CONNECTICUT RIVER ESTUARY REGIONAL PLANNING AGENCY

MINUTES

June 1, 2009

Attendees:

Sally Murray, Chester

Robert Laundy, Essex

Bruce Edgerton, Deep River

Robert Wylie, Deep River

Jere Adametz, Killingworth

Ning Rich, Lyme

Jane Marsh, Old Lyme

Karen Jo Marcolini, Old Saybrook

Dorothy Papp, Jean Davies, Torrance Downes, Pat Anthony, CRERPA

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

2. Approval of Minutes:

Motion to approve May minutes was made by Ning Rich and seconded by Jere Adametz. All were in favor.

3. Treasurer’s Report:

Cash Flow Report: Dorothy reported that end of year cash flow was looking good. She reviewed the May figures for the Board.

Jane Marsh suggested that the savings accounts be consolidated now that the FDIC maximum is $250,000. Dorothy said she would consolidate the accounts effective January 2010.

Motion to accept the Cash Flow Report was made by Jane Marsh, seconded by Ning Rich. All were in favor.

Budget: Dorothy reviewed the Income line items accountabilities. She noted that the SGIA figure of $14,000 is down $50,000 from the $64,000 previously received. Town Dues show the same rate; however, the population is down. Recycling/HHW figure was briefly discussed to clarify the “Restricted Income” item.

Under expenses, Dorothy noted that health insurance may increase by 15%. The savings health plan several staff now have may be too prohibitive in future. Reproduction and printing increased due to the scheduled publication of the regional plan in July. Jean estimated that 100 copies would be printed. The Plan will also be put on the CRERPA web page.

Motion to accept the budget as presented was made by Jane Marsh, seconded by Jere Adametz. All were in favor.

4. Correspondence: None

5. Transportation Update: Jean Davies

Jean discussed the issue of shovel ready projects submitted by the towns. The $1,000,000 cost the towns submitted translated to potentially $3,000,000 by DOT once all the parameters and approvals were in place. The Selectmen want projects that are shovel ready to put people to work in towns. A discussion ensued concerning the disparity in cost. Congressman Courtney attempted to get DOT, FHA and representatives from the RPOs to ascertain how to simplify the process and to make it cost efficient.

Congressman Courtney’s Office also asked for enhancement projects for the Federal Transportation Reauthorization. Jean and staff pulled together a proposal for a Recreational North South Bikeway project, estimated at $4,000,000 and a Saybrook Junction upgrade estimated to cost $6,000,000. Saybrook Junction is a transportation hub, and this project would include a new septic system, new drainage, construction and engineering enhancements.

The premise of a regional approach, rather than a town-by-town approach defined the proposals.

Jean said she attended a Climate Change seminar and found it interesting and informative. She noted that there is a difference among the regions concerning how they approach transportation projects. .

6. Staff Report:

ETD has initiated a new route between Old Saybook and Middletown.

7. Regionalism/RPOs

Legislation was passed (Bill #64-63) on RPOs. CEO (or designate) of each town shall be a representative on such agency. For CRERPA, it would mean a 27- member board. A designee could represent the CEO on the board.

8. Committees/Liaisons:

Referrals: There were three referrals:

· Deep River: Characterized as “housekeeping” regulations.

· Deep River: Updating Town plan of Conservation and Development.

· Chester: Rescinding of sidewalk regulation

All referrals would have no significant impacts.

Jane Marsh noted that the Chester referral should not be a P&Z function. Sidewalks are public property, and should therefore be a town issue.

Motion was made to accept the proposals with Jane’s comment so noted. Motion to accept was made by Ning Rich and seconded by Bob Laundy. All were in favor.

Gateway: Torrance said that heretofore that the Commission was a responsive commission. However, at this time the Middlesex Community Foundation has hired Melissa Speers to mitigate the Haddam Neck/CY issue. Gateway has allocated $3,000 to help with the costs of the mediations. Tidewater is working on riparian buffers regulations. It’s an educational effort, and Gateway is pondering this issue.

Margot Burns has proposed consideration for a collaboration of regional land trusts.

Overall, Gateway has a series of issues and is undecided which avenue to pursue. Their portfolio is flat; therefore, they are limited as far as funding is concerned.

9. Old Business:

Regional Plan: People in the community have been asked to submit articles for the plan. Jean is following up on this. The plan will be informative as well as entertaining. A completion date is expected by end of July 2009.

Any Other Item: None

10. New Business:

The chairman asked for a motion to retain the present auditors. A discussion ensued concerning the $15,000 cost of the audit, and the question was raised as to whether CRERPA should put out to bid for a new auditor. The general consensus was to leave things status quo for the coming year.

A motion was made to retain the present auditor. Ring Nich made the motion to retain the present auditor, seconded by Jere Adametz. All were in favor.

11. Adjournment:

Motion to adjourn was made by Ning Rich and seconded by Bruce Edgerton. All were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Pat Anthony, Clerk