Selectboard Meeting
November 2, 2009
Attending the meeting; Jon Trefry, Andrea Morgante, Ken Brown, Randy Volk, Howard Russell, Jeanne Wilson, Deborah and Lawrence Lindelof, George Bedard, Colin McNaull, Liz Lee, Ann Thomas, Ann Brush.
Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m.
Lawrence & Deborah Lindelof / Status of Mill Road, Class 4 Town Road. The Lindelof’s said when the Town reclassified the road it became the responsibility of the landowners on the road to plow and maintain the road. Due to personal problems with the neighboring property owner they have had to pay all plowing costs. They are requesting the Town to discontinue the road and deed it to them. Andrea pointed out the need to protect the Town’s interest for access, a survey would need to be done to find out if the Town owns the land or just has a right of way access for the road. The Lindelof’s said they would sign a right of way for a pedestrian path on the road. The other house on the road is for sale and under contract and they would like a resolution before the new owners move in.
Howard said the Ancient Roads Committee can share with them the survey information they used.
Lawrence also said they were promised the road would be crowned and it has not been graded by the Town in years. They would like it taken care of as there is a drainage problem.
Deborah said they will look at surveys and do plan to talk with the new homeowners when they move in.
Ancient Roads Committee / Presentation of Research Report and Findings –
The committee gave a presentation on the 6 roads they identified as ancient roads where they found surveys but no discontinuances. The Trails Committees has an interest in seeing 4 of these roads put on the official Town road map. The Selectboard agreed to send notification to all abutting property owners for the 4 roads recommended by the Trails Committee inviting them to attend a Selectboard meeting to discuss the Town’s interest. It was decided to hold an open informational meeting in December to be followed by a warned public meeting in January should the Selectboard decide to either include these roads on the Town’s road map or to discontinue them. Randy said he would like more specifics from the Trails Committee on why they feel these corridors are important.
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 Andrea and approved.
Minutes of October 12, 2009 Budget Meeting: Randy moved that the Board vote to approve the minutes of the October 12, 2009 Budget Meeting as corrected. Second by Ken and approved.
Minutes of October 19, 2009: Randy moved that the Board vote to approve the minutes of October 19, 2009 as corrected. Second by Ken and approved.
Buried Utility Permit / Vermont Gas on Silver Street: Vermont Gas has submitted a buried utility permit to install a natural gas main to 96 Silver Street. Howard moved that the Board vote to approve the buried utility permit application of Vermont Gas Systems to install natural gas mains in the right of way on Silver Street as outlined in the permit dated 10/10/09, subject to the terms and conditions of the permit and any state or local permits governing the project. Second by Randy and approved.
Buried Utility Permit / Waitsfield Champlain Valley Telecom on Charlotte & Lagoon Roads: A phone line is required at the WWTF, both for a temporary phone during the construction phase and for a permanent line for the auto-dialer associated with the alarm system as part of the upgrade project. Ken moved that the Board vote to approve the buried utility permit application of Waitsfield Champlain Valley Telecom to install telephone cable in the Town’s right-of-way on Charlotte Road and Lagoon Road as outlined in the permit dated 10/14/09, 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.
Discussion of VLCT Letter / Contribution to Funding for Amicus Brief / WWTF Permit Renewals: On October 16, 2009, VLCT sent a letter to 77 municipalities with wastewater treatment facilities, asking for financial assistance to prepare an amicus brief for an appeal to Vermont Supreme Court seeking to overturn Vermont Environmental Court Judge Tom Durkin’s decision vacating the Montpelier wastewater treatment system permit renewal. Since this issue and Judge Durkin’s decision could have significant impact on WWTF permit renewals for local governments, VLCT is taking the unprecedented step of asking all municipalities that could be impacted to contribute. As of today, 18 municipalities have contributed $300 each towards this effort.
Jon moved that the Board approve and sign agreement that the Town of Hinesburg on the 2nd of November 2009 agrees to contribute $300., to be taken from WW funds, toward funding of an amicus brief before the VT Supreme Court in the case of Montpelier WWTF Discharge Permit docket NO22-2-08Vtec. The approved municipality understands any funds contributed toward an amicus in this case will be used by VLCT only for this purpose and that any funds not used will be returned to contributing municipalities in proportion to their contribution. Second by Ken.
Andrea said she is supporting the motion not because she feels the towns don’t need to upgrade sewage treatment plants, but to get the Agency of Natural Resources and all agencies responsible for water quality to work to resolve and not just target towns.
Motion voted and approved.
Other Board Member Items-
Andrea noted the beavers are back in the LaPlatte Headwaters Town Forest. She checked with VT Fish and Wildlife who stated the landowner can ask for permission to remove the beavers out of season. Andrea recommends the Town, as adjoining landowner, give permission to Jim Roberge to remove the beavers and to also consult with Fish and Wildlife to find a solution that will allow water levels that will accommodate both the beaver and the property owner. The Board agreed with Andrea’s recommendation and asked Andrea to contact Jim.
Road Cut Permit / Gilbert on Sherman Hollow Road: This request is for a road cut to serve an existing lot for a single family home on Sherman Hollow Road. Howard moved that the Board vote to approve the road cut permit application of Donald & Sue Gilbert for a road cut on Sherman Hollow Road (Tax Map #06-01-12.00) as outlined in the permit dated 10/23/09, 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 Ken and approved.
New Hire for Highway Department: The vacancy in the Highway Department for a Highway Maintainer II was advertised, and 17 applications were received. Applications were reviewed by Highway Foreman Mike Anthony and Town Administrator Jeanne Wilson, and the three candidates that best met the needs of the position as outlined in the job description were interviewed on 10/29/09. Based on the interviews, Mike and Jeanne recommend that a job offer be extended to Bruce Little, contingent upon the successful outcome of pre-employment screening. Ken moved that the Board vote to offer the position of Highway Maintainer II Trainee as outlined in the job description and employment letter dated November 2, 2009 to Bruce Little. Second by Howard and approved.
Randy moved the Board vote to adjourn at 10:45 p.m., second by Howard and approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Spadaccini, secretary