Weathersfield Select Board
Minutes
November 17, 2005
Present: Norman John Arrison
Daniel Boyer
Henry C. Cobb
Patricia Daniels
Others Present: Larry Melen, Town Manager
Lisa Sargent, Recording Secretary
Julia Lloyd Wright, Eagle Times
Rick Butler
Debra Ostrum, SAPA
Wes Hazeltine, Road Foreman
1. Call to Order by Chairperson: Mr. Cobb called the meeting of the Weathersfield Select Board to order at 7:07 p.m. at Weathersfield Elementary School. Mr. Cobb noted that in Mr. Cole’s absence he would be Chair.
2. Public Hearing (continued from November 3, 2005)
Reclassification of Town Highway 32 (Tarbell Hill Road) Mr. Cobb opened the Public Hearing on reclassification of Town Highway #32. Mr. Boyer made the motion to approve the reclassification of Tarbell Hill Road to a Class II road. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. Mr. Cobb closed the Public Hearing on Town Highway #32.
3. Public Hearing (continued from November 3, 2005)
Lay out Drumlin Road as a Town Highway: Mr. Cobb opened the Public Hearing on the lay out of Drumlin Road. Mr. Boyer made the motion to adopt the laying out of Drumlin Road, Mr. Arrison seconded the motion. Mrs. Daniels said she noted corrections previously and wanted to be sure they were corrected, Mr. Melen said they have been. Motion carried unamously. It was noted Mr. Boyer is not a signatory as he was not at the Public Hearing. Mr. Cobb closed the Public Hearing.
4. Comments from citizens: Mr. Melen said he received a call from Chief Grover and he is home and doing well. He goes back in three weeks for a check up.
Mr. Melen said as a reminder, the Town office will be closed next Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
5. Review Minutes from Previous Meeting (s): Mr. Boyer made the motion to accept the minutes dated November 3, 2005, Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion. Several corrections were noted. Motion carried unanimously.
6. Monthly Activity Reports:
Fire Commission Report: Mr. Boyer said the fire truck body is being mounted to the chassis; we are waiting for the tanker.
Mrs. Daniels asked who took the minutes at the last meeting and if what the Board received was a draft. Mr. Boyer said Barb Thomas took minutes and yes, this was a draft from him.
Mr. Hazeltine said they are starting to service the trucks for the winter and were wondering if they are supposed to maintain the trucks owned by the departments. It was discussed that previously the Board said they would be maintained by the Town. Mr. Cobb said a couple years ago we started a policy/contract between the departments and the Town and we should continue with this.
Mr. Arrison said the $2000 from the Ascutney Post Office building permit is in the Town Report under Post Office Fund. Mr. Melen said the fire department could present to the Board what they would like to purchase and the Board would make the purchase but the law reads the Board must spend the money not the department.
There was discussion about the department members receiving flu shots at the expense of the Town. Mr. Melen suggested they go to Dartmouth Hitchcock on a Sunday because they offer free flu shots.
General Fund: Mr. Melen said the cash flow is good. Mr. Cobb asked if there was any short term investment for times like this when cash flow is good. Mr. Melen said we do use an investment account that offers a little better rate than the regular accounts.
Highway Fund: Mr. Melen said this is looking good.
Solid Waste Fund: Mr. Melen said it shows we have spent 75% of the budget this year. Mr. Hazeltine said he is looking into this as he believes there is a problem with the Gobin bills. Mr. Cobb asked to look at this account in two weeks after Wes has had time to review the invoices.
Mr. Melen noted at the end of October we are $129,000 ahead of last year. Also, the taxes closed today and for the second quarter $129,997 is unpaid. Mr. Cobb asked Mr. Melen to give us another update at the next meeting on unpaid taxes.
7. Old Business
A. Highway:
Drainage at end of Town Highway 66 (Old Bow Road): Mr. Hazeltine said he met with Mr. Newton and there is nothing the Town can do to help this. It is all well off the Town Highway and on private property.
Cost Estimates for re-surfacing Town Highway 10 (Amsden School Road): Mr. Hazeltine said he looked at this and he estimates that it would cost between $32,000 and $38,000 which does not include reclamation.
B. Petition for Crosswalk at intersection of Maple Street and Quarry Road with Vermont Route 106 (continued from November 3, 2005): Mr. Melen said there has not been any action from the School Board. Mr. Cobb asked Mr. Melen to send another letter following up. Mr. Arrison asked Mr. Melen to follow up on the Route 5 crosswalk by the Ascutney School too.
C. Construction of parking area at Proctor Library (continued from November 3, 2005): Mr. Melen said he and Mr. Hazeltine have discussed this but they have not met with Mr. Springer yet. Mr. Hazeltine’s opinion is to put about 6” of crushed gravel on it for the winter. Mr. Melen said according to the permit, the property owner or the Lessee is responsible for the side walk maintenance.
The Board moved ahead to item #11 on the agenda. Acquisition or sale of real estate: The consensus of the Board is they are ok with the changes, Mr. Cobb confirmed with Mr. Butler that he is ok with this. The next step is to see if we can do this as a boundary line adjustment. Mr. Melen said next time we meet we should know if it can be done as a boundary line adjustment or if it will need to be done as a subdivision.
8. New Business:
A. Proposed Legislation:
1. Establishing new standards for citizen petitions: Mr. Melen said currently a petition needs to be signed by 5% of the registered voters, they are considering to raise this to 20%. Mr. Arrison made the motion to draft a letter to the Clerk Association and our four Representatives in opposition of the proposed legislation as written stating we feel this is excessive and burdensome. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion which passed 3 – 1.
2. Decriminalization of marijuana: Mr. Arrison made the motion to table this indefinitely. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion which passed without dissent.
B. Request for “Horse Crossing” signs on Town Highway 37 (Thrasher Road): Mr. Arrison said per the Town policy if the citizen would like to pay for the signs we will be sure they get up. The consensus of the Board is to have Mr. Melen write a letter to the citizen. Mr. Arrison suggested having the police do a radar survey in the area. Mr. Melen noted, for the record, this was not received at the property owner’s request.
9. Appointments: Mr. Melen said we do not have any volunteers but we need to do something for the Solid Waste Management District Representative. Mr. Cobb asked Julia Lloyd Wright to put something in a paper article when appropriate that Weathersfield is looking for someone.
10. Sign Treasurer’s Warrants: Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the Treasurer’s Warrants as follows:
General Fund Payroll: $11,925.55
General Fund Operating Expense: $89,255.56
Highway Fund Payroll $12,616.49
Highway Fund Operating Expense: $ 9,417.11
Solid Waste Management Fund Payroll $ 1,773.29
Solid Waste Management Fund Operating Expense: $11,836.32
Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion. Mr. Melen noted the fire truck chassis purchase of $75,000 is in the General Fund Operating Expense. Motion carried unanimously.
11. Next Meeting’s Agenda Items: Stop sign ordinance, energy conservation, Mike Smith, AVFD hazmat funds, tax payment status, Butler subdivision, Town service award and agenda arrivals.
12. Executive Session: Mr. Arrison made the motion to go into executive session for Personnel and Acquisition or sale of real estate. Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion which passed without dissent.
Mr. Cobb made the motion to adjourn, Mr. Boyer seconded the motion which passed without dissent. The Weathersfield Select Board was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa A. Sargent
Approved by the Weathersfield Select Board on December 15, 2005
Norman John Arrison
Henry C. Cobb
Daniel Boyer
Patricia Daniels