Selectboard Meeting

March 20, 2006

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Attending the meeting; Rob Bast, Andrea Morgante, Jon Trefry, Randy Volk, Howard Russell, Jeanne Wilson, Norma Place, Kim Conant, Karl Novak, Dan Sullivan, Karla Munson, Tracy Applin, Mike Anthony, Donna Constantineau, Erol Bayar, George Bedard, Mike Potvin, Stewart Pierson.

Meeting called by Town Administrator, Jeanne Wilson, at 7:02 p.m.

Annual Organizational Meeting of the Board

Election of Chairperson of the Board: Randy nominated Rob Bast to serve as Chair of the Selectboard. Second by Jon. Jon stated that while last year the Board set up the vice chair position filled by Andrea with the idea she would take on the chair position this year, Andrea has considered the opportunity and has decided not to pursue the chairmanship at this time., and is supportive of Rob acting as chair. All members approved of Rob as chair.

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

Second by Randy and approved.

Bond for Elected Officials: Howard 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. Second by Jon and approved. A blanket bond through the school’s property and casualty insurance program covers the school directors and other school officials.

Designation of Newspaper for Warning Town Meeting: Pursuant to the provisions of 17 VSA § 2641(b), Howard moved that the Board designate the Burlington Free Press and or the Hinesburg Record as the newspaper in which warnings of Town Meetings shall be published, if necessary. Second by Randy and approved.

Employee Interview / Part Time Officer Kim Conant – Kim currently is working part time in Shelburne as well as Hinesburg. She is a graduate of the Step up to Policing for Women program and is fully certified. She is working with Chief Morrell to learn her way around Hinesburg and can work on her own as soon as Chris gives approval.

Karl Novak / Electronic Voting – Karl was present to express his concern with the current method of voting in this country and particularly in the State of Vermont.

Rob replied that there are two issues; what is happening in the country and what is happening here in Hinesburg. We do have control over what is being done in Hinesburg and the Town has a

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manageable and reliable card counter system. Concerns with the rest of the country are manifold.

Karl asked if the Town periodically has a hand count along with the machine. As the machine is set by a third party no one knows if it has been set to favor one party over another.

Jon explained the counting machines are tested before actual ballots are counted.

Andrea said she trusts the system used in Hinesburg and the Board of Civil Authority would need to have this discussion if any changes were to be made. Part of the trust and faith comes from the fact that this is a small community and if things were distorted it would likely be obvious.

Dan Sullivan asked how the pre-testing works.

It was explained that a random number of test ballots are run through the machine.

Donna Constantineau feels in federal elections we are affected by an uneven playing field and believes the current election was stolen and so this is not just a local problem.

Howard feels this is a valid question and agrees with Andrea and Jon regarding the local election and wants to maintain the paper trail we have.

Erol Bayar is concerned that we are not allowed to look at the software in the counting machines and feels software can be set up to change the actual count.

Jon suggested the Board of Civil Authority could audit the process every few years.

Tracy Applin & Karla Munson, Village Steering Committee / Village Center Designation: Karla explained to the Board that this designation will help with getting grants and revitalize the commercial district. Howard asked if there is a down side to the designation and Karla said there is none. Andrea supports this and would like to see the designated area be larger to include mixed use not just commercial. Tracy said Lyman Meadows was originally included as well as Hinesburg Heights but were removed at the recommendation of the State. It was suggested to check if there are home businesses in these areas and then include as mixed use. The designation is good for a three year period and then needs to be renewed. Howard moved that the Board vote to authorize the Village Steering Committee to submit an application to the Vermont Downtown Board for Designated Village Center (DVC) status. Second by Jon and approved.

George Bedard / Well Head Protection Area in Town Forest – George was representing Mike Potvin and Minton Jeffrey who own land on Hayden Hill East. The class 3 road ends at their property.

George reviewed with use of a map the location of the proposed well and explained reasons for the location.

Andrea said she feels the encroachment of the well protection area on Town property could be a detriment.

Mike replied he believes a well head encumbrance is consistent with use of the Town Forest. It would be necessary to cross two streams and cut more trees to move it and the DRB is requesting as few trees as possible be cut.

It was the consensus of the Board not to grant an easement since this property owner had other viable options.

Highway Foreman Michael Anthony / Discussion of Culvert on Old Route 116 –Mike reports he is waiting for results of the hydraulic study. The Board discussed lowering the road when replacing the culvert. Norma said it would be a great safety improvement to lower the road. Andrea suggested a possible solution would be to eliminate the culvert and dead end the road.

Rob advised the Board needs to lay out a work plan and get some prices, discussed boring an additional culvert as a temporary fix. Norma said she would like a letter of intent from the Town with a time frame / what action will be taken / compensation for damages / and erosion control.

Rob said they can not give a time frame at this point, they need to have costs and see how that will fit into the budget. He said the work will get done as soon as possible.

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Other Business

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

Trial Balance for Water & Wastewater and General Fund Accounts for Period Ending 2/28/06: Andrea moved that the Board vote to acknowledge receipt of the trial balance for water & wastewater and general fund accounts for the period ending 2/28/06. Second by Howard and approved.

Approve Minutes of February 6, 2006: Randy moved that the Board vote to approve the minutes of February 6, 2006. Second by Andrea and approved.

Approve Minutes of February 20, 2006: Randy moved that the Board vote to approve the minutes of February 20, 2006 as corrected. Second by Andrea and approved with Howard abstaining.

Appointment of Town Service Officer: Andrea 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, 2007. Second by Howard and approved.

Appointment of Fire Chief: Randy moved that the Board, based on the recommendation of the members of the Hinesburg Fire Department, vote to appoint Al Barber as Fire Chief for a one-year term. Second by Howard and approved.

Appointment of Road Commissioner: Jon moved that the Board vote to appoint Jeanne Wilson as Road Commissioner for a one-year term. Second by Howard and approved.

Appointment of Fire Warden: Andrea moved that the Board, with the endorsement of the Hinesburg Fire Department, vote to appoint Ed Waite as the Town Forest Fire Warden to fill a vacancy with a term which expires on June 30, 2008. Second by Jon and approved. The Board discussed the proposed method of obtaining a burning permit.

Ed will be invited in to meet the Board and they can discuss the permit process at that time.

Renewal of Liquor Licenses:

Jon moved that the Board vote to convene as the Board of Liquor Control, second by Howard and approved.

Howard 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 Best Yet Market) for second class liquor licenses with licenses to sell tobacco. Second by Jon and approved.

Howard moved that the Board vote to approve the renewal applications 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), Ayer Golf, Inc. (d/b/a Cedar Knoll Country Club) for first class liquor licenses. Second by Jon and approved.

Howard moved that the Board vote to adjourn as the Board of Liquor Control, second by Jon and approved

VTrans 2006 Class II Resurfacing & Bridge/Culvert Grant Applications and Annual Financial Plan: Applications are due March 24, 2006. The Highway Foreman plans to submit resurfacing

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grant applications for the resurfacing of sections of Hollow and North Roads, and bridge/culvert grant applications for the Hayden Hill Road East and Old Route 116 culvert replacement projects. Jon moved that the Board vote to authorize Town Administrator Jeanne Wilson to sign the VTrans 2006 Class II Resurfacing & Bridge/Culvert Grant Applications and Annual Financial Plan as prepared by the Highway Foreman. Second by Howard and approved.

Wahl Landscaping LLP / 2 Year Contract for Cemetery Lawn Maintenance: Randy moved that the Board vote to authorize the Chair to sign the agreement between the Town of Hinesburg and Wahl Landscaping LLP for Cemetery Lawn and Associated Maintenance Services. The agreement outlines the service period of this agreement to be April 1, 2006 to October 31, 2007, with the service fee for the 2006 season as $21,382.80, and the service fee for the 2007 season as $22,024.28. Second by Jon and approved.

Municipal Impact Questionnaire / Ayer Subdivision on Gilman Road: Raymond & Ruth Ayer have received final plat approval for the 6-lot subdivision on Gilman Road, and have submitted an Act 250 Permit application. The Town has received an Act 250 Municipal Impact Questionnaire, which has been completed based on feedback from the Fire Chief, Police Chief and Road Foreman. Discussed input from Chief Morrell regarding level of police protection. Also Howard raised the question of the level of maintenance if development is on a dirt road. Randy moved that the Board vote to authorize the Chair to sign the Act 250 Municipal Impact Questionnaire as prepared and dated 3/20/06 for the Ayer 6-Lot Subdivision on Gilman Road. Second by Andrea and approved.

Discussion of Road Standards / RE: Curve Radius Requirement – Jeanne reported she has asked Alex and Peter to come up with wording to allow flexibility. Peter feels the DRB has flexibility according to the road standards. The Board agrees this is addressed in the current road standards.

Animal Control Officer Search – Jeanne advised Dave Palmer of Shelburne is willing to take the position. He currently works for the Town of Shelburne in this capacity. He is paid $20.25 a call and requests the same rate from Hinesburg. The cost of a pager will be split between the two towns.

Jon moved the Board vote to appoint Dave Palmer as interim Animal Control Officer until someone is found to fill the position on a full time regional basis. Second by Howard and approved.

Howard brought up the following concerns: need for a strategic plan for the Police Dept. – time line on how and when this will be addressed; road management plan to be written; delinquent tax collection – discussion on this needs to happen before the end of June.

Randy moved the Board go into executive session for personnel discussion on the following;

Review of Exit Interview / Steve Gutierrez.

Update on Deputy Police Chief Search.

Employee Medical Leave.

Second by Howard and approved.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Valerie Spadaccini, secretary