Selectboard Meeting

June 19, 2006

                                                                                                                                        Page 1 of 5

 

Attending the meeting; Rob Bast, Andrea Morgante, Randy Volk, Howard Russell, Jeanne Wilson, Steve Russell, Rocky Martin, Tom Moreau, Jim Ticehurst, Tom Nostrand, Carl Bohlen.

 

Meeting called to order at 7:02 p.m.

 

Steve Russell, Chair of Town Forest Committee / Logging in Town Forest – Steve advised the Board the project area is at the top of HaydenHill West.  County forester Mike Snyder, logger Bill Torrey and Steve walked the area and identified what would be a good landing area.  They are looking to do timber stand improvements and clearings and will harvest the lumber for the Town Hall main floor flooring.  Needed is gravel on the road and landing area, there is $9,000 in funds left from last year which Steve will use for culverts and cost of excavation.  Steve is not sure how much money the logging project will make.

This is an extension of the harvesting done that will help in the future with continued logging in the forest.

Jeanne stated one of the concerns of the Highway Dept was backing of the trucks on the road, she asked if the gravel could be dumped at site and not trucked down the road to where the new road will be. Steve said there would be an excavator there and that may be possible.  Andrea suggested using bank run gravel.  She said she does see the time commitment as a problem for the highway dept.   Rob estimated 260 yds of gravel needed without the landing.

Randy questioned if the Town were to buy the flooring would Steve still plan on working in that area of the forest this year.  Steve replied this is an area that needs work but would not necessarily take it on this year.

The Board said they need to know the amount of gravel needed and then can figure if the Town provides the gravel and someone is hired to haul it what the cost would be and if the forest budget will be able to handle it.

 

Tom Moreau, CSWD General Manager / CSWD FY 2007 Proposed Budget: Tom advised that the proposed budget is up 2.9% for operating costs and revenues are up 1.1%.  Revenues still exceed expenditures in the reserve fund. Andrea moved that the Board vote to accept the CSWD FY 2007 budget.   Second by Randy and approved.

           

Director of Buildings & Facilities Rocky Martin

Enhancement Grant Sidewalk Project (Town Hall to Saputo) ; Discussion of Crosswalks -

The crosswalk by the United Church not warranted.  Options – build the sidewalk but not argue for the crosswalk at this time. Howard asked if the Town decided to appeal this now will it risk construction next year.

The Board has concern with the number of pedestrians resulting from the new development who will need this sidewalk.  It was suggested to have someone who has gone through the appeal process look at this project and asses the risk.

Rob asked if attention could be drawn to this issue to make people aware of the problem and possibly result in a positive change.

Randy questioned why the engineers are not using the State standards in their design.  Rocky said that at preliminary meetings with the State the Town was given the go ahead with our proposal as designed.

Howard suggested the Town assess the risk and length of time required to do an exception.  If the Town should decide to go ahead with an appeal how would we proceed?

 

 

                                                                 JUNE 19, 2006                                                    page 2 of 5

 

 

Discussion of Lane Width and VTrans Standards– The State proposes changing the width of the road lanes from the Town design of 15’ to State required 16’.  The question is if the Town wants to try to get this changed now or builds to the State standards.  Discussed the Town looking into in the future taking over the road through the Village. If the Town does want to fight this issue with the State we need to apply for design exception – AOT then decided if the exception is approved.

 

Wind Turbine Grant Project at Geprag’s Park – Rocky said the certificate of Public Good has been sent out and he has verbal agreements from property owners for easements to run electrical lines to the library. Andrea moved the Board vote to authorize the chair to sign contract with Lawrence Mott of Earth Turbines for the wind turbine.   Second by Howard and approved.

                                            

 

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 June 5, 2006:  Jon moved that the Board vote to approve the minutes of June 5, 2006 as corrected, second by Andrea and approved with Rob abstaining.

 

Approval of Wastewater Treatment Capacity Allocation Extensions:  At the June 5 meeting the Board approved extensions to wastewater treatment capacity allocations for a one year period to Marie Aube Smith (single family home on Pond Road), Howard Riggs (6 single family homes on CVU Road) and Howard Riggs (2 residential units for his current house and apartment on Route 116).  The Board now needs to approve the remaining extensions, both those that meet the requirement of being in progress as well as the two discussed at the June 5 meeting (Lance Smith and Victor Giroux).  Jon moved that the Board approve a one year extension to the following wastewater treatment capacity allocations, extension to expire on 6/30/07:

 

            Blittersdorf (9 single family units on Riggs Road / 1,890 gpd)

            Emmons (1 single family unit and 1 garage apt. on Bittersweet Hill / 420 gpd)

            Zontanos (8 two-bedroom units on Route 116 / 1,680 gpd)

            Smith Bros. (commercial building on Route 116 / 1,000 gpd)

            Giroux (Commerce Park / 1,775 gpd)

Second by Randy and approved.

 

Determination of Annual WWTF Uncommitted Reserve Capacity:  As outlined in the Wastewater Capacity Allocation Ordinance, adopted 4/19/04 (Section 4.B), “During the month of June each year, the Board shall determine the Uncommitted Reserve Capacity in the Plant, including previously allocated but reverted capacity.  The Board shall designate such Uncommitted Reserve Capacity to be available for the next fiscal year.  This shall be referred to as the “Annual Capacity Allocation”.  Jon moved that the Board vote to designate the amount of 37,682 gpd (Residential – 16,178 gpd, Enterprise = 11,504 gpd and Institutional = 10,000 gpd) as the Annual Capacity Allocation for the period of June 19, 2006 – July 1, 2007 as outlined in Section 4.B of the Wastewater Capacity Allocation Ordinance, adopted April 19, 2004. Second by Howard and approved.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                         JUNE 19, 2006                                                page 3 of 5

 

 

Requests for Wastewater Treatment Capacity Allocation / Hinesburg Hillside LLC:  This project has received sketch plan approval and is within the Wastewater Service Area as outlined in the Wastewater Capacity Allocation Ordinance, adopted 4/19/04.  The required 50% of the application fee has been submitted.  The remaining 50% will be due upon securing all state and local permits for the project, but prior to construction.  There is sufficient wastewater treatment capacity in the residential sector to allow for this allocation.  Randy moved that the Board vote to approve the Wastewater Capacity Allocation request of Hinesburg Hillside LLC in the amount of 3,465 gpd for 16.5 single family homes plus 984 gpd for infiltration, for a total allocation of 4,449 gpd for the Hinesburg Hillside project, located on Mechanicsville Road, subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the Wastewater Capacity Allocation Ordinance, adopted 4/19/04. Second by Jon and approved.

 

Requests for Wastewater Treatment Capacity Allocation / George & Karla Munson on Route 116:  As a single family home on a residential lot, this project does not require sketch plan or site plan approval.  The project is within the Wastewater Service Area as outlined in the Wastewater Capacity Allocation Ordinance, adopted 4/19/04.  The required 50% of the application fee has been submitted. 

The remaining 50% will be due upon securing all state and local permits for the project, but prior to construction.  There is sufficient wastewater treatment capacity in the residential sector to allow for this allocation.  Randy moved that the Board vote to approve the Wastewater Capacity Allocation request of George and Karla Munson in the amount of 210 gpd for a single family home on the west side of Route 116 (Grand List Lot # 09-01-64.10), located on a 24.4 acre parcel, subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the Wastewater Capacity Allocation Ordinance, adopted 4/19/04. Second by Howard and approved.

 

Affordable Housing Task Force / Review of Mission & Organization:  The mission and organization statement has been updated to reflect comments made by the Board and staff at previous meetings.  Jon moved that the Board vote to approve the Mission & Organization Statement for the Hinesburg Affordable Housing Committee, as outlined in Draft #4, dated June 19, 2006. Second by Randy and approved.

Andrea noted that possible representation could come from employers in Town.

 

Discussion of Drainage Issues on Baldwin Road:  Follow up discussion of issues raised by Matthew Baldwin in April. Jeanne reviewed discussion from the April 10 meeting.  Linda Boudette from Better Back Roads will be contacted for sizing of culverts.  Mike will be asked to submit to the Board specs for the work needed to be done for review and decision on how the Town will proceed.

 

Discussion of Roadside Mowing:  The Highway Department has been unable to hire additional help to do the annual roadside mowing.  The Highway Foreman has proposed to the Selectboard that current department employees be allowed to do the mowing during evenings and weekends, at the overtime rate.

The Board discussed at length the appearance of conflict of interest if the Highway Foreman does mowing and is concerned with this. The Board is acceptable of Highway Crew doing the mowing at this time if after contacting individuals suggested by the Board Mike is still unable to find anyone to mow.

 

 

 

 

                                                                  JUNE 19, 2006                                       page 4 of 5

 

 

Paving Bid for 2006:  The Highway Foreman received the following bids for this year’s paving projects:

 

                        S.T Paving = $54.50/ton

                        Pike Paving = $53.91/ton

                        United Paving Company = $51.25/ton

 

Based on this information, the Highway Foreman accepted the bid price of United Paving Company at $51.25/ton.

 

Fiscal Year 06 – 07 Employee Salary Plan:  As outlined during the budget process, an employee salary plan has been drafted, which reflects a 4% COLA for all employee.  Randy moved that the Board vote to approve the 4% COLA for all Town employees.  Second by Jon.

Jon said he would like to see something other than just the COLA done for Police Officers and would like the Board to look at that at budget time.

Howard said the Delinquent Tax Collector salary issue should be resolved before March Town Meeting of next year.

Asked why Chris Morrell salary is broken down to an hourly rate Jeanne advised then it is available for special details.

Motion voted and approved.

 

                                                   

Serving Alcohol at the Fire Station / July 4th Celebration:  Andrea moved that the Board vote to approve the serving of alcohol at the Hinesburg Fire Station on Tuesday, July 4, 2006,  for the July 4th Celebration. Second by Howard and approved.

 

Request for Cautionary Sign on Shelburne Falls Road / Horses:  Taproot Farm on Shelburne Falls Road has now become a horse boarding stable.  Because it is anticipated that more riders will be attempting to cross Shelburne Falls Road, Susan Mead has made a request to consider installing cautionary signs for motorists, warning them of horseback riders.

The boarders will purchase the sign and the Town will supply the post and install.

Also mentioned was the need for a stop sign at the end of Stella Rd.

 

Correspondence from Conservation Commission / Request for Dispersal of Land Preservation Funds:  At the recommendation and request of the Hinesburg Conservation Commission, Randy moved that the Board vote to approve expenditure of $7,500 from the Land Preservation Fund (440-9500-00.00) to assist the Hinesburg Land Trust in support of the Russell project with funds to be disbursed to the Vt Land Trust. Second by Jon and approved with Howard and Andrea both recusing themselves.

 

Appointment of CCMPO Representative and Alternate Representative:  Notice has been received from the CCMPO that the terms of appointment for Hinesburg’s representative and alternate representative to the CCMPO Board are due to expire on June 30, 2006.  The current representative is Andrea Morgante, and the alternate representative is Rob Bast.  Jon moved that the Board vote to appoint Andrea Morgante as Hinesburg’s representative and Rob Bast as Hinesburg’s alternate representative to the CCMPO Board for two-year terms, which will expire on June 30, 2008.  Second by Howard and approved.

 

 

                                                         JUNE 19, 2006                                                  page 5 of 5

 

 

Outgoing Correspondence

Letter of condolences to Chief Morrell at the loss of Police Service Dog “Doc”

 

Reminder – July Meeting Schedule:  During the month of July, the Board will meet on July 10th and July 24th

 

 

Rob addressed the project of painting additional fog lines on the Town roads. He suggested Silver Street be done this year.  Jeanne will check how far the funds will go on that road.

 

Randy moved the Board vote to adjourn at 10:30 p.m., second by Howard and approved.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Valerie Spadaccini, secretary