CT River Estuary Regional Planning Agency

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

November 5, 2007

Present/Absent: CHESTER Steve Williams, Sally Murray

CLINTON Alan Kravitz, Vacancy

DEEP RIVER Bruce Edgerton, Rob Wylie

ESSEX Tom Danyliw, Vacancy

LYME Frank Skwarek, Joan “Ning” Rich

KILLINGWORTH Jere Adametz, Patricia Smulders

OLD LYME Jane Marsh, Vacancy

OLD SAYBROOK Karen Jo Marcolini, Richard Tietjen

WESTBROOK William Neale, Lee Bridgewater

STAFF Linda Krause, Dorothy Papp,

Call to Order

Chairman Bruce Edgerton called the regular meeting of CRERPA to order at 7:30 pm in the CRERPA meeting room.

Approval of Minutes

Bill Neale moved to approve the minutes of October 1, 2007. Frank Skwarek seconded. All were in favor.

Guests

Auditor Joe Wollack presented the final audit report for fiscal year ending June 30, 2007. He noted that an eye should be kept on bank account balances to be sure they are kept within FDIC insured limits. There were no identified material weaknesses. Tom Danyliw moved to accept the report. Frank Skwarek seconded. All were in favor.

Treasurer’s Report

Linda Krause passed around the monthly cash flow report and reported that Steve Williams is in the hospital with Lyme Disease complications prior to a back operation which must now be postponed. Bill Neale moved to accept the report. Jere Adametz seconded. All were in favor.

Staff Report

Linda passed around a staff picture that has been recently posted on CRERPA’s website and reviewed individual staff names, educational backgrounds, and positions including Judy Preston of Tidewater. Linda also noted that Torrance Downes is currently in Philadelphia due to a family emergency. Discussion followed regarding longterm staffing at CRERPA. Tom Danyliw noted that the typical format for a performance based agency entails written job descriptions and annual reviews, including a statement of strengths, challenges, and staff goals for the coming year. Linda recalled that the Board operated on that basis under past Chairman, Ken Kells and acknowledged that the practice had been dropped in recent years. The Board requested that Linda provide them with a job description for executive director and strongly encouraged her to reinstitute the practice for the staff. Linda said she would comply and will complete preliminary staff evaluations for the first of the year.

Transportation

Linda reported that ETD is still in confusion. The Board has continued to ignore FOI regulations and is taking on ever increasing financial liabilities with no basis for payment of same. Jane Marsh said it may have to be taken into receivership by the Selectmen. Linda said she expects some action on the Selectmen’s part immediately following the elections.

The recent accident on I95 at exit 75 entailing 3 fatalities emphasized the region’s predicament where all traffic must be funneled through the same place in any emergency situation. Linda noted that completion of Rte 11 would only exacerbate the problems by putting even more traffic through I95 and taking critical funds from correcting an already unacceptable situation on I95.

Referrals

Linda presented four referrals in Torr’s absence. Staff comments are attached. Jane Marsh moved to accept the staff recommendations of no significant adverse intermunicipal impacts. Rob Wylie seconded. All were in favor.

New Business

Karen Jo asked if the Board was going to have their usual Holiday celebration at their December meeting. Jane Marsh suggested that the Board members each bring a pot luck dish to share. All agreed.

Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:14 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Dorothy Papp

The next meeting of CRERPA is Monday, December 3, 2007.