MINUTES OF THE HINESBURG ANNUAL TOWN MEETING

March 1, 2004

SELECTBOARD: Lynn E. Gardner, Chairperson; Robert S. Bast; Andrea Morgante; Jonathan S. Trefry; Randall C. Volk

MODERATOR: Joseph Fallon

Moderator Joseph Fallon called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm. The Moderator reviewed Robert Rules of Order and noted that Vermont law trumped Roberts Rules. The procedure for motions, amendments to motions, and paper balloting were explained.

ARTICLE 1: To elect the necessary town and school district officers by Australian ballot on Tuesday March 2, 2004 (see Officers for Election in the Town Report).

Article 1 to be voted upon by Australian ballot on Tuesday, March 2, 2004.

ARTICLE 2: To hear the reports of the Town officers and take action thereon.

Lynn Gardner, Chairman of the Selectboard, gave a review of the proposed budget and noted some accomplishments from the past year.

One of the articles on the Town Meeting Warning asks to establish a reserve fund. This article has been included on the recommendation of the Town’s auditors. In the past the Selectboard has voted to carry over funds at the end of the fiscal year for projects which were not completed during the fiscal year. An example would be funds for sidewalks. Previously the Selectboard reserved sidewalk funds from one year to the next until a sufficient amount was accumulated to complete a sidewalk project. This process is not according to statute, and in order for the Selectboard to reserve funds, a reserve fund must be established by voters.

A recent article in the Burlington Free Press noted that the proposed budget represented a 36% increase in expenditure over the past year’s budget. This increase is offset by a $760,000 grant from VTrans for the Mechanicsville and CVU Road recreation path.

In order to offset rising heath care cost for employees, the Selectboard is proposing changes in the health care plan for the coming fiscal year. These changes will include an increase in the employee’s contribution towards premium costs as well as a “Cafeteria Plan” offering to employees. The cafeteria plan would allow employees to have money deducted from their salary on a pre-tax basis to offset out-of-pocket medical costs.

Proposed highway projects include re-paving another section of Silver Street, reconstruction and repaving a section of the Charlotte Road, drainage and ditching work on Hayden Hill Road West, Lincoln Hill Road and Buck Hill Road West, as well as straightening and widening a section of Buck Hill Road West.

The Town has acquired land from Paul Eddy adjacent to the wastewater treatment facility to allow for a potential expansion of the facility and increase in wastewater treatment capacity sometime in the future.

Due to numerous leaks in the water lines on Shelburne Falls Road in front of the Merchants Bank, it is planned to replace these lines in the coming year.

In the Planning/Zoning budget there is an $8,000 appropriation for digital mapping of the Town. The digital mapping is a tool which must be updated periodically.

A Town-wide reappraisal will be underway over the next two years through the work of the Listers. This is a huge undertaking and the chairman asked for cooperation from the residents in completing the process.

Over the past year the access to Town Hall has been relocated from Route 116 to Stella Road. It is hoped that this new access will relieve some of the congestion at the Charlotte Road / Route 116 intersection. Some other ideas that have been mentioned for controlling the congestion at Charlotte Road and Route 116 include a three-way stop sign, a traffic light (although the State has said a light is not warranted) as well as the Town taking over control of Route 116 (a State highway) through the village area. Addressing the intersection is an ongoing process. The realignment of the Charlotte Road intersection after acquisition of the Minor property has helped with the intersection congestion. All the small steps are an improvement, but it is still a major issue.

$5,000 has been added in the Recreation budget for the development of new playing field space. An increase in recreation fees (revenue) will offset an increase in recreation expense.

The Lake Iroquois Recreation District is requesting an appropriation of an additional $1,000 to fund a project for new playground equipment.

The Conservation Commission is requesting an increase of $2,500 for the acquisition of land through the Land Trust (Land Preservation Reserve Fund).

The Selectboard does not anticipate a significant increase in the municipal portion of the property tax for the coming fiscal year if the budget is approved as proposed (approximately a 1/2¢ increase).

There is an error on page 44 of the Town Report. The property tax revenue should read $1,456,665, not $81,456,665.

Selectboard Member and Recreation Path Chairman Jonathan Trefry reviewed the progress of the recreation path project. The project is funded for the most part through state and federal funds. The Town’s funding portion of the project is $85,000, most of which is in reserve funds from previous years appropriations. The appropriation request for the coming fiscal year is $25,000.

Planning Commission member John Mace reported that work on a new Town Plan is underway, and the Commission is in the process of reviewing the first draft. A copy of the draft plan is scheduled to be posted on the Town website by April 21, 2004.

A motion to accept the reports of the Town officers was approved by a unanimous voice vote.

ARTICLE 3: Shall the Town establish a Reserve Fund for each of the following categories, pursuant to Title 24 Vermont Statutes Annotated, Section 2804: Town Clerk, Listers, Municipal Buildings, Police Department, Parks and Sidewalks, Recreation Commission, Conservation Commission, Land Preservation Fund, and Highway Department? The purpose of this article is to formalize a process for voters to reserve designated funds for future usage, as required by Vermont State Statute.

Norm Smith asked for clarification of the article. Selectboard Chairman Lynn Gardner explained that there were typically on-going projects, which were not completed at the end of the fiscal year. The funds for these projects were previously reserved by the Selectboard for completion in subsequent years. The auditors recommended that reserve funds should be established by the voters for this purpose, in order to comply with State Statute. The article would formalize a process for reserving funds already utilized by the Town.

Jonathan Trefry made a friendly amendment to the motion to add the “Fire Department” to the list of reserve fund categories (insert after “Highway Department”).

The amendment to the article was approved by unanimous voice vote.

Article 3, as amended, was approved by unanimous voice vote.

ARTICLE 4: Shall the Town appropriate $7,000 for the purpose of purchasing vault shelving for the Town Clerk’s Office; any unexpended portion of such sum to be placed in the Town Clerk Reserve Fund established?

Larry Ketcham asked whether the Town was budgeting too much money for projects if there was unexpended funds left over. Town Clerk Melissa Ross explained that the $7,000 amount was the first of a three-year appropriation for the shelving project, which has a total estimated cost of $20,000.

Andy Johnson asked if the money was for shelving or for a new vault. Melissa Ross explained that the money was for specialized roller shelving which would maximize the current vault space.

Donna Cunningham inquired about the type of material used for the shelving. Melissa Ross explained that the shelving was specialized to maximize storage space and meet the archival needs of record storage.

In response to a question about electronic storage of records, Melissa Ross said that electronic storage was being explored as an option on the state level. At some point in the future she felt towns would utilize electronic storage.

Article 4 was approved by unanimous voice vote.

ARTICLE 5: Shall the Town appropriate $5,000 for the purpose of construction and repair of sidewalks; any unexpended portion of such sum to be placed in the Parks and Sidewalk Reserve Fund established?

George Dameron asked what sidewalk projects were planned. Selectboard Member Andrea Morgante replied that possibly completing the sidewalk connections in Commerce Park was a potential project. Public Works Director Rocky Martin corrected to say that anticipated projects for the coming fiscal year included repairs to existing village sidewalk sections, such as in front of St. Jude’s Catholic Church.

Article 5 was approved by unanimous voice vote.

ARTICLE 6: Shall the Town appropriate $5,000 for the purpose of acquisition and upgrade of playing fields; any unexpended portion of such sum to be placed in the Recreation Commission Reserve Fund established?

John Dunshee pointed out that the Town did not have a football field. Recreation Director Beth Sengle said that a football club was started through CVU this year.

Beth Sengle reported that the Town is trying to accommodate a growing interest in recreational sports.

Rob Farley asked if the article would fund the upgrade and expansion of existing field space. Beth Sengle replied that the funds were for both the upgrade of existing field space, as well as potential acquisition of new field space.

Article 6 was approved by unanimous voice vote.

ARTICLE 7: Shall the Town appropriate $1,025,604 to defray the general expenses of the Town?

Ruth Ayer suggested voting on the Police Department budget separately, and including employee benefits in each department budget for a clearer accounting of the actual budget costs. Selectboard Chairperson Lynn Gardner suggested an “Advisory Motion” under Other Business at the end of the meeting.

Roger Kohn noted that the Charlotte Road / Route 116 intersection is dangerous, and asked for a discussion of options to deal with the intersection. Selectboard Chairman Lynn Gardner noted a meeting held last summer with concerned citizens regarding the intersection. At that meeting it was suggested that the police direct traffic at the intersection. Gardner noted that the Police Chief has indicated that the Town’s Police Department does not have the manpower to direct traffic on a regular basis, and the cost to contract with outside traffic control was cost prohibitive. Police Chief Chris Morrell clarified that the cost to hire an outside officer was $30/hour for a minimum of three hours morning and evening, for a daily cost of $180.

Lynn Gardner reviewed potential options for the Charlotte Road / Route 116 intersection, including a three-way stop and traffic light. The Town has asked VTrans to consider a traffic light, but the state does not support a light at this time. Realignment of the intersection with the purchase of the Minor property has helped.

Selectboard Member Andrea Morgante noted that a motion at a Selectboard meeting for an officer to direct traffic at the intersection failed due to the lack of a second to the motion.

Selectboard Member Robert Bast said that the traffic congestion is a complicated issue. The Town needs to look at a number of long and short-term options. Directing traffic is hazardous duty for a police officer.

George Dameron asked that the Hinesburg Police make an effort to halt motorists from passing on the right at the Route 116 crosswalk south of Charlotte Road. There are safety concerns with this marked crosswalk.

Tom Ayer asked for clarification regarding the $8,000 appropriation in the budget for the Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations (CUSI). Selectboard Chairman Lynn Gardner said that the Town does utilize CUSI services. The Selectboard began discussions with the CUSI Policy Board last year regarding the Town’s concern with the CUSI funding formula. Selectboard Member Jonathan Trefry noted that Town Administrator Jeanne Wilson is now a member of the CUSI Policy Board and that the $8,000 was one-half of the requested appropriation. He felt that CUSI is a good service.

Elizabeth Newman commented that CUSI funding should be a state responsibility instead of being funded by local taxpayers. State Representative William Lippert referred to a discussion regarding CUSI funding at last year’s Town Meeting. Following that discussion, it appeared that the Town was open to including funding for CUSI in the budget, but he felt that the funding should come from the State General Fund.

There was a discussion about deleting the $8,000 for CUSI from the budget, and Lynn Gardner noted that the Selectboard had committed the funds and if the $8,000 was deleted the CUSI funding would come from another line item.

State Senator Diane Snelling said that she had investigated the CUSI funding issue, and had discussed it with Police Chief Chris Morrell and Town Administrator Jeanne Wilson. Senator Snelling reminded voters that CUSI was an important program that dealt with the investigation of sexual abuse crimes against children. The issue of State funding for CUSI was a future solution to be resolved elsewhere.

Tom Ayer made an amendment to the article to remove $8,000 from the $1,025,604 appropriation. Moderator Fallon said that the amendment to the motion to reduce the appropriation from $1,025,604 to $1,017,604 was advisory.

The amendment to Article 7 was defeated by a majority voice vote.

The original Article 7 was approved by a majority voice vote.

ARTICLE 8: Shall the Town appropriate $614,149 for highway purposes?

Schuyler Jackson asked if the Selectboard would schedule a public hearing on changes to Lincoln Hill Road, such as widening or ditching. Selectboard Chairman Lynn Gardner said that the Town was proposing general road maintenance, and reviewed highway projects involving Hayden Hill Road West, Charlotte Road, Silver Street and Buck Hill Road West. Lincoln Hill Road would be added is there was sufficient time and funds. Otherwise it would be on the list for the next year. Mr. Jackson requested that the Town give notice if Lincoln Hill Road was to be widened or ditched.

Larry Ketcham recalled that last year the Town voted on improvements to Texas Hill Road, in preparation for double-tack paving the following year. Selectboard Chairman Lynn Gardner explained that the proposal last year was to upgrade the road the first year, in preparation for surfacing the second year. However, Texas Hill Road residents conducted a survey and the residents preferred that the road not be tarred. At this time there are no plans to add Texas Hill Road to the highway project list. The Town was sensitive to the residents who live on the road. In response to a comment that the Selectboard made a decision without a public hearing, Chairman Gardner noted that all Selectboard meetings are warned public meetings and that an agenda is posted in advance.

Selectboard Member Jonathan Trefry said that the residents of Texas Hill Road did conduct a survey, which was not conclusive. Approximately 50% of the respondents wanted a gravel road, and approximately 50% wanted the hill portion paved. A cost benefit analysis of gravel versus paved road related to road maintenance and safety issues was suggested, but no decision was made.

Tom Lyman commented that gravel on roads washes away into the shoulders and is a waste of money.

Colleen MacKinnon asked about traffic-calming measures for the village and asked if there was money in the highway budget for a feasibility study.

Colleen MacKinnon made a motion to amend Article 8 to add $5,000 for a feasibility study on traffic calming measures.

Selectboard Chairman Lynn Gardner said that no additional funding was necessary. The Town has received funding for traffic calming studies on Route 116 through the Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Commission (CCMPO). The Selectboard has requested that VTrans remove the “No Parking” signs along Route 116 in the village to encourage on-street parking as a traffic calming measure.

Prior to a voice vote on the amendment to the motion, Colleen MacKinnon withdrew the amendment.

Ruth Ayer noted that the highway employee benefits were not reflected in the Highway Department budget

In response to a question, Selectboard Chairman Lynn Gardner noted that $100,000 was budgeted for road reconstruction (to be used for a variety of roads including Silver Street, Charlotte Road, Buck Hill Road West, etc.) and was not ear-marked for Texas Hill Road.

Article 8 was approved by majority voice vote.

ARTICLE 9: Shall the Town appropriate $136,646 for the Carpenter Carse Library?

There was no discussion on Article 9.

Article 9 was approved by unanimous voice vote.

ARTICLE 10: Shall the Town appropriate $1,600 for the Lake Iroquois Recreation District as Hinesburg’s share?

There was no discussion on Article 10.

Article 10 was approved by unanimous voice vote.

ARTICLE 11: Shall the Town appropriate $5,000 to the Hinesburg Land Trust?

Richard Palmer asked why the Lincoln Hill parcel did not appear in the list of Non-Taxable properties on page 42 of the Town Report. Selectboard Chairman responded that the property transfer did not occur before the April 1 deadline. The property will appear on the list in the next Town Report. The Town does receive some taxes from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife lands.

Hinesburg Land Trust Board Member Kim Hazelrig explained that the Hinesburg Land Trust worked in partnership with the Vermont Land Trust on the Isham Farm Conservation Project. The project was completed in July 2003 and the land will be conserved for agricultural use in perpetuity. Appreciation was extended to the Ishams, the Langs, the Town of Hinesburg and the generous neighbors and community who supported this project. The Vermont Land Trust awarded a map and photo of the project to the Hinesburg Land Trust, which Ms. Hazelrig presented to the Selectboard to be displayed in a public place at Town Hall.

John Dunshee asked whether funds were needed to expand the cemetery, and if so, could these funds come from the Hinesburg Land Trust.

Cemetery Commissioner Bradley Wainer noted that the Cemetery Commission does have funds to expand the cemeteries if necessary, and that land has been donated for the cemeteries by adjacent landowners. At the present time there is no need for additional land for the cemeteries.

Article 11 was approved by majority voice vote.

ARTICLE 12: Shall the Town appropriate $7,500 for the purpose of obtaining options and/or the acquisition of lands, or those rights in land, which would preserve open space and natural resources; any unexpended portion of such sum to be placed in the Land Preservation Reserve Fund established?

Victoria Matthews noted that previously an amount of $5,000 had been requested for this article. Ms. Matthews asked for clarification on how much money currently existed in the Land Preservation Fund. Selectboard Chairman replied that $12,000 was currently held in the fund.

Ruth Ayer asked for clarification on the difference between the Land Trust appropriation (Article 11) and the appropriation for the Land Preservation Fund (Article 12). Selectboard Chairman Lynn Gardner said that the Hinesburg Land Trust would use the $5,000 for their work, while the $7,500 would be used to preserve open space. Both appropriations fund projects within Hinesburg.

Town Clerk Melissa Ross noted that when the Town is working on a project with the Vermont Land Trust or the Vermont Housing Conservation Board, a demonstration of community support for the project is often requested. This fund is used to show community support.

Conservation Commission Member William Marks noted that the Land Trust uses their funds to complete land acquisition projects (grant writing, survey costs, legal costs). The funds in the Land Preservation Fund goes directly towards the land purchase. In terms of tax dollars used for these projects, there is usually a 1:10 ratio.

Tom Ayer spoke in support of land conservation, but noted that the conserved land is taken off the Grand List and the rest of the taxpayers see an increase in property taxes.

John Kiedaisch noted that through the effort of the Hinesburg Land Trust and Vermont Land Trust over the past fourteen years some core protected lands have been created, which will be with us from now on. Between 1% and 1 ½% of the total area of Hinesburg has been conserved through the efforts of the Land Trust. The benefit of this open space is difficult to put a dollar value on.

Conservation Commission Member David Hirth noted that conserved lands would not be developed with houses, which would result in additional children entering the school system. It is expensive to send children to school and there is a cost saving by conserving open land.

Conservation Commission Chairman Ted White felt that the Commission has been very judicious in dispersing funds from the Land Preservation Fund in the past. The Commission has a detailed application process before they make a recommendation to use funds. It costs approximately $8,500 per elementary student and approximately $10,000 per high school student for educational costs. Mr. White also noted that all conserved lands are not off the tax base, and that development results in increased tax expense to maintain infrastructure and services. Developed land costs more than the amount of tax revenue generated by the land.

Rob Farley asked whether the fund could be used to develop a trail network. Selectboard Member Andrea Morgante felt that right-of-way and easement acquisitions for a trail network were definitely a potential use for this fund. The first step towards achieving a trail network would be to create a master plan.

Article 12 was approved by a majority voice vote.

ARTICLE 13: Shall the Town vote to raise the sum of $23,529 to be dispersed as specifically designated to the following agencies / organizations:

Funded 03-04 Budget 04-05

Women Helping Battered Women $2,500 $2,500

Center for Independent Living 250 250

Hinesburg Community Resource Center 6,000 8,000

Greater Burlington Industrial Corp. 600 600

Visiting Nurse Association 6,205 6,329

Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS) 1,350 1,350

Hinesburg Green Up 300 300

Champlain Valley Area Agency on Aging 2,000 2,000

Hinesburg Community Meal Site 500 500

VT CARES 700 700

Vermont Adult Learning 250 250

Howard Center for Human Services 750 750

$21,405 $23,529

There was no discussion on Article 13.

Article 13 was approved by unanimous voice vote.

ARTICLE 14: Shall the Town appropriate $2,000 for the Hinesburg July 4^th Celebration?

There was no discussion on Article 14.

Article 14 was approved by unanimous voice vote.

ARTICLE 15: Shall the voters authorize the Selectboard to furnish the Town of St. George fire protection and first response coverage at the sum of $14,461 for the period of one year?

Roger Kohn noted that in the past St. George paid for coverage based on the number of calls. Mr. Kohn asked why that had changed.

Selectboard Member Jonathan Trefry said that the funding formula was changed several years ago and is equal to 15% of the fire department and first response expenditure budgets. St. George supported this change, and it is a beneficial deal for Hinesburg.

Selectboard Member Robert Bast noted that the funding formula provided some budgetary predictability for the Town of St. George.

Article 15 was approved by unanimous voice vote.

ARTICLE 16: Shall the voters authorize the Selectboard to borrow money when needed to meet current expenses and indebtedness of said Town?

There was no discussion on Article 16.

Article 16 was approved by unanimous voice vote.

ARTICLE 17: Shall the voters authorize the payment of real and personal property taxes for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005 payable in full to the Town of Hinesburg in one installment, with the due date being November 15, 2004, and any and all payments received in the Town Treasurer’s Office later that 12:00 AM on November 16, 2004 will be considered delinquent and will be subject to the collection of a 4% penalty, plus interest at the rate of 1% per month or fraction thereof for the first three months and thereafter at the rate of 1 ½% per month or fraction thereof?

Bruce Cunningham made a motion to amend the article as follows: the second sentence to read “Any and all payments received in the Town Treasurer’s Office later than 12:00 AM on November 16, 2004 will be considered delinquent and will be subject to the collection of interest at the rate of 1% per month or fraction thereof (annualized rate of 12 percent) for the first three months and thereafter a the rate of 1 ½ % per month or fraction thereof (annualized rate of 18 percent). There shall be no other fees or penalties”.

Bruce Cunningham said that he was proud of what the voters of Hinesburg did two years ago when they voted to reduce the penalty from 8% to 4%. However, the penalty was not eliminated and that was the reason for this amendment. At the time the penalty was reduced there was a concern expressed that reducing the penalty would result in an increase in the number of delinquencies. That did not appear to be the case.

Bruce Cunningham stated that charging a 4% penalty on top of the interest was a violation of the Vermont and US Constitutions. A penalty constitutes a fine He further noted that the Town did not need to wait for the State Legislature to update the flawed State law.

Elaine Radzwillis spoke in favor of the amendment, noting that a penalty is unfair.

Roger Kohn suggested deleting the last sentence of the amendment. In the event of a tax sale, there are advertising and legal fees which need to be charged. It is confusing what that last sentence means. Bruce Cunningham noted that it was a good point.

Moderator Joseph Fallon asked is anyone had an objection to the last sentence being eliminated from the amendment. No objections were voiced, and the amendment was revised to read as follows: “Any and all payments received in the Town Treasurer’s Office later than 12:00 AM on November 16, 2004 will be considered delinquent and will be subject to the collection of interest at the rate of 1% per month or fraction thereof (annualized rate of 12 percent) for the first three months and thereafter a the rate of 1 ½ % per month or fraction thereof (annualized rate of 18 percent).”

Ruth Ayer asked for a Selectboard opinion on the amendment to the motion.

Selectboard Member Randall Volk stated that taxes are a fact of life and the vast majority of people pay their taxes on time. Mr. Volk did not feel it was an injustice to charge a penalty and was opposed to removing the penalty.

Selectboard Member Andrea Morgante questioned whether the penalty was fair, and stated it should be eliminated since the interest was sufficient.

Rob Farley asked whether it was within the voters’ power to change the delinquent tax penalty. Selectboard Chairman noted that it was the opinion of the Vermont Secretary of State that only the Delinquent Tax Collector and not the voters, has the authority to reduce the penalty, and that the voters decision could be challenged and potentially overturned. However he noted that no one was likely to challenge the vote.

Selectboard Chairman Lynn Gardner felt that there should be a penalty for late payment of taxes, but he was in favor of a trial period with no penalty. The penalty could be reinstated next year if the voters felt it should. It was the decision of the voters and they should decide.

Paul Lamberson asked whether eliminating the penalty would mean a reduction in revenue. Selectboard Chairman Lynn Gardner estimated that the Town would lose approximately $9,400 in revenue if the penalty were eliminated. The Delinquent Tax Collector would still be paid a salary.

George Dameron asked whether the delinquent taxpayers were large landowners, businesses or individual homeowners. Delinquent Tax Collector Jan Bedard responded that the majority of delinquent taxpayers were homeowners, not large landowners.

Selectboard Member Randy Volk said that if the penalty is eliminated, some people may make a conscious decision not to pay taxes. A 4% penalty was an incentive to pay taxes on time.

Selectboard Chairman Lynn Gardner noted that twenty days after the tax collection deadline of November 15, the majority of the tax revenue must be turned over to the schools for education funding. If there is a large amount of delinquencies, the Town may not have adequate funds to meet financial needs and may have to borrow money until the delinquent taxes are paid.

John Dunshee asked whether he understood that reducing the penalty would mean that the Delinquent Tax Collector salary would shift to being paid by tax dollars. Selectboard Chairman Lynn Gardner confirmed that eliminating or reducing the penalty would mean the Delinquent Tax Collector salary would be paid by tax dollars.

Selectboard Member Andrea Morgante noted that salaries are not set until after the voters establish the budget, and that there was latitude within the budget to adjust salaries. The voters had eliminated the tie between the Delinquent Tax Collector’s commission and salary when they voted to pay a salary instead of a commission. The voters should not let the salary impact a decision about whether a penalty should be assessed.

Delinquent Tax Collector Jan Bedard questioned whether the level of refinancing over the past two years impacted the lack of change in the number of delinquencies. Without the refinancing, an increase in the number of delinquencies may have occurred. Two years may be too short a time to make an informed decision on whether the reduction in penalty impacted the number of delinquencies.

Bruce Cunningham noted that Hinesburg is the only town in the State of Vermont that has reduced the penalty below 8%. The State of New Hampshire has not had a delinquent tax penalty in recent history and there appears to be no difference in the rate of delinquencies between Vermont and New Hampshire. Delinquent taxes are a lien on your property. Being a delinquent taxpayer is embarrassing, and the list of delinquent taxpayers is public record.

A voice vote on the amendment was inconclusive, and Moderator Joseph Fallon asked for a separation of the house. After a standing vote (of 62 ayes and 54 nays) the amendment was approved.

Article 17 as amended was approved by a majority voice vote.

ARTICLE 18: To transact any other business proper to be brought before said meeting.

Moderator Joseph Fallon asked for a suspension of the rules to allow CVU student Matthew Francis, who is not a legal voter, to speak. There were no objections to the Moderator’s request.

Matthew Francis reported that the CVU student Council was exploring options regarding a potential change in the CVU mascot from the Crusaders. The Student Council has held informational forums, surveyed faculty and students and published articles in local papers to assess public sentiment regarding the mascot. The next step will be to elicit response from the community, parents and alumni, and deciding on a course of action, presenting to the school board, and selecting a new mascot if necessary. Community members can stay informed on the issue through the CVU Student Council website.

Roger Kohn stated that he was disappointed by the turnout at Town Meeting and asked for ideas on how to generate more interest.

Conservation Commission Chairman Ted White said the Conservation Commission would be undertaking a tree planting project along the LaPlatte River on Saturday, May 1, 2004 (Green Up Day) and invited voters to join in the effort.

George Dameron notified the voters that a group of concerned citizens were scheduled to meet with the Selectboard at their next meeting to discuss traffic and pedestrian safety issues in the village area. He encouraged anyone else who was concerned with these issues to attend that meeting.

Victoria Matthews noted that the Hinesburg Lions Club would be starting a farmers market at the United Church on Thursdays from 3:30 – 7:30 p.m. beginning in June.

Ruth Ayer made an Advisory Motion that next year the police budget be voted on separately, including employee benefits. Selectboard Chairman Lynn Gardner asked for a clarification on the motion, whether the motion was to have employee benefits for each department shown in that department budget. Ruth Ayer concurred, noting that this would show the actual taxpayer cost for each department.

Paul Lamberson asked whether there was a challenge with listing the benefits for each department. Selectboard Chairman Lynn Gardner said that for most departments it was not an issue, but there were some employees whose positions were split over several departments. These situations pose a challenge, but that it could be dealt with.

Selectboard Member Randall Volk concurred that the benefits could be assigned to departments for the next Town Report.

The Advisory Motion was approved by majority voice vote.

Ed Sengle asked how it was decided which items were voted upon separately and which were lumped together. Selectboard Member Randall Volk stated the highway department is always voted as a separate article. Beyond that, agencies or departments which were autonomous or independent, such as the library, were traditionally voted on through a separate article.

An unidentified voter noted that the area between the police building and the fire station has been unsightly for too long, especially since it is at the entrance to the village area.

Rob Farley asked what the impact of the town-wide reappraisal would be on the tax rate. Selectboard Member Randall Volk noted that the Town needs to raise a specific amount of tax revenue. If the property values go up, then the tax rate will go down.

Rob Farley asked how the tax rates for businesses would be affected. Town Clerk Melissa Ross stated that Act 68 changed the tax rate for commercial and non-residential properties versus residential property. Mr. Farley further asked whether the tax rate for agricultural land would change. Ms. Ross said the Current Use program was not changing.

Ruth Ayer commented that the tax rate would go down, but in three years it would go up again and residents would be paying more taxes. Selectboard Member Andrea Morgante encouraged voters to keep coming to Town Meeting so that the budget could be maintained at a level that everyone was comfortable with. Selectboard Chairman Lynn Gardner noted that the good news was that at least now if you could not afford to pay your taxes, there would be no penalty.

In closing, Moderator Joseph Fallon thanked the Selectboard for the tremendous job they do. They work for little or no money, put in many hours and clearly have divergent opinions among themselves. The Moderators comments elicited a round of applause from the assemblage.

A motion was made to adjourn at 9:57 p.m. Motion approved by majority voice vote.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jeanne Kundell Wilson

We have read, approved and accepted these minutes as a true record of the proceedings that were held at the Hinesburg Town Meeting held on March 1, 2004.

___________________ ____________________ _________________

/s/ Lynn E. Gardner /s/ Robert S. Bast /s/ Andrea Morgante

Chair, Selectboard Selectperson Selectperson

____________________ ____________________

/s/ Jonathan S. Trefry Randall C. Volk

Selectperson Selectperson

I hereby certify the foregoing to be a true record of the proceedings that were held at the Hinesburg Town Meeting on March 1, 2004. Witnessed and attested to this ____ day of _______, 2004 by

________________________

/s/ Melissa B. Ross

Town Clerk / Treasurer