MINUTES

 

 

Greater Waterbury Transit District

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

10:30 A.M.

Health Center of Greater Waterbury

177 Whitewood Road

Waterbury, CT 06708

 

 

Present: Doreen Pulisciano, Vice Chairman, Cheshire; JoAnn Cappelletti, Middlebury; Lynn Donovan, Naugatuck; Sally Schilke, Naugatuck; Carolyn Giguere, Bookkeeper, Thomaston; Ann LaPorta, Waterbury; James Secula, Waterbury; Yvonne Denise Smith-Isaac, M.D., Chairman, Waterbury; Rose Ellen Theriault, Waterbury; Richard Fusco, Secretary, Watertown. COGCNV Staff: Samuel Gold, Regional Planner. NET Staff: Maria Vaccarrelli, Paratransit Supervisor.

 

 

 

1.       Roll Call, Introductions, Public Participation

 

Chairman Yvonne Smith-Isaac called the meeting to order at 10:45 a.m., and everyone introduced themselves. Chairman Smith-Isaac welcomed new board members Lynn Donovan of Naugatuck and Rose Ellen Theriault of Waterbury. A quorum was presented by voting points and by municipalities. There were no public comments.

 

2.       Administrative Items

 

a.       Minutes of the January 18, 2006 Meeting: On a motion by Richard Fusco, seconded by Ann LaPorta it was unanimously

 

VOTED:   To approve the Minutes of the January 18, 2006 Meeting.

 

b.       Financial Report: Bookkeeper Carolyn Giguere reported for January 2006 Financial Report- Total Board Expenses was $194.19, NET Non-ADA Expenses was $2,916.00, a Total Expenses was $3,011.17 and the Balance was $21,021.02. For February 2006 the Financial Report- Total Board Expenses was $198.15, NET Non-ADA Expenses was $2,916.00, Total Expenses was $3,1114.15 and the Balance was $ 17,906.87. The credit return from AOL is now finished. On a motion by Richard Fusco, seconded by Ann LaPorta it was unanimously

 

VOTED:   To accept the Financial Report of January 2006 and February 2006.

 

c.       Ridership and Service Report: See table below.

Summary of Ridership and Service Report FY 2005/2006

 

January

February

Operating Days

26 22/4

24 20/4

# of ADA Ridership

4288

4280

# of CDOT Ridership

1977

1982

# of Escorts

0

0

# of PCAs

143

164

ADA%

68.44

68.35

CDOT%

31.56

31.65

Denied Trips

43

46

Late Cancellations

41

33

No Shows

107

84

Missed Trips

0

 

 

ADA Trips are in the range of 4,000 per month and Non-ADA Trips are in the range of 2,000 per month. The total number of trips range is in the 6,000 per month.

 

d.       Correspondence: Richard Fusco read the resignation letter from Mr. Robert White. On a motion by JoAnn Cappelletti, seconded by Doreen Pulisciano it was unanimously

 

VOTED:   To accept Robert White Letter of Resignation.

 

Richard Fusco read a thank you letter to Yvonne Smith-Isaac and Barbara Kalosky. This letter was for helping a client. Maria Vaccarrelli stated new wheelchair lift weight requirements changes (From 600 lbs. to 750 lbs.) by the vehicle manufacturer. This is not a FTA ADA requirement. Drivers are trained to do securement of wheelchairs and have sensitivity training.  A sign should be on the vehicle for riders who need assistances with their seatbelts.

 

3.       GWTD Report

 

  • Federal level: Federal grants for 5310 vehicles, Job Access/ Reverse Commute and New Freedom Initiative grantee have to show that they are coordinating regionally. SAFETEA-LU- still working on New Starts and Small Starts rules. FTA is preparing a new Procurement Policy.
  • State level: House Speaker Amman is talking about having the TSB Initiative enacted
  • Local level: Invoices for GWTD membership dues for FY 2006-2007 will be mailed out the end of March.
  • DMR has agreed to contribute $60,000.00 to Non-ADA Paratransit Service for FY 2005/2006
  • Having a lot of problems receiving the mail
  • Vacancy on the board from Cheshire and Prospect
  • Sent Thank you letter to Robert DeZinno for serving on the board
  • Audited Financial Statement needs a motion to accept-did everyone receive their copy. To be voted on at next meeting.
  • Received the Connecticut State Register and Manual 2005
  • SBC DSL had a problem after a blackout in Waterbury. A repairman came and replaced the modem. Question of a $95.00 bill.
  • SBC DSL offered me a faster DSL speed for $5.00 less and I agreed to the 1 year agreement
  • Updated the United Way Info Line 211 information for GWTD
  • Letter from ConnDOT to be invited on an Advisory Committee for Waterbury/New Canaan railway Needs and Feasibility Study,  the meeting on April 3 in Bridgeport
  • Easter Seals will have an phone conference on March 28 at 2 p.m., the topic is Small Urban and Rural Community Transportation Innovative Funding Solutions
  • Have only received one copy of the Transit Access Report. I called them and spoke to Michelle about our refund.
  • Procurement Procedures was adopted 11/96 and amended 4/97. See handout for details.

MEETINGS

  • GWTD-Dial-A-Ride Committee Meeting- February 8, 2006- Overview of Gant and program that will be provided
  • Transportation and Non-Profits Organizations: February 17, 2006-Discussion on transportation problem at night and on the weekends
  • Waterbury Development Corporation-Intermodal Transportation Center: February 22, 2006-Disussion of location for Transportation Center and what will be located there.
  • GWTD-Dial-A-Ride Committee Meeting: March 8, 2006- Developed Public Awareness Information

 

4.       Non-ADA Paratransit Report

 

No problems.

 

5.       GWTD-Dial-A-Ride Committee Report

 

  • Application for Municipal Grant Program  sent to ConnDOT
  • Deadline to hear approval of grant from ConnDOT March 31, 2006
  • At GWTD-Dial-A-Ride Committee Meeting on March 8, 2006 worked on Public Awareness. Flyer made by Lisa Carew of Watertown was reviewed and suggestions given to revised by committee. Brochure was made and handed out. Board reviewed
  • Prospect will take their own reservations. North East Transportation will only have to do Waterbury and Thomaston
  • Application for GWTD-Dial-A-Ride has been modified to have space for office use to place ID number
  • GWTD-Dial-A-Ride policies was  ginen to board for review and to be adopted at next meeting
  • GWTD-Dial-A-Ride Information Guide to be sent with application. On a motion by Richard Fusco, seconded by Doreen Pulisciano it was unanimously

 

VOTED:  To adopt the GWTD-Dial-A-Ride Information Guide with the correction of the word advance.

 

  • Separate Credit card to be used for this program
  • GWTD-Dial-A-Ride Bank account- On a motion by Doreen Pulisciano, seconded by Ann LaPorta it was unanimously

 

VOTED:  To authorize the Chairman to open a separate checking account if and when we receive the check for the Municipal Grant Program from Connecticut Department of Transportation

 

  •  Asked  Kenneth Burkman if he would consider being Grant Bookkeeper, he is a retired IRS agent and would be an independent operator. The fee is $20.00 per hour.
  • Insurance quotes was done  and needs to b redone when received approval of grant

 

6.       North East Transportation Report

 

No problems with the transportation service.

 

7.       Old Business

 

None

 

8.       New Business

 

None

 

9.       Next Meeting

 

The next meeting will be on April 19, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. at Health Center of Greater Waterbury.

 

10.  Adjournment

 

On a motion by Carolyn Giguere, seconded by Ann LaPorta it was unanimously

 

VOTED:   To adjourn the GWTD Board of Directors Meeting at 12:13 p.m.

 

 

Submitted by

Yvonne Denise Smith-Isaac, M.D.

Chairman

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