Selectboard Meeting

November 5, 2007                   

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Attending the meeting; Rob Bast, Andrea Morgante, Randy Volk, Howard Russell, Jeanne Wilson, Chris Morrell, Al Barber, Rocky Martin, Holly Russell, Mike Anthony, Marie Gardner, Alex Weinhagen,           Fred Silber, Jeff Davis, Bart Frisbie, Russ Barone, Louis Mullieri

 

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

 

FY 08 – 09 Budget Kick Off Meeting

 

Reports from Department Heads & Board/Commission Chairs on major budgetary changes for the upcoming FY 08 – 09 Budget

Mike – highway. Plans to reclaim and pave 1 mile on Pond Rd with the plan to spread over a two year time frame.  Grind and lay 3inches of paving in one year and add and additional 2 inches to the paving the following year.  Estimated at $180,000.

Texas Hill paving 1000 feet.

Would like to purchase a few speed monitors.  Cost is 3 to 5 thousand to purchase and then would need to be installed.  He would like fees from traffic speeding violations to go toward this purchase.

Mike is waiting for the hydraulic reports on replacing the culvert at Geprags on Shelburne Falls Rd.

 

Al – fire. Addition to the building and purchase of ladder truck in the future for which there will be a bond vote for 09/10.  Truck cost estimated at $675,000 new.

A sprinkler system has been installed at the station with grant funds.  

 

Chris – police. The strategic plan will not be done till Jan.  There are no major changes proposed now, will revisit after review of the strategic plan.

 

Rocky – water/waste water. Waiting for bond vote results.  Continue improvements on the force main.

Sidewalks – construction on the west and south side of Charlotte Rd to the school.  Also connection between Hart and Mead Auto up to Lyman Rd.  Purchase of sidewalk plow sander.

Pedestrian lighting – if done will try at Memorial Park.

Recreation – additional $15,000 for planning and implementing rec facilities on lot 1 of Creekside.  Rocky also noted the Recreation Commission would like to look at temporary options for additional field space.

 

Marie – listers. Proposal to hire an outside appraisal firm to fill Holly’s listing position (she retires at end of 08) and to update the Grand List. The listers are currently getting information on pricing and methods for this change.

 

Alex – planning and zoning.  They will need a new ½ position to replace Holly on her retirement but do not expect a large budgetary impact from this.

If the $12,000 grant applied for is not awarded for planning work on the village area that will need to be included in the budget.

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Growth center designation will be budgeted for $20,000 in consultant fees.

 

Jeanne – computer. Increase amount for computers and contingency.  Add $1,500 for digital projector.  The web site will no longer be managed on a volunteer basis.

Anticipated increase of 8 to 13 % in health insurance costs.

 

Howard asked that department heads keep in mind when possible bulk purchasing and coordination on building projects for savings.

 

Director of Planning & Zoning Alex Weinhagen / Shadow Lane Stormwater Proposal -  Alex had a photo map of the road and surrounding area on which ditching and storm water swales will be constructed.  About 700’ down the road is a small parcel (30 X 70) owned by the Town.  Alex wanted to know if the Board had any objection to offering this as a possible detention area or something to help with the storm water run off.  Rob said he does not see a problem with offering the parcel to be used if appropriate, but the conversation should be inclusive with other land owners.

Howard stated he does not want to give the impression that because this may be used to help with storm water it removes foundation concerns of the Board in regards to the road.

Andrea suggested use of the property to look at possible solutions to other problems of surrounding residents such as septic.

 

Lister Marie Gardner & Lister Assistant Holly Russell / Discussion of Tax Appeal:  Andrea moved that the Board vote to go into executive session with Marie Gardner, Holly Russell and Jeanne Wilson for the purpose of discussing a legal issue.  Second by Howard and approved.

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

Howard moved the Board vote to support the recommendation of the Board of Listers to accept an assessed value of $826,000 on parcel #9402.  Second by Randy and approved.

 

Director of Buildings & Facilities Rocky Martin / Funds for Town Hall Sign – final cost will be $5920 to cover design, fabrication and installation including wiring and lighting.

Howard moved the Board authorize expenditure of $5920 for the Town Hall sign with additional funds coming from the Town Hall budget.  Second by Andrea and approved.

 

Bart Frisbie & Russell Barone / Finalize Thistle Hill Development Legal Documents – Andrea moved the Board vote to accept irrevocable offer of dedication and accompanying deeds for Thistle Hill Development and authorize the Town Agent to sign documents.  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 Howard and approved.

 

Minutes of October 15, 2007:  Randy moved that the Board vote to approve the minutes of October 15, 2007 as corrected, second by Andrea and approved.

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Minutes of October 29, 2007:  Howard moved that the Board vote to approve the minutes of October 29, 2007.  Second by Andrea and approved with Randy abstaining.

 

Trial Balances for Water & Wastewater and General Fund Accounts for Period Ending 10/31/07:  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 10/31/07.  Second by Randy and approved.

 

Initiation of Employee Payroll Deposits for Direct Deposit:  Howard moved that the Board vote to authorize the Town Clerk/Treasurer to initiate the employee payroll deposit for employees utilizing the direct deposit option on the day the payroll warrant is processed, in order for payroll funds to be available to the employees the following day.  This initiation of deposit will occur before the payroll warrant is signed, but funds will not be available to the employee until the following day (after the warrant is signed), and the deposit can be reversed if there are questions which arise from the warrant.  Second by Andrea and approved.

 

Listers Request for Updates to the Lodged Grand List:  The Board has received a request from the Board of Listers to approve changes to the Lodged Grand List due to errors discovered.  Andrea moved that the Board vote to approve corrections to the Lodged Grand List as outlined in the letter from the Hinesburg Board of Listers dated October 31, 2007.  Second by Randy and approved.

 

2008 River Corridor Restoration & Protection Grant / Beecher Hill Project:  Andrea reported this grant project being undertaken by the LaPlatte Watershed Partnership will be for work needed between the Highway garage and North Rd and may also be an opportunity to investigate funding for culvert work needed at Geprag on Shelburne Falls Rd.

 

Road Cut Permit / Mark Giroux on Texas Hill Road:  This request is for a road cut to access a single lot off Texas Hill Road (a request for a subdivision of this parcel was denied by the DRB). There was no action as the map was incomplete.

 

Update on CCRPC Substantial Regional Impact Task Force / Resignation of Schuyler Jackson as Hinesburg Representative:  Howard moved that the Board vote to accept the resignation of Schuyler Jackson as Hinesburg’s representative to the CCRPC Substantial Regional Impact Task Force.  Second by Andrea and approved.

Jeanne will check with another town’s representative to get their input on the process before the Board decided to appoint another representative.

 

Overview of ICMA Conference:  The Board has received and thanked Jeanne for the written report on the ICMA Conference attended on October 7 – 10, 2007.  Randy moved that the Board vote to authorize a reimbursement payment of $1,602.59 from 440-3200-40.00 to Jeanne Wilson as reimbursement for costs associated with the annual ICMA Conference as budgeted.  Second by Howard and approved.

 

Additions to the Agenda

Update on Bissonette Parcel & LaPlatte Headwaters Initiative / Andrea Morgante – Andrea reported that the closing on the 301 acre Bissonette property occured last week so it is now owned by the Town.  She asked about the record keeping regarding the Town’s responsibilities for such ongoing projects.  Jeanne said she has a file on these items besides the documents in the vault.

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Jeanne said Mike has requested closing of Commerce St Wednesday and Thursday for the purpose of installation of a culvert across the road by the National Bank of Middlebury.  Randy moved the Board approve closing Commerce St on 11/7 and 11/8 to allow Parent Construction to install a culvert for the National Bank of Middlebury.  Second by Howard and approved.

 

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