Minutes

Lower Connecticut Valley Selectmen’s Association

                                      March 11, 2009

Attendance:

Chester:                       Tom Marsh                 

Clinton:                       Willie Fritz

Deep River:                 Dick Smith

Essex:                          Phil Miller

Killingworth:               Richard Cabral

Lyme:                         Ralph Eno

Old Lyme:                   Tim Griswold

Old Saybrook:            

Westbrook:                  Noel Bishop

                                     Joe Cumerford, Executive Director, ETD

                                    Jeff Nelson, Governor Rell’s Representative

                                    Carla Iezzi, DOT                          

                                    Bruce Edgerton, CRERPA Rep                                                        

                                    James P. Redeker, ConnDOT, Bureau Chief                                    

                                   

CRERPA Staff:           Linda Krause, Janice Ehle-Meyer, Jean Davies, Margot Burns, Pat Anthony

 

1. Call to Order: Dick Smith, Vice Chairman, convened the meeting at 8:30 a.m. at CRERPA Headquarters, Saybrook Station, Old Saybrook.  A roll call ensued.

 

2. Minutes:

            A Motion to approve the February ‘09 minutes was made by Rich Cabral and seconded by Willie Fritz.  All were in favor

 

3. Formal Action on Electronic Collections:

             Janice Ehle-Meyer presented two resolutions to be voted upon:

            1. Veolia contract for HHW 2009 season (contract was distributed)

            2. The Consumer Electronic collection permit for DEP.  These electronics collections will start in 2010, and they are State mandated. The collections would occur year long, two Saturdays a month for the most part. On off months, there will be one collection per month. Permit must be submitted in March. CRRA will staff most of the collections.     

            Motion to vote accept the Veolia contract for HHW 2009 was made by Rich Cabral and seconded by Noel Bishop.  All were in favor.

            Motion to accept Consumer Electronics proposal for permit was made by Willie Fritz, seconded by Rich Cabral.

 

4. Legislative Matters:

            Jeff Nelson, Representative for Gov. Rell:  The Governor asked for an early start for budget negotiations beginning in April.

            There is a list of stimulusprojects on a new website:  www.recovery.ct.gov.  Jeff suggested that the selectmen refer to this website to determine where their individual projects are in the process.

            Stimulus money:  Some DOT projects have been approved as well as several Amtrak projects.

            Ralph Eno asked about the Governor’s comment that RPOs were “purveyors of red tape.”  He noted that the Governor’s “take” on regionalism was disturbing.  He asked if the Governor was willing to sit down and talk about the issues with the directors of the Regional Planning Organizations. It was suggested a group of 8-10 people would represent the RPOs’ position.  There has to be a buy-in at the towns’ level. Their voice should be heard.  The Governor’s beliefs are not right, and the only way we can resolve the issues and misunderstandings would be through a meeting.  Mike Pace and Linda would spearhead the group who would speak to the Governor. Linda was asked to coordinate the meeting and outline the issues for the proposed meeting.

             CRERPA receives $65,000 right now out of the $1million SGIA funding for RPOs.  If this funding is not available, where do the planning agencies go for the money?

            Jeff Nelson said he talked with Dave LeVasseur about the issues.

            $3.9million grant taken off table, which relates to 60% of our Dial-a-Ride funding in the Estuary was discussed.  Joe Cumerford, ETD, noted there is a hearing on that program today, and the bill number is 1093. Feedback appears to be positive at this point.           

            It was proposed that a letter to Eileen Dailey might be appropriate.  It’s unclear just what her understanding is of regionalism.  The letter would be from the area selectmen.        .

            Dick Smith commented on the proposed $1million funding for a new police academy.  The one in Meriden has worked well. Why is this expenditure necessary?

            Additional budget issues were discussed.  The general consensus was that Hartford simply doesn’t understand what’s happening down here.

            A motion was made by Dick Smith, seconded by Tim Griswold, to recess the LCVSA and to reconvene after the MPO meeting. All were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 a.m.

 

 

            The LCVSA meeting was reconvened at 10:10 a.m. and was called to order by Tim Griswold, Secretary.

 

5.  Marina Workshop Report:

            Joel Severance discussed the Maritime Hurricane Exercise that was successfully completed on February 14th.  All 9 towns were represented, and 50 stakeholders from throughout the nine-town region had an opportunity to ask questions and to assess and update their local hurricane emergency response plans.  The one-day conference included presentations from the US Coast Guard, CT State Police, Dept. of Emergency Management and Homeland Security as well as DOT and DEP.

            Soundings Magazine noted it was the first maritime specific planning in the Northeast. CRERPA was the local funding agency and has since been reimbursed by the REPT.

 

6. Emergency Management:  There will be a drill for an anticipated outbreak of anthrax or new flu strain on May 19th.  The Old Saybrook High School is the site for the distribution of medications to key personnel should an event of this type occur.  The mock exercise will determine the effectiveness of the program.

            Chester is not participating.  Selectman Marsh was uncomfortable with the process.  Tom suggested a “key titles” list rather than a “key people” list.

            A discussion ensued concerning clarification on the some of the issues.

 

7. Other Business:

            The March 25th CRVCEO meeting will take place at Sage’s Restaurant in Chester.  Tom Marsh will email the menu to the elected officials and legislators this week.

 

8. Adjournment: 

            Motion to adjourn was made by Rich Cabral, and Seconded by Noel Bishop.  All were in favor.  The meeting was adjourned at 10:40 a.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Pat M. Anthony, Clerk