Selectboard Meeting

December 4, 2006

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Attending the meeting: Rob Bast, Andrea Morgante, Jon Trefrey, Randy Volk, Howard Russell, Jeanne Wilson, Missy Ross, Jan Bedard, Bruce Cunningham, Rocky Martin, Steve Button, Chris Morrell, Martha Keenan,Stuart Pierson.

 

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

 

Budget Planning Sessions

General Administration Part 2

Town Clerk / Town Treasurer – reviewed with Missy Ross.  Shelving in the vault is completed; next record restoration planned will be old grand list pages, recording fees lower as number of recordings is decreasing.

 

Board of Civil Authority – reviewed with Missy Ross.  Decreased due to expectation of very few grievances.

 

Elections – reviewed with Missy Ross.  Decreased as there is no primary election next fall.

 

Delinquent Tax Collector – Andrea stated that in past discussions by the Board an hourly rate of $16.00 was suggested.

Rob said he has had subsequent thought on the rate.  This is not an in house position and he views it as comparing with hiring a consultant which would cost much more.  The Town is paying for the privilege of not having this done in house.

Andrea said in looking at the task she believes it could be done in the office here at Town Hall, she does not feel compensation at a rate greater than $16.00 is fair to the taxpayers.

Jon said the information needed is generated in house and as a consultant you work on your own schedule.

Howard asked if this is comparable to the listers task

Any adjustment would be effective on Town Meeting day.

Jon moved the Board vote to approve starting with Town Meeting, March 2007 till Town Meeting, March 2008 to pay the Delinquent Tax Collector by the hour for hours submitted.  Second by Howard and approved.

Jon moved the Board vote to pay the Delinquent Tax Collector at a rate of $16.00 per hour beginning Town Meeting 2007.  Second by Howard.  Andrea, Howard and Jon in favor, Rob and Randy opposed.  Motion passed.

Budget amount set at $8,032 representing 502 hours.

 

Auditors – proposed increase due to the need for additional reporting requirements for professional audit.

 

Buildings & Facilities – Reviewed with Rocky and Steve

Municipal Buildings, Parks, Street Lights, Sidewalks – Rocky discussed street lighting alternatives, all agreed this is something the Town wants to look into but not in this budget.

 

 

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Multi-Use Path – discusses at length – at this time construction is not anticipated till 08 – costs have significantly increased due to the delays.  It was suggested to discuss with Bill Lippert to see if he can get any answers for the Town with the AOT and DEC stalemate.

 

Wastewater Treatment –The Board reviewed with Steve the list explaining changes in budget requests. It is planned to work on new rate structure over the winter.  The costs associated with the force main are based on replacing 500 ft of line.

 

Water Supply – The Board reviewed budget notes with Steve. Howard asked about the upgrade account line which seems to not be spent but included each year.  Rocky and Steve will check the actuals as it may have been allocated under a different account. Jon asked about the generator for Piette Meadows. This is needed as when the power goes out it results in air in the water line.  Having the generator will assure water to residents as well as hopefully correct the problem of air build up in the line.

Howard said when looking at the total for revenue the actuals have been under budgeted for many years.  Rocky said they budget conservatively.

 

Update on Wastewater Treatment Facility Upgrade / Expansion Project – Discussed the use of EDU’s (Equivalent Dwelling Units) for commercial use.  Howard said the EDU system does not reward for conservation and the Town should want to reward conservation.

Jon feels strongly the fee should be user based and the general taxpayer population should contribute in some way to the expansion costs.

Howard said the cost of running the system should be paid for by all users, cost of expansion and improvements could have taxpayer help for funding.

Randy wants to use EDU’s but to find a way to accommodate large users such as the Laundromat and car wash.

Rocky inquired about a Town Meeting Day bond vote for the upgrade/expansion.  The Board feels there is not enough time to properly plan for the vote at Town Meeting Day, with getting information to the voters and holding public hearings.

 

Martha Keenan of NRG Systems / Discussion of Easement for Pedestrian Pathway – Martha was present to represent NRG in discussions regarding a pedestrian path which would connect from NRG to Commerce Park, and from NRG to CVU Road.  The Board expressed concern about NRG’s ability to meet the Commerce Park stormwater permit requirements.  Martha said that NRG will have a civil engineer design the pathway and boardwalk, and one option being reviewed is a culvert to allow drainage with a walkway on top of the culvert.  The design should address the concerns of owners of the Storage Solutions property.  The Board was inclined to take over the pathway as a part of the trail network, not as a sidewalk.  As a trail, the path would not be maintained in the winter (no snow removal and no salt).  The trail would need to connect both to Commerce Street and CVU Road before the Town would accept it as part of the trail network.  Andrea mentioned contacting the LaPlatte Partnership in regards to crossing Patrick Brook.

 

 

DECEMBER 4, 2006                                                       page 3 of 4

Other Business

 

Approve Warrants:  Howard 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.

 

Trial Balance for Water & Wastewater and General Fund Accounts for Period Ending November 30, 2006:  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 11/30/06. Second by Howard and approved.

 

Approve Minutes of November 20, 2006:  Howard moved that the Board vote to approve the minutes of November 20, 2006 as corrected, second by Jon and approved with Rob abstaining.  Randy moved to re open the discussion on the minutes, Andrea second and all approved.

In the discussion of the Wind Turbine Agreement it should be noted that the 17,350 contribution will be made by Earth Turbines – there will be no cost to the Town.

Andrea moved to approve the additional correction, second by Howard and approved with Rob abstaining.

 

Correspondence to VTrans / Define Village Limits:  A letter has been prepared to VTrans, asking that the limits of the village for the purpose of establishing the 11’ lanes and 4’ shoulders be defined as Commerce Street to Buck Hill Road West.  

Andrea said there should be some sort of recognition that the road goes through a Village District.  Rob suggested use of granite curbing as a sort of rumble strip just before the Village and just before each crosswalk.  This would be a visual and oral reminder of passing through a Village District.

Letter reviewed and signed.

 

Corresponded to DRB / Thistle Hill Project (Hinesburg Hillside LLC):  A letter to the DRB has been prepared, which summarizes the discussion with Russell Barone and Bartlett Frisbie of Hinesburg Hillside LLC regarding the Thistle Hill project at the November 20 meeting. 

It was agreed that reaching an agreement on the language of the easement should be between the developer and the Selectboard, also noted to tie the easement to the release of escrow funds.

 

Correspondence from Ralph Preston / Drainage on Pond Road:  Mike Weisel and Jeanne visited the Preston property on November 30th.  Mike has prepared a memo and diagram to summarize his evaluation of the issue.  Mike stated he feels the Town bears no responsibility for conditions Mr. Preston refers to.

Jeanne sent a copy of Mike Weisel’s findings to Mr. Preston

 

CUSI Funding Correspondence – Jeanne drafted a letter to the Selectboards of the 4 towns in Cittenden County who are not yet helping with funding CUSI explaining from Hinesburg’s point of view the value of CUSI and fairness for all communities who benefit needing to contribute to the program.

The Selectboard approved signing and sending the letters.  Jeanne will copy other municipalities of CUSI so they are aware of the letter being sent by Hinesburg Selectboard.

 

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Additons to the Agenda

 

Discussion of Soliciting Public Input on Policing for Budget Process – Howard feels given the potential desired growth in the Police Department and the implications of that, it would be good to have more information on what the residents of Town are looking for.

It was agreed to have a facilitated meeting at which the current services being provided are listed and open discussion to how the residents feel about those services and what is not being done they would like to see done.

 

Memo from Officer Brisson / 2000 Jeep Cherokee – After consideration and discussion, the Board felt that if the Police Department needs another vehicle they need to come and make a convincing argument that it is necessary.  Furthermore, there were questions and concerns about having police officers using private vehicles on duty.

 

Update on Employee Health Care – Jeanne reported that the Health Group of the VLCT have switched over to CIGNA Insurance.  This will take effect 1/1/07.  Jeanne will have comparison figures available before March open enrollment date of 3/1/07 so coverage can be chosen.

 

Howard moved the Board vote to adjourn at 11:00p.m., second by Jon and approved.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Valerie Spadaccini, secretary