Selectboard Meeting

November 3, 2003

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Attending the meeting: Lynn Gardner, Andrea Morgante, Jon Trefry, Randy Volk, Jeanne Wilson, Al Barber, Marie Gardner, Rob Bast, Rocky Martin, Jean Isham, Len Duffy, Chris Morrell, Steve Gutierrez, Beth Sengle, Jan Bedard, Missy Ross, Earla Sue McNaull, Paul Eddy, Stuart Pierson.

 

Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m.

 

Appointment to the Selectboard:  Randy moved that the Board vote to appoint Rob Bast to the Selectboard to fill a vacancy for a term which will expire on March 2, 2004.  Second by Lynn.  Motion approved with Andrea abstaining.

Lynn administered the Oath of Office to Rob at which time he joined the Board for the meeting. 

 

Len Duffy / Damage Due to Water Line Break – There was a water leak in the Town water system before the curb stop at Len’s office building.  Due to excessive water pressure on the foundation, water seeped into the basement.  Also in order to repair the water line the Town removed the spruce tree in front of the building.  Len is concerned this could reoccur.  Rocky stated that is a possibility and the Town is planning to replace the entire connection line and put the curb stop out by Rt 116 next spring or summer.

The Board was in agreement that the Town is liable for the costs from the damage and replacement of the tree.  Payment will be made to Purofirst in the amount of $408.94 and the Town will plant a tree that is agreeable with Len when the water line replacement work is done.

 

Continued Discussion of Wastewater Service Area: Lynn stated he believed the Selectboard is looking at alt 3 for the build out.  Andrea said she is not sure that is the best alternative.  She feels input from the Planning Commission would be helpful in context of where they are headed with the new Town Plan.  Rocky stated he had a similar discussion with Alex and feels the decision should be done in conjunction with the new Town Plan.

Rocky also stated he believes the numbers in the build out study were low, particularly in the commercial / industrial area.

Jean Isham said this was discussed at a Planning Commission meeting.  The PC did not feel they were far enough along in the Town Plan process to give input and would like guidance from the Selectboard.

Jeanne will set up a joint meeting of the Boards to discuss this.

 

FY 04 – 05 Budget Kick-Off Meeting

Andrea thanked all who came to participate in the presentation of the budget highlights.

 

Rocky – Public Works – In highway they will be looking at repaving from Stella Rd to Leavensworth Rd, work on the hill roads with possible paving or using the recycle asphalt paving, culvert on Pond Brook Rd., Lynn stated he would like to see the Town Hall parking lot paved also – Rocky stated that is not on the list of paving projects and the board members did not feel this was a priority.  Rob stated he would like funds included to do shoulder work in conjunction with paving.

In water / sewer the plan is to continue to replace old lines and phase 2 of work at the Town Hall.

 

Chris – Police Department – additional personnel needed

 

Missy – Town Clerks office – will look at purchasing more storage shelves for the land records.

 

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Al – Fire Department – possible slight increase in call reimbursement.  Al does not foresee any major projects.

 

Steve – Fire Warden – no projected changes.

 

Jan – Delinquent tax collections – may see a reduction in the budget.

 

Jean – Planning Commission – budget will include estimated $5,000 for legal and professional services to revise the zoning and subdivision bylaws to conform to the new Town Plan.

 

Marie – Listers – budget will go up for reappraisal, funding for this will come from the funds in escrow.

 

Beth – Recreation Department – the youth budget will increase as they will be running a new after school program at HCS, this will be a self supporting program.  Increase in budget request for maintenance and fields.

 

Earla Sue – Library – they plan to paint the building and are working with other property owners on the road to fund paving of the road.

 

Paul – Cemetery – the Town will be taking over the Giles Place Cemetery and will need surveying and legal costs associated.  Paul would like to look at the possibility of the Town purchasing some adjoining land if available.

 

Jeanne – advised she has received preliminary estimates of a 20% increase in health care costs.

 

Al encouraged the Board to continue to work on implementing impact fees for funding capital budget expenditures.

Andrea stated there is a regulatory process that needs to be initiated by the Planning Commission in formally accepting a capital budget process before impact fees can be initiated. 

 

 

Other Business

 

 

Approve Minutes of October 20, 2003:  Randy moved that the Board vote to approve the minutes of October 20, 2003. second by Andrea.  As the Board was not ready to approve at this time Randy moved to table the motion, second by Andrea and approved with Rob abstaining.

 

Approve Minutes of October 27, 2003:  Andrea moved that the Board vote to approve the minutes of October 27, 2003.  Second by Randy and approved with Rob abstaining.

 

Trial Balance for Water & Wastewater and General Fund Accounts for Period Ending 9/30/03:  Randy moved that the Board vote to acknowledge receipt of the Trial Balance for the Water & Wastewater and General Fund Accounts for the period ending 9/30/03.  Second by Jon and approved.

 

Correspondence to VTrans RE: Route 116 “No Parking” Signs and Traffic Cone Permit:  Letters drafted for Board review.

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Continued Discussion of Hayden Hill Road West Drainage Issue:  Jim Howley of Llewellyn Howley Engineering to meet with Michael later this week.  He will provide an estimate on evaluating the situation and suggesting alternatives.  Andrea stated she would like Jim to see if sediment can be directed to a different area by looking at what may be done further up hill.

 

Continued Discussion of Mead Bros. License Agreement for Gravel Path at Car Wash:  DRB conditions of approval for the car wash state “The applicant shall reserve space for a path as shown on the plans and shall allow the Town to construct and maintain the path per agreement reached between the Town and Mead Bros., Inc.” 

The Board agreed to have the license agreement refer to the DRB minutes requiring the path.

 

Request for Water Line Connection / Garvey Farm Road:  Rocky informed the Board this request is to hook up to an existing private line to access Town water rather than hook into the Town line which is further and would be more costly.

Rocky stated an easement was to have been written regarding maintenance of the line but was never done.  Rocky will advise that the Town needs the easement and then the new connection can be approved.

The Board agreed no connection fee will be charged as there was no fee charged for the other homes in the Garvey Farm development when connected to the Town system.

 

Approve Warrants:  Jon moved that the Board vote to approve the warrants (including payroll warrants) for bills payable as presented by the Town Treasurer. Second by Rob and approved.

 

 

FYI

Public Hearing on FY 03 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant in the amount of $16,056 at November 17 meeting.  Chris will provide suggested uses for grant funds.

 

Randy moved the Board vote to adopt the Advisory Board for the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant being; Chris Morrell – Chief of Police, Val Gardner – CVU Principal, Jan Bedard – Director of Connecting Youth, Robert Simpson – States Attorney, and Linda Levitt – Chief Judge.  Second by Jon.

Andrea asked the motion be amended to include the condition of a copy of minutes and evidence that they met and discussed the grant. Jon second the amendment.  

Board members did not feel they needed to get together in order to discuss this.  Amendment to the motion voted and failed with Andrea in favor and Lynn, Jon, Randy and Rob opposed.

Andrea asked the motion be amended to add Kathleen Patten, second by Jon.  After discussion Andrea withdrew the amendment and Jon the second.

The original motion was voted and approved.

 

Randy moved the Board vote to adjourn at 8:55 p.m., second by Jon and approved.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Valerie Spadaccini, secretary