RECORD OF MEETING

FREIGHT TASK FORCE

 

DATE/TIME/PLACE:  Monday, January 27, 1997; 2 PM; CDTC Offices, Colonie

 

ATTENDANCE:  Ted Thompson (NYSDOT Region 1), Jack Earl (NYSDOT Freight and Economic Development Division), Tom Magliocca (Port), Roger Bergeron, Phil Brake, and Tom Matais (Boston & Maine), Pat McLaughlin (UPS), Dick Corp (NYSTA), Kristina Younger (CDTC)

 

DISCUSSION SUMMARY:  Welcome and introductions started the meeting.

 

Status Reports:  NYSDOT Region:  Ted Thompson reported on recent activities, including an update to the grade crossing inventory for the region.  NYSDOT Main Office:  Jack Earl gave a status report on HR1135 -- the $350 M Economic Development Program.  The earliest that a proposed program would be released would be as part of the budget process.  THRUWAY:  Capital program for the next two years has been adopted.  It includes no toll increases and a "pay as you go" philosophy.  EZ Pass is now accepting applications from commercial accounts, and UPS is expected to get their tags as early as February.  Mr. Corp also cited the recent opening of the West Morland Tandem Center in Herkimer as a positive public/private partnership example that demonstrates how quick things can get done when motivated.  UPS:  Larry Arnold, a local manager, will be taking Pat McLaughlin's place on the task force, starting next meeting.

 

ISTEA Reauthorization Position:  Consistency of CDTC practice with the majority of the IANA position was noted.  Major discrepancy is Policy Board membership by freight interests.  NYSDOT and CDTC official reauthorization positions were noted and characterized as, "It's basically working, but some tinkering is warranted."

 

Conrail Merger:  CDTC's resolution was briefly discussed, with our interest being primarily in insuring competition in the rail industry in our region and providing good shipping rates for local industry.  Another particular interest is in corridor preservation of any abandoned lines, and the possible creation of a rail network attractive to a short line operator.  Ted Thompson discussed the NYSDOT position, which is quite similar to CDTC's, and the state-wide implications of the merger.

 

Status of CDTC TIP Update, New Visions Plan:  The Draft New Visions Plan is now in its public comment period, which ends on February 14.  Task force members were encouraged to submit written comments, and to particularly address whether or not they felt the task force recommendations had been satisfactorily incorporated into the Plan.  The basic tenets of the Plan and its position on "major" investments were highlighted.

 

The significance of the New Visions budgets was related to the current update to the capital program, called the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).  The candidate pool, the schedule, and the basic evaluation criteria were reviewed, and questions regarding specific projects answered.

 

Presentation by the Port of Albany:  Tom Magliocca handed out year-end tonnage figures for 1996 and 1995 (for comparison) and a Times Union article entitled "Albany port work hits 3-year low".  He discussed the various commodities and the factors influencing their shipping through the Port.  Video clips of various aspects of Port operations provided information regarding shipping practices, labor requirements, the facilities available at the Port, and typical cargo.  Numerous questions about the Port operations were answered.

 

ACTION ITEMS:  CDTC staff will continue to monitor the Conrail merger proceedings.  It was suggested the impact of the merger might be a good topic for the Fall Roundtable, with shipper and railroad panels.

*          UPS to share its position on reauthorization.

*    NEXT MEETING:  Monday, April 14, 1996, 2 - 4 PM, UPS Facility on Wade Road.  Agenda to include:  Tour of UPS facility, member updates, status of New Visions and the TIP update relevant to freight projects.