Selectboard Meeting

December 5, 2005

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Attending the meeting: Rob Bast, Andrea Morgante, Jon Trefry, Randy Volk, Howard Russell, Jeanne Wilson, Jan Bedard, Missy Ross, Steve Button, Rocky Martin.

 

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

 

Budget Planning Session

 

General Administration Part 2

Clerk / Treasurer – reviewed with Missy – discussed the 14% salary reflected in water/wastewater; it is possible in the future to have the administrative duties taken over by Steve when there is a third operator trained. Increased revenue for photocopy income to $5500.

BCA – increased due to expected property tax appeals.

Elections – increased due to upcoming election

Delinquent Tax Collector – reviewed with Jan – she reported collections are going well and discussed with the Board Hinesburg’s method of collection in comparison to what some other towns may be doing.

Auditors – increased due to the requirement of the professional audit.

                                   

Buildings & Facilities

Buildings & Facilities – reviewed with Rocky –increases in repair and maintenance: main floor of Town Hall flooring replacement discussed, it was agreed to hold off on parking lot paving with the exception of the handicapped area and do the flooring; cost of replacement of the decking for the gazebo; and town hall ground floor carpet replacement.

Increase in fuel costs – fuel for plowing sidewalks previously in W & WW budget.

Rocky asked if the Town is responsible for the gravel path from Rt 116 past the car wash to get to Lyman Park or is it a school expense.  Jeanne will check on this.

Sidewalk construction increased for work planned in 06-07.  Also Rocky is looking at purchasing a replacement tractor to plow and sand the sidewalks.  The Board asked him to look at costs to sub contract these services for comparison.

Howard wanted to know where the cost of work in the parks is included – it was noted this is in professional services/salaries.  Rob suggested a footnote to explain how parks are incorporated in the budget.

 

           Wastewater Treatment / Water Supply – reviewed with Steve.  Repair and maintenance is up              due to the large number of leaks which also carried to supplies and labor.  Steve wants to tie the existing 4”line in Commerce St into the 8” main to CVU Rd and replace the valve on Commerce St. that no longer works.  Also plans to disconnect the well at the Quinn property.

WW – upgrade increased to start work on a collection system.  Discussed the need for a rate increase for w & ww as revenues are not always covering expenses.

Rocky advised in regards to the upgrade they are ready to send out the RFP’s for preliminary engineering.  The upgrade and expansion is based on the Yellow Wood Report to upgrade existing equipment and treatment process for the expanded capacity.

Discussed the need to maintain revenue from the cheese factory and should engineer a method for the Town to keep control of discharge. The RFP should consider financial issues/implecations.

                                   

 

 

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Other Business

 

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 Andrea and approved.

 

Approve Minutes of November 7, 2005:  Howard moved that the Board vote to approve the minutes of November 7, 2005 as corrected, second by Randy and approved.

 

Approve Minutes of November 21, 2005:  Howard moved that the Board vote to approve the minutes of November 21, 2005, second by Andrea and approved.

 

Trial Balance for Water & Wastewater and General Fund Accounts for Period Ending 11/30/05:  Jon moved that the Board vote to acknowledge receipt of the trial balances for the water & wastewater and general fund accounts for the period ending 11/30/05. Second by Andrea and approved.

 

Adoption of Amended Traffic Ordinance:  This amendment of the traffic ordinance is being executed in order to modify the speed limit on CVU Road as recommended by the traffic study.  Jon moved that the Board vote to adopt the following resolution:

 

Be it resolved that an amendment to Article 10.13.02 of the Town of Hinesburg Traffic Ordinance in the form attached hereto and made a part of this resolution, be hereby adopted by vote of the Hinesburg Selectboard, and shall become effective 60 days after the date of this resolution (February 3, 2006), following public posting and publication of the ordinance amendment in conformity with the requirements of Chapter 59 of Title 24, Vermont Statutes Annotated, provided that no petition is filed in accordance with Section 1973 of Title 24, Vermont Statutes Annotated. 

           Second by Randy and approved.

           

Appointment of Town Auditor / Robert Dimke:  Jon moved that the Board vote to appoint Robert Dimke to serve as Town Auditor to fill a vacancy until Town Meeting 2006. Second by Randy and approved.

 

Request for Answering Service Expense / Animal Control Officer:  ACO Earl Dionne has requested approval of a budget expense of $15/month for answering service expense.  This expenditure is not included in the FY 05 – 06 budget.  Jon moved that the Board vote to authorize the expenditure of $105 ($15/month for 7 months) from 440-6150-77.00 for FY 05 – 06 for answering services for the Animal Control Officer.  Second by Andrea and approved.

 

 Hayden Hill Road West Drainage Issue – Jeanne reviewed with the Board a diagram      created by Alex based on an ortho photo showing where Mike suggests moving to channel to.

The Board discussed the idea of staying within the right of way rather than pursuing trying to obtain an easement from the Dunklings.

     As this project will not be done this fall, Jeanne suggested getting a professional opinion as to the best solution.  The Board agreed they need a plan for management of the problem.

 

 

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Wastewater Capacity Allocation Request / Hinesburg Hillside on Mechanicsville Road:  Jon moved that the Board vote to allocate an additional 210 gpd of wastewater treatment capacity to Hinesburg Hillside LLC (Russell Barone and Bartlett Frisbee) for elderly housing to correct an error due to inaccurate information, for a total allocation approved to date of 3,360 gpd for 24 units of elderly housing (24 two-bedroom units at 140 gpd/unit).  Second by Randy and approved.

 

A request was received on October 31, 2005, from Hinesburg Hillside LLC for 6,864 gpd of wastewater treatment capacity for 28 single family homes plus infiltration (28 x 210 gpd = 5,880 gpd plus 984 gpd infiltration factor).  Since the Town currently does not have adequate wastewater treatment capacity to allocate the necessary capacity, Howard moved that the Board vote to allocate 2,413 gpd in wastewater treatment capacity for the above referenced residential project, and furthermore move that this project be first on the list for additional residential capacity as it becomes available. Second by Andrea and approved.

 

Wastewater Capacity Allocation Request / George & Karla Munson for a lot on Route 116:  Jon moved that the Board vote to acknowledge a request by George and Karla Munson, received on November 17, 2005, for wastewater treatment capacity in the amount of 210 gpd for a single family home on an existing lot on the west side of Route 116.  Since wastewater treatment capacity for residential projects has currently been exhausted, requests for additional residential wastewater treatment capacity will be reviewed in the order they are received (by date of receipt) as residential capacity becomes available. Second by Randy and approved.

 

Correspondence from Paul Putnam / Tenant – Landlord Issue – Jeanne will draft a letter to Mr. Putnam addressing the issue.

 

Approval of Use of Alcohol for Holiday Party:  Jon moved that the Board vote to approve the use of alcohol at the highway garage for the annual employee holiday party on Wednesday, December 14, 2005, with a snow date of Thursday, December 15, 2005.  Second by Howard and approved.

 

 

Creative Economy Grant Proposal / Andrea Morgante – Andrea moved the Board vote to endorse submission of the grant application to Creative Economy, second by Randy and approved.

 

Additions to the Agenda

 

Act 250 Municipal Impact Questionnaire / Green Street LLC Project:  Green Street LLC has received sketch plan approval for the project on Charlotte Road, and is preparing an Act 250 permit application.  An Act 250 Municipal Impact Questionnaire has been submitted and filled out by the Town Administrator.  Andrea moved that the Board vote to authorize the Vice Chair to sign the Act 250 Municipal Impact Questionnaire as prepared and dated 12/5/05 for the Green Street project on Charlotte Road. Second by Randy and approved with Rob abstaining.

 

 

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Request to Work in the Town’s ROW / WCVT on Lewis Creek Road:  WCVT has requested permission to work in the Town’s ROW on Lewis Creek Road to trim brush and trees from around their lines.  Andrea moved that the Board approve a request by WCVT to work in the Town’s ROW to trim brush and trees from around their lines with the stipulation that WCVT will coordinate any tree removal with the appropriate property owners.  Second by Randy and approved.

 

Bid for Professional Audit Services:  The Town Auditors sent out an RFP to five accounting firms for professional audit services for the current fiscal year, with an option to renew for FY 06 – 07 and FY 07 – 08.  Proposals were received from two of the firms, Fothergill, Segale & Valley and Sullivan & Powers.  Based on the proposals and past experience, the Town Auditors recommend that the firm of Fothergill, Segale & Valley be contracted to conduct the professional audit for the Town.  Randy moved, based on the recommendation of the Town Auditors, that the Board vote to award the contract for audit services for the Town of Hinesburg for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006 to Fothergill, Segale & Valley for the amount of $13,000, with an option to renew the engagement for FY 06 – 07 for the amount of $13,500 and FY 07 – 08 for the amount of $14,000.  Second by Jon and approved.

 

WHIP Grant Application / Andrea Morgante – Andrea advised the Board she has applied for the grant.

 

Outgoing Correspondence

 

Letter of appreciation and congratulations to Steve Russell, Chairman of the Town Forest Committee for Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District Forest Steward of the Year Award.

 

   Jon reported that at a meeting with Sara Quinn regarding the rec path project she requested a  direct water connection to her trailer and closing off the service from Polly Quinn’s residence.  The Board will discuss this at their next meeting.

 

       Andrea moved the Board vote to adjourn at 10:40 p.m., second by Howard and approved.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Valerie Spadaccini, secretary