Attendance: Please see attachment for attendance
Connecticut River Valley Council of Elected Officials
Minutes
April 25, 2007
I. Chairman Phil Miller called the meeting to order at noon in the conference room of the Connecticut River Museum at the foot of Main Street in Essex.
The group was greeted by Museum Director Jerry Robertson. A complimentary lunch was provided by the Town of Essex.
II. Guests
A. Middlesex Chamber of Commerce
Chairman Miller introduced Larry McHugh, Director of the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce. With 2400 members, Middlesex boasts the largest Chamber in the State of Connecticut. Larry distributed copies of Connecticut Vacation guide for 2007. He explained that the Connecticut budget for tourism has been reduced by $1,000,000. Middlesex has been divided between New Haven, Hartford and New London. Although the Chamber of Commerce is primarily devoted to Economic Development the Middlesex Chamber is involved in a wide range of programs including: the ten year Plan to End Homelessness, the Revitalization Commission with a revolving loan fund for businesses , Work Force back to work programs that are currently retraining some of the 1,000 workers laid off by Mortgage Lenders, Substance Abuse and gambling problems, Affordable Housing, Health Care issues including Connecticare, Side Street to Main Street and higher education to provide an educated workforce. Mr. McHugh is proud that UConn can still offer tuition at only $13,500 per year.
B. Home Connecticut
Chairman Miller introduced Larry Fink of Home Connecticut. Larry distributed updated information on the progress of the Connecticut Housing Program for Economic Growth. He explained that the housing plan that he previously explained to the LCVCEO is already working in Massachusetts. In Connecticut, it has been approved by the Planning and Development Committee and is wending its way through Finance. He reminded members that towns retain control and are rewarded with incentives. The state will pay 15 years of educational costs for each student that lives in the project. The goal of the project is to provide housing for families who earn 80% of the median income. This translates into an income of about $65,000 per year. David explained that both the film industry and Pfizer are having trouble importing labor to work in Connecticut due to the cost of housing.
Home Connecticut has compared the median income to the median sales price in each town in Connecticut. In 154 towns, a family with a median income cannot buy a house at the median sales price.
Jeff Nelson added that Pfizer is offering a $100,000 housing allowance to workers in Ann Arbor, Michigan to relocate to Connecticut. Workers earning $60,000 to $100,000 per year still complain that they cannot find suitable housing at affordable prices. The state continues to lose the 24 to 35 year old population.
III. Minutes
Tony Bondi moved that the minutes of the March meeting be approved as circulated. The motion was seconded by Jon Brayshaw and unanimously approved.
IV. Business
A. Legislative Report
1. Representative Courtney
Jennie Contois reported that the Norwich office is up and running. The Enfield office will open on Monday. Rep. Courtney is holding regular meetings with Selectmen. The staff is scheduling a monthly “presence” in various locations for outreach.
2. Governor Rell
.Jeff Nelson announced that a third budget has been proposed. He noted that it assumes greater revenues. A budget must be adopted by June.
Marty Klein asked Jeff if the
state would assume responsibility for insuring the health of local employees.
He noted that the
IV. Old Business
A. EnerNoc
Chairman Miller asked if towns are hosting EnerNoc. East Haddam is scheduling a meeting. Essex is hosting a program on May10. Middlefield and Old Lyme are participating. Brad Parker reviewed the process.
B. Ethics Committees
Jim McLaughlin asked if any towns have workable ordinances for Ethics Committees. Colchester, Old Lyme and East Haddam offered to send samples.
V. New Business
Chairman Miller announced that the May meeting will be held in East Haddam.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:35 PM. It was followed by a preview of the new exhibit featuring the 1812 invasion by the British. Director Jerry Robertson enthusiastically recounted the event and added details of how some of the exhibits were acquired and/or created.
Respectfully submitted,
Wini Olson, Staff