Selectboard Meeting

October 25, 2004

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Attending the meeting; Lynn Gardner, Andrea Morgante, Jon Trefry, Randy Volk, Rob Bast, Jeanne Wilson, Dominic Cloud, Al Barber, Jean Isham, Michael Bissonette, Daniel Senecal-Albrecht.

 

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

 

Jon moved the Board vote to go into executive session with Dominic Cloud and Jeanne Wilson to discuss personnel issues.  Second by Andrea and approved.

8:00 Jon moved the Board vote to come out of executive session, second by Rob and approved.

 

 

Fire Chief Al Barber / Discussion of Town Owned Parcel on Birchwood Drive – Al reported that the Fireman’s Association is requesting the Town transfer to the Fire Dept the Town owned lot adjoining the lot the Fire Dept owns on Birchwood Dr.  The Fire Dept would then like to sell the entire parcel and use the profit from the sale toward the purchase of a new fire truck.

The Board asked Al to check with Ernie Giroux, who donated the parcel with conditions, if he would allow the transfer for such a purpose.

In reviewing the statute on the Town selling property it was agreed that a quit claim deed to the Fireman’s Assoc would be the proper procedure.

Al further reported that UVM may be servicing Hinesburg in the future and not St. Mike’s.  Williston will likely be having their own ambulance service.  Williston will be building a new station and some residents may be too far from the station for insurance purposed.  Williston may be requesting Hinesburg cover calls over 5 mi from their station.  Al advised that is the current procedure as Hinesburg will arrive quicker.  

 

Michael Bissonette / Update on Regional Technical Academy –Michael gave several handouts to the Board for review and discussed the CVU Board position as well as his position as a member of the Tech Academy advisory committee.

 

Daniel Senecal-Albrecht, CCRPC / Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan – Daniel is a planner at the regional planning commission and advised that Hinesburg needs to adopt this mitigation plan to be eligible when applying for grant programs to receive any grant funds.  This would require one resolution to adopt the regional plan and the annex for Hinesburg. Jon brought up the concern of the cost to the Town to complete some of the goals and deadlines for accomplishing.

Daniel stated each town should identify at least one goal and there is no requirement to accomplish that goal by a certain date.

Daniel advised that zoning and land preservation are methods of hazard mitigation. 

Jon pointed out that the Town can update the plan any time after adopting.

Andrea questioned if money would be available for maintenance on dams.

                                            

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Jon asked if the plan is not adopted by the Nov 1 -04 date but adopted by Nov 1 -05 would it be good at that point.  Daniel advised that the Town could apply for grant funds before adopting the plan but would not receive any funds till the plan is actually adopted.

 

Other Business

 

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

Second by Jon and approved.

 

Approve Minutes of October 4, 2004:  Jon moved that the Board vote to approve the minutes of October 4, 2004. Second by Andrea and approved.

 

Trial Balance for Water & Wastewater and General Fund Accounts for Period Ending 9/30/04:  Jon moved that the Board vote to acknowledge receipt of the trial balance for the water & wastewater and general fund accounts for the period ending 9/30/04. Second by Andrea and approved.

 

Request for Approval of Private Road Name / “Evanson Road” off Buck Hill Road West:   This request by Sam Evanson is to name the access road to his subdivision off on Buck Hill Road West as “Evanson Road”.  This name has been compared to road names in surrounding towns and does not conflict with any existing road names.  Jon moved that the Board vote to approve the road name of “Evanson Road” for the private road which accesses the Evanson subdivision off Buck Hill Road West. Second by Andrea and approved.

 

Discussion of Proposed Town Plan Revisions:  The Planning Commission has finalized the proposed Town Plan revisions, and has forwarded the proposed Plan to the Selectboard for its review.  The Board will review the Plan and decide whether additional changes are necessary prior to warning a public hearing.

Lynn suggested changes in the following areas; affordable housing – guide to growth and development, commercial / industrial, policies in rural areas and forestry and policies in rural areas and conservation lands, roads – ditching and reconstruction, footpaths, and development pressures which contribute to arterial congestion.

Board members will review Lynn’s suggestions and at the next meeting will discuss those proposed changes as well as any others Board members feel appropriate.

 

Vermont Agency of Human Services Grant / Community Partners Program:   The Vermont Agency of Human Services is awarding the Town a grant in the amount of $4,000, to continue the services of the Community Partners pre-arraignment program.  A 25% match is required in cash or in kind services.  The local match appears to be a new requirement this year.  The use of meeting space at the police department can be considered in kind services. Jon moved that the Board vote to authorize the Chairman

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to sign the grant agreement with the Agency of Human Services for the Hinesburg Community Partners Program, with the understanding that the Town’s match will be provided through in-kind services and not through a cash contribution. Second by Rob and approved.

 

Listers Request for Changes to the Lodged Grand List:  The Board has received a request from the Board of Listers to approve a change to the lodged Grand List.  This request is the result of a correction regarding the land use contract for S & J Lang, LLC (parcel #000903.2).  This correction results in a decrease in the value of the Grand List to $261,513,945.  Andrea moved that the Board vote to approve the change in the lodged Grand List as requested in the letter from the Hinesburg Listers, dated October 22, 2004. Second by Jon and approved.

 

Vermont Emergency Management / Hazard Mitigation Grants:  On September 23 Chittenden County was declared eligible for FEMA Public Assistance disaster relief for flood damages incurred during the storms of August 12 through September 12.  A portion of the FEMA disaster relief funds have been set aside for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).  Towns are encouraged to identify potential hazard mitigation sites and apply for funds under the HMGP.  Typical hazard mitigation sites would include roads or bridges that regularly get washed out during flooding events, undersized culverts, stream bank erosion, inadequate road ditching, etc.  The deadline to apply for the HMGP is March 4, 2005.

 

Lease Agreement with CSWD / Drop Off Center:  The current lease agreement for the Hinesburg Drop Off Center is due to expire on December 31, 2004.  CSWD would like to exercise its option to extend the agreement for a third five-year period, as allowed under Item 4.Extension of Terms of the current Lease Agreement dated August 31, 1993. The Board agreed to renew the lease for 1 year.

 

Discussion of Selectboard Stipend – discussed at what time of year the Board members request payment.

 

Resignation from Conservation Commission / Martin Peterson:  Andrea moved that the Board vote to approve the resignation of Martin Peterson from the Conservation Commission effective immediately. Second by Randy and approved.

 

 

Additions to the Agenda  

Animal Control Officer – Rob moved the Board vote to ask the Police Department to recover any and all Town equipment form the Animal Control Officer.  Second by Randy and approved.

 

Campaign Signs- there is no Town policy on placement of signs.

 

 

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Andrea moved the Board vote to hold a public hearing to revisit the issue of the Tourville’s dog Hannibal being removed from Town.  Second by Randy.  Andrea in favor; Rob, Lynn, Jon and Randy opposed.  Motion failed.

Andrea inquired what the legal opinion on a petition filed is.  The Selectboard has the authority to change a decision; however, a petition submitted cannot require the Selectboard to hold a public hearing.

 

Rob inquired if Hinesburg has an open barrel burning ordinance.  He was advised it is a Solid Waste District issue.

 

Other Notes of Interest

 

November 1st Meeting – Budget Kick-Off Meeting and Employee Meeting

 

Randy moved the Board go into executive session for discussion of Personnel & Legal Issues;

Update on Recreation Path

Letter to Employees / November 1 Employee Meeting

            Personnel Policy

            Pay Rate for Gerald Dubois

            Union Contract

Second by Rob and approved.

 

Randy moved the Board come out of executive session and adjourn, second by Rob and approved.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Valerie Spadaccini, secretary