Selectboard Meeting

July 10, 2006

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Attending the meeting; Rob Bast, Andrea Morgante, Randy Volk, Howard Russell, Jeanne Wilson, Steve Button, Jason Boivin, Rocky Martin, Lawrence Mott, Barbara and David Lyman, Randy Bertrand, Kim Parker, Amy Escott, Steve Russell.

 

Meeting called to order at 7:05 p.m.

 

Jason Boivin / Water & Wastewater Operator Position:  The Board had previously made a job offer for the Water & Wastewater Operator position to Dan Desranleau.  After accepting the position, but prior to starting work, Dan accepted another job offer, and withdrew his acceptance of this position.  The interview committee re-opened the search, and recommends that an employment offer be extended to Jason Boivin.

Jason introduced himself to the Board and thanked them for the opportunity to work for the Town.

Howard moved that the Board offer the position of Water & Wastewater Operator, as outlined in the employment letter dated July 10, 2006, to Jason Boivin.  Second by Randy and approved.

 

Geprags Park Wind Turbine / Question & Answer Period: Rocky gave a short history of the wind demonstration grant project and what has taken place since last April when they began looking at suitable sites in Town.  A verbal right of way to cross property at Travia’s to get to the library has been accepted.  There will be an underground power line and a 100’ tower with 14’ rotors.

 Lawrence Mott of Earth Turbines, Inc. explained the turbine must be on municipal property, tie into a municipal building and be of educational benefit.  The connection with the library will fill the requirements.  He addressed the question of noise from the turbine and showed data to support the fact that nearby residences should not be negatively affected.

Randy asked if he plans to bring future clients to the site.  Lawrence said he will not be having a sales front from Hinesburg – if he did use the site for any marketing it might be 3 or 4 times a year.

Andrea asked in regards to the educational component if associated costs could be included in the grant request.  Rocky said that nothing has been defined at this time in the grant and could perhaps submit for funds for educational purposes also for meters in the library to see what the turbine is producing.

The actual site has been determined and marked at the park.  Minimal clearing will be done for guide wires and there will be no impact to the trails.

Kim Parker asked if this is deemed successful would more turbines be put on the ridge.  Rocky said there are no plans to do so at this time.  There is no expectation for high output from the turbine.  If there were a change to be made later it might be to put a larger one up.

Lawrence said it is estimated to produce 300 kilowatt hrs of power to the library per year.

David Lyman said as an adjacent land owner he supports the project and is glad we are looking at alternative energy sources.

Kim Parker wanted to know if there turns out to be a problem with noise what recourse would she have.  The Board advised her to write a letter of complaint to them and they would look into it.

Lawrence stated there is a 5 yr warranty on the turbine.  If the Town does not like the machine and wants it removed he would do so at no cost during the warranty period.

Andrea inquired about maintenance.  Lawrence said the design life is 30 years.  Maintenance checks would be required every 2 to 3 years and estimate it would take about 4 hrs to complete the check.

Asked about birds flying into turbines Lawrence said the smaller turbines do not seem to be a problem.

Rocky said they hope to have the project completed this fall.

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Director of Buildings & Facilities Rocky Martin / Update on Streetscape Improvement Project (Sidewalk from Town Hall to Saputo) – Rocky advised it would cost around $2000 and take 6 weeks to 2 months to appeal the VTrans requirements. The Board discussed whether to chance a delay, they also noted that the Town has been granted a change of the standards in some other cases. The Board agreed to wait two more weeks and make a decision after the meeting with transportation secretary.

           

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 Howard and approved.

 

Approve Minutes of June 19, 2006:  Andrea moved that the Board vote to approve the minutes of June 19, 2006.  Second by Howard and approved.

 

Trial Balances for Water & Wastewater and General Fund Accounts for Period Ending 6/30/06:  Andrea moved that the Board vote to acknowledge receipt of the trial balances for the Water & Wastewater and General Fund accounts for the period ending 6/30/06. Second by Randy and approved.

 

FY 06 – 07 Agreement with Visiting Nurse Association:  Andrea moved that the Board vote to authorize the Chair to sign the agreement with the Visiting Nurse Association to provide services to residents in the Town of Hinesburg for the period July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007, with the Town’s appropriation to VNA not to exceed $6,714, as approved by voters at Town Meeting.  Second by Howard and approved.

 

Review of Comments Received / Relocation of Skate Board Park:  The Board issued a request for written comments on the future of the skate board park in May, and accepted written comments through June 30th.  Notice appeared in the May 27 and June 24 issues of the Hinesburg Record, was included in the HCS Viking, posted on the CVU announcements and hand delivered to all students in grades 5 – 8 at HCS.  The Board has been provided with a compilation of all comments received. 

Seventeen responses were received (10 in favor of a skate park, 6 opposed and one resident who felt efforts should be put into a tennis court).  All six opposing comments were received from residents of the Creekside development.

The Board agreed to pursue relocating the skate board park and also is looking at locating a park and ride.  Discussed was to combine the projects.  The Board agreed to go ahead with site plan for the skate park only at this time on lot 1 keeping in mind other uses.  Jeanne will contact the rec dept so they can proceed on this.

 

Review of Project Specification / Baldwin Road Drainage Issue:  Road Foreman Michael Anthony has prepared project specs for the Baldwin Road drainage issue, for the Board’s review.  The board wants Linda Boudette the check the project specifications written by Mike and want preliminary numbers before going out to bid.

 

Capital Equipment Refunding Note / 2006 Dump Truck:  Randy moved that the Board vote to approve the signing of the Capital Equipment Refunding Note and Resolution with the Chittenden Bank for the 2005 purchase of a 2006 International Dump Truck. Second by Howard and approved.

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Bond Anticipation Loan Agreement / 2006 Tanker Fire Truck:  Randy moved that the Board vote to approve the signing of the Bond Anticipation Note and Resolution with the Chittenden Bank for the purchase of a 2006 Tanker Fire Truck.  Voter approval for this bond was received in March, 2005. Second by Howard and approved.

 

Road Cut Permit / Robinson on Buck Hill Road East:  Reginald Robinson is applying for this road cut permit in order to access a new garage on the property.  The existing driveway is used by the highway department as a turn-around, since it is at the end of Buck Hill Road East.  Howard moved that the Board vote to approve a Road Cut Application for Reginald Robinson for a road cut on Buck Hill Road East (Grand List Lot # 09-01-38.00 ) as outlined on the permit dated 6/27/06, subject to the terms and conditions placed on the permit by the Highway Foreman and all state and local permits governing the development of this parcel. Second by Randy and approved.

 

Appointments to Affordable Housing Committee:  Letters of interest in appointments to the Affordable Housing Committee have been received from Carl Bohlen, Donna Constantineau, Alan Norris, Lea Cassidy, Julie Pierson, Rocky Martin and Christopher Daignault.  The Mission & Organization statement for the committee outlines membership of up to nine members with two-year terms.  Initial appointments shall be staggered, with five members appointed for two-year terms and four members appointed for one-year terms.  The Mission & Organization statement indicates that members shall be Hinesburg residents.  Although Mr. Daignault recently purchased a house in Hinesburg, he currently lives in Maryland and hopes to relocate to Hinesburg in approximately 3 years.  Andrea moved that the Board vote to appoint Carl Bohlen, Donna Constantineau, and Alan Norris, to the Affordable Housing Committee for two-year terms, which will expire on July 31, 2008.   And to appoint Lea Cassidy, Julie Pierson, and Rocky Martin to the Affordable Housing Committee for a one-year term, which will expire on July 31, 2007.  Second by Howard and approved.

 

 Appointment of Representative and Alternate Representative to Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission:  Terms of appointment for Penrose Jackson (representative) and David Hirth (alternate representative) on the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission expire July 31, 2006.  Both have expressed an interest in reappointment.  Randy moved that the Board vote to appoint Penrose Jackson as Hinesburg’s representative to the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission for a two-year term, which will expire on July 31, 2008, second by Andrea and approved.  Randy moved that the Board vote to appoint David Hirth as Hinesburg’s alternate representative to the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission for a two-year term, which will expire on July 31, 2008, second by Andrea and approved.

 

Appointment of Representative to Lake Iroquois Recreation District:  The term of appointment for Carlie Geer as Hinesburg’s representative to the Lake Iroquois Recreation District expired on June 30, 2006.  Carlie has expressed an interest in a reappointment.  Andrea moved that the Board vote to appoint Carlie Geer as Hinesburg’s representative to the Lake Iroquois Recreation District for a two-year term which will expire on June 30, 2008. Second by Howard and approved.

 

Revolving Loan Fund Agreement / Preliminary Engineering of Wastewater Treatment Facility Upgrade:  Howard moved that the Board vote to approve the signing of the Resolution & Certificate, Note, Arbitrage & Use of Proceeds Certificate, and Loan Agreement with the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation and the Vermont Municipal Bond Bank for a revolving loan in the amount of $14,900 for the preliminary engineering phase of the wastewater treatment facility upgrade. Second by Andrea and approved.

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Saputo Foods / Request for Wastewater Treatment Volume Increase:  In a letter dated June 19, 2006, Erik Perry, Saputo Plant Manager, has made a request for an increase in wastewater treatment capacity from 127,500 gpd to 160,000 gpd. Rocky informed there is nothing the Town can do about this now – it will be incorporated in the calculation of figures for the upgrade.

 

Update on Town Forest Logging Project / Gravel Road – Steve and Rocky have been trying to get an estimate from Daryl Hayden for trucking.  Steve reports there is a $9,600 balance in the forest funds.  Steve thinks if given the gravel they may have enough to cover the project but can not be sure, they may need $3,000 or so additional funds to complete the project.  If they can borrow the money from the Town it can be repaid after the money from the logging comes in.

Andrea moved the Board vote to authorized Steve to begin the process of building the road and landing area needed for logging using Town bank run gravel, the Town will loan up to $3,000 of any additional costs with the expectation to be paid back from proceeds of the timber sale.  Second by Howard and approved.

 

Amendment to Wastewater Treatment Capacity Allocation / Hinesburg Hillside LLC:  At the June 19 meeting, the Board approved a wastewater treatment capacity allocation in the amount of 4,449 gpd for Hinesburg Hillside LLC.  Due to a plan change, the amount should be amended to 4,397 gpd.  The total project allocation was previously 10,222 gpd for 24 two-bedroom elderly housing (3,360 gpd), 28 single family units (5,880 gpd) plus infiltration (982 gpd).  The plan has now been revised to allow for 25 single family units (5,250 gpd), 8 one-bedroom elderly housing (840 gpd), 24 two-bedroom elderly housing (3,360 gpd) and infiltration (720 gpd), for a total allocation of 10,170 gpd.  Previous allocations of 5,773 gpd have been approved, making the current request 4,397 gpd, not 4,449 gpd.  Andrea moved that the Board amend a wastewater treatment capacity allocation for the Hinesburg Hillside LLC approved on June 19, 2006 from 4,449 gpd to 4,397 gpd and clarify that 4200 is for elderly housing and the balance for single family homes and infiltration.  Second by Howard and approved

 

Deputy Police Chief Search / Completion of Background Investigation:  The employment offer dated June 5, 2006 to Fred Silber for the Deputy Police Chief position stipulates that the offer is contingent upon a satisfactory background investigation.  The background investigation has been completed, and the results are very favorable.  Howard moved that the Board vote to recognize the official employment offer to Fred Silber for the position of Deputy Police Chief. Second by Andrea and approved.

 

Discussion of Police Cruiser / 2000 Jeep Cherokee – the Board agreed the Police Dept should trade or sell the 2000 Jeep.

 

Additions To The Agenda

 

VTrans Park & Ride Grant Program:  We are in the process of completing a Park & Ride scoping study, funded by the CCMPO.  Two of the recommended alternatives for the study are to create a park and ride facility along the entrance road to Town Hall (where the overflow parking is currently located) and on Lot #1 at Creekside.  The application deadline for the Vermont 2007 Municipal Park & Ride Grant program is July 31, 2006.  Should the Town consider submitting an application (or applications) for construction?  The Board agreed to wait for the results of the report before proceeding.

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Agreement with O’Neil’s Kennel: Due to rising overhead costs, O’Neils Kennel is making a change to their billing policy.  Beginning July 1, 2006, they will assess a $50/month fee and will no longer charge the Town for unclaimed animals.  The amount of $600 was budgeted for contract services for FY 06 – 07.

 

Update on Russell Project / Andrea reported that the closing took place with thanks to the Town for their help.  There will be an open house and celebration on Aug 26th.  The official access point to enter the trail is from Lyman Meadow’s Park behind the backstop.

Howard advised there will be additional access points along the trail.

 

Quinn Road Shoulder Erosion Issue Sarah contacted Board members and said the shoulders were never returned to original condition after the work done associated with the water project.  With the amount of rain we have had this spring the shoulder has now eroded resulting in water running down her driveway causing damage.

A letter will be sent to Sarah stating the Board will have the work done in the Town right of way to correct the situation.  Jeanne will contact Mike and arrange for the work to be done.

 

Jeanne said she received a note from Chris Morrell that he has received some donations in memory of Doc and wanted to know how to handle them.  The Board advised they are to be put into the general fund.

 

Next Meeting:  Monday, July 24th – Transportation Secretary Dawn Terrill will be in attendance to discuss Hinesburg projects.

 

Andrea moved the Board go into executive session for personnel discussion, second by Howard and approved.

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

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Valerie Spadaccini, secretary