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Connecticut River Valley Council of Elected Officials

Minutes

                                                            May 23, 2007                        

 

                            Chairman Phil Miller called the meeting to order at noon in the private dining/meeting room at the Gelston House in East Haddam. We had been greeted on the steps by host Brad Parker.

 

      I.  Guests

     A.  CBIA

                          Chairman Miller introduced Judith K. Resnick, Director of Workforce Training for the Connecticut Business and Industry Association. Ms. Resnick described the CBIA as being similar to a Chamber with 10,000 members. Among other programs, the CBIA arranges conferences, does surveys, influences public policy, aggregates energy, lobbies on matters affecting the cost of doing business and helps promulgate workforce skills. In today’s economy, 17% of domestic revenues are from manufacturing.

                           Ms. Resnick is deeply involved with the Education Foundation which not only provides fellowship opportunities to encourage students to enter fields such as bio-science but encourages people to gain skills needed to enter well pain technical fields with opportunities such as CNC training.

                          A work force is a necessary component to industry.  40% of the work force must come from our cities where fewer than half of the students complete high school. While encouraging marginal students to remain in school, we must raise the standards with more emphasis on math and science in junior and senior high. The Connecticut Scholars program not only strengthens math and science, it hopes to revitalize the Technical High Schools. Future workers must be reached early.  We must expand early childhood education with pre-school and early kindergarten.   Parents need to drawn in.    Vanguard Schools should be encouraged. An educated and enthusiastic workforce needs affordable housing. Manufacturers offering salaries of $60,000 to $80,000 cannot fill the positions unless

Housing is available.

 

II.  Saybrook Housing Initiative

                          Chairman Miller introduced Tony Lyons of Old Saybrook. Mr. Lyons

became involved in attainable housing   when he attended a session at St. Paul’s Lutheran church in Old Saybrook four years ago. He learned that two or three dozen families are living in motels in Old Saybrook.  He noted that people who buy Mc Mansions are not apt to volunteer for the Fire Department.      

                           The Housing Initiative applied to United Way for planning money.

The initial grant was for $10,000. Since then Essex Savings has contributed to the project and the United Way has guaranteed three more years of planning grants.

Mr. Lyons introduced Mary Ann Amore, newly hired staff member. Ms. Amore returns to Connecticut from Philadelphia where she spent several years in Work Force Development.    

                      Bill Peace mentioned that he had a Technical School education. He reviewed how stringent the requirements were “back then”. Bill assists with the shoreline Soup Kitchen and mentioned that 90% of the patrons are employed.

        C. Lyme Housing

                    Chairman Miller described Ralph Eno as “The Little Engine that could” and called on him to explain the affordable housing initiative in Lyme. Ralph was quick to point out that what works in Lyme might not be appropriate in all communities.  Lyme

initially addressed the issue in 1991-92. Since the cost of approved lots is the primary deterrent to affordable housing, Lyme created a community land trust model. The land is perpetually owned by the trust but leased to the home owners. The initial concept was hotly contested and took two town meetings to adopt. Since the Community Land Trust uses property tax dollars, the Housing Compact is able to use selection factors weighted in favor of local applicants. Initially the qualified income was 80% of mean for the New London area. It has since been raised to 100% of the mean income for New London.  The land lease includes a cap on improvements. Improvements may be made, but the owner may not recoup the extra cost when the property is sold. The formula is included in each deed. An initial unit was built through Habitat for Humanity.  There are six existing Housing Compact homes and one more in process. The Housing Compact is a 501.3C and utilizes fund   raising techniques such as nude calendars. (Ralph was Mr. February 2006.)

                     Ralph noted that the current Fink proposal could be rather difficult to apply to small towns with difficult soil conditions. It is more appropriate for more densely developed towns.   

                     Linda Krause noted that Lyme has also eased the accessory apartment  

regulations.   

                    Ralph announced that the House passed a bill sponsored Rep. Giuliani that enables property owners to, with Town Meeting approval, give one building lot to a municipality or Housing Authority without sacrificing the traditional “free split”.

Rep. Giuliani also attempted to add Affordable Housing to the list of allowable uses for fees collected in lieu of Open space.

            D. Middlesex Community College

                   Chairman Miller introduced Dr. Alfredo Nievas, President of Middlesex College who seeks to provide students with “An Education the Works for a Lifetime”. Dr. Nievas reinforced Ms. Resnik’s remarks regarding the need for early education and the need to improve high school standards.  Since Middlesex has a policy of open admission with placement testing, 30% of the students have to start with remedial courses. Middlesex is one of 12 community colleges in the state. In addition to the traditional community market of adults returning to school, Middlesex serves younger students trying to acquire an affordable education. Credits are fully transferable to state universities and some junior and senior courses are being offered.  Technical training is available, particularly in health fields. A partnership with Pratt Whitney occupies a branch campus in Meriden. In an effort to better prepare students, Middlesex is initiating “Know How2GO” involving both parents and students as early as 8th grade.

III. Minutes

            Brad Parker moved that the April 2006 minutes be approved as circulated. The motion was unanimously approved.

 

 IV. Business

A.                 Legislative Report

1.                  Rep. Courtney

            Jennie Contois reported that Rep. Courtney has been busy restoring Title I funding.  He will be in Quinnebaug twice a month. Visibility stations are being initiated. The first one is in Westbrook.

Rep. Courtney will hold a “Town Meeting” on June 4.

2.                  Governor Rell

                                     Jeff Nelson mentioned that the legislative session is reaching a

                            crescendo. The surplus keeps getting higher.

                                    Jon Brayshaw explained to Jeff that Middlefield has been placed in a

                            difficult position due to the inaction of the Bond commission.

                            Middlefield received three substantial grants. Acting in good faith on

                            the strength of the commitment, the town proceeded with construction 

                            and has nearly exhausted its funds. He asked Jeff to call the

                            Middlefield problem to the attention of Governor Rell.  Jeff assured

                               him that he will. He also assured him that he is not alone.

 

V .Old Business

There was no old business.

 

VI.  New Business

The donation for lunch is $15.00 each.

The next meeting will be June 27 in Old Saybrook.  

                      

 

     Respectfully submitted,

 

     Wini Olson, Staff