The Connecticut River Estuary Regional Planning Agency

The office is located in Saybrook Junction Marketplace at the Old Saybrook train station.

CRERPA was established almost 30 years ago to serve the nine towns of the Connecticut River Estuary Region. Under state law, towns in the State's fifteen planning regions have organized regional planning agencies to act as a forum for addressing issues of regional concern and to prepare a Regional Plan of Development. The Agency has two delegates, a Selectmen's Representative and a Planning Commission Representative, from the towns of Chester, Clinton, Deep River, Essex, Killingworth, Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and Westbrook .

Executive Director Linda Krause has over twenty years experience in planning and has served as Ledyard's Zoning and Wetlands Officer and Mayor of the Town of Groton as well.

The Gateway Commission, Estuary Transit District, Lower Connecticut Valley Selectmen's Association, and Cable TV Advisory Council meet at the CRERPA office and are provided administrative services by our Agency.

Each region within the state is different. The Estuary Region is one of four rural regions, grouping smaller towns together that are united by their similarities. The towns face similar issues, including the struggle to balance economic growth with the preservation of our small town character. Through CRERPA, the towns share information and occasionally join together to share services such as the regional solid waste and recycling transfer station and transportation services of various kinds. Information on census data, planning and zoning matters, transportation plans, recycling and many other matters can be found at CRERPA. Current subjects being considered for regional cooperation are health services and computer mapping.

Business owners frequently contact CRERPA for demographic information regarding population, age distribution, etc. when starting or relocating a business to this area. The total population of the Region is approximately 55,000 individuals with the largest number - 12, 767 - residing in Clinton and the fewest - 1,949 - in Lyme. Old Saybrook is second in population with 9,552 residents but is frequently thought of as being larger since so many retail businesses are located here. It's been considered, up until now, as the "Regional Downtown". The advent of the shopping malls in Westbrook and Clinton may change that perception.

We have schedules for local public transportation available through the Estuary Transit District and the State of Connecticut. The Shoreline East Commuter Rail Service running between New Haven and New London , the Old Saybrook - Middletown Hartford Commuter Express and the S Route bus from New Haven to Old Saybrook are operated by the State Department of Transportation. A new service, the transit district's "Shoreline Shuttle", has been in operation between Madison and Old Saybrook since July 1, 1996, and connects to the S Route in Madison. In addition, the transit district has dial-a-ride service for all residents, but especially elderly and handicapped, to go to nutrition sites, medical appointments, shopping, etc. by calling the Estuary Council of Senior Clubs at 388-1611. They work under contract with the transit district for all services except the Tri-Town Bus which brings Chester, Deep River and Essex residents to Old Saybrook. This service is operated by Ryder Transportation in Chester, telephone 526-5833. There is a $1.00 fare charged for the Shoreline Shuttle, but other transit district services are donation-based. Stan Greimann, Transit District Acting Director, manages these operations.

CRERPA Planners assist the member towns in an advisory capacity with such things as drafting zoning and subdivision regulations since most towns in the Region don't have their own planners. Making comments on developers' plans to assure they comply with local regulations is an area where our expertise is invaluable. Village Center District regulations are popular at the moment. Many of our towns want to preserve the small town atmosphere that has historically prevailed here by regulating the size and type of business that may occupy their centers. Conflicting views on economic development can complicate this issue.

Amy Cabinis, Recycling Coordinator and Transportation Planner, is available to give presentations on recycling to schools and other interested groups. Her audiences have found his demonstrations quite enthralling. She is also helping various towns with hazardous waste collection day.

CRERPA produces a quarterly TV program on Clinton Comcast Channel 19. Host J.H. Torrance Downes, works as a planner for the Agency. Programs on the designation of the Lower Connecticut River as one of the Last Great Places on Earth, the impact of mall development, and water pollution are upcoming topics for this half hour show. Feedback from viewers and requests for other subjects of interest are welcome. We'd like to know who's watching and what you'd like to see.

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