Minutes. Ward Mazzucco, Chairman, opened the meeting with the motion to approve Nov. 17 minutes. Minutes were approved.

Treasurer's Report. Gary Miyashiro provided the Treasurer's report.

Ward reported these current office holders indicated they would like to run for reelection:

Natalie Ketcham: Discussed the editorial in the News Times misinterpreting Jay Hennessey's comments. Because he was busy, he referred the reporter to the First Selectman, but the newspaper deemed this a "gag" order concerning the Barlow Project. Natalie and Jay Hennessey were writing a rebuttal to the editorial. Natalie reported on a pending energy regulatory plan that would create a two tier pricing scheme for the state of Connecticut that would effectively raise prices in Fairfield County to subsidize lower prices elsewhere in the state. The proposed increase would be approximately 6% locally.

Budget season is beginning and the process starts Thursday Dec. 9 with a joint meeting with Board of Ed and Finance committee.

Ward reported on seeing the Governor, at her Hartford Mansion, during her Holiday reception at for Republican Town Chairs and top elected officials.

Motion to go in to executive session to discuss Vacancy committee recommendations.

The vacancy committee has recommended that Tom Morrison be nominated to become a member of the RTC to fill the vacancy left by Janet Cianci. Pursuant to the bylaws, the RTC will vote on the nomination at its next meeting. Executive session continued to discuss issues surrounding the Barlow Project and Region 9.

Return from executive session.

Tom Derderian opened discussion regarding the response to the RTC announcement on the Pilot for anyone interested in running for public office to please contact Charlie Eichhorn, chair of the vacancy committee. It was generally agreed that the invitation should continue to run.

Dave Lewson: Offered his comments regarding municipal elections for 2005 and that it is not too early to set up a strategy for the next year for events, fund raisers, etc as well as what kind of presence the RTC wishes should have in the annual events in town, such as Redding day, Georgetown day etc.

Dave's comments led to a general discussion of the various committee assignments and the need for participation of a great number of RTC members. Tom Derderian suggested that the PR committee can act in a coordinating function. Ward concluded on the note that these subjects would be revisited at the next RTC meeting.

Motion to adjourn to begin annual Holiday reception. Approved at 9:00PM