Weathersfield Select Board
Minutes
November 3, 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
Barry Newton, Constable
Wes Hazeltine
Chief Brown
Debra Ostrum, SAPA
1. Call to order by Chairperson: Mr. Cobb called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Martin Memorial Hall. Mr. Cobb noted that in Mr. Cole’s absence he would be Chair. Mr. Melen said the Public Hearing on October 22, 2005 was recessed until tonight at 7:15 p.m.
2. Public Hearing Town Highway 32 (Tarbell Hill Road). Consider Proposal to Reclassify to Class II Town Highway: Mr. Cobb opened the Public Hearing for Tarbell Hill. Mr. Melen said this is to reclassify Tarbell Hill Road from a Class III to a Class II road. Mr. Melen said he needs to talk with Wayne Gammel about this and would like to recess the Hearing. Mr. Arrison made a motion to recess the Public Hearing on Tarbell Hill until November 17, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion which passed without dissent.
3. Comments from Citizens: Mr. Melen showed one of the new magnetic Town seals he had made up as the others were very old and had demagnetized. These are used on Town Vehicles. He also had new patches made for the Police uniforms that match the seals.
Ms. Julia Lloyd Wright asked about generating electricity from the Landfill, she said she saw a TV program where a NH town did this. Mr. Melen said this was not possible to do in our Town as the landfill was closed too long ago.
Ms. Lloyd Wright asked about using Bio fuel for the Town Vehicles. She said this was just a suggestion since it is being talked about.
Mr. Barry Newton questioned if the Town could do a courtesy grade on the Class IV section of Old Bow Road. He said the way the water drains from the Class III section it is ruining the Class IV section. Mr. Melen said this is not a Class IV section, once the Class III road ends it is a private road. Mr. Cobb asked to discuss this again when Mr. Hazeltine is present.
Mr. Newton said he has one dog still at Springfield Animal Hospital that he has not been able to place.
Mrs. Daniels said she spoke with Mrs. Grover yesterday and Chief Grover is still in Boston but doing well. He is expected to be there about another two weeks. Mrs. Daniels said she has his address if anyone would like it to give her a call.
Mr. Arrison said he talked to Steven Melanson about the lights at the Town Garage and he said there is glare from the lights. He asked when they need to be replaced they consider the glare that it causes. Mr. Melen said the lights will probably need to be replaced soon.
7:15 p.m. Mr. Cobb opened the Public Hearing on the Continuance on Drumlin Road. Mr. Melen said there are eleven findings of fact and one condition. Mr. Boyer made the motion to lay out Drumlin Road as a Town Highway, Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion. Mr. Arrison asked where the description came from. Mr. Melen said Gary Rapanitti. Motion carried 4 – 0.
4. Review Minutes from Previous Meeting (s): Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the minutes dated September 22, 2005, Mr. Boyer seconded the motion. Mrs. Daniels noted corrections. Motion carried 4 – 0.
Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the minutes dated October 20, 2005; Mr. Boyer seconded the motion. Mr. Cobb noted corrections. Motion carried 4 – 0.
5. Request to waive fee to amend a Conditional Use Permit, Getaway Mountain Campground: Mr. Cobb recused himself, Mr. Arrison was Chair for this discussion. Mr. Arrison said he spoke with Mrs. Bearse and she said the application has been processed but no action has been taken. The fee is $200.00. Mr. Arrison also asked for a copy of the State Statute on Fire Works.
Mr. Melen said the only time the Board has waived a fee in the last six years is for a non profit or charitable organization.
Mr. Cobb said the applicants letter to the Board stated that these functions have not created a problem in the past however he feels they have created a problem in the past and he has expressed his concerns. He also said by the letter saying they are willing to have their conditions amended to make everyone happy it sounds like it has been approved and it hasn’t been approved yet.
Mr. Boyer said this is an amendment and he feels they should pay the fee.
Mrs. Daniels made the motion to abate the fees for Getaway Mountain Campground application for an amendment. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion which was defeated 3 – 0.
6. Monthly Activity Reports:
Constable: Mr. Newton went over his written report that he submitted. Mr. Arrison asked Mr. Newton if our ordinance was written ok, Mr. Newton said yes. Mr. Cobb asked how the unlicensed dog list was coming, Mr. Newton said it is down to about 2/3 of a page.
Land Use Administrator: No discussion
Police Chief: Chief Brown said the new police vehicle is now on the road.
7. Highway Department:
A. Monthly Activity Report: Mr. Arrison asked if all the sand has been moved, Mr. Hazeltine said about 2000 out of 5000 yards has been moved.
Mr. Cobb asked about Butterfield Hill. Mr. Hazeltine said they are monitoring the sand. Mr. Cobb asked if there have been any comments from the residents, Mr. Hazeltine said no.
Mr. Boyer questioned if the Town had sandbags for the Fire Department’s use. Mr. Hazeltine said no, they should request some from Emergency Management.
Mr. Cobb asked about Stoughton Pond Road. Mr. Hazeltine said the paperwork needs to be done; Mr. Melen said he has requested a survey. Mr. Cobb asked the time line. Mr. Melen said that Mr. Rapanotti is out of Town right now. A realistic time line of completion in the Spring/early Summer was discussed.
B. Award Four Wheel Drive Loader Bid: Mr. Melen said he received two bids. Nortrax bid $134,000 and Hill Martin bid $133,990. Mr. Hazeltine said out of these two bids he recommends going with Nortrax. Mr. Arrison made the motion to award the bid to Nortrax, not to exceed $134,000, Mr. Boyer seconded the motion. Mr. Cobb questioned the warranty; Mr. Melen read the Deere warranty from the bid information. Mr. Arrison questioned the delivery date, Mr. Melen said they had two in their yard. Motion carried 4 – 0.
Mr. Newton explained the situation to Mr. Hazeltine on Old Bow Road. It was decided Mr. Hazeltine would look at the road and see what could be done. It was suggested that Mr. Newton have the Title Attorney to look into this as well because the Town feels this turns into a private road not a Class IV road.
C. Request from Bruce Murray for Fiscal Year 2007 Road Project: Mr. Hazeltine said he agrees Amsden School House needs to be repaved but suggested putting up a No Truck Traffic sign for now. Mr. Melen will ask the League to see if this is legal. Mr. Hazeltine will look at the road to get an idea of the expense for paving.
9. Old Business: (The Board agreed to take items out of order)
A. Proctor Library: Mr. Hazeltine talked about constructing the parking area behind Proctor Library. He suggested putting gravel down this year in order to plow it. Mr. Melen will do a walk around with the Attorney for the owners. There was discussion about maintaining the sidewalk.
E. Encroachment into Right-of-Way 244 Henry Gould Road, Jamie Brockett: Mr. Melen said the Town could grant an easement and it would clear up Mr. Brockett’s title search. Mr. Melen said he does not recommend signing a Quit Claim Deed but he will talk to our Town Attorney and get his opinion. The consensus of the Board was to do an easement. Mr. Melen said he would get with Chris Callahan and work out the language.
Discuss use of reserve funds: Mr. Arrison said for several years now we have asked the Townspeople to approve money for this reserve fund and we should tap into it to reduce part of the bond. Mr. Arrison made the motion to use $30,000 from the Fire Equipment Motorized Reserve Fund to lower the bond principal to $190,000. Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
9. Old Business:
B. Request for Crosswalk, Maple Street and Quarry Road: Mr. Melen said he has talked with the Superintendent of Schools and he will take this to the school board. Mr. Cobb asked Mr. Melen to put this on the next agenda.
C. Appoint Deputy Health Officer: Mr. Melen said Lynn Esty has declined at this time.
D. Reduction of Speed Limit Request VT Route 131: Mr. Melen said we have received notification from the State that they have agreed to lower the speed limit east of Route 106 to Larry Moore’s to 35 mph.
F. Request for Right-of-Way, Tenney Hill Pond Property: Mr. Cobb asked Mr. Melen to confirm the State is going to find the water pipe. He also said he doesn’t agree that the ground slopes away from the pond.
10. Policies and Ordinances:
A. Sign Policies: The Board members signed the Alcohol and Drug Testing Policy as well as the Group Insurance, Retirement System and Sick Leave Bank policies.
B. Stop Sign Ordinance: There was discussion on roads that need to added to the ordinance and have signs posted. It was agreed to sign the ordinance at the next meeting and then make revisions as necessary.
11. New Business:
A. Designate Water/Sewer Study Committee Representation: Mr. Melen said he talked to Mrs. Bearse and she said the Zoning Board has dropped this. The consensus of the Board is to move forward without a Zoning Board member. Mr. Cobb asked to have Mike Smith come back to and update us to get this resurfaced again. Mr. Cobb said he would have a conversation with Mr. Cole to ask him talk to the Acting Chair of the Zoning Board.
B. Town Parcel Mapping 2006 Maintenance Contract: Mr. Melen said the proposal from CAI is for $1500 which is the same fee as in the past years. Mr. Boyer made the motion to grant Cartographic Associates, Inc the contract for maintenance for a total of $1500 for 2006. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
1. Cost of Living Adjustments: Mr. Melen said this information is for budgetary purposes.
2. Position Adjustments: Mr. Melen said he would like to reclassify five positions. They are the secretary, the accounting clerk, the mechanic, the laborer and the Town accountant. Mr. Cobb asked why these five and Mr. Melen said because they are out of whack. Per Mr. Melen’s recommendation the consensus of the Board is to reclassify the Town accountant to $20 per hour. Per Mr. Melen’s recommendation the consensus of the Board is to reclassify the Accounting clerk to $13.15 per hour. Per Mr. Melen’s recommendation the consensus of the Board is to reclassify the Secretary to $14 per hour. There was discussion on increasing the Laborers position to $12.25 per hour; there was not a consensus on this.
12. Appointments:
(iii) Mr. Newton volunteered for the Conservation Commission. Mr. Arrison made the motion to appoint Mr. Newton to the Conservation Commission; Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion. Mr. Cobb asked how long the term was, Mr. Melen said he would have to check. Motion carried.
13. Sign Treasurer’s Warrants: Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the Treasurer’s Warrants as follows:
General Fund Payroll $12,754.70
General Fund Operating Expense $ 8,525.16
Highway Fund Payroll $15,235.60
Highway Fund Operating Expense $ 7,069.14
Solid Waste Fund Payroll $ 1,767.89
Solid Waste Fund Operating Expense $ 1,848.75
Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, motion carried unanimously.
14. Next Meeting’s Agenda Items: Tarbell Hill, Drumlin Road, Nortrax Loader, Parking at Proctor Library, Drainage on Town Highway 66, Controlling Trucks on Amsden School House Road, Mike Smith, Stop Sign Ordinance, Energy Conservation Report.
15. Adjourn: Mr. Arrison made the motion to adjourn, Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion, which passed without dissent. The Weathersfield Select Board meeting adjourned at 10:17 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa A. Sargent
Approved by the Weathersfield Select Board on November 17, 2005
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Henry C. Cobb
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Daniel Boyer
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Norman John Arrison
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Patricia Daniels