Minutes
March 1, 2007
Present: Henry C. Cobb
C. Peter Cole
Daniel Boyer
Patricia Daniels
Norman John Arrison
Others Present: Larry Melen, Town Manager
Julia Lloyd Wright, Eagle Times
Deb Ostrum, SAPA
Lisa Sargent, Recording Secretary
Edith Stillson
DeForest Bearse, Land Use Administrator
Christopher Callahan, Town Attorney
Chief Brown
Ray Stapleton, WWVFD Chief
1. Call to Order by Chairperson: Mr. Cobb called the meeting of the Weathersfield Select Board to order at 7:02 p.m. on Thursday March 1, 2007 at Martin Memorial Hall.
2. Comments from Citizens: Ms. Lloyd Wright noted there would be a meeting on Thursday March 8, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. at the Springfield Savings and Loan Bank to discuss Co-op power. She said they would be talking about bringing funding to this area.
Mrs. Daniels said she received information on the Town Officer’s Spring Conference and she feels as many people should go as possible.
3. Review Minutes from Previous Meeting (s): Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the minutes dated February 15, 2007, Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion. A correction was noted. Motion carried 4 – 0, 1 abstention.
J. Christopher Callahan, Esq. and deForest Bearse, Land Use Administrator: Mr. Boyer made the motion to go into executive session with the Town Manager, Mrs. Bearse and Attorney Callahan to discuss ongoing litigation and contractual litigation. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
5. Tenney Hill, Request for Right-of-Way: Mr. Melen said Tim Morton from the State of Vermont would like to meet for a site visit on Tuesday April 3, 2007 at 4:00 p.m. Mr. Cobb said that is fine but he would like a copy of his plan to review before the site visit.
Ascutney Market, LLC: Mr. Cole made the motion to approve the Class II Liquor License for Ascutney Market, LLC. Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the Tobacco License for Ascutney Market, LLC. Mr. Cole seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
DeFalco Corporation, dba Exit 8 Mobil: Mr. Boyer made the motion to approve the Class II Liquor License for DeFalco Corporation, dba Exit 8 Mobil. Mr. Cole seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the Tobacco License for Rice Oil Inc dba Ascutney Neighbors; Mr. Cole seconded the motion. Chief Brown noted they had one tobacco violation in November 2006 and they served a 30-day suspension. Motion carried unanimously.
HIYA, LLC dba Hiya Convenience Store: Mr. Cole made the motion to approve the Class II Liquor License for HIYA, LLC dba Hiya Convenience Store. Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the Tobacco License for HIYA, LLC dba Hiya Convenience Store. Mr. Cole seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
Mr. Cobb adjourned the Board of Liquor Commissioners.
7. Monthly Reports:
A. Financial: Mr. Melen said we are still watching expenditures and the budget is looking better.
B. Departments: Mr. Cobb asked what involvement the Lister’s have right now with the Appraisers. Mr. Melen said they are just photo copying stuff for them.
8. Highway:
1. Fiscal Year 2008 Appropriation Summary: Mr. Melen said in the Governor’s Budget the Town Highway aid was flat funded. He also noted the Class II program was cut by over one million dollars statewide.
2. 2007 Certificate of Highway Mileage: Mr. Cole made the motion to approve the Annual Certificate of Highway Mileage with the three additions noted by the Town Manager. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
3. 2007 Town Highway and Bridge Weight Restrictions Form: Mr. Melen said he recommends we file with the same restrictions as last year. Mr. Boyer made the motion to authorize the Town Manger to sign the Weight Limitation on Bridges with the weight limit adjusted on the Lavigne Bridge. Mr. Cole seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
4. Upper Falls Covered Bridge Restoration: Mr. Melen said he met with Mr. Neil Daniels and they agree the plans are acceptable. The consensus of the Board was to notify VTrans that we accept them.
5. Public Lands Highway Funds: Mr. Melen said he filed the application with Federal Highway Works for $431,000 already. Mr. Boyer made the motion approving the Public Highway Discretionary Program for 2007 for $431,000, Mr. Cole seconded the motion. Mr. Melen said he would like to thank Jason Rasmussen for all of his work towards this. Motion carried unanimously.
B. Capital Equipment Purchases proposed joint purchase program with Towns of Cavendish and Ludlow: Mr. Melen said the Town Managers have discussed buying one good full size-mowing tractor. He said they have a proposal for about $9,000 a year for three years. Mr. Cole asked how expense and maintenance would be distributed. Mr. Melen said insurance would be split three ways and maintenance and fuel would be split per hours of use. Mr. Cobb asked who would use it when, etc.? Mr. Melen said it would follow a strict rotation schedule. He noted he is not looking for the Board to approve the purchase, he is asking if we should continue discussing. The consensus of the Board was to continue to research and provide more information on how it will work between the three Towns.
C. Uniform Rental Service Agreement, Foley Services: Mr. Cole made the motion to approve the contract with Foley Services. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
9. Fire Commission, Emergency Services Dispatch Contract: Discussed in Executive Session.
A. Domestic Partnership Policy: Mr. Cobb asked what the cost is to the Town. Mr. Melen said at the moment it would be one employee so about $8,000 per year. Mrs. Daniels made the motion to approve the Domestic Partnership Policy for insurance purposes; Mr. Arrison seconded the motion. Mr. Boyer said he does not think this is fair for the reasons he stated at a previous meeting. Motion 0 – 4 with one abstention, motion did not carry.
B. Select Board Procedure for Calendar Year 2007: Mr. Cobb said he recommends having a Select Board strategic working group meeting to work on this list and to discuss contract negotiations. Mr. Melen said he would work on a date and location.
C. Hoisington Field/Weathersfield Elementary School: Mr. Melen said he is working on finding the Heirs. Mr. Cobb said again his concern is there is a cost here and he is not sure the School Committee considered the cost associated with this.
D. Southern Windsor/Windham County Solid Waste Management District
Disposal Contract Negotiations: Mr. Melen shared with the Board a note he sent to the Contract Negotiation Committee with his concerns regarding the contract negotiations with Gobin/Casella.
11. New Business
A. Preparation for Town Meeting: Mr. Melen said he is working with FloAnn to get a one-page statement from all committees regarding volunteers needed. The Board went through the Articles and decided who would speak on which Article.
B. Fiscal Year 2006 Audit Report: Mr. Melen said he recommends accepting the Auditors Report. Mr. Cole made the motion to accept the Auditors Report for FY06; Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
C. Personnel, Deferred Compensation: Mr. Melen said he has had a few employees interested in participating in this program and there is no cost to the Town. Mr. Boyer made the motion for the Town to join the Deferred Compensation Plan currently administered by the Vermont State Retirement System. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
12. Sign Treasurer’s Warrants: Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the Treasurer’s Warrants as follows:
General Fund Payroll $ 13,990.83
General Fund Operating Expense $855,033.32
Highway Fund Payroll $ 15,738.97
Highway Fund Operating Expense $ 24,397.16
Solid Waste Management Fund Payroll $ 1,587.39
Solid Waste Management Fund Operating Expense $ 1,485.14
Mr. Cole seconded the motion. Mr. Melen noted the State Education Tax Payment is in the General Fund this week. Motion carried unanimously.
13. Next Meeting’s Agenda Items: Reorganization meeting, posting roads.
14. Adjourn: Mr. Cole made the motion to adjourn. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent. The Weathersfield Select Board meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa Sargent
Approved by the Weathersfield Select Board on March 15, 2007
__________________
Henry C. Cobb
___________________
C. Peter Cole
___________________
Daniel Boyer
___________________
Norman John Arrison
__________________
Patricia Daniels
Appendix
Dispatch contract
Mobile Home (and truck) behind Bow Church
Fire District letters and meeting-completed?
Tenney Hill
Visit from Michael Smith
Name of chairpersons of various committees
Internet policy
Disposal certification application, VT AOT
Procedure on utility easements
Beaver Dams
Collection of taxes-completed?
Property tax rebate system-completed?
Ancient roads (continue working on)
Sign posting policy
Use of Perkinsville Elementary School
Town Manager search (July, 2007)
Ambulance contract (May, 2007)
Select Board agenda items/procedures for calendar year 2007
1) Capital asset inventory
No Parking Signs by Thomas residence
Dry Hydrant bid
No Parking signs on Route 131 near exit 8 and Tenney Hill
Review and increase of land use fees
Chief Spaulding look at Old Bow Road
Martin Memorial Hall/Town Office Building (where one ends and the other begins)
2/27/07 New Map for Town Report