Selectboard Meeting

June 15, 2009

Attending the meeting; Jon Trefry, Andrea Morgante, Randy Volk, Howard Russell, Jeanne Wilson, Aaron Kimball, Fred Silber, Al Barber, Frank Koss, Rocky Martin

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

Town Website Manager Aaron Kimball / Update and Review of Town Website.

Aaron said he meets with Jeanne once a month to review the website. He gave a demonstration of navigating the site and highlighted some areas.

Randy asked if there are public documents that may not be appropriate to be on line. Jeanne said an example of that is the listers choice not to post the grand list though people can come to Town Hall and look at it. It was questioned if there should be a written policy on who makes these decisions and under what criteria. 

Discussed the idea of committees and commissions having their own sites / draft minutes being available and not having to wait for approval to post / could have email link to contact person for each committee or commission to get draft minutes.

Aaron encouraged the Board to think of other information they may want posted to the site. 

Deputy Chief Fred Silber / Update on Police Department Activities and Review of Staffing Plan During Upcoming Koss Medical Leave – Fred distributed to the Board the schedule for police coverage for the next few months. Fred said they have not reduced service and do not anticipate a reduction in the level of service.  Frank Koss has graciously adjusted his request for medical leave till October.

The Selectboard stated they are willing to discuss coverage and manpower and if necessary they will look at reduced coverage or hiring additional temporary help.

Director of Buildings & Facilities Rocky Martin

Setting Rates for Water & Wastewater for FY 09 – 10: Rocky has provided the Board with rate projections and a recommendation for water rates.  In regards to wastewater rates, the staff recommendation is to leave rates as they currently are, since they were set in January and assume zero revenue from Saputo. Wastewater rates are set to collect necessary capital to pay operating and maintenance with a little bit left over to put into the capital reserve fund.

As of 7/1/09 Saputo is giving up entire allocation – questioned was if there still will be a flat fee charge for the domestic use as the parcel is still connected to the system.  Rocky will check into this.

Discussion on setting a standard projected income amount for water connection fees and not adjusting them each year on anticipated building growth.

Howard moved the Board vote to set the water rate effective 7/1/09 at $70/unit flat quarterly fee and usage fee of $.035/cu ft for usage greater than 500 cu ft/unit per quarter.  Second by Andrea and approved.

Review of Requests to Extend Expiring Wastewater Capacity Allocations:  The following have wastewater capacity allocations that are expiring, and have asked for extensions, providing information on project status and plans for implementation:

Blittersdorf / 3 single-family units / 630 gpd

Green Street LLC / 25 single-family units plus infiltration / 5,750 gpd

Marie Aube Smith / 1 single-family unit / 210 gpd

Fournier / 1 single-family unit / 210 gpd

Zontanos / 4 single-family units / 840 gpd

South Farm Homes / 3 single-family units / 630 gpd

Hinesburg Hillside LLC / 22 single-family, 32 elderly housing units + infiltration / 9,540 gpd

Norris / 1 single-family unit / 210 gpd

Howard moved that the Board vote to grant extensions to June 30, 2010 for the above listed wastewater capacity allocations. Second by Randy and approved.

The following party did not respond to an invitation to submit a request for an extension (letter mailed on May 15, and reminder mailed on June 11).

K. B. Real Estate / 2 single-family units / 420 gpd

Designation of Wastewater Treatment Capacity Allocation for FY 09 – 10 As outlined in the Wastewater Capacity Allocation Ordinance, adopted 4/19/04 (Section 4.B), “During the month of June each year, the Board shall determine the Uncommitted Reserve Capacity in the Plant, including any previously allocated but reverted capacity. The Board shall designate such Uncommitted Reserve Capacity to be available for the next fiscal year. This shall be referred to as the “Annual Capacity Allocation”.” Howard moved that the Board vote to designate the amount of 57,323 gallons per day (Residential = 25,795 gpd, Enterprise = 18,343 gpd, and Institutional = 13,184 gpd) as the Annual Capacity Allocation for the period July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010 as outlined in Section 4.B of the Wastewater Capacity Allocation Ordinance, adopted April 19, 2004. Second by Randy 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 June 1, 2009: Randy moved that the Board vote to approve the minutes of June 1, 2009. Second by Howard and approved.

Minutes of June 8, 2009: Randy moved that the Board vote to approve the minutes of June 8, 2009. Second by Howard and approved.

Discussion of Grant Application for Fire Station – The Selectboard recommended Director of Buildings and Facilities, Rocky Martin, review the application and oversee the grant procedure. The Board asked Al and Rocky for a report on the conditions of the grant. The Town of Hinesburg will be the party receiving the grant.

Resignation from Affordable Housing Committee / Karolyn Realms: Karolyn did not attend any of the committee meetings since her appointment in September 2008, and we recently learned that she now lives in Essex. Howard moved that the Board vote to accept the resignation of Karolyn Realms from the Affordable Housing Committee effective immediately. Second by Randy and approved.

Road Cut Permit / Judy Fritz on Texas Hill Road: This request is for a road cut to serve a single-family home off Texas Hill Road.  The subdivision has received final approval from the DRB.  Howard moved that the Board vote to approve the road cut permit application of Judy Fritz for a road cut on Texas Hill Road (a subdivision of Tax Map #06-01-63.20) as outlined in the permit dated 10/01/08, subject to the terms and conditions placed on the permit by the Highway Foreman and all state and local permits governing the development of this parcel. Second by Randy and approved.

FY 09 – 10 Employee Salary Plan:  The Board had been provided with a draft employee salary plan for FY 09 – 10.  Howard moved that the Board vote to approve the Employee Salary Plan for FY 09 – 10 as presented. Second by Andrea and approved.

Andrea said she wanted to thank the residents for approving the budget with the salary plan and thank those people who are a part of the Town staff.  She, however, is not sure how long the Town will be able to sustain this level of employment costs.

Other Board Member Items

Andrea said she had a conversation with the Shelburne Town Manager regarding interest in having a meeting for Shelburne, Charlotte, Hinesburg, and St George selectboards regarding co-operation in working with public safety departments.

Board members were in favor and Jeanne will contact Shelburne to set up joint meeting.

Jon suggested getting the agency review committee up and going soon. There was discussion on if the members should be appointed by the Board or maintain as a committee of volunteers.

Howard moved the Board go into executive session for discussion of personnel and legal issues, second by Randy and approved.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Valerie Spadaccini, secretary