Attendance: Please see attachment for attendance
Minutes
November 28, 2007
.
I.
Chairman
Chairman Miller called for round table introductions and then asked Linda Krause, Executive Director of the Connecticut River Estuary Regional Planning Agency to explain regional organizations. She noted that there are fifteen Regional Planning Organizations in the state in the form of Regional Planning Agencies, Councils of Elected Officials and Councils of Governments. CRVCEO is a Council of Elected Officials that was created by a special act of the legislature and is comprised of two RPAs (CRERPA and Midstate RPA).
II. Guests
A. Emergency
Management
Joel Severance spoke on behalf of the Regional Emergency Planning Team for District 2 of DEMAS. A meeting is scheduled to be held in the Guilford Firehouse on Route 77 at 9:30 AM on Monday, December 3. The Planning Team consists of the chief elected officials of the thirty towns. This meeting will include a vote to adopt the by-laws and to receive the 2007 grants. Future meetings will include members of the Executive Board and will be quarterly or as needed.
Linda mentioned that ten members of this group are part of Region 2. Mike Pace asserted that DEMAS really has some problems. The twenty towns to the east are accustomed to working together. It is important that this area be represented at the meeting and on the executive board.
B. CCM
Gian-Carl Casa, director of Public Policy and Advocacy for the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities greeted the group and distributed pamphlets advertising training sessions for CEOs and for members of Boards of Finance.
He commented on the level of frustration that local officials express in dealing with the state on fiscal matters. He noted that the legislature hesitates to take sides between unions and towns. He urged that the towns join in a statement of opposition to expand the Heart and Hypertension law to include other health concerns.
Gian-Carl reminded Selectmen that CCM now represents towns of all sizes. He distributed a packet including CCM meeting dates, an explanation of committee functions and a critique of recent legislation. He noted that CCM sends out a weekly list of pending bills that include unfunded mandates. He urged Selectmen to meet with their legislative delegation. The CCM website is CCMLAC.Org.
Tim Griswold commended Gain-Carl and referred to CCM as a terrific resource.
Mike Pace mentioned CIRMA, not only as an insurer but as a source of safety checks.
C. Literacy Volunteers
Tom Houpert and Cathy Bishop spoke about the services provided to eleven shore line towns by Literacy Volunteers. Tutors are trained to provide one on one service to teach basic literacy or English as a second language. 200 teaching volunteers are in service, many in public school classrooms.
Two fund raisers are being planned. On February 15, 2008 a concert will be held in the First Congregational Church in Essex featuring a Russian trained Korean pianist. On April 1, 2008, a 5000K race will be held in Essex.
Richard Cabral mentioned that a school district is required to address groups of twenty or more students speaking a particular language. Literacy volunteers are the only available answer to smaller concentrations of students.
D. The Connection
Heide Erb and Ms. Branch-Stebbins spoke on behalf of the Eddy Shelter and the need for emergency shelter and supportive housing. The Eddy Shelter has been providing emergency care for homeless men and women for sixteen years. It is located in Middletown but serves the entire region. They rendered a plea to be included as a line item in each local budget. Grant money stays flat. DMAS contributes some. There is an increase of working –poor who find themselves evicted due to addiction or code enforcement. Many have chronic health conditions. Care costs about $82.00 per bed night. Ms. Branch-Stebbins read a list of bed nights per town.
Susan Bransfield expressed her frustration of not being able to find a bed when she calls. Portland often has to resort to a local hotel. She asked if an arrangement could be made for available beds being available on a priority basis for towns that contribute. She would also like to have a report on usage. It was agreed that quarterly reports can be made available.
Phil Miller asked that local use numbers be sent to each town. They were sent two and a half weeks ago but will be sent again.
Noel Bishop noted that Westbrook had a difficult time meeting fuel assistance needs.
IV. Business
A. Legislative Report
Jeff Nelson reported that, on behalf of Tony Bondi, he had inquired about the duties of the locally appointed Drought Coordinator. OPM Undersecretary David Le Vasseur explained that the state was looking for a person to contact in each town.
On behalf of Gov. Rell, he reported that from November 17 until December 30, Shoreline East will run three trains in the morning and three at night.
A Lyme disease surveillance team has been appointed. Previously the state has had no access to doctors’ records.
The Bonding Bill has been passed and signed. So far, about $400,000 has been allocated for school bonding. There is no indication when the money might reach the towns.
CT Families is a $50,000,000 fund designed to help sub-prime mortgage holders refinance with CHFA.
The moratorium on utility shut offs is in effect until April. More people are applying for fuel assistance and that allocated money does not go as far as in previous years.
Ellen Paul reported that Rep. Courtney was influential in passing a bill to allow the Department of Defense to talk to the Department of Veteran Affairs and allow them to know the identity of probable impaired veterans.
She reminded the group that Rep. Courtney was responsible for two new subs being awarded to Connecticut.
Rep Courtney is urging President Bush to release $20,000,000 for low income heating assistance.
The November 15 move of the Norwich office went smoothly.
The State of the Office review showed that 1005 people have been assisted by the office.
V. New Business
Chairman Miller announced that there will be no meeting in December. The January 23, 2008 meeting will be in Middletown. Tony Bondi asked that the February meeting be held in Haddam.
Noel Bishop asked how speakers are selected.
Tom Marsh would like a session on the grant process.
Noel suggested a round table of issues and local experience.
Mike Pace suggested that everyone look at income reductions in land use
departments.
Dick Smith suggested a session on the budget process.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:45 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Wini Olson
Note to editor:
*Heide is Ms. Erb’s preferred spelling.