Minutes
Connecticut
River Estuary Metropolitan Planning Organization
October
14, 2009
Attendance:
Chester: Tom Marsh
Clinton: ----
Deep
River: ----
Essex: Phil
Miller
Killingworth:
Richard Cabral
Lyme: -----
Old
Lyme: Tim Griswold
Old
Saybrook: Mike Pace
Westbrook: ----
CRERPA: Bruce Edgerton, Board Member
ETD: Joseph Cumerford, Executive Director
Guests:
Jeff Nelson, Governor Rell’s Representative; Stephen Livingston, DOT;
representatives of Woodard and Curran
CRERPA Staff: Linda
Krause, Janice Ehle-Meyer, Jean Davies, Margot Burns
2. Public Involvement Period. There were no speakers.
3. Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve minutes of September meeting was made by Richard Cabral and seconded by Phil Miller. All were in favor. Linda Krause reported that regular CREMPO clerk Pat Anthony was recovering from hip replacement surgery. Board members expressed their good wishes.
4. Federal and State
Programs:
a. CREMPO TIP/Air Quality Conformity Determination: Jean Davies reported that the MPO is in the midst of the public comment period on air quality conformity. Information on the subject has been widely distributed. The State Transportation Improvement Program is also in its public comment stage. The information sheets on the proposed projects are very informative. Resolutions on air quality will be on the next CREMPO agenda.
b. Michael Pace observed that, after the first day, the State DOT did a good job with traffic control during recent joint repairs to the Baldwin Bridge. On the first day, Old Saybrook police were very busy directing traffic. Jean Davies wondered how the incident management plan process worked. Jeff Nelson reported that the contractor ran into trouble removing the original concrete from the joints. Stephen Livingston agreed to find out how the incident management process had worked.
c. Integrated Regional Trans. Access Plan - Pedestrian/Bicycle/Trail/Equestrian
Jean reported that we are checking with the federal transportation officials to see if this plan would be best adopted as an amendment to our regional transportation plan or as a stand-alone document. Guidance is awaited. The Plan has been circulated to local planners, ETD and others. Michael Pace noted that it has been difficult to create an official crosswalk on Main Street near the Town Green, where many people cross. The State objects to another crosswalk close to walks already at nearby intersections. Stephen Livingston agreed to look into the matter.
d. 2010 Surface Transportation Project Requests – Reauthorization of SAFETEA-LU, PL 109-59: Jean reported that the Estuary Region’s two projects, including improvements to the Old Saybrook Train Station and design and construction of a North-South Bikeway from Essex to Old Saybrook, are included in Representative Courtney’s High Priority Project (HHP) submissions.
e. Jean reminded those present that there would be a meeting of the Rail Parking Task Force on October 28 in New Haven. Bill Peace and Willie Fritz represent this area.
f. ETD Update: ETD Executive Director Joe Cumerford reported that the ETD has moved its office to an industrial area in Centerbrook, which provides sufficient space for bus parking, unlike the Saybrook Junction Complex. ETD was awarded $325,000 in stimulus funds in February and received an official notice of the award in September. The State will be responsible for reporting requirements on behalf of the transit district. ETD will purchase three new buses, two from stimulus money and one from a grant to expand the Middletown route. The District has experienced a problem with bus overloading, and has had to refuse some customers when the buses are full. Bids have been received for scheduling software, and Joe looks forward to increased efficiency once the software is operating. The District has learned that customers from Middletown feel more comfortable with fixed stops, rather than the flag-down method.
They have found that Middletown people are going to work in the towns to the south, and that several students are going to school in Middletown. Phil Miller asked if a survey of service industry employees would be helpful in determining routes. Jean reported that the Governor’s Office had received a letter from a resident of Haddam asking if bus service could be provided to Haddam. Joe replied that discussions would take place with the new administration in Haddam after elections. Haddam is not in the ETD service area, but limited service might be provided through a contract such as that with Madison for the Shoreline Shuttle.
g. There were no STIP amendments to review.
h. The group discussed bridge repairs. Tom Marsh related the saga of the Route 154 Bridge over Chester Creek and the disruption caused by a series of construction delays. Ledge was unexpectedly found, interfering with the installation of concrete pilings. Rich Cabral related the history of bridge repairs in Killingworth, stating that it was both easier and faster to do the work as a local project. There were also cost savings.
i. Jean reported that she has organized three workshops on regionalism for the Southern New England Planning Conference at the Mohegan Sun Casino at the beginning of November. Much to her surprise, the three regional sessions were selected by many attendees. The interest in regionalism remains strong. LCVSA members reminded Jean that they were in favor of voluntary intermunicipal cooperation.
The motion to adjourn was made at 9:30 by Mike Pace and seconded by Rich Cabral. All were in favor. The next CREMPO meeting will be TUESDAY, November 10, 2009.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Krause, Clerk