Minutes

Lower Connecticut Valley Selectmen’s Association

November 12, 2008

 

Attendance:

Chester:                      

Clinton:                      

Deep River:                 

Essex:                          Phil Miller

Killingworth:               Richard Cabral

Lyme:                         Ralph Eno

Old Lyme:                   Tim Griswold

Old Saybrook:             Mike Pace

Westbrook:                  Noel Bishop

                                                                                                                                                                                    

                                    Kim Morton, Interim Executive Director

                                    Paula Ferrara, ECSI Executive Director

                                    Jamie Spallone, State Rep                          

                                    Ellen Paul, Courtney Representative                                     

                                    Carla Iezzi, DOT

                                    Helena Halyna, ETD                                      

                                   

CRERPA Staff:           Linda Krause, Janice Ehle-Meyer

 

 

1. Call to Order: Mike Pace, Chairman, opened the meeting at 9: 30 a.m. at CRERPA Headquarters, Saybrook Station, Old Saybrook. 

 

2. Minutes:     Motion to approve the October ’08 minutes was made by Rich Cabral and seconded by Phil Miller.  All were in favor.       

 

3. ETD Update:

            1.  Kim Morton, Interim ETD Executive Director said that Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Deep River and Chester had not yet responded to the request for money for ETD.  Cash flow is better.  Kim met with Mike Sanders, DOT, and is hopeful of receiving $45,000 in additional funds which will be added to baseline budget.  She anticipates receiving another $7,000 from core programs. ETC should be receiving a hand back $26,000 from 2006-07.

            Kim asked that Rich Cabral and/or Ralph Eno discuss the hiring of a transit management company. It was noted finalizing the contract document is being completed as there is a potential liability clause in the document.  Ralph Eno said ETD is going to hold to solicitation proposal.

            Noel Bishop said Kim’s presentation to his Board went well.  Killingworth voted in favor of the request.

            Senior Resources Grant: Request has been resubmitted for up to the $30,000 maximum at no cost. Out of grant money fee for Dial-a-Ride is $2.50 and on shuttle rides is $1.25. This is a donation-based program. Letters will be sent to seniors letting them know that they can call ETD or stop by the office for tickets. Kim noted that the qualifying parameters of senior tickets will be clearly defined in the letter.  The solicitation will be taken from the existing database at ETD.

            Paula Ferrara gave an overview of the process used for meals at the ECSI.

                       

4. Old Business:

           

            1. Emergency Management:  Linda reminded selectmen of cold weather table top exercise offered by Region 2, DEMHS, on the 20th of November...

            3. HHW:

                        Janice said the Electronic Collection on the 8th had a total of 514 cars participating.  Previous electronics collections brought in 430, 403 and 313 cars, collectively.

                        Ms. Ehle-Meyer presented the HHW Facility Maintenance Recommendations and Plan as submitted by Ken Kells, Engineer. The five-year old facility is meeting the needs of the region and is in overall good condition.  However, there are rust issues with the canopy columns, canopy roof, storage building.  Further issues that need to be addressed are signage, wooden field office and driveways. It was suggested that sanding and the painting the key rust areas may be a quick fix to some of the issues.

                        HHW contract is good for 5 years.  Janice is getting quotes from other vendors.

 

4. New Business:       

                        Linda said that she would be visiting area towns for the Regional Plan of Development which must be updated periodically.  Issues such as where regionalism is going – there is a big difference between the state’s idea of regionalism and the local understanding of the issue.

                        Kim Morton requested that the ETD requirements be included in the Ten-Year Transportation Improvement Plan. It is imperative for the ETD to have input in the plan, and their needs must be addressed.

                        Ellen Paul, Cong. Courtney’s Office:  Joe is going back to DC to work on a new stimulus plan.  This plan is different from the previous plan as it’s intended to work on job creation programs and extension of unemployment benefits.

                        Neighborhood Stabilization Fund:  State received $25,000 million; however, most of the money went to the larger towns.  Towns in Eastern CT are hurting the most.  Small towns deserve a crack at the money, but Ellen said they are not anticipating any changes.

                        In January and February Selectmen’s Round Tables will be scheduled.  Also, grant writing seminars are scheduled in early ’09.

 

5. Adjournment:

                        Motion to adjourn was made by Rich Cabral, seconded by Tim Griswold.  All were in favor.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Pat Anthony, Clerk

 

 

.

           

           

                       

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. New Business

                           a. Heating Oil Crisis: A seminar sponsored by Marilyn Giuliano, is being held at the Estuary Council of Seniors this month. Date and time will be advertised in the Courant.

                          Selectmen noted they are concerned about fuel assistance, but town budgets are very tight. Bill Peace of Old Saybrook said the town has a $5,000 grant.  A quote from one oil company was $5.49 a gallon. The Towns may have to go to organizations in town to seek additional funds such as the Rotary and Lions Clubs.

                         b. Any New Item:  Phil Miller announced that Jennifer Janelle, Attorney, will be speaking at Noon at the CRVCEO about smart energy choices and solutions. He suggested the Selectmen ask Emergency Personnel in respective towns to attend this important meeting at the Middletown Town Hall on August 27th.

                          

5. Adjournment

                        Motion to adjourn was made by Rich Cabral; seconded by Phil Miller.  All were in favor. Meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Pat Anthony, Clerk