CRERPA

Connecticut River Estuary Regional Planning Agency
Minutes
                                                         December 4, 2006

Attendance:
Chester:               Steve Williams
Clinton:              
Deep River:         Bruce Edgerton, Rob Wylie
Essex:                  Carla Feroni
Killingworth:       Jere Adametz, Pat Smulders
Lyme:                  Frank Skwarek, Ning Rich
Old Lyme:           Jane Marsh
Old Saybrook:     Dick Tietjen
Westbrook:         
Staff:                    Linda Krause, Torrance Downes, Jean Davies, Janice Ehle-
                             Meyer, Wini Olson

                              Chairman  Bruce Edgerton called the meeting to order at 7:36 PM in the CRERPA Conference Space at 455 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook, CT. 06475. Round table introductions were given.

I. Minutes

           Chairman Edgerton asked for comments on the October minutes, noting that a quorum had not been achieved in November. Ning Rich moved that the October minutes be approved as circulated. The motion was seconded by Steve Williams and unanimously approved.

II. Reports

Treasurer  

           Linda Krause reported on the financial status of the Agency. Copies of the audit were distributed to members who had not been at the November meeting when Auditor Joseph Wolloch explained the audit line by line. Linda announced that a $21,000 surplus was carried over from FY 2005-2006. There were no material deficiencies. Frank Skwarek noticed one typographical error in the audit. The overhead was reported as 1.405%. It will be corrected to read either 140.5% or 1.405. The audit, as corrected, has been accepted by the Department of Health.
           Carla Feroni asked about the reduction in work billed to member communities as referred to in bullet 3 in the Management Discussion. Linda explained that the work is still being done but is accounted for in different ways such as being logged as transportation planning where appropriate.
         Carla moved that the audit be accepted as corrected. The motion was seconded by Ning Rich and unanimously approved.

            Copies of the cash flow summary were distributed. The Agency has changed banks, thereby saving over $600 per year in fees. Vice Chairman Stu Fairbank chose not to be a signatory on the new account.
            Copies of the current budget and projected town assessments were distributed.
            The Department of Health estimates indicate a 140 person reduction in the population of the region that would result in a slight reduction in assessments.
Linda explained that she has no idea what Congress, the State Legislature or the Office of Policy Management will do with the various funds that CRERPA relies on. She asked if the Board prefers to keep the status quo or request per capita increase from member towns.. Jane Marsh reiterated her opinion that it is easier for Boards of Finance to accept constant small increments than to wait and ask for a substantial change.  Jane moved that the rate be increased by five cents which is an assessment of $2.00 per capita. The motion was seconded by Ning Rich and unanimously approved.

Staff

            Linda called for individual reports from selected staff members who don’t ordinarily attend Board meetings..
            Janice Ehle-Meyer reported that she is responsible for all aspects of the Hazardous Waste collections   and recycling education. She will be editing the CRERPA Forum.
            Jean Davies is responsible for Transportation Planning that includes the Regional Transportation Plan, the STIP, and the Connecticut River Estuary Metropolitan Planning Organization. She does the Emergency Management Planning including evacuation and sheltering. She handles GIS as needed is working on the Chester Plan of Conservation and Development.
            Torrance Downes concentrates on local assistance. He advises and assists local staff as needed He handles referrals and reviews. He assists with Gateway matters. He is beginning to revise the Westbrook Zoning Regulations and is assisting the Deep River Planning and Zoning Commission with the Plan of Conservation and Development. He is scheduled to serve as facilitator when a group of concerned citizens meet with members of the Commission. Torrance assists with harbor projects in all of the towns and participates on ERT teams.
            Linda reported that she is able to participate in the broader scale planning projects at the state level. She distributed copies of the governor’s Executive Order #15 that establishes the Office of Responsible Growth.
            Linda explained that under Governor Rowland, an entire employee classification of “planners”, including those in OPM, were eliminated. Inland Wetlands Commissions can rely on DEP. Planning, Zoning and ZBA commissions have no one to turn to at the state level. OPM Under Secretary W. David LeVasseur was formerly the Killingworth First Selectman and became involved in regional planning in this area. Linda serves on the Landscape Stewardship Committee of the DEP. She is pleased to have instigated a joint meeting of the Landscape Stewardship Committee and the Office of Responsible Growth. She is now serving on the Web page subcommittee of the Landscape Stewardship Committee.
            Linda reported that a required report was submitted last week describing CRERPA efforts for Minority Business Enterprise Procurement.
            CRERPA is participating in Emergency Management Planning Opportunities.
            CRERPA was invited to attend the annual meeting of the Emergency Management Directors Association. Six towns (Chester, Deep River, Essex, Lyme Old Lyme and Westbrook) have applied jointly for funding through CRERPA. The anticipated funding will probably be used for interoperable communications. Killingworth, Clinton and Old Saybrook will act independently.
Under the NIMS (National Incident Management System), personnel from all towns are to use plain language and a uniform vocabulary.

Referrals

            There were no referrals.

Gateway

            The combined November/December meeting will be held on December 7.
Linda reported that when Gateway member Ted Crosby was flying over recently denuded property above River Road in Deep River he took some interesting snap shots.
            The tree cutting was dramatic enough to cause severe erosion. Silt fences have been installed. Tor accompanied ZEO Kathy Jefferson on her tour of the site. Low, green, soil retentive plantings have been recommended.

ETD

            The ETD has hired a new Executive Director. Brad Beecher is a retired Resident State Trooper who initiated the Casino unit of the State Police and later served as a private investigator for the Mohegans.

MPO

            Chairman Bruce Edgerton serves as CRERPA representative on the MPO and will report from time to time.

Allocation Committee for Rivers

            Former CRERPA Chairman Ken Kells represents CRERPA on the Governor’s Statewide Allocation Committee for Rivers. He will attend a future meeting and brief the Agency on the activities of the committee.

 Old Business 

            There was no Old Business.  
                         

New Business    

A. Emergency Management and Homeland Security                                                                    

Jere Adametz moved that it be hereby resolved that Linda Krause is authorized to sign all applications and other required documents with DEMHS for grant funds. The motion was seconded by Pat Smulders and unanimously approved.


   B. Meeting Dates for 2007
         Linda asked if the schedule should remain the same as usual.
          Ning Rich asked if postponed meetings (such as July or September) might be held on the first Tuesday to avoid conflicts on the second Monday.  It was agreed by consensus that the meetings could be officially filed as usual and exceptions can be voted on as needed.                         

The meeting was adjourned at 9:02 PM.  Refreshments and conversation were enjoyed by both Agency members and staff.

Respectfully submitted, Wini Olson, Staff