Wednesday, October 16, 2002
10:30 A.M.
COGCNV Office
20 East Main Street
Suite 303
Waterbury, CT 06702
Present: Sally Schilke, Naugatuck; Alice Ostapko,
Prospect; Carolyn Giguere, Vice Chairman, Thomaston; Ann LaPorta, Waterbury;
Yvonne Denise Smith, M.D., Chairman, Waterbury; Kim Hunt, Wolcott. NET Staff: Barbara Kalosky, Maria
Vaccarelli, Mary Thomas. COGCNV
Staff: Laurel Stegina, Senior Planner; Peter Dorpalen, Executive
Director. DMR: Edward Hoyt. ConnDOT Staff: Michael Sanders,
Public Transportation Administrator; Lisa Rivers; Anthony Arcari; Dennis King;
Richard Gray.
Chairman Yvonne Smith opened
the meeting at 10:40 a.m. Everyone
introduce himself or herself. A quroum
by municipalities was presented. There
were no public comments.
The Non-ADA Budget FY 2002/2003
for the first six months is $205,000.
And will remain the same for the last six months. The total Budget is $410,000. This funding is from Connecticut Department
of Transportation (CDOT) only. The
municipalities will contribute $22,500 as revenue to the budget. The Department of Mental Retardation (DMR)
has not yet made a commitment to contribute $40,000 to the budget.
The first three months of
No-ADA operation expense was $126,522.00 and the revenue from the fare was
$12,585.00. Leaving a deficit of
$113,937.00. The projected deficit for
the year is $456,000.00. This projected
deficit takes into account future monetary increase cost to North East
Transportation (NET), i.e. salary raises, pension increases and overtime. There will be an annual deficit of $46,700
under funded operational cost.
The factors that make up the
operational cost are standardize by Federal Transit Administration (FTA). It includes more than just the number of
trips or the mileage.
There are several factors
that contribute to the Non-ADA Ridership Budget problems. Funding does not match needs. Population of the disability community is
increasing with an increase usage of Paratransit. Problems in trying to buy
insurance policy for transportation.
High insurance rates. High fuel
cost. Lack of information to the
Elected Officials about the need for more funding for Public
Transportation.
Efficient use of the
vehicles and manifest reviews are being done to help keep cost down. This Quality Assurance is essential.
Educating the Elected Officials about the problem of under funding
by writing to them. Going to the
Connecticut Public Transportation Commission (CPTC) Public Hearing. Writing to the Transportation Strategy
Board.
Vehicles are being used
efficiently already. Dedicated vehicles
to a municipality are in a way being done with the subscription runs in the
morning and afternoon. Is it possible
that the Towns Senior Van do trips in the morning for subscription riders? Wolcott now does this that may be helping to
keep NET cost lower.
Prioritizing trips for
employment and medical is of no use.
The majority of Non-ADA trips are for these purposes.
No Saturday Service is
questionable. Need to know if a vehicle
can be eliminated. If not because of
ADA Trips, then no saving effect and no need to stop Saturday Service for
Non-ADA.
If DMR Group Homes organize
to transport their clients to workshops.
If this reduces one or two trip run in the morning and afternoon then it
would be a cost saving. DMR will look
into this.
If DMR contributes $40,000,
then the $46,700 debt would be resolved.
DMR cannot at this time make this commitment.
Increasing fares will not
help for this fiscal year. The process
for fare increase will take too long. This may be an option for the future to
start the process. Increase revenue
will decrease operational deficit.
Increase contributes from
municipalities by an additional 10%. Or
if there is a fare increase to proportionally match the increase.
Finding a new contractor to
do the Paratransit Service may initially save money with a low bid but would
later start increasing fee.
New Freedom Initiative has
not been pass in US Congress yet.
If DMR does not contribute
or find some alternate Group Home transportation or ConnDOT has an increase in
its Budget, then there will be cuts in Non-ADA Service.