Minutes

Lower Connecticut Valley Selectmen’s Association

                                                                                                   April 8, 2009

Attendance:

Chester:                       Tom Marsh

Clinton:                      

Deep River:                 Dick Smith

Essex:                          Phil Miller

Killingworth:               Richard Cabral

Lyme:                         Ralph Eno

Old Lyme:                   Tim Griswold

Old Saybrook:             Mike Pace

Westbrook:                  Noel Bishop

                                     Joe Cumerford, Executive Director, ETD

                                    Jeff Nelson, Governor Rell’s Representative

                                    Carla Iezzi, DOT                          

                                    Bruce Edgerton, CRERPA Chairman                                                           

                                    Judge Deborah Pearl               Judge Patricia Damon

                                    Judge Bill Koch                      Judge Roger Goodnow

                                    Rep. Jamie Spallone

                                    Paula Ferrara, ESCI, Executive Director

                                                                       

                                   

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

 

1. Call to Order: Chairman Mike Pace convened the meeting at 8:46 a.m. at CRERPA Headquarters, Saybrook Station, Old Saybrook.  

 

2. Minutes:

            A Motion to approve the March ‘09 minutes was made by Rich Cabral and seconded by Tim Griswold.  All were in favor

 

3. Update on Regionalizing Probate Courts

            Judge Roger Goodnow of Old Saybrook discussed the Governor’s plan to regionalize the courts according to senatorial districts.  He said it made not sense. His concern was that we could be left with no choices.  If the Probate Court system is to be reorganized, then we should have ownership.  The Judge said it won’t be an easy thing, and he cautioned that bigger is not always better.  It is imperative that we discuss options.

            Judge Deborah Pearl of Essex is the Regional Probate Coordinator.  She, too, agreed that the Governor’s plan is not a good plan.  She cautioned on a radical consolidation, which is unnecessary and she felt the cost would be prohibitive.

            A much more equitable solution would be a satellite site operating around a hub; for example, one judge operating within the parameters of several towns. 

            Litchfield has a satellite court concept, and it works extremely well for the area.  We must have a plan that makes sense to everyone.  Regional meetings on the issue are an important option right now.  The problem of billing has not been addressed since 1999.  Any reconstruction should encompass all aspects of the probate system.

            There are two bills proposed currently proposed, the Governor’s bill and the Assembly’s bill.              Centralizing accounting and voluntary consolidations are practical options.

            It’s important to create our own solutions before the issue is decided for us. The probate system is facing a huge deficit. It was noted that the major deficits are in Hartford and Bridgeport. The General Assembly will make a decision before the next election, probably before year’s end.  Jeff Nelson said the Governor is open to listen to other plans. Jamie Spallone felt that we have a window of approximately 45-90 days to create a workable solution for the area towns. He said that the Governor’s plan is not a “done deal” at this point.

            A special meeting will be held on April 23, 2009, at 8:30 a.m. in the Essex Probate Court site.  All area selectmen, judges, and other key officials will be sent an invitation from Judge Pearl’s office this week.

 

4. Old Business:

            Regionalism Update:  To be discussed at CRVCEO on April 22nd

            HHW:  First Electronics Collection is April 18th, and the first HHW Collection is on April 25th in Clinton.  Flyers have been sent to the towns, and the schedules are on our web site at crerpa.org.

            Emergency Management:  First Meds Day is May19.

 

5. New Business:

            a. Legislative Updates:

                        Jeff Nelson:

                         Legislature’s budget is out.  Governor is concerned that this budget places too much  emphasis on increased taxes.

                        State is $600,000-$1billion in red for the budget year.

                        Selectmen stated to Jeff that the small towns must have a voice and would like to know what happened to projects submitted to the State for the stimulus funds. Jeff said he would check into the selectmen’s concerns.                    

            b. ECSI:

                        Paula Ferrara, Executive Director, said the demands on the Council are going up.  The computer classes are full.

                         CRT did not apply for a nutrition grant.  The senior center will be funded with Title 3 money.

                         Senior Awareness Day is the 16th of April, and the seminar is held to make seniors aware of the services provided by the Center.

 

            The meeting was adjourned at 10:15.  Motion to adjourn was made by Rich Cabral and seconded by Dick Smith.  All were in favor.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Pat Anthony, Clerk