December 21, 2006
Present: Daniel BoyerC. Peter Cole
Norman John Arrison
Patricia Daniels
Others Present: Larry Melen, Town Manager
Lisa Sargent, Recording Secretary
Deb Ostrum, SAPA
Edith Stillson
Peter Korbet
DeForest Bearse
Westley Hazeltine, Highway Superintendent
1. Call to Order by Chairperson: Mr. Arrison called the Weathersfield Select Board meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at Martin Memorial Hall. Mr. Cobb was absent therefore Mr. Arrison is Chair.
2. Executive Session
Current Litigation: Mr. Cole made the motion to go into Executive Session for the purpose of litigation with the Town Manager and Land Use Administrator. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
3. Comments from Citizens: None
4. Review Minutes from Previous Meeting (s): Tabled until the next meeting.
5. Monthly Reports
Budget Status Reports and Capital Reserves: Mr. Melen noted there is $83,806 in the Highway Equipment Reserve Fund.
6. Old Business
A. Town Parcel Mapping Contract for Land Use Mapping with Cartographic Associates, Inc.: Mr. Melen said this is the firm that does the parcel mapping and now the flood hazard maps, wetland maps and soil maps are included for an additional $2375. Mr. Boyer made the motion to direct the Town Manager to sign the contract for $2375 for the town mapping with Cartographic Associates, Inc.; Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion. It was noted this an increase over the main contract, the main contract price is $2900. Mr. Melen said that they need to be updated every year but once this original is created it will be less expensive. Motion carried 4-0.
B. Town Highway 67, Abandoned Mobile Home within right-of-way: Mrs. Daniels said the mobile home has been dismantled but not totally removed. She said that Mr. Henry Lester told her that he is taking what he can and he has signed permission from Mr. Michael Snide (the current owner). She has Mr. Snide’s telephone number and mailing address if it is needed. Mr. Lester told Mrs. Daniels he would have it cleared up by spring but Mr. Snide said he has until January 1 to remove it.
C. Emergency Services Dispatch Contract: Mr. Arrison said Chief Spaulding asked him if the contract had been signed yet. Mr. Melen said they have not come back to him since October with remarks on the revised contract, the main problem was around insurance. It was decided the Fire Commission will discuss this at their meeting on January 3rd and the Select Board will discuss again on January 4th.
7. New Business
A. Weathersfield Elementary School Possible Alternative Use: Mr. Melen said Mr. Cobb asked this to be on the agenda. It was the consensus of the Board to table this until he is present.
Mr. Melen noted he had forwarded the email he received from Mr. Cobb to Mr. Bevacqua and that the use of the building needs to be community service and recreational use, it does not specify specifically a school.
Mr. Korbet said in the 1970’s the original building was put on the Historical Register.
(i) Martin Memorial Hall Capital Maintenance and Improvements Reserve Fund: Mr. Melen recommends adding an article to create a capital maintenance and improvements fund for the Martin Memorial Hall building and another article to assess one cent of valuation to deposit into the reserve fund. The consensus of the Board was to add the two articles.
Mr. Cole asked to change the wording on the articles to match the deed. Mrs. Daniels asked the rental fee of the hall, it is $75.
(ii) Veterans’ Exemption for Real Estate Taxes, Act 207: Mr. Melen said this is a statutory change and we will need a floor vote at the Town meeting. He will come up with the wording.
Purchase of Sander from Reserve Funds: Mr. Boyer made the motion to purchase a sander for $2,495 from the Highway Equipment Reserve Fund for the replacement truck. Mr. Cole seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Long Term Debt Schedule: Mr. Melen said one sheet reflects purchasing a backhoe over a five year purchase and the other sheet reflects purchasing a rubber tire excavator over ten years (which would require a bond). He said the impact is essentially the same. The consensus of the Board was to have the long-term debt show a rubber tire excavator for planning purposes.
Donation of American Liberty Elms: Mr. Melen said the conservation commission is considering donating two or three six to eight foot liberty elm trees to the Town if there is someplace to plant them. It was the consensus of the Board to have them work with the tree warden to find a place to plant them.
8. Sign Treasurer’s Warrants: Mrs. Daniels made the motion to approve the Treasurer Warrants as follows:
General Fund Payroll $14,439.31
General Fund Operating Expense $15,064.59
Highway Fund Payroll $13,221.87
Highway Fund Operating Expense $15,320.09
Solid Waste Management Fund Payroll $ 2,107.39
Solid Waste Management Fund Operating Expense $ 9,670.18
Library $ 18.66
Mr. Cole seconded the motion. Mr. Melen noted the Library was workers comp for their payroll. Motion carried unanimously.
9. Next Meeting’s Agenda Items: Budget: (Library, general fund, flex spending document, fire departments)
10. 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 8:39 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa Sargent
Approved by the Weathersfield Select Board on January 4, 2007
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Daniel Boyer
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C. Peter Cole
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Norman John Arrison
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Patricia Daniels
Appendix
Dispatch contract
Mobile Home behind Bow Church
Fire District letters and meeting
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
Property tax rebate system
Ancient roads
Sign posting policy
Use of Perkinsville Elementary School