Minutes

Lower Connecticut Valley Selectmen’s Association

May 12, 2010

Attendance:

Chester:                       Tom Marsh

Clinton:                       Willie Fritz

Deep River:                 -------------

Essex:                          Phil Miller

Killingworth:               Cathy Iino

Lyme:                          Ralph Eno

Old Lyme:                   Tim Griswold

Old Saybrook:             Mike Pace

Westbrook:                 -------------                                                                                                             

Guests:                        George Brusznicki, Patricia Donavan - CRT

                                    Joe Comerford, ETD Executive Director

                                    Paul Nonnenmacher, CRRA  

                                    Ellen Paul, Rep. Courtney’s Liaison  

                                    Paula Ferrara, Estuary Council of Seniors

                                   

CRERPA Staff:           Linda Krause, Jean Davies, Margot Burns, Pat Anthony

 

 

1.  Call to Order: Chairman Mike Pace convened the meeting at 8:40 in the CRERPA Conference Room in Old Saybrook CT.

 

2.  Minutes: Ralph Eno made the motion to accept the April minutes, seconded by Kathy Iino.  All members were in favor.

 

3.  Speakers:

            George Brusznicki, Patricia Donovan – CRT:

                        Trish Donovan, Chief Operations Officer, gave a brief overview of CRT and the services it provides to the Middlesex area.  The Community Renewal team is an anti-poverty agency. CRT runs major programs in 59 Connecticut towns, including Wheels, Head Start, homebuyer and energy assistance as well as nutritional services.

                        George handles all programs in the lower Connecticut River corridor and explained the Energy Assistance Program to the selectmen.  He clarified how people in towns are selected for energy assistance. They provide intake personnel sending CRT personnel to each town.  There is money for “weatherization” and it is CRT’s responsibility to make certain the funding is properly handled. Colder than usual weather is anticipated for the coming winter season, and CRT wants to make certain the needs of the people requiring assistance are handled judiciously. 

            Paul noted there is a “tuning and tooling” program that CRT offers to enhance the functionality of burners and to replace old filters.  Taxes, food, heat are the priorities in the lower river valley area. Ellen Paul asked that Rep. Courtney’s office be included in any information CRT distributes regarding their programs.

 

4. Old Business:

                        A. Legislative Reports:  Ellen reported that the Firefighter Grants are open.  If the selectmen need help with the grants, she asked that they notify Courtney’s office.  There are several workshops scheduled on how to write the grants.

                         Joe was in the region to review dredging issues in several towns recently.

                        Ellen requested that a Selectmen’s Roundtable be set up for the CRERPA region.  She said she would be contacting Linda with the details and intended date of the meeting.  It was suggested that Madison also be asked as well as the mid-state towns.

                        There is no sense of a timeline regarding transportation authorizations.  Jean inquired about the parking grant for Saybrook Junction.  Ellen said she will be talking to Neal regarding the parking issue at the train station.  Further discussion ensued regarding several recent issues at the Old Saybrook Junction site.

                        B. HHW-Electronics: Janice said there were 484 cars at the electronics collection on the 17th.  The traffic flow has been enhanced, and all went quite smoothly. The actual tonnage accepted was not yet available.

                        Janice spoke briefly on the separation of electronics issue.  Paul Nonnenmacher said it was his understanding that at this point the electronics were not going back to the manufacturers. However, there is really no good process of evaluation right now.

                        Linda asked about the NDC/CRRA issue.  The legislature did not alter anything right now, and the “battle goes on.” The key issue, according to Mike, is non-payment of post retirement benefits to employees.  Mike explained the complexity of the issue. He believes it’s a “muscle” issue.

                         He distributed a copy of the minutes of the Special Meeting held on May 3rd in Old Saybrook. The topic of the meeting was to discuss current MSW contracts and alternatives within the region. Mike noted that the new CRRA contract is menu driven and will be discussed at an upcoming summer meeting of the LCVSA.

                        C. Local Budgets:  Willie Fritz expects a 1.5 increase in the mill rate to be approved in the referendum being held today. Lyme expects a 2/3% increase. And Chester expects an increase of 1 mill.  Killingworth’s budget increased by 1.58%. Old Lyme’s budget remains flat. Phil mentioned that he thought Westbrook anticipates an increase of 1 mill. Old Saybrook’s operating budgets is flat; however, the school budget is up 5%.

 

5. New Business:

            Jean said a program was offered through DEMHS for a grant to local municipalities to purchase generators.  Applications are due on June 30th.

             All non profits, other than churches, must file a tax return. They have until May 17 to file their 2009 return, or they will automatically lose their tax exception status.

            Linda said that CRERPA has been selected as the lead RPO for DEMHS, Area 2.  Candidates will be interviewed for a coordinator position to handle the administrative details of the project.  As the lead RPO, CRERPA will receive revenue over a two-year period.

            Linda briefly discussed the feedback from the letter from Mike Pace to the legislators concerning support of the extension of the real estate conveyance tax.  Mike explained how important this source of revenue is for the municipalities.

            Linda briefly discussed a memorandum for redesignation of planning regions as well as a request for assistance and approval in combining planning regions. Linda was in discussion with Dave LeVasseur, Director of Fiscal Services at OPM.  It was Dave’s suggestion that the proposal be forwarded to OPM sooner rather than later.

            The matter will be discussed in depth at the upcoming CRVCEO meeting at the Gelston House, East Haddam, on the 26th at Noon.

            Linda is meeting with Geoff Colegrove this week to go over the variables of the redesignation. Tom Marsh said he would contact the First Selectman of Madison and ask that he attend the meeting on the 26th.                             

           

5. Adjournment:

            Motion to adjourn was made at 10:40 a.m. by Tim Griswold, seconded by Ralph Eno.  All were in favor.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Pat Anthony, Clerk