Minutes

Connecticut River Valley Council of Elected Officials

March 24, 2010

Attendance:

Members Present: Tom Marsh, Chair, Chester; Mark Walter, Vice Chair, East Haddam; Paul DeStefano, Haddam, Ralph Eno, Lyme; Dick Smith, Deep River; Michael Pace, Old Saybrook, Jeff O’Keefe, East Hampton; Susan Bransfield, Portland; Tim Griswold, Old Lyme; Phil Miller, Essex, John Flanders, Cromwell; Willie Fritz, Clinton

Members Not Present: Laura Francis, Durham; Catherine Iino, Killingworth; Jon Brayshaw, Middlefield; Sebastian Giuliano, Middletown; Noel Bishop; Westbrook,

Legislators Present: Jenny Contois for Congressman Courtney; James Spallone; Linda Orange; Brian O’Connor; Eileen Daily; Mathew Lesser

Legislators Not Present: Andrea Stillman; Ed Meyer; Gail Hamm; Jim O’Rourke; Joseph Serra; Marilyn Giuliano; Paul Doyle; Thomas Gaffey

Staff: Jean Davies, CRERPA

Guests: Bart Russell, COST

1. Call to Order:

The CRVCEO meeting was called to order by Chairman Marsh at 12:35 a.m. at Room 1-A - Legislative Office Building, Hartford, CT

2. Approval of February Minutes:

Motion to approve the minutes of February was made by Dick Smith. The motion was seconded by Mark Walter. All were in favor.

3. Business:

Chairman Marsh noted that this was a special meeting with the legislators to provide an opportunity for the CRVCEO members, all First Selectmen/Selectwomen to meet with their legislators to go over current bills in session and concerns about impacts to the municipalities. All the legislators had been invited to attend. it was noted that this location at the legislative office building during lunch hours would afford the best opportunity to meet with legislators.

Chairman Marsh invited Jenny Contois from Congressman Courtney’s office to speak to issue at the Federal level. Ms. Contois provided a summary of how the office was working to get grant information to the towns. Procedures were being streamlined and it was likely that grants would be competitive given the limitations on funding. Ms. Contois also indicated that the Congressman’s office had been working closely with Clinton and Westbrook on the issue, cost, and permitting for dredging. There was significant progress with lower costs for the project. W. Fritz complemented the Congressman’s office on the work that they had done to help the towns get through a arduous process.

Questions about emergency management funding and transportation funding were raised. Ms. Contois noted all towns should avail themselves of the firefighter training and that federal officials were to work with Connecticut to obtain funding from the Tiger grant in the fall.

At this point, Representatives Linda Orange arrived at 12:40pm. Representative Orange noted that there was significant discussion currently in progress on several bills. , Brian O’Connor, Mathew Lesser, James Spallone arrived at 12:45pm. Representative Orange gave a summary overview of the current budgeting process, including the mitigation budget from the Governor. There were also questions about the proposed legislation on the posting of agendas and minutes on town websites.

Senator Daily arrived at 12:59pm and distributed copies of the Governor’s mitigation budget and gave a summary of her understanding of current budget debates and key legislation affecting municipalities. Discussion the status of CRRA followed and the difference between legislation for restructuring as oppose to the ability to provide competitive tipping fees for towns. Senator Daily left at 1:11pm.

Discussion continued with legislators. It was noted by several board members that there are numerous pieces of legislation that will adversely affect municipalities; waste management restructuring, MIRMA, state mandated regionalism, and conveyance tax. It was recommended that legislators look at the details in the bills and that sometimes a no cost mandate does translate to dollars expended in labor costs.

Chairman Marsh indicated that the next meeting of the CRVCEO would also be unique as the group would be meeting on April 28^th with the SCRCOG board members at a joint meeting to discuss WorkForce Alliance in Four Points Sheraton in Meriden. Each group would meet separately meeting and join together for the combined meeting agenda.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:05 by Chairman Marsh after a motion was made by Mark Walter with a second on the motion by Phil Miller.