Selectboard Meeting
November 20, 2006
Page 1 of 5
Attending the meeting; Andrea Morgante, Jon Trefry, Randy
Volk, Howard Russell, Jeanne Wilson, Brad Wainer, Bruce Cunningham, Doug
Henson, Sue Barden, Kathy Kjelleran, Tom Giroux, Gil Coates, Paul Wieczoreck,
Jennifer McCuin, Frank Twarog, Jerry Livingston, Rocky Martin, Susan Mead,
Kristi Brown, Russ Barone, Bartlett Frisbee, Stuart Pierson.
Meeting called to order by Howard as acting chair at 7:00
p.m.
Bruce Cunningham distributed a handout for Board members to
review regarding compensation for the position of delinquent tax collector.
Doug
Henson / Paving of Pond Brook Road Doug submitted a
petition with 50 signatures requesting the Town pave the remaining portion of
Pond Brook Rd. Doug had results of a
traffic count done by AOT in June of this year which shows over 1000 trips a
day on weekdays. He believes this is a safety issue. He would like to see the width at 9ft travel lanes and a 2 ft
shoulder making the total width 22 ft which he says meets AOT requirements.
Howard stated he did not support this last year and would
not support again this year. He would
be more comfortable including this as a warned item.
Randy said he does support this and is in favor of including
as a warned item.
Andrea stated though it may be safer if paved the posted
speed is 35 not the 45 Doug says is the speed cars travel the road at. The speed would remain at 35. She does not believe paving is the solution
but supports including as a warned item.
Jon supports this and agrees a separate warned article is
appropriate.
The Board was in agreement to include as a warned article
for Town Meeting.
Budget
Planning Sessions
Agencies & Commissions
Cemetery Commission Brad stated they will level fund the
budget. Wahl landscaping contract ends
in 2007, their price increase is minimal so will still work with last years
budget amount. Last year they did some
fence repairs and brush cutting. This
next year they plan to do some work on the fountain.
Carpenter Carse Library Sue stated they are estimating
$10,000 in income. If grants and
donations do not equal that they will take money form other library accounts to
cover it. The increase in computers is
for the tech plan for a back up server and security. Also computer use has increased so they plan to replace 2 of the
current computers.
Andrea asked is there is a need to include anything for the
wind turbine. Sue said they have not been given any specific information on
what will be done in the building.
Jeanne questioned the amount in benefits and Sue will
recheck her figures on that.
Lake Iroquois Recreation District seeking level funding.
NOVEMBER 20, 2006 page 2 of 5
Hinesburg Land Trust Paul requested a warned article
requesting $100,000 toward the LaPlatte Headwaters Initiative on the Bissonette
Farm. He distributed a hand out explaining the project. The Board was in support of including the
warned article. Randy asked if
permitting fees and pre development numbers are realistic. Paul Wieczoreck replied
they are applying to ACT 250 for a master permit with additional planning and
permit funding shared between the Land Trust and the developer. Randy also asked if they are fairly
confident of the income committed. Paul
said they can change some aspects of the project if needed. Paul said they are also requesting the
customary $5,000 operating budget as in the past.
Conservation Commission Susan said they will be level
funded thanks to a planning grant for open space. They will still keep the $2,000 in Natural Resources for
continuing work on open space planning. Jerry Livingston, member of the
conservation commission, said they plan on increasing public outreach to
educate the public through web development.
Recreation Commission Jen and Frank presented. Amount for the rec park is unknown at this
time as they do not have a final site plan to get costs from. It was agreed the $9,000 in 06/07 can be
used to go ahead with planning costs for the project. If they come up with a
specific project, funds left unspent in the rec dept capital budget can be
carried over. Amount for the ice rink
is up as is needs to be repainted and resurfaced.
.
General Administration Part 1
Selectboard reviewed, no major changes
Town Agent seeking level funding
Town Administrator increased professional development
Computers / Copier / Fax significant increases in;
computer supply now includes expense for printer cartridges from various
departments, NEMRC , repair/maintenance, hardware replace server and desktop,
digital projection request for projector and laptop.
Public Health seeking level funding
Trails Committee / Future Trail
Goals Frank said
the committee has come up with 3 different levels of use; 1) foot traffic of
all sorts, 2) foot traffic and mountain biking, and 3) foot traffic, mountain
biking and horseback riding. They are
looking at the connectivity of dirt roads in close proximity to each
other. A request has been made to the
Trails Committee by the Conservation Commission to contribute to the open space
plan to show where trails might be located.
The question came up if this should be an appointed committee or
continue as a sub committee under the rec dept for conservation commission? The committee was asked to forward a copy of
their mission statement to the Selectboard for formal recognition. The Selectboard concluded that the Trails
Committee should be a free standing committee that reports directly to the
Selectboard.
Mapping
projects trails through NRG / Hinesburg Hillside / Crow Hill. Also mapping of ancient roads.
NOVEMBER
20, 2006
page 3 of 5
Gil Coates / Recognition of Peck
Estate Gil said
there is no recognition from HCS of this continuing contribution and wants to
know if the Selectboard would support the Town funding some type of recognition
of the Peck family for their contribution. Gil will approach the HCS school
board with the question of what item the library might find useful that a
recognition plaque could be attached to.
The Board questioned why HCS would not be the one to do this but is open
to the concept of it being done by the Town.
Gil will check with HCS and get back to the Selectboard.
Kristi Brown / Town Ownership of Ballards
Corner Road Kristi
is requesting the Town to take over the road now that it has been paved. Jon said the rec path design plans on taking
over part of the road. It was agreed to
hold a public hearing on this.
Jon moved
the Selectboard agree to start the process on the warranty period on Ballard Rd
intersection and the Town take over the road from Shelburne Falls Rd to the
library entrance if the road continues to meet standards on 10/1/07. Second by Randy and approved.
The Board
will check with the Highway Foreman about plowing the road this winter.
Russ Barone & Bartlett Frisbee /
Hinesburg Hillside Development Russ said they are preparing to submit for final site plan
with the DRB. There were 4 items in
question they have addressed.
1-
trail construction
2-
trail
parking
3-
plans
of sidewalks to be constructed
4-
access
through lot 7 to Lavigne Hill Rd - they
have proposed language to accomplish this.
Andrea said
they need language to access the trail in the 2 locations off Thistle Hill
Rd.
Andrea also
addressed the 50 ft wide floating easement for the connecting road to Lavigne
Hill Rd. She feels it needs to be established where it will be now though she
is not convinced this easement is necessary.
Randy is in
favor of a floating easement, but stated that the easement needs to be for a
longer time then the 20 year period.
Howard said
he is not comfortable with a floating easement as he feels there is potential
for conflict if not clearly defined.
Jeanne
asked if the sidewalk is adequate as proposed connecting to the village
pedestrian system via the crosswalk over to the canal walkway.
The Board
was in agreement on the trails as presented.
Requested rewording on the 50ft easement. Advised they can move forward with the intent the Town will take
over the roads.
Bart said
if there are any other requests or requirements of the Selectboard they need to
know what that would be so they can address it.
Jon stated
he does not want the Town to loose the easement at a future date and would like
the time line removed from the easement.
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.
NOVEMBER 20,
2006 page 4 of 5
Approve
Minutes of November 6, 2006:
Jon moved
that the Board vote to approve the minutes of November 6, 2006 as
corrected. Second by Andrea and
approved.
Correspondence
from VTrans / Define Village LImits - limits
are set at Commerce St to Friendship La.
Board agreed it should extend to Buck Hill Rd. Jeanne will draft a letter of response.
Wind
Turbine Grant Agreement:
The agreement between the Town and the Vermont Department of Public
Service is for the installation of a small grid-connected and net metered wind
energy system to serve as an educational tool to the general public and
schools, as well as to provide direct data to the visitors at the Carpenter Carse
Library and Geprags Park. This grant
application asks for an amount of $17,350, with the Towns share being $17,350,
to be contributed through in-kind provided by Earth Turbines. Jon moved that the Board vote to authorize
the Chair to sign the Vermont Department of Public Service wind turbine grant
application for installation of a small grid-connected and net metered wind
energy system to serve as an educational tool to the general public and
schools, as well as to provide direct data to the visitors at the Carpenter
Carse Library and Geprags Park. Second
by Andrea and approved.
Andrea suggested the public be kept informed on the
process. It was pointed out that in
obtaining the grant, residents input was considered on the project at public
meetings.
Request for Horse Rider Cautionary
Signs on Leavensworth Road: On June 19, the Board approved
a request by Susan Mead to have cautionary signs / horseback riders installed
on Shelburne Falls Road. The request
was approved with the understanding that the person making the request would
purchase the signs, approved by the Road Foreman, and the Town would supply
sign posts and install the signs. A
request for cautionary signs / horseback riders has now been received from
Cliff Brody on Leavensworth Road. Both of these roads (Shelburne Falls
Road and Leavenswoth Road) will likely see more horseback riders, due to both
Taproot and the old Guttler farm becoming boarding stables, and with
the connection being opened between these two roads via Boutin Road. Jon moved
that the Board vote to approve the request by Cliff Brody to purchase
cautionary signs / horseback riders for Leavensworth Road. The sign design will be approved by the Road
Foreman, and the Town will supply sign posts and install the signs in an
appropriate location. Second by Andrea and approved.
Discussion
of Work in Town ROW on Silver Street / Kohn Driveway Roger
is requesting permission to put a mirror up.
Andrea moved the Board vote to authorize Roger Kohn to install a mirror
opposite his drive after consulting with the Road Foreman on placement. Second by Jon and approved.
Correspondence
from Ralph Preston / Drainage on Pond Road The Board will
have Mike Weisel look at this. Jeanne
will reply to Mr. Preston that the Selectboard has asked an engineer to look at
the problem.
NOVEMBER
20, 2006 page
5 of 5
Additons
to the Agenda
Update
on Canal Dam Issue Rocky had a quote for $3900 from Ted Palmer
Jr. The Board approved using money from
the highway budget for excavation work.
Jon moved the Board vote to authorize Rocky to engage Ted
Palmer Jr for an amount not to exceed $4,000 to perform the canal dam repair
work in back of Nestech as outlined in the memo from Rocky (attached) with
funds to come from Highway excavation account #440551067.00. Plus use of Town
Highway Department. Second by Andrea
and approved.
Randy moved the Board vote to go into executive session for
discussion of personnel and legal issues, second by Andrea and approved.
Randy moved the Board vote to come out of executive session
and adjourn, second by Andrea and approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Spadaccini, secretary