Connecticut River Valley Council of Elected Officials

Minutes

May 28, 2008

I. The Council convened in the Westbrook Town Hall at noon. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Phil Miller. Those present introduced themselves. Noel Bishop stated that it was his pleasure to host the gathering.

II. Attendance

Please see attached list.

III. Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center

Torrance Downes, an Arts Center board member, was present for new theater director Chuck Still, who was ill. Downes noted that the project had been underway for six years and was nearing completion. Mr. Still was hired from Vero Beach, Florida. The theater will be a regional facility, and there is interest in working with other theaters in the area. The Board of Trustees and new Director want to emphasize programming and educational opportunities for young people.

IV. Workforce Alliance

Bill Villano, Executive Director of the Greater New Haven Workforce Alliance, presented the State of the Workforce 2008 for the thirty town region. The workforce shows increasing polarization, with a shrinking middle group, by jobs, income, and education. Connecticut was 44^th in the country in growth last year. The greatest regional growth is occurring in Durham and East Hampton. As with the national workforce, Connecticut is losing middle income jobs, with job growth in low income (service) jobs. People switching jobs are taking jobs at a lower pay rate. Older workers are delaying retirement, whether from a desire to remain active or for financial reasons. Young people are faring less well, with increased skills needed for entry level jobs. Pace noted that if the government jobs are removed from the statistics, about 70% of new jobs are lower income with few if any benefits. Villano stated that the use of median income for comparisons masks the growing income inequity in Connecticut.

Discussion turned to community colleges, where a greater number of participants are receiving fewer degrees than in the past. Community colleges must do a great deal of remedial teaching in writing, English and math. The state is “burning money” on remedial classes. The public school drop out rate is actually higher than statistics indicate due to the way it is measured. Bill Villano presented a chart showing that many who seek help from the workforce alliance lack basic skills. Two-thirds of displaced workers and 80% of welfare-to-work clients lack required skills. Tony Bondi stated that not everyone needs to go to college.

Villano stated that housing is a problem for the workforce. Family size is decreasing and house size has increased. Connecticut defied the national drop in housing prices, but is now experiencing this situation here. Villano reported that ex-offenders are becoming a bigger part of the working population, and many lack necessary skills.

Villano offered five recommendations, as follows:

- Reduce the drop out rate and enforce the legal age for drop outs

- Improve (financial) access to higher education.

- Improve workforce housing access.

- Focus on incumbent worker training.

- Adopt a literacy training requirement for prisons.

Cabral asked who should pay these costs. Villano replied that we all pay now or pay later. Laura Francis asked what could be done locally to address this problem. An active discussion followed, in which examples of local action were cited. Senator Daily observed that the demand for remedial training shows a problem at early educational stages. Ellen Paul reported that the Eastern Workforce Board has received a federal grant to track specific individuals to get a better picture of what is happening. It was agreed that early intervention is critical. Higher education is a financial issue, too, in that many graduate with significant debt. The need for more vocational education was discussed. Villano offered to attend CRVCEO meetings more frequently.

V. Emergency Management

Roy Piper, DEMHS Region Two Regional Coordinator, introduced himself to the group. He previously was coordinator of Region Five in Northwestern Connecticut, with many small towns. He is a retired Naval Officer. He reminded those present of the upcoming EOC upgrade program funds which will range from 5 to 15 Thousand Dollars per town, depending on population. Laura Francis suggested that Roy provide practical training in the responsibilities of Chief Elected Officials in an emergency, especially to small town CEOs. Piper will look into such a presentation. There are currently four staff people in the Regional Office.

Linda Krause reported that the CRERPA staff was looking into the status of debris management planning to see if the process could be accelerated in this region. Of particular interest is public education, so that citizens will know how to separate debris in the event of a major storm.

VI. Congressman Courtney’s Office

Ellen Paul reported that the Congressman will be in Westbrook tomorrow to discuss tax abatement for firefighters. She reported that the Defense Authorization Act passed, including another submarine to be built at EB.

VII. Governor’s Office

Jeff Nelson reported that the projected shortfall in the state budget is about 50 or 60 million dollars for the current fiscal year, with a greater gap for FY 09. The Administration has been taking cost-cutting measures.

VIII. Announcements

Phil Miller reported that Paul Hughes is now both administrator and facilitator for the Middlesex Revitalization Commission. An active board is needed. The next CRVCEO meeting will be held on June 25 and will include presentations from HOMEConnecticut and CRRA. Laura Francis offered to hold the meeting in Durham. Linda Krause reported that Wini Olson, a member of the CRERPA staff for almost 40 years, has resigned. Wini has taken the minutes for CRVCEO since its inception.

Bill Villano noted that the Workforce Alliance Board has a seven member executive committee, with three representatives from CRVCEO. Tom Marsh and Willie Fritz are active representatives, but a volunteer is needed to fill the third spot, replacing Brad Parker. The group meets two or three times a year.

Eileen Daily reported that the Legislature will go back into a special session on June 11. She spoke briefly about the legislation which would provide incentives for regional services. She felt that regional service participant should be decided by chief elected officials rather than regional planning agencies. She stated that the purpose of the regional incentive program was to reduce property taxes. Krause commented that she understood that no money had been approved for the program this year. Pace urged Daily to support extension of the local conveyance tax. The need for the tax was discussed by those present.

Michael Pace talked about the increasing demand on local food pantries and fuel assistance funds. He spoke about the cost of energy and suggested that it was time to reconsider nuclear power. He said he had spoken with Dominion Energy which had agreed to host a tour of their plant and discuss disposal technology. Bondi said he felt energy should be determined by the free market. A discussion followed.

IX. Adjournment

Cabral moved and Marsh seconded a motion to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned by unanimous vote at 2:10 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Krause, for Susan Bransfield, Secretary