Selectboard Meeting

May 21, 2007

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Attending the meeting; Rob Bast, Andrea Morgante, Jon Trefry, Howard Russell, Jeanne Wilson, Al Barber, Michael Miller, David Spitz,  Steve Miller, Tom Moreau, Michael Blair.

 

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

 

 

CSWD General Manager Tom Moreau / Presentation of FY 2008 Proposed Budget: Tom reviewed the proposed budget with the Board.  Overall increase of 5.4% to the operating budget.  Salaries increased 12% which includes cost of adding 2 temporary positions and the addition of employees is also reflected in increased benefits.  Legal is up 205% for a one time cost which will come from reserve funds.  Lease of a loader has equipment up 152%.  Facilities management was reduced by 21% due to negotiation of new MRF contract.

Overall revenues are down – tip fee reduction at the MRF down 100%.  Sales of materials are up however by 15% and scrap metal up 78%.

Howard asked why there is a charge for recycling at the transfer station if you are not also bringing in garbage that you pay for if CSWD wants to encourage recycling.  Tom said the cost is driven by CSWD handling garbage vs. recycling.  Tom said he will check into revisiting this charge.

Tom advised there will be a cost increase at the transfer stations from 2.75 to 3.25 for a 33 gallon bag.  They anticipate being able to accept all plastic containers by October.

Jon wanted to know the status of moving the transfer station to the property by the WW treatment plant.  Tom said Rocky Martin is working with CSWD on this.

Tom noted in the capital budget are the costs for the Colchester drop off center and purchase of the landfill in Williston.

Howard moved the Board vote to accept the CSWD FY 2008 budget, second by Jon and approved.

 

 

Michael Miller, Municipal Planning Services, Inc. / Review of Draft Capital Plan and Impact Fee Ordinance.  The Board reviewed developing a formal capital budget and impact fee analysis.

Andrea noted the capital budget includes today’s needs but does not address future possible needs such as alternative energy and land for conservation.  Rob said for the purpose of setting this up the Town can use current needs and then has the capability to add qualifying projects.

Howard asked if the funds must be dispersed within the 6 year period and asked how that works.

David Spitz gave an example of the police cruiser and renovation to the Police Dept building – as long as the fees are going toward one of the items you can continue to use them.  The Town could use most to pay for the cruiser till they are ready to work on the renovation, but there is a time limit to expend funds.  Michael noted that 16 towns currently have impact fees in Vermont.

Jon asked about the administrative process.  David said there is need to track when the fee comes in which could be several checks for several individual fees; funds then get deposited into the appropriate fund account.  The fee must then be tracked to know what fee was spent over the 6 year period.   David does not expect this will result in need for additional employees.

 

 

 

 

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Andrea moved the Board go into executive session including Steve Miller and Michael Blair for discussion of a Health Insurance Issue.  Second by Jon and approved.

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

 

Howard moved the Selectboard authorize Town Clerk, Missy Ross, to issue a check in the amount of $4655.70 to Champlain Valley Oral Surgery for a payment in anticipation of being reimbursed by CIGNA for this expense.  Second by Jon and approved.

The purpose of this action is to deal with unfortunate issues related to the change in health insurance carriers.

           

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.

 

Minutes of May 7, 2007:  Howard moved that the Board vote to approve the minutes of May 7, 2007 as corrected, second by Andrea and approved with Jon abstaining.

 

Resignation of Alternate DRB Member / Robert Linck: Andrea said she would like the Selectboard to take the opportunity to refresh why Hinesburg has a 7 member Board and 2 alternates and not a 9 member Board.  Jeanne will look into if it is acceptable under statute to have a 9 member Board. Rob suggested meeting with the DRB members to discuss this.

Jon moved that the Board vote to accept the resignation of Robert Linck as alternate member of the DRB effective immediately. Second by Andrea and approved.

 

Request to Close Lewis Creek Road on June 23 & 24 / Lewis Creek Garden Tour:  Howard moved that the Board vote to approve the closing of Lewis Creek Road on Saturday, June 23, 2007 between the hours of 10:00 am and 5:00 pm, and on Sunday, June 24, 2007 between the hours of 11:00 am and 3:00 pm between Turkey Lane and Gilman Road for the Lewis Creek Garden Tour with the stipulation that signs clearly legible to motorists be placed at each end of Lewis Creek Road beginning Wednesday, June 20, 2007 advising of the dates and times of the road closing.  Second by Jon and approved.

 

Vermont Municipal Bond Bank Application / 2006 Fire Truck:  The following documents need to be signed in order to proceed with the closing of the Vermont Municipal Bond Bank sale for the 2006 fire truck:

 

 a)  Resolution and Certificate – signed by all Board members on the last page

 b)  Tax Certificate – signed by all Board members, but do not date

 c)  Loan Agreement – signed on last page by the Chair

 d)  Bond – signed by all Board members

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Jon moved that the Board vote to authorize the signing of the Vermont Municipal Bond Bank documents as outlined above.  Second by Howard and approved.

 

 

Overhead Power Line / Vermont Electric Co-op on Birchwood Drive:  Brian Lanphear of 94 Birchwood Drive (Grand List Lot # 17-21-67.00) has contacted Vermont Electric Cooperative in regards to providing power to a garage located on his property.  Vermont Electric Cooperative has confirmed that they are able and willing to provide power for the garage.  Power would be supplied to the garage from a pole located on the Town owned parcel in the Sunny Acres development (Grand List Lot # 17-21-66.00).  Jon moved that the Board vote to authorize Vermont Electric Cooperative to install overhead power lines from power pole 33/40 to a garage owned by Brian Lanphear located at 94 Birchwood Drive, across a Town-owned parcel as outlined in the plan dated 2/2/07.  This approval will allow Vermont Electric Cooperative to place, construct, operate, repair, maintain, mark, replace thereon, and remove there from, and in or upon all streets, roads or highways abutting said land an electric transmission and distribution system, overhead, and to cut and trim all trees and shrubbery to the extent necessary as determined by Vermont Electric Cooperative to keep them clear of the said utility lines or system and to cut down from time to time all dead, weak, leaning or dangerous trees which are tall enough to strike the wire in the event said tree should fall, from within or without the right of way. Second by Howard and approved.

 

Additions to the Agenda

 

“From the Forest to the Floor” Open House:  This Thursday, May 24th from 6 – 8 pm.  The Board approved funding refreshments up to $200.00 for the open house to come from the Selectboard’s misc fund.

 

Funds for Town Hall Carpeting:  $30,000 was approved for the current budget to replace the hardwood floor in Town Hall.  With all invoices submitted, the total expense was $25,939.  Also approved for the current budget is $6,000 to replace the carpeting on the first floor and stairs to second floor.  We had originally included $4,400 in the FY 07-08 budget to complete the carpeting project on the third floor, but these funds were removed during the budgeting process.  Director of Buildings & Facilities Rocky Martin respectfully requests permission to use the remaining fund from the hardwood flooring project ($4,000) to complete the third floor carpeting at the same time the first floor and stairways are carpeted.  Howard moved that the Board authorize the use of $4,000 from 440-3710-68.01 (Town Hall Flooring) be used to replace the carpeting in Town Hall.  Second by Jon and approved.

 

Baldwin Road Drainage Modifications / Bid Award:  A choice arose in the bid results.  Shall we go with $26,000 and riprap headwalls or $27,228 for vertical headwalls as in the specs?  The Board agreed to the $26,000 riprap and for the minimum size of riprap for the headwalls to be reviewed by Mike Weisel to be sure it is adequate for the flows.

 

 

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Letter of Support for CCMPO Sidewalk Grant:  Rocky is preparing an application for the CCMPO Sidewalk Grant to request additional funds for the streetscape project which will connect Town Hall with the sidewalk at Saputo along the west side of Route 116.  The grant application requires a letter of support from the Selectboard.  A letter has been prepared for your signature.  Howard moved that the Board vote to sign a letter of support for the CCMPO Sidewalk Grant application.  Second by Jon and approved.

 

Andrea brought up the point that when preparing budgets this fall, the Board should remember to look at acoustical renovations to Town Hall.

 

Jon moved the Board go into executive session for a personnel issue, second by Howard and approved.

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

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Valerie Spadaccini, secretary