towns do not have a close
affiliation with their RPA and have been discussing what they can do as a CEO.
G. “Ground Truthing”
Linda
reported that Judy Preston and Margot Burns have completed investigating each undeveloped
parcel over five acres in the Gateway towns.
Margot suggested that they do the remaining three towns as part of the
Plan of Conservation and Development.
H. GIS
CRERPA
staff had intended to apply for a Regional Performance Grant to help all CRE
towns achieve a common GIS basis. The grant program will probably not be
offered this year. In the meantime, Margot
is being made available to serve as a consultant to member towns.
I. Gateway
1.
Linda reported
that she and Torrance had a visit from Haddam First Selectman Tony Bondi and
Midstate Director Geoff Colegrove to present their
case for building a solid waste transfer station in the Gateway Zone.
2.
Gateway is
seeking official status as an interested party in the sale of the Connecticut
Yankee property.
J. ETD
Linda
reported that Acting Executive Director Kim Morton has been well received. New
board members are have been instrumental in correcting past deficiencies in ETD
operations.
K. Town Reports
Chester
Jean and
Linda have completed the draft of the 2008 Chester Plan of Conservation and
Development. It has been thoroughly edited by the Commission. A workshop will
be held on June 1 and a Public Hearing on June 19.
Westbrook
The Westbrook Planning Commission has
selected Planametrics to do the Plan of Conservation and Development. Bill
Neale reported that an initial $10,000 is available in this year’s budget.
Essex
Linda announced that Tor will spend some
time in Essex Town Hall. He is to do a reconnaissance and determine the scope
of services needed by the Planning Commission. Dr. Tom Danyliw
is now Chairman of the Essex Planning Commission.
IV. Staff Report
Staff
report was covered under Correspondence.
V. Treasurer’s
Report
A. Copies of the CRERPA Monthly Cash Flow Report
2007/2008 were distributed.
Linda
called attention to Accounts Receivable at $43,746.50. The item includes accounts receivable from
Chester for $9,000, CRRA for the last quarter payment of $7,100, DEHMS for
$4,800 and the balance from DOT. The cash flow is good at this time of the
fiscal year.
Bill Neale
moved that the report be accepted as presented. The motion was seconded by Ning
Rich and unanimously approved.
Linda reported
that although Treasurer Steve Williams is unable to attend meetings regularly,
he is very faithful about signing checks and does review the bills before
signing.
B. 2008/2009 Budget
Linda
explained that the Worksheet for the 2008/09 CRERPA Budget is on the back of
the Cash Flow Report. It anticipates receipts and expenditures of $589,900. The
increases are in labor and medical insurance. She is proposing a 3% increase in
salaries.
Sally
Murray moved that the budget be approved as presented. The motion was seconded
by Bill Neale and unanimously approved.
VI. Transportation Matters
Transportation matters were reported under
Correspondence.
VII. Committees
A. Referral
There
were no referrals.
B. Nominating
Karen
Jo Marcolini reported on behalf of the Nominating Committee.
The
recommended slate includes:
Chairman
Bruce Edgerton
Vice-Chairman Jane Marsh
Secretary Bill Neale
Treasurer Steve Williams
The
nominations were seconded by Ning Rich, and approved unanimously.
C. Liaisons
Gateway
and ETD were reported on under Correspondence.
.
X. OLD
BUSINESS
A. Regional Plan of Development
Linda
reported that she and other staff members are working on the Regional Plan of
Conservation and Development. She noted that the Chester Commission really
became involved in their plan. She has been surprised at the number of studies concerning
aspects of Chester that have been completed and then ignored. She commended
Jean Davies for creating a very professional layout. Jane asked that the
Chester Plan be available for examination. Jane also asked how members of the
Agency can become involved in the Regional Plan of Conservation and
Development.
Frank Skwarek
moved that the meeting be adjourned. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 P.M.
Respectfully
submitted,
Bill
Neale, Secretary