Present: Henry C. Cobb
Norman John Arrison
Daniel Boyer
C. Peter Cole
Patricia Daniels

Others Present: Larry Melen, Town Manager
Wes Hazeltine, Road Superintendent
Lisa Sargent, Recording Secretary
Edith Stillson
Julia Lloyd Wright, Eagle Times
Deb Ostrum, SAPA

1. Call to Order by Chairperson: Mr. Cobb called the meeting of the Weathersfield Select Board to order at 7:02 p.m. at Martin Memorial Hall.

2. Comments from Citizens: Mr. Melen reminded the Board there is a meeting on Saturday, November 4th at 9:00 a.m. at Old Bow Road with a Public Hearing immediately following at Martin Memorial Hall.
Ms. Lloyd Wright said she talked to Dick and he will get with Flo-Ann and get the records out of the cupboard that is locked so she can have access to them.

3. Review Minutes from Previous Meeting (s): Mr. Boyer made the motion to approve the minutes dated October 12, 2006, Mr. Arrison seconded the motion. Corrections were noted. Motion passed 5 – 0.
Mr. Cole made the motion to approve the minutes dated October 19, 2006, Mr. Boyer seconded the motion. Corrections were noted. Motion passed 4 – 0 with one abstention.

4. Monthly Reports
-General Fund, Highway Fund and Solid Waste Fund: No discussion

5. Highway
A. Fiscal Year 2007 Truck Acquisition: Mr. Melen said there was only one response from the bid packet and it was that there is no pricing available at this time. Mr. Melen said the Town of Killington has a 2000 Mack for sale with 100,000 miles for $40,000. He said Mr. Hazeltine looked at it and they are willing to take $37,000 for it now. Mr. Hazeltine said it is in very good shape, there is not a plow wing but it has an adjustable angle plow, it would be a good truck for Perkinsville.
Mr. Cole asked how a purchase like this would affect our long-term capitol plan. Mr. Melen said we could pay this off in two years so we could move the schedule up a year.
Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the purchase of the 2000 Mack Truck from the Town of Killington not to exceed $37,000; Mr. Boyer seconded the motion.
Mr. Cobb asked where the money would come from, Mr. Melen said we have been authorized to borrow up to $50,000. Mr. Arrison asked what would happen to the Municipal loan that we had, Mr. Melen said that he is still discussing that but if we returned it our next truck would be eligible to use it.
Mr. Hazeltine said we should list the 1989 for sale as soon as possible as it is the right time of year to sell.
Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Cole made the motion that if this purchase is successful to list the 1989 for sale immediately. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.

B. Computer: Mr. Cobb asked when the Highway Department would get a new computer, Mr. Melen said when the Select Board authorized the purchase. Mr. Boyer made the motion to purchase a computer for the Highway Department, Mr. Arrison seconded the motion. Mr. Cobb asked what kind would be purchased, Mr. Melen said Gateway. Mr. Cole asked how much it would cost, Mr. Melen said $800. Mr. Hazeltine said he would like a flat screen monitor, as he does not have much room on his desk. Motion carried unanimously.

C. Ancient Roads: Mr. Melen shared information with the Board on information he received at the Town Managers meeting. Ms. Lloyd Wright said some committee members met and they would ask for a planning grant of $5,000. She has a draft outlining the tasks and they came up with a list of fourteen roads that need to be worked on. Ms. Lloyd Wright said the grant application is due on the 10th of November. It was decided to have a regular Select Board meeting after the Public Hearing on Saturday to sign the grant application.

Skipped ahead to 7 f.

7. New Business
F. Categorical Disposal Certification Application, Vermont Agency of Transportation: Mr. Melen said this is for information purposes only since the permit has already been issued. Mrs. Bearse said she read this as a re-certification but she doesn’t know when the original permit was issued. After discussion it was the consensus of the Board to have Mr. Melen send a letter saying this appears to be expanded use and change of use and we didn’t have an opportunity to comment before the permit was approved. Mrs. Bearse will send a letter as well. (The letters will go to different individuals)

H. Request to Waive Permit Fee, Brenda Richardson: Mrs. Bearse said the barbershop is in the house now which is a home occupation and if it is relocated in an out building then it becomes a home industry therefore, she needs to apply for a permit. Mrs. Daniels said we had a request to waive permit fees recently and we denied that request and the individual worked out a payment plan with the Town and she feels the same should be done here. Mrs. Daniels made the motion to deny the request and ask the owner to attempt other measures for payment; Mr. Cole seconded the motion. Mrs. Bearse explained fees are set to pay for expenses associated with the application. Mr. Cobb asked Mrs. Bearse to review the fee schedule to see if it needs to be adjusted. Motion carried 4 – 0 with one abstention.

6. Old Business
A. Revaluation Contract: Mr. Melen said he was told Vermont companies are not able to get the completion bond. He said he added language to the contract to say all work materials are the exclusive property of the Town. Mr. Arrison made the motion to authorize the Town Manger to sign the contract between the Town of Weathersfield and Associates in Municipal Property Tax Assessment, L.L.C. with the changes noted. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion with carried 5 – 0.

B. Emergency Services Dispatch Contract, Town of Windsor: Mr. Melen said the Town Attorney still has some problems with the liability assignments. Mr. Boyer said the Fire Commission looked at this quickly and they have some concerns as well but would like to look at it more closely. Mr. Boyer made the motion to table the discussion on the Emergency Services Dispatch Contract; Mr. Cole seconded the motion. Mr. Cobb asked our timeline, Mr. Melen said his comments are back to Windsor now. Motion carried 5 – 0.

C. Town Highway 67, Abandoned Mobile Homes on Right-of-Way: Mr. Melen said they are still working on who owns the trailers and he, Mrs. Daniels and Mrs. Bearse will walk up there tomorrow to look at them. Mr. Cobb asked that he have Chief Brown with them to see about public safety.

D. Animal Control Ordinance, Adoption: Mr. Arrison made the motion to adopt the Animal Control Ordinance. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.

E. Reimbursement from Pet Owner of Vicious Animal: Mr. Melen said we have not heard from the owner. After discussion, the majority of the Board agreed to discontinue pursuing collection at this time.

F. Cady Hill: Mr. Melen said Town Council would respond to this letter after he and Mr. Hazeltine look at the Beaver Pond to see if it is currently breached.

G. Resolution Calling for Repeal of the Vermont Statewide Property Tax: Mr. Cole suggested supporting VLCT amendments. The consensus of the Board was to have Mr. Melen draft a support resolution for their review at the next meeting.

7. New Business
A. Procedure on Utility Easements: There was discussion as to if property owners now have to come before the Select Board to get an easement when installing underground utilities. In the past Utility company’s came before the Board but Mr. Hazeltine gave the property owner permission for installation when he looked the driveway. It was the consensus of the Board to look at adding a page to the driveway permit to include installing underground utilities so permission can be granted at the same time. Mr. Melen will draft up a form for the Board to review.

B. Employee Insurance
-Blue Cross/Blue Shield: Mr. Melen said it looks like there will be a large increase but the State may have an alternative. He is going to a meeting on the 17th and will have more information after that.
UnumProvident: Mr. Melen said the League negotiated the contract with Unum, it was with Standard previously. Mr. Arrison made the motion to enter into a subcontract through the Health Trust for ADD, STD, LTD and Life insurance. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
Future Planning Associates: Mr. Melen said funds go into a monitored fund and then as they are used they request the Town to send a check. Mr. Cole made the motion to enter into a subcontract for the Section 125/Cafeteria Plan with Future Planning Associates. Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.

C. Designation of the National Incident Management System as Town Policy: Mr. Melen said the Federal Government requires we adopt NIMS. Mr. Arrison made the motion to sign the Select Board Order designating the National Incident Management System as the basis for all incident management in the Town; Mr. Cole seconded the motion. Mr. Cobb asked if Chief Brown had been certified yet, Mr. Melen said he believes so. Mrs. Daniels said the Board was going to receive an email with the site information and she has not seen it yet. Mr. Cobb asked Mr. Melen to email the Board members the site. Motion carried 4 – 1.

D. Internet Access Policy Revisions: Mr. Melen shared an example of the Internet policy that Springfield adopted for the Boards review. He said he would revise this policy for us to look at and adopt. Mr. Cobb asked to allow personal use of the computer on occasion as long as it does not interfere with their work or cost the Town money.

E. 2007 Maintenance Contract for Mapping Services Cartographic Associates, Inc. Mr. Cole made the motion to authorize Mr. Melen to sign the 2007 contract with Cartographic Associates, Inc. for a fee of $2,000 annually. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.

G. Ascutney Union Church
A. Request to Pave Common Driveway: Mr. Melen said we could put paving in the budget while doing other paving projects.
B. Request to Connect to Onsite Septic System: Mr. Melen said our system was not designed for that much more use and it isn’t possible to allow the Church to connect.
Mr. Melen will write letters back to the Church regarding the above decisions.

8. Sign Treasurer’s Warrants: Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the Treasurer Warrants as follows:
General Fund Payroll $13,985.54
General Fund Operating Expense $24,463.95
Highway Fund Payroll $14,145.72
Highway Fund Operating Expense $20,698.43
Solid Waste Management Fund Payroll $ 1,656.42
Solid Waste Management Fund Operating Expense $ 547.16
Grants $ 1,875.97
Agency Monies $ 41.98
Reserves $12,392.96
Mr. Cole seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.

9. Next Meeting’s Agenda Items: Dispatch contract, mobile home, Cady Hill, easement policy, internet policy, insurance, budget discussion.

10. Adjourn: Mr. Arrison made the motion to adjourn at 10:12 p.m. Mr. Cole seconded the motion, which passed without dissent. The Weathersfield Select Board meeting was adjourned at 10:13 p.m. on Thursday November 2, 2006.

Respectfully Submitted,

Lisa Sargent

Approved by the Weathersfield Select Board on December 7, 2006

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Henry C. Cobb

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Norman John Arrison

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Patricia Daniels