January 9, 2008
Minutes
Attendance
Chester: Tom Marsh
Clinton: Willie Fritz
Essex: Phil Miller
Killingworth: Richard Cabral
Lyme:
Old Lyme: Tim Griswold
Old Saybrook: Mike Pace, Bill Peace
Westbrook: Noel Bishop
Staff: Linda Krause,
Guests: Thomas Kirk, President CRRA, Paul
Nonnemacher of CRRA, ECS Director Paula Ferrara
Jeff Nelson, representing Gov. Jodi Rell
Ellen Paul representing Congressman Joe Courtney
Tom Metzner of DEP, Wally Schieffendecker of the
Pump out Boat committee, Doris Sanstrom, John Forbis,
Charles Stannard, Hartford Courant.
I. Chairman Mike Pace called the meeting to order at 8:30 AM as members were enjoying breakfast in Room A of the M. Monica Eggert Senior Center on Main Street in Old Saybrook.
II. Minutes
Phil Miller moved that the minutes of the December 12, 2007 meeting be approved as circulated. The motion was seconded by Willie Fritz and unanimously approved.
III. CRRA
Chairman Pace amended the agenda and recognized Tom Kirk, President of CRRA. Mr. Kirk reminded members that the Board of Directors of CRRA is made up of Selectmen from the member towns. They act in what they believe is the best interest of the participating towns. He reviewed the recent court decision and the distribution of funds to the member towns. The earlier judicial decision that CRRA was not damaged by Enron has greatly eroded their pending cases against ten different banks. The Attorney General is representing CRRA in those suits.
Towns were advised to keep the award in a dedicated fund. The order to distribute the funds at this particular time is still pending. Should the order be overturned, the towns would be liable for the amount returned including the legal fees that were deducted by the attorneys. A decision is expected by September or October of 2008.
TIP fees will increase, possibly to $85.00 per ton, on July1, 2008 to compensate for the $35,000,000 loss.
Dick Smith views the increased TIP fee as a threat to the towns.
President Kirk assured him that the increase is necessary to cover the cost of operation.
Phil Miller pointed out that returning the money to CRRA would cause resentment from the towns. He suggested that CRRA just let the towns keep the money and increase the TIP fees.
Tom Kirk suggested that it could be negotiated on a town by town basis. He clarified that the increased fee will apply only to members. Contractors will continue to pay $72 per ton.
Noel Bishop asked President Kirk to prepare a two page executive summary of the situation, suitable to be presented to the Board of Finance.
Tim Griswold asked for a breakdown of the actual amount dissipated by the return and the actual cost of operation.
Chairman Pace noted that he is placing the Old Saybrook funds in a dedicated account and will use a portion of that money to off- set the increase in TIP fees. He reiterated that the court has deemed it inappropriate for CRRA to hold money in reserve for repairs to the plant and closing of the Hartford Landfill. A Gag order was placed on CRRA but not on the critics. CRRA management was not allowed to talk to its own members. The gag order is now off. Money regained from the suits against the banks was used pay off loans and thereby lower the debt service from $26,000,000 a year to $16,000,000 a year.
Tom Kirk pleaded with members to come to the CRRA meetings. He is so proud that he and Mike, who both entered the picture after Enron were able to save CRRA from potential disaster. They paid off the debt and kept the TIP fee down. Then”opportunistic lawyers took the towns for a ride.”
The meeting was recessed at 9:25 AM to allow the same members to convene as CREMPO.
The meeting resumed at 10:00 AM.
IV. ETD Update
Board Members
John Forbis announced two new ETD board members, Ralph Eno representing Lyme and Dick Smith representing Deep River.
Rider Surveys
John reported that Senior Center had surveyed seniors using the ETD service. 39 out of 40 riders surveyed reported they are pleased by the service. Non-seniors have not yet been surveyed.
The Municipal Grants Program requires an accurate count of people with disabilities. Out of 400 riders on the Riverside route from Old Saybrook to Chester, 250 are disabled and 160 are seniors.
Public Hearing
John announced that the required Public Hearing will be held at 8:00 AM on January 14 in the ETD office in the Marketplace at 455 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook. Chairman Pace suggested the hearing be held at the Senior Center. It has already been advertised. The suggestion will be put on file for next year.
The Directors will meet on January 18 at the Acton Library.
An auditor has been appointed for a three year period. This is the same firm that audits the books of the Town of Lyme and who audited the ETD in 2006.
Draft of Personnel Policies
John announced that the Personnel Policies deal with the interaction between the Board and the Executive Director. It also revises the position of the Executive Director. It divides the responsibilities to avoid a “meddling board”.
Busses
The busses are getting old. Some have 150,000 to 160,000 miles. Ricardo is applying for four replacements. An additional bus will be acquired for the Niantic route. John was pleased to announce that the Niantic route passes seven concentrations of seniors.
Costs
John was happy to announce that the cost of the Management Consultant will be covered by the state. John distributed updated cash flow statements. He feels that the budget should cover the separation costs if the matter does not go to trial.
FOI
John announced that the FOI hearing will be on January 26 or 28. It is scheduled for January 24.
Linda Krause announced that Ralph Eno and Dick Smith are at the COST meeting. She reported that Ralph had asked her to distribute two documents on his behalf. One is a copy of the ETD minutes for December 11, 2007 and his preliminary review of the Job Description and Handbook Review.
Phil Miller scanned the minutes and asked if they were written by the new clerk. They were.
Linda reported that Ralph wants a comparison of the 2008-09 budgets with the 2007-2008 budgets. Tom Marsh would also like to see the 2007-2008 budget and actual expenditures.
It was mentioned that the revenue from on-bus advertising may not all belong to the ETD. The State owns a share in proportion to its investment in the District
John agreed to supply the original 2007-2008 budget and the actual expenditures together with the ad revenue that is at risk.
V. Old Business
Recycling
Electronics
Janice Ehle-Meyer introduced Tom Metzner of DEP who brought members up to date on recycling Electronic Equipment. Under the new regulations,
the manufacturers will be billed for recycling computers, monitors, TVs and
possibly printers. The towns will be responsible for providing a convenient
and accessible drop-off point. The manufacturers will be billed by DEP. Town drop sites must be available.
By January 1, 2009. A draft of the plan is going to the Stakeholders group
tomorrow (January 10, 2009). Each region or town will draft its own plan
to accommodate the recycling. Tim Griswold reported that Old Lyme is in the processing of building a Transfer station. They have constructed a Carefree building on the premises to use to collect electronic items. He was concerned about the
need for permits to move the collected waste.
Chairman Pace asked if electronics can be collected regionally with an
automatic permit. The effectiveness of the program is to be analyzed in 2010.
HHW
Chairman Pace asked if it is time to start charging a fee.
Janice suggested that they might rather limit an individual to a cap of maybe
8 households of material. Tim stated that the SLAM fund can take care of large loads and has worked very well so far.
Janice distributed copies of the FY 2009 HHW budget. When asked what each town’s share will be, she promised to provide it next time.
Pump Out Boat
Wally Schiffendecker reported on the status of the Pump –out Boat. He announced that he is representing Joel Severance who is not available and everything is great. Wally handles the hands details of the process.
The operation has two boats and six people. In 2007, 2300 pump outs removed 40,000 gallons of seepage. There is no local cost. The program is self-funding.
Chester had the most number of pump-outs. Essex produced the most gallons.
Rich Cabral uses the service in Chester. He reported that the people are courteous and helpful.
It was noted that old boat is getting tired. The committee is considering leasing the next replacement.
Doris Sanstrom asked about Westbrook. Wally explained that this particular program is set up by the DEP for the Lower Connecticut River. The boats are restricted to the river. He believes that Pilot’s Point has its own boat.
VI. Other Business
a. Tom Marsh asked about the letter to DOT seeking intervention. Chairman Pace suggested that the Association wait for Ralph and Dick.
b. Jeff Nelson reported that the governor has released $5,000,000 of additional fuel money. Half of that is set aside as one time grants to help people who are in a hole. Gov. Rell has sent out an RFP for Charter Oak Health. It is designed to help people who fall between the cracks, who do not qualify for Medicaid and cannot afford health insurance. Criminal Justice is the next item.
c. Ellen Paul has extra invitations to the Open house that is scheduled for Rep. Courtney’s new office. The congressman will be reviving the Regional Selectmen’s meetings. Ellen was disappointed that neither Lyme nor East Haddam is here. The Eight Mile River bill has been attached to a National Forest and Park package and has a good chance of passing.
d. Dredging dollars are available but they must pass through the Army Corps of Engineers. Noel is waiting for $95,000. Willie mentioned that Clinton has been waiting two years for $200,000.
e. Tour of ECS
Director Paula Ferrara welcomed the Association to the Senior Center. Everyone present was familiar with the facility. Paula distributed budget packets. She was proud to announce that the budget balances and there is no increase in the budget request.
Senior Resources has increased the amount per meal. This adds $60,000 for the year.
The meeting adjourned at 11:16 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Timothy C. Griswold, Secretary