Weathersfield Select Board
February 16, 2006
Minutes
Present: Daniel Boyer
Norman John Arrison
C. Peter Cole
Patricia Daniels
Others Present: Larry Melen, Town Manager
Lisa Sargent, Recording Secretary
Barbara Thomas
Michael Thomas
Julia Lloyd Wright, Eagle Times
Deb Ostrum, SAPA TV
1. Call to Order by Chairperson: Mr. Cole called the meeting of the Weathersfield Select Board to order at 7:02 p.m. at Martin Memorial Hall.
2. Comments from Citizens: Ms. Lloyd Wright asked who owned the property that Weathersfield Elementary School was on. Mr. Melen said the original school is on Town land, the addition is on land owned by the Hoisington Field Land Trust.
Ms. Lloyd Wright asked if the Town was having an informational meeting prior to the Town Meeting, Mr. Melen said no.
3. Board of Liquor Commissioners:
A. License Renewals for PetroStores, Inc., dba Ascutney Gulf Market. Mr. Cole convened as the Liquor Commission Board. Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the Class 2 Liquor License for PetroStores, Inc., dba Ascutney Gulf Market. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion which passed unamously.
Mr. Boyer made the motion to approve the Tobacco License for PetroStores, Inc., dba Ascutney Gulf Market. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
4. Review Minutes from Previous Meeting(s): Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the minutes dated February 2, 2006, Mr. Boyer seconded the motion. Mrs. Daniels asked if Mr. Arrison and Mr. Hazeltine had discussed the Vermont Agency of Transportation Bridge Inspection Report. Mr. Arrison said they discussed it yesterday morning and Mr. Hazeltine has information to pass onto Mr. Melen. Motion carried 3 – 0 with one abstention.
Mr. Cole suggested moving ahead to Old Business Emergency Management.
7. Old Business
A. Emergency Management Rapid Response Plan: Mr. Thomas shared the Rapid Response Plan with the Board. Additions and corrections were noted. Mr. Boyer made the motion to approve the Rapid Response Plan with corrections as noted. Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion which passed without dissent. Mr. Thomas said according to the Federal Government anyone that can be involved in any kind of disaster has to be included in training. He said the State of Vermont does not feel as strong about this as the Federal Government does. Mr. Thomas said the classes can be done on line in about four hours. Mrs. Daniels asked how you prove you have taken the course on line. Mr. Thomas said the registration goes to the Data Bank and the Federal Government sends you a certificate if you pass the test. Mr. Cole asked Mr. Melen to email the Board members the website to access the class on line.
5. Monthly Reports:
Fire Commission: Mr. Boyer said they are hoping to have the new fire truck in mid March. There was discussion about changes that have been made. Mr. Melen asked Mrs. Thomas to meet with him to discuss what changes have been made so they can be recorded.
Mr. Boyer said Chief Spaulding is working on being able to use the pond in Weathersfield Bow as a fire pond. Mr. Boyer said there is some question that the pond is being filled with refuge and debris by adjacent land owners. Mr. Melen said this is a State issue and the State needs to be involved. Mr. Melen said Chief Spaulding needs to have a conversation with Mrs. Bearse about this as it is a wet land.
General Fund: Mr. Melen said this appears out of balance because the truck expenditure has been expended.
Highway Fund: Mr. Melen said over all we’re better than we should be.
Solid Waste Management Fund: Mr. Melen said cash flow is ahead but expenditures are up because of C & D.
6. New Business:
A. Draft revisions to Towns Personnel Manual: Mr. Melen said the change in Holidays is a hold harmless change. The pay plan change is a major re-write as we were not complying with the Federal law. Mr. Cole asked Mr. Melen to look at bi-weekly pay periods to see if it would save money.
B. Highways, Annual Posting of Town Highways: Mr. Arrison made the motion to have the Chair sign the annual posting for overweight traffic from February 17 – May 15, 2006. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion which passed without dissent.
Mr. Arrison made the motion to sign the letter to Secretary Terrill regarding the Leahy Funds. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion which passed without dissent.
C. Preparation for Annual Town Meeting: It was decided the Town Clerk would discuss #4, Mrs. Daniels #5, Mr. Boyer #6, Mr. Melen #7, Mr. Mellish #8, Mr. Arrison #13, Mr. Melen #16, Mr. Arrison #17 and #18, Mr. Melen #21 and the Library Trustees #22.
D. Report on Status of House Bill 570, Airport Road. Mr. Melen said Representative Shand was able to get us a Hearing. He said he talked for 10 minutes, there were no questions but he was heard.
E. Fiscal Year 2005 Auditor’s Report: Mr. Melen said the Management letter listed three flaws. The first being we need to do a physical inventory of all Town property. They also noted the General Fund reported a deficit but Mr. Melen said it has improved over the last few years. Lastly, we have not fully funded all reserve funds but approximately 45% have been funded.
7. Old Business:
B. Re-sign Grant Agreement Resolution for Southeastern Vermont Revolving Loan Fund: Mr. Boyer made the motion to resign the Resolution for the Southeastern Vermont Revolving Loan Fund. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion which passed without dissent.
C. Sign Policy for the Disposition of Town Owned Materials and Property: Board members signed the policy, no motion was required.
D. Appeal of Equalized Education Grand List Determination: Mr. Melen said our CLA went down; they took out the values the Lister's said were inappropriate. The recommendation is to accept the stipulation. Mr. Boyer made the motion to sign the Stipulation for the Equalized Education Grand List. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion which passed without dissent.
8. Appointments:
(iv) Planning Commission. Mr. Arrison made the motion to appoint Julia Schmitz to the Planning Commission through March, 2006. Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion which passed without dissent.
9. Sign Treasurer’s Warrants: Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the Treasurer’s Warrants as follows:
General Fund Operating Expense $12,161.22
General Fund Payroll $24,883.95
Highway Fund Operating Expense $16,618.23
Highway Fund Payroll $22,820.95
Solid Waste Management Fund Operating Expense $ 1,288.57
Solid Waste Management Fund Payroll $ 9,925.14
Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion. Mr. Melen noted that Johnson & Dix has been sold and he was told Irving will honor the State Contract price for the Town. Motion carried unanimously.
10. Next Meeting’s Agenda Items: Next meeting is on the 25th with a site visit at 3:30. No meeting on March 2, Town meeting on March 7th and then we will meet on the 9th and 23rd.
11. Adjourn: Mr. Boyer made the motion to adjourn; Mr. Boyer seconded the motion which passed without dissent. The Weathersfield Select Board meeting was adjourned at 9:13 p.m. on Thursday February 16, 2006.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa Sargent
Approved by the Weathersfield Select Board on March 23, 2006
_________________________ Daniel Boyer
_________________________
C. Peter Cole
_________________________
Norman John Arrison