Minutes

Lower Connecticut Valley Selectmen’s Association

                                                                                               June 10, 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:             Mike Pace

Westbrook:                  Noel Bishop                                           

Haddam:                     Sean Donlan                                                                           

                                    Jenny Contois, Cong. Courtney’s Office

                                    Stephen Livingston, DOT Representative

                                    Joe Cumerford, ETD Executive Director

                                    Paula Ferrara, ESCI Executive Director

                                    Bruce Edgerton, CRERPA Board

                                    Lawrence Grosso, Veolia Environmental Services        

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

           

 

1. Call to Order: Chairman Mike Pace convened the meeting 8:35 a.m. in the CRERPA Conference Room in Old Saybrook CT.

 

2. Probate Court Consolidation Update:

            The selectmen voted to propose the consolidation of the area probate courts into the 10-Town Consolidated Probate Court.  There will be between 40-50 courts within the State after the consolidation.

            Tom Marsh distributed a letter written in an effort to assist the redistricting commission in identifying a regional court to serve the needs of the combined communities, Chester, Clinton, Deep River, Essex, Haddam, Killingworth, Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and Westbrook.

            It was suggested that Grand List numbers be attached to the letter.

            The Chairman asked for comments from the selectmen regarding the proposed consolidation. A discussion pursued.  The proposal would result in a 60,000 per capita/ 4,500 case load court system for the 10 towns.  Ralph said this would be in alignment with the 40,000/3,000 criteria set by the State.

            The sentence was added to the letter stating that the towns anticipated the State’s full support. The selectmen then signed the corrected letter.

            The site of the proposed Estuary Probate Court was discussed with Noel Bishop suggesting Westbrook.  Mike Pace said that everything was in place in Old Saybrook as a preferred site. Mike commented that when the new Old Saybrook town hall was renovated, facilities were built to accommodate the new Probate Court.

            Selectman Sean Donlan of Haddam noted that his town was linked with Killingworth and other shoreline town representatives. Sean indicated that he was concerned about the State Commission and said the inter-town relationship must be preserved.

            It was also noted that the Estuary has some of the best judges in the State.

            The motion was made by Rich Cabral that we send the letter to Mr. Knierim, Probate Court Administrator, with the inclusion of the data sheet and recommending Old Saybrook as the seat.” Mike Pace seconded the motion.  All were in favor with the exclusion of Tim Griswold who abstained.

 

                        Motion to end the LCVSA meeting was made by Mike Pace at 9:15 a.m. and seconded by Willie Fritz. The MPO meeting was then convened.

                        The LCVSA reconvened at 9:50 a.m.

 

2.  Speaker:  Lawrence Grosso, Veolia Environmental Services

            Veolia is the new vendor the HHW facility in Essex.  Mr. Grosso gave a quick review of Veolia and said it was the leading provider of environmental services in the United States. 

            He said that he found the HHW site to be excellent and well designed. The numbers are up for the year at the site.  Mr. Grosso explained what happens to the waste after the drop-offs.  The company’s mantra is “waste into resource”.

            Janice was complimented by the selectmen on her efforts to get the information to the towns.

 

3. Approval of May minutes.  Motion to approve the minutes was made by Rich Cabral and seconded by Willie Fritz and approved unanimously.

 

4. Old Business:

            a. Regional Update:  Linda said that the Legislature passed the bill requiring that each CEO, or his/her designee, must be on RPA boards.  Ralph Eno suggested that the existing Selectmen’s rep act in that capacity.

            b. HHW:  Janice reported that there were 195 households at the collection on Saturday

                        The painting contractor’s costs for the HHW facility were discussed. The submitted bids were not acceptable, and Janice is pursuing bids from several other contractors.

 

5.  New Business:

            a. Legislative Updates:

                        Jenny Contois, Congressman Courtney’s representative discussed the Fire Station Contribution Grant and said that information regarding this grant is on the internet (www.firegrant.gov).

                        A discussion ensued about the parameters of the grant.

 

6. Adjournment:

            Ralph Eno made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Rich Cabral.  All were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 a.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Pat Anthony, Clerk