Minutes

Connecticut River Valley Council of Elected Officials

October 28, 2009

 

Attendance:  Please see attached list

 

           

1. Call to Order:

            The CRVCEO meeting was called to order by Chairman Marsh at 12:10 at the Lyman Orchard Golf Club, Middlefield, CT. 

Jon Brayshaw, Middlefield First Selectmen, thanked his assistant for all of her help to set up the meeting and said that the apples to bring home were from the town of Middlefield.

 

2.  Approval of August Minutes:

             Motion to approve the Minutes of August was made by Phil Miller. Motion was seconded by Richard Cabral.  All were in favor.

 

3.  Business:   

A.  Speakers: Heide Erb and Mackenzie Tyson from ‘The Connection’ , a Connecticut Home Service and Community Development Agency, came to talk about  the growing need to offer beds for homeless residents.  The Eddy Shelter has room for about 30 people and in the winter, may host 50 – 55 people. They spoke about how important it is to get the town financial support and how thankful they are for it. The numbers are growing and there is more of a need then ever before.  Residents stay for an average of 30 to 60 days and 70% of the people move on to other housing such as affordable homes and do not return to the shelter.  Point of contacts are  Infoline at #211, or home service contacts.  There is also a speaker’s bureau to come to meetings to talk.

B. Roy Piper, DEMHS Region 2 Coordinator, spoke about :

1.  H1N1 situation.  The problem with the shortage of flu shot doses is being worked out.  Governor Rell has talked with the CDC and expressed concern for the wait and small amounts that are available. Information can be obtained from the DEMHS site and Connecticut Flu Watch site.  Homeland Security is now in preactivation mode and the EOC is closed at the present time.  The health districts have a running list of residents that want the medication and this list is how the residents will be notified when medications come in. The Lower Valley Health District is asking for help from the other regional towns that have calls coming in.  New England is in the second wave of flu outbreaks and there is a 19% absence in Region 4 schools at this time. 

2.  DEMHS is looking for the Memorandum of Agreement and blanket resolution for the 2008 grant money from some area towns, including Deep River, Haddam and Westbrook. When New Haven does theirs, all 30 towns will have their letters in.   Funds will not be released until all MOAs are received.

3.  REPT – November 16th will be the meeting  date, instead of November 2nd .  It will be at 9:30 a.m. in Guilford. There will be a discussion of the Region 2 support plan with a need to approve the first section.   On Friday, October 30th will be a H1N1 meeting for the public health people and superintendents of schools.  It will be at the Old Saybrook town hall, 1st floor conference room.

            C.  Bill Villano,  from Workforce Alliance spoke about the unemployment problem.  A report summary was passed out and the numbers were discussed.  He spoke about “Job Search” where job seekers and businesses will have a page to search from.  Workshops are being done and online training for those in need. Online training is good because there are no prior requirements.  They will help with prescreening and referrals for employers and wages will be split.

 

 

 

5. Other Business:

            A.  A calendar of future CRVCEO meetings was discussed (see attached sheet).  The November meeting will be changed to December 2nd in Deep River.  The discussion will be concerning regionalism and combining the RPO’s and what the options and ramifications are.  Dick Smith spoke about the importance of the elected officials being vocal in Hartford and what a positive difference it has made this year. Linda Krause spoke about the different options and was asked to have a summary of them with the pluses and minuses of each one for the next meeting.  Linda also brought up the TIGER application to improve the Valley Railroad line for freight service.  The January meeting will be dedicated to inviting state legislators to preview what the upcoming Assembly Session. 

 

 

6.  Adjournment:

            The motion to adjourn was made by Richard Cabral and seconded by Phil Miller at 2:00p.m.  All were in favor.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Janice Ehle/Meyer, Clerk