Meeting in
conjunction with
The
Connecticut River
Estuary Metropolitan Planning Organization
October 10, 2007
Minutes
Attendance
Chester: Tom Marsh
Clinton:
Essex: Phil Miller
Killingworth: Marty Klein
Lyme:
Old Lyme: Tim Griswold
ETD: Treas. John Forbis
Old Saybrook: Mike Pace
Westbrook: Noel Bishop
ETD: Chairman Doris Sanstrom
Staff: Linda Krause,
Guests: ECS Director Paula Ferraro, Jeff Nelson, representing Gov. Jodi
Rell, Emergency Management Coordinator Mary Rose Dubarek,
Marie Farrell of Westbrook
Chairman Mike Pace called the meeting to order in the conference space of the Connecticut River Estuary Regional Planning Agency at 8:32 AM.
I.
Public
Involvement
Chairman Pace recognized Katie Beecher as a member of the public. Mrs. Beecher reported that her husband, Brad Beecher, has been in the hospital and is seriously ill with a stress-related illness. She asked for an opportunity to rebut the September input of Mr. Forbis. Since she spoke from notes, they will be inserted into the minute book.
Noel Bishop asked for some sense of the parameters of the meeting. Is any of the information new?
Mrs. Beecher testified that Sue Traskos was not alone in the office on the day referred to. She was not afraid. She is nearby and available to speak on her own behalf if the Selectmen have any concern about conflicting statements.
Phil Miller suggested that details such as these are best handled by Attorneys Letizia and Denvir.
Dick Smith repeatedly asserted that Deep River will not contribute to the legal fees of the ETD.
Mrs. Beecher expressed concern over a conflict of interest for some individuals.
Mrs. Beecher circulated printouts of porn that she believes was distributed by Paul using ETD computers.
Mrs. Beecher reviewed the ETD minutes of September 24 and made comments.
Chairman Pace asked Dick Smith and Noel Bishop to meet with Mrs. Beecher and the attorneys. They agreed although Noel asked that the number of Emails be limited. He feels swamped by the amount of information.
Marty Klein repeatedly insisted that the parties should communicate through their attorneys.
Chairman Pace asked for a clarification of the legal relationships. Where are the funds coming from? Linda explained that the DOT has discretionary power over what it will fund for a transit district. She suggested that the Selectmen confer with Mike Saunders.
Mr. Saunders is the superior of Ricardo Almeida.
It appears that the municipal representatives to the ETD may have to go to the towns and request funds for legal fees.
Dick Smith noted that he will represent Deep River at the ETD meetings and will not ask Deep River to contribute to the legal funds.
Chairman Pace noted that the ETD is accruing unfunded liabilities.
II. Review
of ETD Organization
Referring to the process as a “rear view mirror approach”, Chairman Pace announced that after John Forbis submitted his understanding of the previous meeting to him, they agreed upon a list of items in question form to be considered by the District. Copies of Mike’s Email to John entitled “Estuary Transit District- Questions to be Addressed” were made and distributed.
It was noted that pertinent information is not shared within the ETD office.
Tom Marsh asked about the authority of the DOT. Do other districts have problems?
Chairman Pace noted that the problem is within our own model.
Paula Ferraro noted that Senior Resources supervises its grantees in great detail. Demonstration of an acceptable grievance process is one of the requirements.
John Forbis acknowledged that a grievance process is not spelled out. He added that it is one of the deficiencies cited by the auditor and commented that the auditor expected them to take two years to correct all of the deficiencies.
In answer to the question of who is responsible for change, Mr. Forbis noted that, historically, the Board has been the change agent.
It was suggested that there is a need to determine the duties of the Board and a comfortable position for a director.
In reference to the “Estuary Transit District –Questions to be addressed”, Noel Bishop termed it an excellent piece of homework but quite possibly a waste of time.
Commenting that the office has to function, he asked who is in charge.
Doris Sanstrom replied that she and John are in charge. She is in the office on a daily basis. John has other demands. She added that she spends most of her time “redoing and finding things”. She reported that four busses are coming. One is scheduled to connect with Niantic. She noted that,”We want to increase rates.”
John Forbis promised that they will decide within 60 days whether they need a Director or prefer to proceed without one.
Tom Marsh stated that he is uncomfortable having board members in the office every day.
Paula inserted that when the Estuary Council of Seniors Director abruptly resigned, Chairman Nancy Clark filled in for the two- month period that it took to hire a replacement. She added that they were very quick to find a replacement.
John Forbis assured the Association that a consultant is preparing to give a proposal to the ETD. He was asked how the consultant is to be paid.
Dick Smith suggested that the Selectmen jointly have a wealth of experience and are willing to help.
Phil Miller suggested that there might be some budgeting oversight. Chairman Pace referred to the creation of unfunded liabilities and Tim Griswold noted that the towns may be considered for “payment of last resort”.
As Marty Klein repeated his admonition that the matter be “left to our attorneys”, Chairman Pace reviewed that Atty. Letizia represents the ETD, Attorney Denvir represents Brad Beecher, and the DOT has authority but no responsibility.
Going back to the Questions to be Addressed, Linda Krause asked about the current corporate culture.
Chairman Pace asked about reality vs. perception and suggested that “The Iceberg Is Sinking” by Clotter would be appropriate reading.
Tom Marsh insisted that outside people, either volunteer or paid, are needed in that office.
Linda Krause noted that she had heard that Stan Greimann is assisting. Doris reported that he is looking up facts.
John Forbis noted that there are questions that he simply cannot answer publicly.
It was agreed that the projection of incurred expenses has been promised for this meeting.
Marty suggested that it be obtained from Atty. Letizia whom he referred to as “our attorney”. Linda clarified that there may be a conflict of interest between the ETD and the Selectmen.
Dick Smith suggested that henceforth, all questions should be in writing. Email is to be considered acceptable.
Chairman Pace asserted that 1/9 of the potential debt is not to be calculated on a per capita basis.
Linda asked who the contact person is for the ETD.
Chairman Pace designated chairman Sanstrom as the designated contact person. She agreed.
Linda Krause volunteered to develop a list of questions and “run them past” Dick and Noel.
Noel asked when he should take it to his Board of Selectmen that they may have to deal with a legal bill on behalf of the ETD. Chairman Pace noted that they really don’t have a clue yet and therefore have nothing concrete to present.
II.
Other
Business
A. Legislation
Jeff Nelson reported that that Gov. Rell officially vetoed the bond package on Saturday. There is an effort to over-ride the veto. In that case, the Governor still has line-item power over which items to present to the Committee. That presents opportunities for controversy. Bonding for schools and transportation has been pretty well agreed upon.
Jean Davies expressed concern about DOT and inter-town action.
Marty asked who is on the Bond Committee. Phil responded that it is chaired by Eileen Daily.
B. Emergency
Management
Mary Rose Dubarek reported that Chester and Killingworth are working on their EM Performance Grant. Essex still has some questions.
Mary Rose reported that the regional committee is working on obtaining a computer for each community that would enable it to access Web EOC. The Web EOC would maintain a major events log that would be accessible for each town.
School Security grants are being issued to each school, regardless of how many are in a town or district.
The Regional Emergency Management Team is progressing with organization. The by-laws are in progress. The CEOs of South Central expressed concern about getting all thirty CEOs together and suggested a representative vote.
District 2, like some other regions, has failed to acquire a lead agency. The department will hire additional staff to meet the requirements if necessary. There will be a Regional Emergency Managers at the Guilford Fire Department on December 4 from 2 to 4PM and from 6 to 8PM. Mary Rose hopes not to be at the meeting. Her son is due to be born at Thanksgiving. The Chair wished her well on behalf of the group.
C. HHW
Janice Ehle-Meyer reported that there have been twelve HHW collections. There are two more to go. Janice distributed a report listing pounds per collection. The average count was 109 households. Only four collections were under the 100 household minimum.
Marty Klein asked on what basis the towns are billed. Tim Griswold explained that there are two components.
Mary asked about accountability. Is each car checked? He was assured that each car is checked individually.
He noted that the Town of Killingworth has a problem with non-Killingworth cars using their compactor.
Janice reported that 373 cars brought electronic items to the CRRA collection on Saturday, October 6. There was no charge to CRERPA towns. Clean Harbors charges $24.00 for each 20 pounds of electronics.
Marty demanded to know why towns have not yet been paid for the ¼ billion dollar loss to Enron.
Chairman Pace, who is also the Chairman of CRRA, chose to answer on behalf of CRRA. He became chairman after the Enron debacle. He reorganized and renegotiated and got the Authority back into the black. Funds were established for items such as repair of the plant. He was had advised to raise tipping fees and borrow from the state. Mark Ryan assured him that the state had no money to loan. The TIP fees were held stable. New Hartford decided to sue CRRA. 20% of the 35.8 million will go to the attorney. The TIP fee will rise to $87.00. The reserve to close the Hartford landfill has been denied. CRRA is appealing the class action status, the idea that CRRA was not damaged, and the distribution of funds. He added that he believes that the judge acted in good faith but is in error.
D. ECS
ECS Director Paula Ferraro reported that the ECS ended the year in black on the basis of spending less than they received. Depreciation has not yet been calculated. There will be no increase in the request this year. Two 2008 grants have already been applied for. Paula is increasing programming for 55 to 60 year olds.
The nutrition grant has been extended.
A representative from each Selectman will be needed for the National Accreditation procedure.
E. LCVCEO
Phil Miller announced that the LCVCEO will meet at Essex Town Hall on Thursday, October 25, the day after the normally scheduled meeting. The date was changed to avoid a conflict with a CCM meeting. The speakers will be from the Connecticut Consortium for Fiscal Responsibility. Lunch will be provided by the Town of Essex.
The meeting adjourned at 10: 45 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Timothy C. Griswold, Secretary