Minutes
Lower Connecticut Valley Selectmen’s Association
February 13, 2008
Attendance:
Chester:
Clinton: Willie Fritz
Deep River: Dick Smith
Killingworth: Richard Cabral
Lyme: Ralph Eno
Old Lyme: Tim Griswold
Old Saybrook: Mike Pace, Bill Peace
Westbrook: Noel Bishop
CRERPA:
ETD: John Forbis, Doris Sanstrom
Guests:
Charles Stannard, Hartford Courant,
Ellen Paul, Representing Cong. Joe Courtney
Pam Daniels from the Department of Emergency Management
Brad Beecher
I. The meeting of the Connecticut River Estuary Metropolitan Planning Organization was called to order by Chairman Mike Pace at 9:20 AM in the CRERPA Conference space, Suite B of the Marketplace, Boston Post Rd. Old Saybrook.
II. Minutes
Phil Miller moved that the minutes of the January 9, 2008 meeting be approved as circulated. The motion was seconded by Willie Fritz and unanimously approved.
III. Old Business
A. ETD
1. FOI
The FOI hearing was held as rescheduled.
2. DOT request
Linda spoke to Mike Sanders and learned that in response to the letter sent to DOT by the Estuary Selectmen asking for guidance in both the structure of the ETD and in compliance with regulations, he has been discussing the matter with Deputy Commissioner Albert Martin.
B. CRRA
Chairman Mike Pace invited Selectmen to the annual meeting of CRRA. It will be a breakfast meeting. The future of CRRA will be discussed including the transfer of the Bridgeport facility to Wheelabrator for $1.00, the closing of the Hartford landfill, the future of the Wallingford project as well as Mid-CT.
C. Other Business
Linda reported that under the JAGLLE grant, Clinton and Old Saybrook must jointly purchase a piece of equipment. They have $5,500 each but must act jointly. The matter has been referred to Lt. Spera and Lt. Santri.
$41,000 of 2006 money has also been allocated to six towns to apply for equipment. Old Saybrook, Clinton and Killingworth opted out of that option.
D. HHW
1. Proposed Budget
Janice Ehle-Meyer distributed packets of budgeting information for HHW.
She asked that particular attention be paid to insurance and the SLAM fund.
It was agreed by consensus to include $10,000 each year for insurance.
The SLAM fund elicited a long general discussion of how best to calculate rebates. Chairman Pace described it as self-insurance. Dick Smith suggested that it just be allowed to accumulate. It was agreed that a base line is needed to determine when SLAM funds should be distributed...
Tim Griswold moved that the proposed budget be accepted as amended. The motion was seconded by both Noel and Dick and unanimously approved.
2. Operations and Management
Janice announced that Haddam is again considering joining the CRERPA effort to properly dispose of Household Hazardous Waste. Possible assessments for operations and management were calculated with and without Haddam. Phil Miller noted that the one-time “initiation fee” has been eliminated. Ralph Eno recounted that the proposed fee that encompassed a portion of the construction costs was prohibitive. It also was unfair because the cost was paid by a grant. However, member towns have a long history of paying for the recycling coordinator. It was agreed that for the first year only, Haddam should pay double for the Recycling coordinator. Tim suggested that the $3,000 be added to the reserve fund. Chairman Pace asked about access to the SLAM fund. Since Haddam has no history to calculate from and has not contributed to the fund, the town would not become eligible to participate in SLAM fund reimbursements until the second year of participation.
The idea of a satellite collection in Haddam was denied. The possibility of Haddam residents bringing waste to Essex was endorsed by acclamation.
3. Electronics
Janice is planning on two CRERPA sponsored electronic collections plus the CRRA collections. Two companies have submitted very similar bids.
Ralph Eno stated that he supports the method of funding and suggested that the electronics collections be added to the schedule. Ralph reported that he met at DEP with Tom Metzner who has proposed that each town develop a plan to receive and store certain types of discarded electronic equipment. DEP would collect material from the town sites and be responsible for proper disposition. Ralph explained that CRERPA has a regional facility that is unused from October to April. He suggested that a pod be placed on the site and that it be open on week days to receive electronics. Grants could be available through DEP.
Tim Griswold announced that Old Lyme already has a structure prepared to receive electronics. He would like to be able to deliver ALL types of electronics to the Essex site, rather than limit the collection to the items specified by DEP.
Chairman Pace suggested that the ideas put forth by Ralph and Tim be combined- if CRERPA is willing to take on the task. Linda will look into it.
IV. New Business
A. REPT Pam Daniels expressed concern that it is really difficult to get a quorum for REPT meetings. Selectmen that are unable to attend are encouraged to send an alternate. Credentials for each alternate can be sent once and placed on file. Chairman Pace suggested that she call and remind members the day before the meeting. Linda suggested that Pam use CRERPA staff to make calls.
B. Traffic Speed Monitoring
Noel Bishop reported that he attended a meeting at Troop F in Westbrook where “Smart Machines” were advocated. He asked if any towns use them and would any town be interested is sharing one with Westbrook. They cost about $4,000.
Lyme, Chester, Deep River and Essex share one machine. Old Saybrook has two. Clinton has some. The Killingworth (District 17) Board of Education is considering buying one for $6,000.
C. Reports from other Governmental Entities
1. Rep. Joe Courtney
Ellen Paul reported that appropriation requests for FY09 are due by February 22. It would be advisable to send copies to Senators Lieberman and Dodd.
The house is now in session. Primary concerns are Higher Education policies and Economic Stimulation.
2. ECSI
Paula Ferrara volunteered to meet with any Boards of Finance or Selectman that might want clarification of any details in the budget requests that she distributed last month.
Paula announced that the Clinton Café is being moved from the American Legion Hall to the Rose Room of the William Stanton Andrews Memorial Town Hall on March 3.
The Mayors for Meals program will be on March 19. Each Selectman is asked to deliver meals to the home- bound on one of the routes in his town.
Paula reported that the SCSI has a very active board. Fundraisers are held each month. ECSI will participate in the Old Saybrook Chili Fest. Representatives are needed from Deep River and Killingworth. Representatives must be 55 or older. In September, new delegates will be needed in Clinton and Westbrook. The current members will each be completing a six year term.
3. CRERPA
a. RPI
Linda reported that $10,000,000 of Regional Performance Incentive grants has been budgeted in Connecticut. Applications must be received by December 31. They are awarded for the joint provision of service. The proposed electronics collection came to mind. Mapping was suggested. Chairman Pace asked if the towns are really interested in working as a region. He went on to discuss how disappointed he is by the lack of participation in the Lower Connecticut River Regional Health District.
b. Linda reminded members that the Program Review and Investigations Committee of the Legislature recently did a study of Regional Planning Organizations in Connecticut. She distributed copies of the recommendations of the committee. The RPI awards are item 10.
c. Regional Round Tables
One of the Executive Order No. 15 items requires the Office of Responsible Growth to establish Regional Round Tables that must meet quarterly. Linda reported that at their February meeting, the CRERPA board agreed to host the Round Table and serve as its nucleus. Linda offered the LCVSA to take on the responsibility if they preferred, or to come to the Monday night sessions if they care to.
d. Advisory Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
There was one position available to represent all regional planning organizations. Linda has been appointed by the Governor to fill that position on behalf of the fifteen regions.
Chairman Pace commented that these changes offer a huge opportunity to this region because these particular towns work so well together.
D. Meetings
1. CRRA Chairman Pace invited members to the CRRA breakfast meeting at 8AM on February 27.
2. CRVCEO
Phil Miller realized that the lunch meeting when OPM under Secretary W. David Le Vasseur is scheduled to meet with the CRVCEO in the CRERPA conference space and discuss what they want to do and what they want to be is scheduled for the same day. Cloud Nine will cater.
Phil offered to change the date of the CRVCEO meeting.
E. Nominating Committee
Chairman Pace asked Rich Cabral to serve as Chairman of the Nominating Committee. Tim Griswold agreed to also serve. Chairman Cabral appointed Ralph Eno to serve as the third member.
Dick Smith moved that the meeting be adjourned. The motion was seconded by Phil Miller.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:40 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Timothy C. Griswold, Secretary