Selectboard Meeting
December 17, 2007
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Attending the meeting; Rob Bast, Andrea Morgante, Jon Trefry, Randy Volk, Howard Russell, Jeanne Wilson, Don Jutton, David Kurz, Chris Morrell, Frank Koss, Doug Olufsen, Alex Weinhagen, Al Barber, Christopher Bataille, Ed Waite, Sue Bardon, Katherine Kjelleren, Jennifer McCuin, Gerry Livingston
Meeting called to order at 6:05 p.m.
Employee Interview for Part-Time Police Officer / Christopher Bataille – Chris said he is currently employed with the Chittenden County Court Diversion, he has been a resident of Hinesburg since 2001, and he has a criminal justice degree. If a full time position was available he is interested in moving to full time police work.
Jon asked if he is doing any police work now. Chris said he did not pursue a job in police work on graduation. Rob asked about his mediation training, Chris said he took mediation courses at work.
Howard asked Chris why he finds police work interesting. Chris replied he sees people taking the wrong path who can be served by the criminal justice system to help them turn their lives around.
Municipal Resources, Inc. / Review of Draft Strategic Plan for Police Department –
Frank Koss said in regards to the plan on call volume, the Chief and Deputy Chief have a high call volume and he feels these positions should not be portrayed as regular patrol hours when referring to call volume.
David Kurz said this is meant to start a dialogue and has done so. They gave benchmark numbers as a suggestion; it is up to the Town what to do with those numbers. The Police Dept needs to better articulate the effect on the officers of the call volume and are now beginning to do that.
Howard asked if the call volume is a number that can be used from year to year for comparison, or whether there is also a need to monitor type of call as well as number of calls. David indicated that both should be monitored.
Howard asked about the predicted 6% increase in calls over the years. It was explained that the call volume is now low; it is David’s sense that all calls are not being tracked and documented, as they are too busy to document the calls. This is his assumption based on his experience.
Increased administrative support. Talked about the amount of paperwork involved with calls – if this enables more patrol time does that increase call volume for an officer? No, there is still the writing of the incident report that needs to be done by the officer. This is referring to other administrative tasks.
Jon noted last year the budget included funds for additional officers – has the dept been sufficiently staffed? Jeanne replied that Frank and Kim went from part time to full time so there is still a part time vacancy.
Chris stated officer’s time is not always for patrol coverage, it is also used in various other ways that encompass police work.
Howard asked about the new building and use of current space. The strategic plan says to plan for this but gives no specifics at this time – needs to be discussed further.
Howard also inquired about vehicle replacement. We are replacing every two years = a 6 year life on a vehicle. The plan suggests a 3yr life. It was noted this number is flexible.
Andrea suggested the document include reports previously done by Doug Olufusen.
Doug said the graph now shows the distribution of calls.
Discussed calls to CVU and the fact that while Hinesburg Police cover the school it is a district school.
Andrea proposed the Selectboard set aside time to talk about the plan.
Chris said this is a good tool to decide where the Town wants to go with coverage and for reporting of tasks.
DECEMBER 17, 2007 page 2 of 4
FY 08 – 09 Budget Planning Sessions
Land Use
Planning & Zoning – reviewed with Alex. Howard asked what they plan to use the funds in printing for as it seems to not have been needed over the past several years. Alex said this is for maps and regulations.
Howard noted the $500 in for the Ancient Roads Committee – he does not see a need for it.
Later in discussion Howard asked to put back the $500 request, he will check if this may have been for some software they intended to purchase.
Special projects are increased as they did not receive the grant applied for. Jon asked if the Wetland delineation is needed in light of the result of the vote for the sewer expansion indicating residents are not in favor of increased building in the village area. Alex said this is not just to be done in the village and could be beneficial for any site.
It was agreed under special projects to put off the growth center designation as Alex does not see construction happening soon.
Randy asked about the decrease in professional services – Alex said in the past the line included professional services for projects.
The Town Green Plan is also included in the buildings and facilities budget – is this duplication. Jeanne checked on this and has been reduced in the buildings and facilities budget. It was noted that Rocky and Alex should get together for planning on this.
Howard said he feel the Trail plan should be included in Special Projects.
Listers – Howard questioned the request for dues and tax maps as the actuals have been significantly lower. Jeanne will check on this.
Public Safety Part 1
Fire Department – reviewed with Al. Increased items include; call reimbursement due to increase in calls, stipend for the Chief voted by the Department, fire gear maintenance as EMS equipment maintenance is now included in this line, EMS equipment for replacement equipment, dispatch, professional development – includes EMS certification, vehicle repair and maintenance – no longer being done in house, vehicle fuel, station repair and maintenance – includes annual testing of sprinklers and fire alarms and air compressors, utilities and fuel oil.
Fire Warden – Reviewed with Ed. Ed asked whether Fire Warden needs to be a separate budget or if it can be a line in the Fire Dept budget as they are connected in that work as the Fire Warden impacts the Fire Dept. Jeanne will check on this.
Animal Control – reviewed with Jeanne and will be level funded.
E-9-1-1 - reviewed with Jeanne. Will be level funded.
Agencies & Commissions
Cemetery Commission (no budget information received from Cemetery Commission)
Carpenter Carse Library –Reviewed with Sue and Katherine. No major changes anticipated.
Lake Iroquois Recreation District (no additional information, other than appropriation amount of $600)
Hinesburg Land Trust & Preservation Fund (no request yet received)
DECEMBER 17, 2007 page 3 of 4
Recreation Commission – reviewed with Jenn. Salary line includes a stipend for additional help. Recreation field maintenance includes $500 contingency for topsoil or seeding as well as the mowing contract. Youth sports increased as result of additional lacrosse program needing new equipment. Jenn said the Youth sports line also included replacement of old equipment. Capital budget request of $5,000 to build a fund for when a potential site for a field becomes available.
Other Agencies – reviewed with Jeanne and no changes made.
Conservation Commission – reviewed with Gerry. They are asking for an additional $2,000 for Natural Resources Planning to develop a web site. The Board discussed the need for digital display for the Town and a method to access the GIS system by different departments and commissions. With that in mind there was discussion of a separate web site or being a part of the Town site. Funds requested in the budget are to develop the site not manage it. The Board agreed to go ahead and develop a site. Andrea asked about the Conservation Commissions sponsorship of the preservation fund needing to be included.
Fixed Costs & Insurance
Employee COLA The Boards decision was for 2.51%
Group Health Insurance – looking at employee co-pay or opt out.
Other Business
Approve Warrants: Andrea moved that the Board vote to approve the warrants (including payroll warrants) for bills payable as presented by the Town Treasurer. Second by Jon and approved.
Minutes of December 3, 2007: Andrea moved that the Board vote to approve the minutes of December 3, 2007 as corrected, second by Jon and approved.
Trial Balances for Water & Wastewater and General Fund Accounts for Period Ending 11/30/07: Jon moved that the Board vote to acknowledge receipt of the trial balances for the Water & Wastewater and the General Fund accounts for the period ending 11/30/07. Second by Andrea and approved.
Appointment of Town Auditor: Andrea moved that the Board vote to appoint Joseph Cioffi to the position of Town Auditor to fill a vacancy with a term which will expire on Town Meeting Day 2008. Second by Howard and approved.
Withdrawal of Acreage from Town’s Tax Stabilization “Piggy Back” Contract / Bissonette Farm: Howard moved that the Board vote to authorize the Chair to sign a Release to release and discharge from the Tax Stabilization “Piggy Back” Contract between the Town and Wayne and Barbara Bissonette the parcels known as Parcels 2A, 2B, 3A and 4, as depicted on the map entitled “Future Conservation Ownership of LaPlatte Headwaters” and dated 12/07/07, with acreage as follows:
DECEMBER 17, 2007 page 4 of 4
Lot 2A = 140.32± acres
Lot 2B = 32.0± acres
Lot 3A = 18.01± acres
Lot 4 = 123.67± acres
This release shall not in any way affect or impair the right of the Town and the Bissonettes to continue such Contract with respect to other lands owned by the Bissonettes and not hereby discharged. Second by Jon and approved.
Howard moved that the Board vote to authorize the Town to assess penalty and deferred tax in the amount of $2,117.66 on Wayne and Barbara Bissonette for withdrawal of an 18.1 acre parcel known as Parcel 3A, as depicted on the map entitled “Future Conservation Ownership of LaPlatte Headwaters” and dated 12/07/07 from the Tax Stabilization “Piggy Back” Contract, in accordance with section 6 of said Contract, recorded on 09/05/07. The penalty is determined as follows:
Section 6(1) Deferred Taxes for the year of dissolution $23.724
Section 6(2) Deferred Taxes for the three preceding years $71.386
Section 6(3) 10% of the Fair Market Value of Land $2,022.551
Total Penalty under Section 6: $2,117.66
Second by Jon and approved.
Outgoing Correspondence: reviewed and signed by the Board
Letter to St. George Selectboard / Fire Protection Contract for FY 08 – 09
Holiday Cards for Employees
Letter to Officer Kimberly Conant / Amendment to Employment Offer
Letter to Richard Zybura / Response Regarding Route 116 Paving
Letter to Chief Chris Morrell / Invitation to Follow-up Discussion on Department Structure
Andrea moved the Board vote to approve sending letter of employment to Christopher Bataille for the part time Police position outlined in letter dated 12/17/07. Second by Howard and approved.
Andrea moved the Board vote to adjourn, second by Howard and approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Spadaccini, secretary