Weathersfield Select Board
Minutes
June 15, 2006
Present: Henry C. Cobb
Daniel Boyer
C. Peter Cole
Norman John Arrison
Patricia Daniels
Others Present: Larry Melen, Town Manger
Lisa Sargent, Recording Secretary
Deb Ostrom, SAPA
Julia Lloyd Wright, Eagle Times
Peter Korbet
Peter Reitzas
Peter Daniels
Edith Stillson
Darrin Spaulding
Phil Racine
DeForest Bearse
Graham Hunter
1. Call to Order by Chairperson: Mr. Cobb called the meeting of the Select Board to order at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday, June 15, 2006 at Martin Memorial Hall.
2. Vermont Proclamation for Eagle Scout Award: Tabled, recipient not present.
3. Comments from citizens: Ms. Lloyd Wright asked to be on the agenda July 6 to talk about ancient roads.
4. Review Minutes from Previous Meeting (s): Mr. Boyer made the motion to approve the minutes dated June 1, 2006, Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion. Corrections were noted. Motion passed 5 – 0.
5. Monthly Reports:
Cash Report: Mr. Melen said we are still ahead of last year.
General Fund: Mr. Melen said the target figure was 92% we are 2% under.
Highway Fund: Mr. Melen said we are running 3% over
Solid Waste Fund: Mr. Melen said we are over budget, we have expended 100.41% as of the end of May.
6. Town Clerk
Warrant for Unlicensed Dogs: Mr. Melen said 175 dogs are not registered at this time. Mr. Boyer made the motion to sign the Warrant for Unlicensed dogs; Mr. Cole seconded the motion. Mr. Cobb asked what the penalty was, Mr. Melen said the fee is doubled. Motion passed 5 – 0.
Chief Engineer, Darrin Spaulding, Ascutney Volunteer Fire Department: Chief Spaulding said he met with Fred Nicholson and they have discussed work on dry hydrants in Town. He shared information on installing Johnson medium diameter screens with fittings on the hydrant located on the Ennis Property. He said the parts needed to be ordered as soon as possible so was asking for permission to use money in the reserve fund. Mr. Boyer made the motion to grant the Town Manager permission to withdraw up to $2,500 from the dry hydrant reserve fund for two Johnson medium diameter screens. Mr. Cole seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
Mr. Cobb asked if we had to have easements, Chief Spaulding said yes. Mr. Melen said the Town Attorney is working on a revised easement and we need to get them signed. Mr. Melen said he is working on the permits.
Chief Spaulding said there is a grant for $2,500 to go toward one hydrant and that needs to be used before the end of this construction season. Chief Spaulding said they would like to install new hydrants at Bow Pond, Skyline Drive, Goulden Ridge Road, High Meadow and the corner of Gulf Road and Route 131. He discussed what would need to be done at each location. Mr. Cobb asked if this had been brought before the Fire Commission, Chief Spaulding said yes. It was decided that Chief Spaulding and Mr. Boyer would talk to the landowners about installing a dry hydrant on their property.
Mr. Melen said he would get with Chief Spaulding and put a notice in the paper for a pre-bid meeting for all interested contractors. There was discussion that the priority should be the one on Skyline Drive since the owner was willing to have the hydrant installed and there was not any water source in the area.
Chief Spaulding said the Ascutney Volunteer Fire Department is considering replacing the 1982 Forestry truck with a 2005 Dodge Quad Cab truck. He said that the Department would purchase this but he is letting the Select Board know it may happen. Mr. Cobb said the impact on the Town would be for insurance and maintenance.
8. Application for Large Gathering Permit
Ascutney Volunteer Fire Department: Mr. Racine said on June 24, 2006 there will be a 50th Anniversary Open House at the Ascutney Fire Department so he is applying for a permit incase one is needed. Mr. Boyer made the motion to grant the Ascutney Volunteer Fire Association a Large Gathering Permit and to waive the fee associated with it; Mr. Cole seconded the motion. Mrs. Daniels questioned the sanitation facilities, Mr. Racine said he talked to Mr. Svec and he said there is no problem for this one time large gathering. Motion passed 5 – 0.
9. Weathersfield Planning Commission
A. Request for creation and designation of Alternates: Mr. Peter Daniels said there are times when the Planning Commission needs an alternate member either because a member is not able to attend the meeting or because a member (or more) needs to be recused due to a conflict of interest. He thought the Planning Commission could be appointed alternates to the Zoning Board and the Zoning Board could be appointed alternates to the Planning Commission.
Mrs. Bearse said these Boards have not had alternates previously but it is obvious this needs to be done. She said the Town Attorney suggested “swapping entire Boards”.
Mr. Hunter said he strongly recommends appointing alternates too but he is not sure if it is a good idea to swap the two Boards. He feels it would be a benefit to choose alternates outside the present Boards as well as within the Boards if there are members willing to serve as alternates.
Mr. Arrison asked what would be expected of an alternate. Mr. Hunter said to “fill in” during one’s absence or when there is a conflict of interest. He said he would encourage the alternates to attend some meetings to become familiar with the procedures.
There was discussion on the best way to choose alternates. It was decided that Mrs. Bearse would ask the Board members if they would like to serve as an alternate to the other Board and also would ask if anyone knows of other people that may be interested in serving as an alternate to either Board. Mrs. Daniels suggested putting information on i Weathersfield and Mr. Cobb asked Mrs. Bearse to provide the information to Melissa to post on the website.
Mrs. Daniels asked about staggering terms for the members. Mr. Hunter said the Select Board establishes this so he believes it can be done.
B. Resignation of Member, Rene Bergeron: Mr. Arrison made the motion to accept the letter of resignation submitted by Mr. Bergeron with a letter of Thanks. Mr. Cole seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
10. Zoning Board of Adjustment
11. Old Business
A. Stoughton Pond Road: Mr. Melen said he told the paving company that paving would not be done. Mr. Arrison made the motion to proceed with reclamation from Route 106 to Cady Hill Road; Mr. Boyer seconded the motion. Mr. Melen will notify the Corp and the storm water management division of this decision to see their reaction. Motion carried 5-0.
B. All Hazard Mitigation Plan: Mr. Melen said the distribution list is Chief Brown, Michael Thomas, Ray Stapleton, Darrin Spaulding, Mario Bevacqua, Gary Cross, Green Mountain Red Cross Division, Golden Cross Ambulance and VT State Police. Mr. Cobb asked what our expectations were of these people. Mr. Melen said to review the plan and possibly coordinate responsibilities with Michael Thomas. Mr. Cobb asked for this to be put on the August agenda for follow up.
1) Reduction in Speed Limit for US Route 5: Mr. Melen said this is follow up correspondence that the speed limit has been reduced on Route 5 North into Windsor.
2) Upper Falls Covered Bridge: Mr. Melen said there was a letter included in the packet regarding the Bridge construction project, the funds and the timeline.
D. Water and Sewer Study Committee: There was discussion about the two meetings that were held with the sub-committee that was formed and the fact that Mr. Smith has done a brief study. It was the consensus of the Board that the residents of the Ascutney Fire District should be notified about the potential water problem that could occur in the Village. It was decided to send a letter and ask residents to attend a meeting to discuss if a Fire District should be re-formed. Mr. Cobb said we no longer have a water/sewer sub-committee in place and that Mr. Melen will draft a letter and the Board will review it at the next meeting.
E. Tenney Hill Property: Mr. Boyer made the motion to grant the Parks and Rec Commission and the Trails Committee use of Tenney Hill Pond area for low impact use, Mr. Arrison seconded the motion. Mr. Cole asked how we define low use. Mr. Boyer said picnic tables, fishing derby, small easy walking etc. Mr. Melen read the proposals that were submitted by the Parks and Rec Commission and the Trails Committee. After discussion as to what activities were low impact, Mr. Boyer withdrew his motion; Mr. Arrison withdrew his second. Mr. Boyer made the motion to direct the Parks and Rec Commission to submit their plan for low impact use to the Select Board for review. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
12. New Business
A. Payroll: Mr. Melen recommends using 3.5% COLA adjustment, the consensus of the Board was ok. Mr. Cole made the motion to use 44.5 cents for mileage reimbursement. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
B. Current Use – Hold Harmless Payment: Mr. Melen said this was for information purpose only.
C. Appeal of Decision by Zoning Board of Adjustment, Arthur W. Riscen Jr. & Susan Sin: Mr. Melen said the Town has been served notice of appeal in regards to an application filed by Jaime & Carl Wyman. They are not challenging the bylaws so no action is required from the Select Board.
13. Policies
A. Personnel Rules and Regulations: Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the Pay Plan, Section XVII to be effective July 1, 2006. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent. Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the Holiday Schedule, Section XVI. Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
B. Town Website Operations Policy-First Reading: Mr. Cole made the motion to accept the Website Operations Policy for the first reading. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
14. Proctor Library Board of Trustees, Resignation of Trustee Roland Cann: Mr. Cole made the motion to accept the resignation received from Mr. Cann. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent. Mr. Arrison made the motion to appoint Laurie Cobb to the Trustee position for Proctor Library; Mr. Boyer seconded the motion. Mrs. Daniels asked how often they met as she may know someone interested in this position, Mr. Melen said the first Monday of each month. Motion carried 4 – 0 with one abstention.
(ix) Southern Windsor County Regional Planning Commissioner: Mr. Arrison made the motion to appoint Mr. Peter Daniels. Mr. Cole seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
(x) Southern Windsor County Transportation Advisory Committee Alternate: Mr. Arrison made the motion to appoint Mr. Peter Daniels to the Alternate position for Southern Windsor County Transportation Advisory Committee. Mr. Cole seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
16. Sign Treasurer’s Warrants: Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the Treasurer Warrants as follows:
General Fund Payroll $13,413.83
General Fund Operating Expense $38,342.91
Highway Fund Payroll $13,497.80
Highway Fund Operating Expense $14,928.27
Solid Waste Management Fund Payroll $ 1,252.46
Solid Waste Management Fund Operating Expense $12,935.44
Reserves $ 1,587.77
Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion which passed 5 – 0.
17. Next Meeting’s Agenda Items: Ancient roads, dry hydrant program, Stoughton Pond Road, water & sewer, Town website policy, tax due dates and rates.
18. Adjourn: Mr. Boyer made the motion to adjourn. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion, which passed without dissent. The Weathersfield Select Board was adjourned at 10:23 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa Sargent
Approved by the Weathersfield Select Board July 6, 2006
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Henry C. Cobb
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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