Minutes

Connecticut River Estuary Metropolitan Planning Organization

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:                       

                                    Joe Comerford, ETD Executive Director      

                                    Paul Nonnenmacher, CRRA

                                    Ellen Paul, Rep. Courtney’s Liaison  

                                   

CRERPA Staff:           Linda Krause, Jean Davies, Margot Burns, Torrance Downes         

 

 

 Call to Order: Chairman Mike Pace convened the meeting at 10:45 a.m. in the CRERPA Conference Room in Old Saybrook CT.

 

1. Public Involvement Period:

            Linda distributed a letter received from Bureau Chief, Tom Maziarz, CTDOT,

responding to her letter regarding the TIGER grant application to re-establish freight and passenger rail service on the Connecticut Valley Railroad State Park railroad line.

 

2.  Minutes: Ralph Eno moved and Kathy Iino seconded a motion to approve the April meeting minutes.  All members were in favor.

 

3. Federal and State Programs:

            a. Estuary Transit District:

o   Joe said the new buses are in.  The ribbon cutting ceremony at the new site in Essex generated much public interest. 

o   Curb cuts for busses in the area towns were discussed.  Joe said that l/2 of the riders use the bus to get to work. 20% of the riders use the system to go to schools.

o   ETD Board meetings are now every other month.

o   The New London line is set to start effective July 1st.

o   The ETD budget has been increased by 3 ˝%.

o   The software project is ahead of schedule.

o   The installation of the Deep River bus shelter went smoothly thanks to Dick Smith’s help. Dick has volunteered to help with the installation of shelters in other area towns.

o   The second round of stimulus money is $400,000 based on the referendum received today.

o   Shelters have been delivered to the appropriate area towns for installation.

o    Auditors note two minor findings which have been addressed.

 

            b. Marine -Bridge Study:  The RPA is now hiring staff to conduct the bridge study.  CTDOT has allocated a $66,000 grant to count boats at key location Memorial Day through Labor Day in coordination with Shoreline East quest to add new trains between Old Saybrook and New London.  Part time help will be hired at approximately $12.00 per hour.  The hours will be from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Torrance is coordinating the project. 

            The goal of the study is to make proposals that will adequately serve the boaters and the railroads. 

            c. Regional Transportation Plan:  Jean and local planners met last week to discuss the plan. The plan is now formulated based on goals, policy and action items.  In September they intend to contact the business community to talk about bus routes, etc.  Data collection is a key issue.  Jean and Janice will work with the small towns.

            d. Plans, Procedures, Contracts, and Resolution:      

                        STIP Amendments – there were no issues to discuss.

 

4. Other Transportation Business:

            Jean noted that Essex received their money for the Safe Route to Schools grant.

            Local road accident grants are available for safety improvement to roads.

 

5. Adjournment:

            Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Ralph Eno and seconded by Tom Marsh.  All were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 11:10 A.M.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Pat Anthony, Clerk