Selectboard Meeting
March 7, 2005
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Attending the
meeting; Rob Bast, Andrea Morgante, Jon Trefry, Randy Volk, Howard Russell,
Jeanne Wilson, Rocky Martin, Bruce Cunningham.
Meeting called to
order by Rob as acting chair at 7:00 p.m.
Bruce Cunningham was
present regarding the position of Delinquent Tax Collector and pay
structure. He distributed to Board
members a history from 1988 of collector’s salaries and fees collected by the
Town. He asked the Board to again look
at the work load and suggested that the salary could be reduced.
Andrea replied the
Board would look at the issue in June when setting salaries.
Annual Organizational Meeting of the Board
Election of Chairperson of the Board: Andrea
discussed what the Board should expect from the chair. She wants to be sure that a clear conclusion
is reached on issues where a motion is not made but further information is
requested or direction given on the issue. She also checked with VLCT on
regulations of running a Selectboard meeting.
Randy felt that it was up to all Board members to be sure they were
comfortable with closing discussion on an issue.
Andrea nominated Rob
Bast to serve as Chair of the Selectboard, second by Randy and approved.
Rob thanked the
members for the vote of confidence and added he thought it was a good idea to
have a Vice Chair who would chair meetings in the absence of the Chair and
would also take over the Chair position the following year.
Howard nominated
Andrea Morgante to serve as Vice Chair, second by Jon and approved.
Appointments: Jon moved that the Board vote to appoint the following
individuals to the following positions, for a one-year term.
§
Suzanne Kneller, Pam
Durda & Susan Johnson as Fence Viewers
§
Norman Smith as
Inspector of Lumber, Shingles & Wood
§
Stephen Russell as
Weigher of Coal
§
Paul Wieczoreck as
Tree Warden
§
Stephen Gutierrez as
Constable
§
O’Neil’s Kennel in
Shelburne as Pound Keeper and Animal Control Officer Earl Dionne to temporarily
hold animals as necessary
Second by Randy and
approved.
Bond for Elected Officials:
Randy moved that the
Board recognize the blanket bond of $500,000 per occurrence provided through
the Town’s membership in the Vermont League of Cities and Towns Property and
Casualty Insurance Fund as the bonding instrument for Town Officials as
required under the provisions of 24 VSA §
832. A blanket bond through the
school’s property and casualty insurance program covers the school directors
and other school officials. Second by Andrea and approved.
Designation of Newspaper for Warning Town Meeting: Pursuant
to the provisions of 17 VSA § 2641(b), Jon moved that the Board designate The Burlington
Free Press as the newspaper in which warnings of Town Meetings shall be
published, if necessary. Second by Randy.
Andrea suggested the
Addison Eagle or Seven Days. Jeanne
advised this is used only for warning Town Meetings and so cost is not really a
factor – the last time needed was several years ago to
MARCH 7, 2005 page 2 of 4
warn a special Town
Meeting. The annual Town Meeting is
warned by the report sent to residents.
Howard asked about
the Hinesburg Record. Jeanne said that
the timing necessary for a warning does not always work with the publication
date.
Andrea moved to amend
the motion to read and use the Hinesburg Record when applicable with approval
of Jon and Randy. Motion as amended
voted and approved.
Rocky Martin /
Update on Nextel Communication Facility & Discussion of NRG Waterline
Extension- Rocky reviewed the
site plan with the Board. He stated he
would like to work with the consultants to get a better idea of appropriate
rental fees.
Randy moved to
authorize Rocky to spend up to $300.00 to hire a consultant to advise the Town
on the Nextel Communication Facility.
Second by Howard and approved.
Jon stated the
contract needs to have an agreement with the understanding that a blinking
strobe light will never be installed on top of the tower.
Other Business
Approve Minutes of February 7, 2005: Randy
moved that the Board vote to approve the minutes of February 7, 2005. Second by
Jon and approved with Howard abstaining.
Andrea wanted to add
that the Board also will be inviting the group Smart Growth to attend the
Circumfrential Highway Public Meeting.
Appointment of Town Service Officer: Jon moved that the Board vote to
re-appoint Gretchen Berger as Hinesburg Town Service Officer for a one-year
term, which will expire on April 14, 2006. Second by Andrea and approved.
Renewal of Liquor Licenses:
Andrea moved that the Board vote to convene as the Board of
Liquor Control, second by Randy and approved.
Randy moved that the Board vote to approve the renewal
applications of R & A Frost, Inc. (d/b/a Hinesburg General Store), Jolley
Associates (d/b/a Short Stop #143), Coco Mart, Inc. (d/b/a Jiffy Mart), K.B
Enterprises, Inc. (d/b/a Lantman’s IGA) for second class liquor licenses with
licenses to sell tobacco. Second by
Andrea and approved.
Randy moved that the Board vote to approve the renewal
application of Two Buffoons, Inc. (d/b/a Christo’s Good Times Café), Travia’s
Inc. (d/b/a Travia’s Restaurant), Two Z’s Inc. (d/b/a Pappa Nick’s Pizza &
Restaurant), and Ayer Golf, Inc. (d/b/a Cedar Knoll Country Club) for first
class liquor licenses. Second by Andrea
and approved.
Andrea moved that the Board vote to adjourn as the Board of
Liquor Control, second by Jon and approved.
Discussion of Animal Control
Ordinance: Update on conversation with ACO Earl Dionne.
Jeanne reported she contacted the ACO regarding the Boards decision on the
proposed ordinance and changes made. The ACO responded regarding his feelings
on the changes. Jeanne will call the
ACO to see if he wishes to meet and talk with the Board regarding the issue.
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2005 page 3 of 4
Mud Season Road Posting:
Randy moved that the Board vote to authorize the Highway Foreman to post
roads in order to prevent abuse of Town highways, pursuant to Title 19,
VSA § 1109 – 1110. Second by Andrea and approved.
Discussion of Town Meeting and Town
Report Format – Jeanne
had town reports from several neighboring towns for ideas on how Hinesburg can
make the format of the report easier to understand.
Discussed
the fund balance, reserved and unreserved funds.
Town
meeting advisory motion to change Commerce St to Giroux St. – Jeanne has heard from several business
owners who are not in favor as well as Vic Giroux who stated the family was not
pursing any change. Jeanne said it was suggested to her to include the Giroux
name in the Commerce Park sign.
Personnel Discussion
§
Employee Request to Convert Extended
Sick Bank hours to Combined Time Off hours / Jesse Orvis: As outlined in section 9.14 of the agreement with AFSCME
Local 1343, signed 12/30/04, “Employees with ESB hours may convert up to 40
hours of ESB to CTO during each fiscal year (July 1 – June 30) upon written
request to the Selectboard. If adequate
ESB hours exist for the conversion and the employee has not exceeded the 40
hours annual limit, Selectboard approval will be granted.” Jesse Orvis has submitted a written request
to convert 40 hours of ESB hours to CTO.
Adequate hours exist for this conversion and he has not requested any
other conversion of hours during this fiscal year. Jon moved that the Board vote to approve Jesse Orvis’s request to
convert 40 hours of ESB hours to CTO hours effective immediately, as outlined
in Section 9.14 of the agreement with AFSCME Local 1343, signed 12/30/04. Second by Andrea and approved.
§
Resignation of Jesse Orvis: Jesse has advised that he will be terminating his employment
with the Town of Hinesburg effective 3/31/05.
The Board will accept the resignation at the March 21 meeting.
§
Final Draft of Job Description: Final drafts have been received from Dominic and forwarded
to the Board, which incorporate changes discussed at the January 24 meeting.
The Board discussed changes needed to Rocky and Steve’s job descriptions.
Additions to the Agenda
VTrans 2005 Class II Resurfacing
Grant Application and Annual Financial Plan:
This
application is due by March 18, 2005.
The Highway Foreman plans to request funds for a paving overlay on two
more sections of Silver Street. Randy
moved that the Board vote to authorize Town Administrator Jeanne Wilson to sign
the VTrans 2005 Class II Resurfacing Grant Application and Annual Financial
Plan as prepared by the Highway Foreman.
Second by Jon and approved.
Invoice from Lefavour P.C. / 1999
Enhancement Grant – Jeanne
will have the Town Agent review the Town’s contract regarding termination of
services.
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2005 page 4 of 4
Correspondence from Connie Abbey /
Property Lines on Tax Map – The Board was in agreement that the responsibility for the
property lines lies with the developer.
Jeanne will draft a response letter for Board members to review and on
approval will send letter to Connie Abbey on behalf of the Board.
Resignation from Planning Commission
/ Daniel Greller: Jon moved that the Board accept the
resignation of Daniel Greller from the Planning Commission effective immediately.
Second by Howard and approved.
Update on Buck Hill Road Tree
Cutting – Mike met
with Greg LeRoy and they came to an agreement.
Greg will meet with the neighbors to review agreement.
Correspondence to Highway Foreman
from George Bedard / RE: Survey Work on Pond Brook Road – the Board approved proceeding with
the survey.
Pond Brook Road / Richmond Road
Intersection Safety Concern – Jeanne will speak with Chris and get information regarding
accidents at that intersection.
Andrea
requested a cover letter be sent with the Iran / Iraq resolution from Town
Meeting. Jeanne advised the Town Clerk
has already mailed the resolution with a note that it was voted and approved at
Town Meeting.
Andrea
moved the Board go into executive session for discussion of personnel issues
Candidate for Highway Vacancy
Exit Interviews
Second by
Randy and approved.
Andrea
moved the Board come out of executive session, second by Randy and approved.
Jon moved
that an employment offer be made to Brian White for the position of Highway
Trainee, subject to the terms and conditions of the employment agreement and
contingent upon a satisfactory pre-employment physical. Second by Randy and approved.
Andrea
moved the Board vote to adjourn, second by Randy and approved.
Respectfully
submitted,
Valerie
Spadaccini, secretary