Pledge, Prayer, 4-Way Test: Joe Arcari
Guests: Dick Mason (Clinton Club), Sandy Hart
Sergeants Report, Mary Polchaninoff
Raffle Winners: Joy, Charlie N, Joe
Card Game Winner: John G
Happy Bucks: Lots of bucks for our guests, birthday happy bucks for mothers of Ralph and Devin, being a guest at our meeting, the beautiful fall/correction: summer day, for meeting at Cuckoo's Nest, the Peace Pole and upcoming dedication, seeing everybody
Jan: we are trying out the Cuckoo's Nest. Jan is interested in your comments
Bill O'Shaughnessy talked about Sept. 11 and what the day means to Americans. Bill had a speaker, recently retired FDNY Midtown Manhattan Battalion Fire Chief Joseph Nardone, talk about that day three years later. Click minutes 9/11 to read the article.
Jan introduced our speaker and fellow Rotarian, State Representative Devin Carney
Devin Carney has been serving in the legislature since 2015 (11 years). He started out and still serves on the Transportation Committee. Devin now also serves on the important Finance Committee which is tasked with figuring out how to pay for the various appropriations in passed bills. Devin also serves on the Education Committee which is concerned with K thru Grade 12 (not college) and the Oversight Committee - a new committee and is the highest ranking Republican. The Oversight Committee oversees audits to make sure tax dollars are being spent as they were intended. Recently, expense account (credit card) abuse by the Chancellor was revealed resulting in some needed changes and controls.
There are 2 sessions for the legislature, 1 long and 1 short. The first session is primarily about appropriations - how are tax dollars spent. This is when bonding for larger bills are implemented and locked in. The budget for 2025-6 is about $56 billion. Tax increases are possible to help pay for shortfalls. Fiscal guardrails are worked out. Pensions from previous years continue to be an issue to address in the current budget. Each legislator represents about 100,000 people. There is some tension between the Legislature and the Senate because they have different priorities.
The shorter second session deals with finances only. This is when alterations to bills and possibly a few new bills are passed. It's open to the public and is an opportunity for the public to speak out to try to influence legislation. This happened recently when one of the parents of a person who was killed in a boating accident advocated for passing a law that boaters be subject to same legal limits of alcohol as drivers of automobiles. The measure was passed. This second session addressed the housing crisis in which the Governor vetoed a bill forwarded by the Democrats. Changes to that bill were made and will be voted on. Another issue is the Connecticut Sun WNBA basketball team. The Governor has proposed the State buy a stake in the team to keep it in Connecticut. That stake would cost $100 million.
Following his talk, Devin took questions. One question concerned the increase in the public benefits portion of everyone's electricity bill. The substantial increase is due to many factors including the shutdown of Millstone and costs incurred during the pandemic. Some charges were waived at that time but are now coming due.
If you have any questions or issues concerning the State, you can contact Devin (repdevincarney@gmail.com).
President Jan Perruccio:
At a recent meeting in which local club presidents were invited to discuss financial assistance for Meals on Wheels, an Estuary for Seniors program, ideas were discussed including raising grant money. David Condren is exploring this. If the club gives $2500, the district would match making the total $5000.
Golf Tournament - Charlie Renshaw
Charlie did not have the final net result yet, money is still coming in. He did say we will surpass our goal of $10,000 by about $1,000. Great job Charlie and everyone who helped out! Thanks to John Aforismo for not showing up thus insuring good weather! If you haven't done so already, please be sure to thank your sponsors and all who supported the golf tournament.
Arts & Crafts Festival - Pete Zucco
Pete will check the storage unit and determine what is needed. The work schedule was passed around with the work shifts for sign up. We need to cover 2 days, Oct. 4 & 5th. Our raffle for the electric bike is going on and tickets will be sold at the Festival. Nancy is getting the chili and John A is providing the ice cream and mobile freezer.
Shredding Day - John Aforismo
The date is Sept. 27. Think about volunteering. 16 people are needed from 8am to 1pm to help set up, direct traffic (6 people), process customers, handle the expected many boxes of documents to be shredded and knock down boxes for disposal to the transfer station. Interact kids will be there as well. There will be more attention paid to cars dropping off and exiting. More will be discussed at the next meeting.
Walk to End Alzheimers - Jan Perruccio
This is also Sept. 27 in New London. Martha Rothchild is in charge and if you wish to participate, contact Martha or click on this LINK to sign up.
Macaroni Dinner - John Aforismo
Work begins on Oct. 18 when goods are purchased, meatballs are rolled and general preparations take place. John Giannini is The Chef. The main event is Sunday, Oct. 19 from 12:30 - 4pm. Everyone has 10 tickets to sell. John needs a count of tickets sold with detail of adult vs. children tickets and if tickets donated will actually be redeemed. This will influence the amount of food to purchase.
Click this LINK for more information. You can also download the flyer which has a QR code if people wish to purchase dinners online.
Dictionary Project - Nancy Morin
Nancy took this over from Charlie Norz who started this in 2002. Dictionaries are purchased by the club and distributed to third graders in Old Saybrook, Westbrook and Old Lyme. Two volunteers are needed to deliver the dictionaries per school. The dictionaries are on order and they contain a section of history - a new feature. Click this LINK for more information.
Nancy also spoke about the Thanksgiving Drive by Liberty Bank. We will participate by donating happy bucks collected at meetings. Liberty adds 25 cents for every dollar we donate. Chip Adams will get Interact involved as well. All money goes toward providing Thanksgiving meals to those in need.
Nancy reports that the Summer Concert Series is now over and once again, our sponsorship was important to the success of the series and it was good for the club as well in terms of public relations and our standing in the community. We saved some money this year with fewer giveaways.
Peace Pole Dedication - Rosanne Farrell
The dedication takes place this Sunday at 1pm at Gardiners Landing Park near the former site of the Dock & Dine Restaurant. We donated the Pole and the ceremony will be attended by area officials. The public is invited.
Outreach - Tara Winch
The club approved $500 for the Alzheimers Walk. Individuals are encouraged to donate.
Dick Mason - Clinton Rotary Club
Dick talked about their fundraiser, Oct. 19. The group Silver Threads will perform a tribute to Linda Ronstadt. Tickets are $25. 
Dick stated that Clinton is contributing $1,000 to Meals on Wheels and can possibly participate in the district grant process.
Nancy announced a fundraiser by the Deep River Rotary Club, Oktoberfest on Oct. 18 from 5 - 8pm at the Landing & Main Restaurant (77 Main St). General Admission, $35. Includes your first beer or wine, buffet of German variety, music, dessert, raffles in the beer garden.
Next week, discussion of committees and other business
