Lower Connecticut River Valley Selectmen’s Association    

                                       April 11, 2007

                                             Minutes

Attendance

Chester:                         Tom Marsh

Clinton:                            

Deep River:                   Dick Smith

Essex:                           Phil Miller 

Killingworth:                  Martin Klein                                                                                                            

Lyme:                           Ralph Eno

Old Lyme:                     Tim Griswold

Old Saybrook:               Mike Pace

Westbrook:                  

DOT:                            Kasey Faraci   

Staff:                             Janice Ehle-Meyer, Jean Davies, Wini Olson                        

Guests:                         ECS Director Paula Ferraro, DEMAS Region 2 Mary Rose  

                                     Duberek, ECS President Nancy Clark, ETD Director Brad

                                     Beecher

I.                          Chairman Mike Pace called the meeting to order in Room B of the M. Monica   Eggert Senior Center on Main Street in Old Saybrook, at 8:35 AM. 

II.                  Introduction of new Director of Estuary Senior Center

     President Nancy Clark introduced Director Paula Ferraro with the comment that most people seem to know her before she is introduced.

Director Ferraro acknowledged the introduction with the comment that she   

Had previously belonged to LCVSA when she was First Selectman of Westbrook.

     Paula distributed packets of information about the Senior Center including the number of visits to the center and the number of seniors from each town  that were involved with programs during the first half of the fiscal year.  She asked that each Selectman let her know when the ECSI budget request is scheduled to be discussed in their town.

     Ralph Eno mentioned that Lyme/ Old Lyme have built its own facility. Many Lyme/Old Lyme residents are reluctant to cross the river for programs. He asked if programs could be provided by the SCSI at the Lyme/ Old Lyme site.  Paula will investigate the possibility of providing satellite programs.              Phil Miller asked if Paula is working with Brad Beecher. They have not met.

     Phil explained to Paula that many towns have local newsletters. He described them as an excellent means of gaining free publicity. Paula replied that she will be happy to submit information and pictures.

     Mike Pace encouraged Paula to add zoning compliant signs to make the place easier to find.  Nancy Clark mentioned that Bill Childress owns the land and has opposed previous attempts to erect a sign.

     Chairman Pace expressed concern for low income people in need of services. He mentioned that although it is a mild winter, Old Saybrook has had more applications for fuel assistance than ever before. The mild weather has helped stretch the available dollars. He is concerned about the impact of higher electric bills. He asked Paula to be observant and to send clients that are being impacted by the higher rates to the town for help.

     Phil Miller noted that many towns have Agents for the Elderly. He cited the Chester Agent as being particularly competent. Tom Marsh agreed that she is extremely competent. He added that Chester is concerned about the demographics of Social Service clients.  There is a $400 limit to the help that they can give.

     Mike mentioned that Old Saybrook includes the Shoreline Soup Kitchen in its budget. He urged other towns to do the same. He noted that many families with children and working parents are dependent upon the soup kitchen for meals.

     Paula called attention to three flags honoring the towns that purchased bricks for a proposed walkway. The 160 bricks that were purchased are not enough to finance the walkway. The bricks will be used. The rear patio is used as a fire egress and therefore must be made level to meet code.  The bricks will be used in the reconstruction of the slate patio.

III. Update of Emergency Management                                                                                Chairman Pace introduced Mary Rose Duberek, Director of DEMHS Planning and Preparedness for Region 2.

        Ms. Duberek announced that the current emphasis is on the Evacuation Shelter Plan.                                                                                                                    CCM is sponsoring an Emergency Preparedness Conference that will be held on May 1, 2007 at the Crown Plaza in Cromwell for the thirty towns of Region 2.

       Mary Rose explained that working by regions is proving to be a learning experience. It is not to be viewed as a push to form county government but “as a way to respond that way “. Ways to use the regions are still being explored. The regional approach is a response to the federal funding mechanism.

Local plans do exist and need to be updated. Many local plans have not yet been signed by the CEO. The signature is a key requirement for NIMS compliance. Chester and Essex are NIMS compliant.                                                                                                                                                    

       Within the 30 towns of Region 2, Guilford has been designated as the lead fire department.  Mary Rose is aware that the shoreline towns are accustomed to working together. High band radios are being adopted as standard equipment.

      Possible sites are being sought for a mobile 100 bed unit hospital.

There will be a table top exercise for a pan flu epidemic on January 17 in Old Saybrook.  A true pandemic would necessitate closing schools.

New Business                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      A.       Chairman Pace introduced ETD Director Brad Beecher to ECS Director Paula             Ferraro.

B.     Hazard Mitigation

     Jean Davies announced that both Lyme and Old Lyme have adopted their

Hazard Mitigation Plans. Deep River has scheduled a hearing for January 23.     No municipality is eligible for DEP or FEMA funding unless the Haz Mit plan has been adopted.

   CRERPA is applying for a grant to facilitate the evaluation and mapping of   Category 3 Hurricane wind loads.

   Chairman Pace suggested that Selectmen consider the financial impact of a disaster. Waterfront destruction could lead to seven years of municipal deficit until the area is rebuilt to its former taxable value.

            The meeting adjourned at 9:30 AM.

           Respectfully submitted,

           Timothy C. Griswold, Secretary

Per Wini Olson