Attendance: Please see attached
Minutes
March 26, 2008
I. Chairman Phil Miller called the meeting to order at 12:30 PM at the close of lunch in the Haddam Firehouse, 439 Saybrook Road, Haddam. He thanked Selectman Tony Bondi for his hospitality and for the delicious lunch.
II. Minutes
Richard Cabral moved that the minutes of the February 27 meeting be approved as circulated. The motion was seconded by Tom Marsh and unanimously approved.
III. Guests
Chairman Miller introduced Office of Policy and Management Undersecretary for Inter-Governmentall Affairs W. David LeVasseur. David, who was the instigator and first Chairman of the CRVCEO, reviewed the background and formation of the group, noting that it represents more than 10% of the towns of the state. Reflecting on the history of the group, David noted that the Midstate elected officials had previously only met occasionally for lunch. The Estuary Region elected officials had been meeting regularly for decades and were in the habit of working collectively on projects including the regional Household Hazardous Waste facility in Essex. He referred to HHW project as one of the most successful joint efforts in the state.
Realizing that they had a lot in common, the two groups met together. The Connecticut River is a unifying force. Those towns that are not on the banks of the river are part of its watershed. The two towns that are not in Middlesex County are at the mouth of the river. While searching for a mechanism that would allow them to work together, it was agreed to a Council of Elected Officials rather than a COG. This would allow the officials to work together and still retain separate Regional Planning Agencies, each with their own flavor.
David recalled a joint meeting ten years ago at the Inn at Chester when Dave Russell from COST and Dick Von Ausdall from OPM explained the statutory problems.
It took two session of the legislature to amend Section 4-124c to allow contiguous agencies to form a council. Killingworth and Portland served as the lead towns. The others joined one by one.
New State Focus
David explained that there is a new form for the State Plan of Development. The previous format was to have each subject - transportation, housing, open space, water, etc., be addressed in a separate chapter. The new format acknowledges that each area of interest impacts all of the others. The measure of success was reflected by a complaint from a staff person that now she has to read the whole thing.
David dispelled the recurring rumor that county government was disbanded in 1959 and might be reinstated. He explained that county government never existed in Connecticut as it does in many states. Connecticut counties never had taxing authority. In the 1800s, there were a few county roads. Counties were responsible for orphanages and courts. Counties remain on the maps and are recognized only by the court system and the weather forecaster.
Legislative Review
Last year, the Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee did a study of Regional Planning Organizations and statewide planning. He noted that the committee was not as harsh on RPOs as it was on state planning. The burden of the local property tax is becoming onerous. David recommended that all Chief Elected Officials read “The Price of Government” by Robert Osborne. If federal spending continues at the present rate, by 2023, the entire budget will be devoted to debt service, Social Security and Medicare.
Governor Rell is attempting to do away with unfunded mandates. As a start, at the suggestion of OPM, there is a bill before the legislature that would eliminate the requirement to publish legal notices in newspapers. Publishing it on a local website would satisfy the legal requirement.
Regional Performance Grants
Last year, OPM awarded $8.6 million of the state surplus as Regional Performance Grants to regions for inter-municipal services or collective purchasing. The surplus is disappearing, but the governor included $5 million in the 2008-2009 budgets for a similar program.
RPA Boundaries
OPM has been ordered to reassess the regional boundaries by 2011. David reported that most requests to leap from one RPO to another have been based on personalities and routinely denied. Linda Krause added that the RPO Directors had agreed not to raid one another’s territory. Some of the newer directors are not aware of the policy.
This year, OPM increased the Grant-in -Aid to RPOs by 50%. It is proposed that $500,000 per year of bonded money be dedicated to helping towns update their Plan of Conservation and Development. Only 70% of the 169 towns are in compliance with the law. Since the State Plan of Conservation and Development is a compilation of the local plans, this creates a real problem. When the most recent State Plan of Conservation and Development was circulated among the towns for review and comment, only 54% of the towns replied.
Home Connecticut Program
The newly established Home Connecticut Program will focus on Technical Assistance Grants. The program includes funding a new position at OPM. The person who has been selected comes from DECD and has a background in housing. Money may be available for GIS for regions.
Education
Money is being given to CLEAR to enhance the training program for local land use commission members. As an added incentive, local commissioners will be given certification after completing the program. To encourage attendance, the program is being consolidated into one full Saturday. It will be given in four consistent, multi-regional locations each year.
David recommended what he refers to as the “Bondi Model”. Tony requires candidates for commissions to agree to attend training sessions. Rich Cabral asked if creating a single, combined, land use board in each community might help reduce turf wars.
David believes that education is the answer. Each board member needs to be aware of the responsibilities of all of the boards and commissions. It is in the best interest of the community that they cooperate.
Since it is so difficult to find qualified people, Tony Bondi asked if planners should be agents of the state. David would prefer to have towns work together as a region.
Susan Bransfield mentioned that Midstate does not have enough staff to advise the towns.
Funding
David mentioned that no comprehensive study has been done of the different levels and types of taxation or the ripple effect of each.
Dick Smith suggested that stopping mandates would help lower the need for taxation.
David noted that the bill before the legislature would require that any unfunded mandate would require a 2/3 vote to pass.
Linda announced that neither CRERPA nor Midstate had applied for a Regional Performance Grant. She had felt that the timing was wrong for CRERPA. Westbrook was refusing to pay dues to the HHW. The ETD was in upheaval. DEMHS was shifting course. Only three towns had joined the Connecticut River Area Health District.
Applications are due again. She asked David if one application could be made for the entire CRVCEO. David assured her that it is permissible. There are no statutory guidelines. OPM has to set the rules as it goes along. Multi-regional projects are being encouraged. Filing is not until December 1, 2008.
Dick Smith noted that the problems with HHW, the ETD and the Health District have been resolved. He assured her that none of the issues have caused any dissention among the members.
Laura Francis mentioned that the Durham Selectmen would have joined the health district. The town meeting was packed by people with special interests who do not normally vote. David responded that the question of what the authorizing authority should be within towns was reviewed frequently.
Susan Bransfield mentioned that Portland often piggy-backs on CROG programs. She added that they had looked to CROG to help Portland, Middletown and Cromwell build a dog pound. It didn’t work. They still need help.
Linda suggested that many towns are hesitant to accept seed money for a program that will need on-going funding.
It has been suggested that towns could join together to hire an extra planner.
Linda cautioned that the pressure on development may diminish with the faltering economy.
Executive Order 15
David brought the discussion back to Executive Order 15 and Responsible Growth. The order includes the requirement to hold a Regional Round Table at least quarterly to discuss long-range possibilities and probabilities. It should include the movers and shakers of all communities. Again, it is acceptable to hold an inter-regional Round Table.
David concluded by venting his frustration about the transportation situation and the disastrous effect it is having on New England. The Poughkeepsie Bridge burned in the 70s. There still is no effort to replace it. New York is considering converting it to a hiking trail. Rail transport from New York to Connecticut has to be diverted north through Massachusetts. Our highways have become so congested that major trucking companies will not enter the state. That, together with the higher electric costs is discouraging businesses.
Chairman Miller thanked both David and Dick VanAusdall and urged them to return soon and continue the conversation.
IV. Business
A. Legislative Report
Jeff Nelson reported that the Legislative budget is being revealed today. He has heard that it is conservative.
He was happy to announce that $1.3 million of bond money has been awarded for a road project in Portland.
Jeff announced that Connecticut is in the Top 10 states for Early Childhood Education. It also has been proclaimed the safest state in the nation for children.
Tom Marsh asked if the staff could compile a monthly report of the voting record of each CRV state senator and representative. He was sure that each elected legislator would be happy to supply the information.
Linda Krause noted that it sounds labor intensive but agreed to investigate the possibility.
Laura Francis asked about the status of Reverse 911.
B. Middlesex Community Foundation
Chairman Miller distributed information about the newly energized Middlesex Community Foundation.
C. October meeting
Chairman Miller announced that the October 22 meeting will conflict with the annual meeting of CCM. He recommended that the CRVCEO October meeting be either rescheduled or canceled.
D. April meeting
Dick Smith agreed to host the April CRVCEO meeting in Deep River.
E. Nominating committee
Chairman Miller asked for volunteers to join him on the nominating committee.
Rich Cabral volunteered. The Committee is to report at the April meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:20 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Wini Olson, Staff