Weathersfield Select Board
Minutes
April 7, 2005
Present: Henry C. Cobb
Daniel Boyer
C. Peter Cole
Norman John Arrison
Others Present: Larry Melen, Town Manager
Lisa Sargent, Recording Secretary
Wayne Gammel
Ann Kreis
Thomas Ballam
Laura Ballam
Donald Ballam
Warren Ballam
Marion Ballam
Mark Knight
Sonny Grover
Ray Stapleton
Edith Stillson
Ernie Shand
Bruce Johnson, SAPA TV
Chief Brown
Mr. Peter Cole called the meeting of the Weathersfield Select Board to order at 7:04 p.m. on Thursday April 7, 2005. He asked to jump ahead to #4 on the agenda.
4. Commendation:
Mr. Peter Cole presented a certificate of recognition to Warren Ballam from the Town of Weathersfield for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Representative Shand also presented him a certificate on behalf of the Vermont Legislature.
2. Comments from citizens:
Mr. Sonny Grover told the Board West Weathersfield Fire Dept. has done their research and have decided on the truck they would like to have. It has come down to three dealers, they feel the chassis should be an International. They have given the specs to Wes and he has reviewed them with the Town mechanic. The body will be poly along with a poly tank. The poly body will have a 20 year warranty; the poly tank will have a life time warranty. They want a 1500 gallon per minute pump and a 20 gallon foam tank on it. It will have a compartment on the side for a 2000-gallon port-a-tank. They’ve talked to three dealers and they’ve discussed the specs. Mr. Melen explained it will be put in the Newspaper of Record. Mr. Boyer said the Fire Commission looked at the specs and they agree with them. Mr. Arrison said before the specs go out to bid he has specific thoughts on how the warranty should be worded, he said he would like to see a three year bumper to bumper warranty. Mr. Melen said he will do a draft and let the Board review it before finalizing. Mr. Cobb asked Mr. Melen when proposals come back is there a scoring criteria. Mr. Melen said there should be and it should be done by the same party that reviews the specs. There was discussion as to how the point system works.
3. Review Minutes from Previous Meetings (s):
Mr. Cobb made the motion to approve the minutes dated March 17, 2005, Mr. Boyer seconded the motion. Mrs. Daniels noted corrections via her e-mail. Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the minutes dated March 27, 2005, Mr. Boyer seconded the motion. Mrs. Daniels noted corrections via her e-mail. Motion carried unanimously.
5. Annual Appointment Interview:
Mr. Wayne Gammel was present at the Board’s request to meet with them. He gave a brief statement of his work history and experience. Mr. Arrison asked the Chairperson of the Board to skip to item #12 on the agenda. Mr. Arrison made the motion to appoint Wayne Gammel to the Budget Committee. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent. Mr. Gammel is interested in the Zoning Board position but that can not be appointed yet. The Board told Mr. Gammel they will let him know if that position will be available or not.
Ms. Ann Kreis was also present and expressed her interest in the Conservation Commission. She gave a brief background of her experience. Mr. Arrison made the motion to appoint Ann Kreis to the Conservation Commission. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion which passed without dissent.
6. State Planning Grants for Municipal Utilities:
Mr. Michael Smith from Dufresne & Henry was present and talked to the Board regarding potential work in the Town of Weathersfield. He said two weeks ago he was talking to the Town of Windsor regarding their water and he thought it may apply to the Town of Weathersfield. In talking to the Town of Windsor about bringing waste water down to the Nursing Home and Weston Heights he thought it may be beneficial for Weathersfield to consider their options at this time. He mentioned that the Windsor Treatment Plant has been around almost 20 years. The State, by permit, requires the Town assess their needs every 20 years. So, while the Town of Windsor is looking at this it may be to their benefit to include an outside Town such as Weathersfield. He noted there is funding available to the Town for planning purposes. He explained some of the Grants/Programs available and the requirements that need to be met to qualify for such Grants.
There was discussion between Board members, Mr. Melen and Mr. Smith about State Aid/Requirements, Grants etc. They also discussed the time frame as far as Windsor and Springfield’s upgrades go. It was also noted the Planning Commission and the Conservation Committee should be involved in the planning. There was discussion about health and development issues.
It was decided to put this on the agenda for the next meeting and Mr. Smith will do some work to determine a fee to do the scope of the work. Mr. Cobb asked for someone from the Planning Commission and Conservations Committee to attend the next meeting. Mr. Cole asked Mr. Smith for a copy of a recent study from a different Town to review. Mr. Smith gave the Board a brief history on Dufresne & Henry.
7. Monthly Reports:
Mr. Melen said there was an addition to add under the Highway Report. Mr. Melen said that the uniform contract for the Highway and Solid Waste Department is up for renewal and Foley is asking for a two year contract. The Terms of the Contract have not changed but he needs the Boards authorization to sign it. Mr. Arrison made the motion to authorize the Town Manager to sign the 104 week agreement with Foley. Mr. Cobb seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
Mr. Cobb asked Mr. Melen to ask Mr. Hazeltine what’s going to happen in the upcoming construction season.
Mr. Boyer said he would like to commend Planning & Zoning on their report, the report is very nice. Mr. Cole thanked Chief Brown as well for his report. Mr. Arrison made mention he was pleased with the way the previous part time police officer performed and he hopes the next part time police officer does as well.
Mr. Cobb said back to the Highway Department, people are not aware even though it was discussed at Town Meetings, what is going to happen to Thrasher Road. We should send a letter to residents. Mr. Melen said he and Mr. Hazeltine have that on the schedule to do.
Mr. Boyer said the Fire Commission met last night and it was mentioned that Mr. Murphy will be putting in a pond and he is willing to put in a hydrant and asked the Fire Commission for the piping.
Mr. Boyer said Darrin mentioned with the fire in the Bow this week there is a water issue in the Bow. He asked about putting a 10,000 gallon tank in the Town pit in the Bow. Mr. Melen said we’ll have to go through Act 250. There was discussion about using the pond in the Bow. Mr. Boyer said the owner won’t let them. Mr. Melen said they are receiving a tax exemption for the pond because it’s available to use for fire prevention. Mr. Melen will check into this further.
Mr. Boyer asked for $20,000 out of the reserve fund account so Ascutney and West Weathersfield departments can each spend $10,000 on turn out gear. Mr. Melen said the town has to put out a bid and turn the gear over to the departments not the cash. Mr. Arrison said he would like to see the wording of the article for the reserve fund. Mr. Arrison also would like to see a rough inventory of the current gear.
Mr. Boyer mentioned the Perkinsville hydrant isn’t working up to its full capacity. Mr. Arrison said he talked to Peter Daniels and one of them will pick up a flow meter to check it.
Mr. Melen said going back to the Accountant report; he has purchased wood blinds for the meeting room. Also, he needs to make an immediate purchase of a new computer for approximately $1500.
Mr. Cobb asked Mr. Boyer if the two fire departments have done an inventory of town purchased equipment yet. Mr. Boyer said he forgot to ask them but will.
Mr. Boyer said that Mr. Sonny Grover is now Vice Chair of the Fire Commission.
8. Highway:
A. Class II Paving Grant Fiscal Year 2006
Mr. Cobb made the motion that the Select Board signs the Grant application between the Sate of Vermont Agency of Transportation and the town of Weathersfield for the Stoughton Pond Project with an estimated projected cost of $148,500 of which $75,000 is State funds. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion which passed without dissent.
B. Fiscal Year 2006 Annual Financial Plan
Mr. Boyer made the motion to sign the Annual Financial Plan with the State of Vermont. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion with passed without dissent.
Mr. Melen said he had a visit from VTrans Right of Way division and they said that a portion of Route 106 at the North end of the Perkinsville Village was relinquished to the Town. He has asked them to show him something in writing.
Mr. Melen said he and Mr. Hazeltine went to a Leagues of City and Towns meeting yesterday and learned Class IV roads must be open and maintained to be passable, can not block them to vehicles. He said we’ll need to re-class some as trails. There was a lot of discussion as to what roads and when and how to re-classify these roads.
9. Policies:
A. Review Draft Ethics Policy: Skipped until the next meeting.
B. Sign Policy for Conduct of Meetings & Hearings: This was approved at the last meeting so Board members signed the policy
10. Old Business:
A. Weathersfield Planning Commission: Mr. Melen asked if there were any comments from the last meeting. Mr. Cobb noted that he would like to add the phrase about possibly having a new school and needing water and sewer.
B. Revised Parking License: Mr. Melen said this is not ready to sign. Our Town Attorney wants one minor change noted before signing. (Add permission should not be unreasonably denied)
C. Notice of Re-determination: Received notice of re-determination back.
11. New Business:
A. Application for Certificate of Approval for Location of a Junkyard:
Mr. Melen said Mr. Hodgdon is applying for a junk yard license. Mr. Cole asked if he paid the $25 application fee. Mr. Melen said yes. Mr. Cole said he would like to be assured it’s not an expansion of their original junkyard that he has not expanded into the re-sale area and the other land he owns. Mr. Cole said he’d like to have the archives reviewed and have the Zoning Administrator look at the current site. Mr. Cobb said someone should walk the perimeter and confirm the salvage yard has not expanded. Mr. Cole asked to have Mr. Melen check to be sure they are in compliance with our current Zoning Laws. Mr. Melen said he would talk with the Land Use Administrator.
Mr. Cobb made the motion to set the standard mileage rate at 40.5 cents per mile effective 07/01/05. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
1. Vermont Municipal Employee Retirement System: Mr. Melen said during the audit it was found we have two present employees that are required to be members of the State of Vermont retirement system. This goes back to 2001. His proposal is we’ll pay the money up front and work out a schedule for them to pay us back.
Budget Committee: Mr. Boyer made the motion to appoint Rachel Frank to the Budget Committee. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
Connecticut River Development Corporation Representative: Mr. Cobb made the motion to appoint Neil H. Daniels the Representative to the Connecticut River Development Corporation. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
Connecticut River Development Corporation Alternate: Mr. Cobb made the motion to appoint Peter M. Daniels the Alternate to the Connecticut River Development Corporation. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
Fence Viewer: Mr. Cobb made the motion to appoint Julia Lloyd-Wright. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion, which passed without dissent. Mr. Boyer made the motion to appoint Norman John Arrison. Mr. Cobb seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
Fire Commission: Mr. Boyer made the motion to nominate Mr. Ron Alflen for a two-year term to the Fire Commission. Mr. Cobb seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
Parks and Recreation Commission: Mr. Cobb made the motion to appoint Julia Lloyd-Wright to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
Southern Windsor County Regional Planning Commissioner: Mr. Arrison made the motion to appoint Peter M. Daniels. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
Southern Windsor County Transportation Advisory Committee Alternate: Mr. Arrison made the motion to appoint Peter M. Daniels as the Alternate to the Southern Windsor County Transportation advisory Committee. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
Weathersfield-is-Togethersfield: Mr. Boyer made the motion to appoint Francis K. Wright, Shirley J. Harlow and Elizabeth Betty Adams to the Weathersfield-is Togethersfield Committee. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
General Fund Payroll: $18,883.01
General Fund Operating Expense: $13,139.83
Highway Fund Payroll $23,344.64
Highway Fund Operating Expense: $20,455.09
Solid Waste Management Fund Payroll: $ 2,567.96
Solid Waste Management Fund Operating Expense:$ 669.51
Mr. Arrison seconded the motion. Mr. Boyer questioned the payment to Debbie Currie, Mr. Melen said it was for janitorial services. Mr. Cobb questioned the payment to Cersosimo, Mr. Melen said it was for 2” plus quarry stone. Mr. Cobb questioned the payment to Southworth Milton, Mr. Melen said it was for the Caterpillar grader. Motion carried unanimously.
The Board came out of executive session at 10:45 p.m. Mr. Arrison made the motion to adjourn. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent. The Weathersfield Select Board meeting was adjourned at 10:48 p.m. on Thursday April 7, 2005.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa A. Sargent
Approved by the Weathersfield Select Board on April 21, 2005
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C. Peter Cole
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Norman John Arrison
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Daniel Boyer
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Henry C. Cobb