CONNECTICUT RIVER ESTUARY REGIONAL PLANNING AGENCY

MINUTES

March 1, 2010

Attendees:

Sally Murray, Chester

Alan Kravitz, Clinton

Bruce Edgerton, Chair. Deep River

Rob Wylie, Deep River

Robert Laundy, Essex

Jere Adametz, Killingworth

Ning Rich, Lyme

Frank Skwarek, Lyme

Jane Marsh, Old Lyme

Lee Bridgewater, Westbrook

Bill Neale, Westbrook

Linda Krause, Pat Anthony, CRERPA Staff

1. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Edgerton at 7:35 p.m. at CRERPA Headquarters, Saybrook Junction, Old Saybrook CT.

2. Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve February minutes was made by Rob Wylie and seconded by Jere Adametz. All were in favor.

3. Treasurer’s Report:

Linda reported that the same piece of reauthorization legislation, which would extend unemployment benefits was being held up, also included the entire Federal transportation budget. The transportation personnel went on a furlough; therefore, our transportation money may be coming in later than expected.

CRERPA has told several towns that we cannot provide in-kind services to towns this year due to the lack of funding. Linda said Gov. Rell is getting another letter about the cuts for the RPO’s.

Motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report was made by Jane Marsh, seconded by Bruce Edgerton. All were in favor.

4. Correspondence

Linda distributed copies of the audit report, and a brief discussion of the audit ensued.

A brochure on Smart Growth was reviewed. There will be a Smart Growth conference in March and Linda said some of our staff is going. She asked if members of the Board would be interested in attending as well.

5. Staff Report

Linda noted that Margot is working on several grant applications. One is for the Land Trust Exchange. The next meeting of the Exchange will be on fund raising. Margot is also working on her thesis project involving view sheds. A copy of the View Shed Survey was distributed to the Board members to fill out and return. Margot has sent copies of the survey to area commissions and will report back on their responses.

Copies of the 2010 HHW and Electronics collections brochures were distributed. Linda said that Janice has initiated a community garden in Essex with only one plot remaining. The cost is $30.00 per plot.

6. Committees/Liaisons

a. Referrals: There were no referrals.

b. Gateway Commission: Linda noted that the Gateway Commission has been fairly active. They have established a Rules and Regulations Committee and are looking at other issues.

CT. River Land Trust is part of Gateway and new bylaws and membership rules are being addressed. It’s important not to lose the Land Trust’s 501C non profit status.

Several Gateway parcels are in the process of being transferred to the State.

A committee has been formed to make people more aware of the Connecticut River. The Otfinoski property in Chester is still being discussed.

Linda explained the need for a representative from CRERPA to serve on the Gateway Commission.

7. Business

Linda gave of brief overview of Dave LeVasseeur’s proposal concerning the future sustainability of the RPOs. His office in OPM is charged with studying the RPO boundaries and reporting by January 2012. He said that the data sets used previously do not apply today. Many in the General Assembly don’t know what the RPOs do; they only know they want fewer of them. Five has been the favored number. However, David felt 8 or 9 would be appropriate. David said he would hate to see the present boundaries ripped apart and suggested those RPO’s who have the most in common should consider merging. Several other RPO’s are talking among themselves regarding merging.

Linda said that Jean Davies of CRERPA, Jonathan Chew, Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials, and Peter Dorpalen, Council of Governments of the Central Naugatuck Valley, have been selected to serve on the Boundaries Committee.

Dave suggested that a letter be drafted asking the OPM’s consideration to merge the 9-town group (LCVSA) and the 8-town group (Mid States) into one COG with the regional planning agencies becoming “planning commissions”. The letter would simply be a request for guidance in becoming a formal 17 town group.

When completed, the letter will be sent to the 17 towns for review and signature. David said at least 11 towns must sign the letter, and Linda was optimistic that they would. He noted that the “center” city could easily be Middletown.

A discussion ensued among the Board members, and Linda said she would keep the members informed on the progress.

9. New Business: There was no new business

10. Adjournment: Motion to adjourn was made by Bill Neale and seconded by Bob Laundy. All were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Pat Anthony, Clerk