Attendance:  Please see attachment for attendance

Connecticut River Valley Council of Elected Officials

Minutes

                                                            June 27, 2007                        

I.          Chairman Phil Miller called the meeting to order at noon upstairs at the Penny Lane Pub on Main Street in Old Saybrook. Chairman Miller called for round table introductions.

      II. Guests

     A.  The Earth Charter

            Chairman Miller introduced members of the Earth Charter by mentioning a long list of international references.

            Sharon Hawkins distributed informational literature.

            Michael Harris explained that the Earth Charter is a declaration of principles. He expanded on examples of global interdependence and offered the objective of being more rather than having more.

             Mike Pace suggested that “God’s Politics” offers a similar philosophy and is good reading to accompany the budget process.

             Chairman Miller asked the Earth Charter delegation about their interaction with existing groups in the region. He mentioned some of the advantages of bonding and working together.

III. Minutes

            Brad Parker moved that the May 2007 minutes be approved as circulated. The motion was seconded by Tony Bondi and unanimously approved.

 IV. Business

  A.  Legislative Report

1.       Governor Rell

                                                 Jeff Nelson announced that we do have a budget. The enabling measures and the

                               Bonding authorization is still being worked out.

                                          Jeff announced that two year bridge inspections are being reinstated.

                               Information about low income housing can be accessed at www.CTHousingsearch.org

                               2.         Representative Courtney

                                           Jenny Contois reported that Rep, Courtney will hold a “Town Meeting” session

                                at Clinton Town Hall on July 2 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM.

                                Ms. Contois reported that Congress is still considering building two subs in

                                Connecticut.

                                          Rep. Courtney is actively intervening on behalf of dredging and bridges.

                                  A gathering of appropriate officials will address the Route 11 situation at a meeting on 

                                 July 11. 

                                  3. Representative Spallone

                                     Rep. Spallone announced that he was one of only five legislators to vote against

                                  the compromise budget. He explained that this legislature had a “once in a generation    opportunity” to address the property tax problem that leads to poor land use decisions.  He noted that the Governor opened the opportunity to shift the burden to the state. He believes that the Democratic leadership was taken aback and gave up too soon.

                                         He is concerned about fiscal responsibility and the need to address ECC,

                                 Medicare reimbursements, the HUSKY program and similar social commitments. He

                                 questions the sustainability of the budget and fears that land will be developed   simply to grow the tax base. Rep. Spallone was commended by members of both parties for having the courage and integrity to stand up for his belief.

V .Old Business

    A.  HHW

            Chairman Miller asked Tony Bondi about the prospects of Haddam joining the  HHW collection. The prospects are good. 

   B.  COST/CCM

           Chairman Miller reviewed the number of CRVCEO people in board positions on COST and CCM. He suggested that COST and CCM should be kept aware of bills of particular interest to this region.

              Dick Smith mentioned that some of the proposed bills were particularly scary this year.

                  Mike Pace suggested that the CRVCEO review the bills that did pass and consider the impact that they will have.

                     Brad Parker suggested that, in future sessions of the legislature, individual speakers be empowered to speak for the seventeen towns.

C. Local Projects

                        Chairman Miller asked each Selectman present to give a brief list of ongoing local projects involving state money.

  1. Old Lyme

                                            Tim Griswold mentioned that the school project was voted down but has not gone away. Athletic fields are being built. The Town Hall is being renovated and expanded.  The “church corner” will be considered again.

2. Old Saybrook

                                    Mike Pace reported that the high school renovation is nearly finished and is within the budget. The Art and Science areas have been improved. The Athletic fields are being improved. The entrance was renovated to meet current safety standards.

                                                  The Welcome Center at The Head of Main is nearly complete.

                    The Katherine Hepburn Arts Center team is involved in fund raising.

                    The wires on Main Street program is progressing. The wires will be removed near the firehouse this week.

              Mike reported that the Town Planner, CRERPA and the Assessor are all helping to develop a model to assess degrees of destruction, economic loss, and the cost to rebuild in the case of a fifty year storm.

         Mike noted sadly that FEMA had spent time going from town to town without realizing that this region is not eligible for benefits in the current situation.

3.   Deep River

            Dick Smith announced that a $400,000 Small Cities grant will be used to update the Senior Housing.  Another Small cities grant of $500,000. Will be used for a Streetscape.

4.  Haddam 

            Tony Bondi mentioned that Haddam must return some Small Cities money because a streetscape was not completed. A current Small Cities Grant is being used for septic repairs and to add an ADA compliant lift to the town hall.

            Tony mentioned that the next set of tax bills will include an individual calculation of how many dollars go to education and how many to general government.

Tony expressed concern about the activity on the railroad track.  DEP is monitoring sales and Zoning activity. He noted that, if the tracks become active, some buildings will have to come down.

5.  East Haddam

            Brad Parker reported that a Middle School project is progressing. A sidewalk project is nearly complete. CL&P will update the lighting in the area.   The town is applying for Open Space money.

6. Killingworth

            Selectman Edward Stipples reported that the new Middle School is the largest building in town. It will be fully open this fall. He anticipates using STEAP money to build athletic fields.

7. Clinton

            Arthur Isaacson reported that Clinton is investing $1,250,000 in bulkheads. Roadwork is progressing. The old police station is being redone. The Clinton Landing project is progressing.

8.  Middlefield

                                      Middlefield is undertaking a housing rehab project. Dan Kane featured the project on TV. The following Monday morning, twenty applications were made. Public Relations help.

           Jon Brayshaw reported that Middlefield has a $350,000 grant to renovate the Community Center. He was dumbfounded to receive $250,000 up front. He is still waiting for the first payment on a bridge that was completed two and a half years ago.

9.  Essex

          Phil Miller reported that work is being completed today on a $499,910 STEAP grant for street improvements in downtown Essex including drainage and bulkhead improvements at lower Pratt Street. Phil mentioned that in 20 months the price of asphalt went from $35.04 per ton to $45.90 and is $87.00 retail.

          A $600,000 Small Cities Grant will be devoted to improvements in the Elderly Housing complex in Centerbrook.

          A $13,000,000 elementary school renovation is due to be finished in May 2008. Arrangements have been made to use the Regional school; facilities for the Park and recreation program this summer- and next year if necessary.

             Congressman Courtney has helped the town access the Army Corps of Engineers   because the Corps refused to return phone calls from the town.

                As a matter of practical storm planning, trees are being pruned near the Town Hall to make access easier during a severe storm.  A regional Debris Recovery Program will be held in Essex Town Hall on August 2. Phil encouraged all towns to participate.

B.  Membership

1.   East Hampton

               Secretary Alan Bergren has been unable to attend recent CRVCEO meetings due to the pressure of business.  As of this week, the local board has given him 120 days notice of the termination of his contract as Town Manager.  He is missed.

2.      Westbrook

              Noel Bishop is the new First Selectman in Westbrook. He will be invited to attend the CRVCEO, the CREMPO and the LCVSA.

VI. New Business

              The donation for lunch is $25.00 each.

     Respectfully submitted,

     Wini Olson, CRERPA Staff