Minutes
June 21, 2007
Present: Henry C. Cobb
Norman John Arrison
Daniel Boyer
Patricia Daniels
Others Present: Chris Adams
Lisa Sargent, Recording Secretary
Timothy L. Watkins
Nicole E. Leining
Barry Newton
Doris Wright
Jere Wright
Larry Gould
Bob Dickinson
Carol M. Logan
Larry F. Brunner
Karen M.Brunner
Edith Stillson
Gloria Ballantine
Lorraine Zigman
Lori Muse
Ray Stapleton
Gene Adams
Lynn Esty, Constable
Julia Lloyd Wright, Eagle Times
Wes Hazeltine, Road Superintendent
Chief Brown
1. 6:00 p.m. Site Inspection-Petition to discontinue a portion of Old Bow Road, Timothy L. Watkins.
2. Call to Order by Chairperson: Mr. Cobb called the meeting of the Weathersfield Select Board to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Highway Garage
3. 7:00 p.m.-Public Hearing, Petition to discontinue a portion of Old Bow Road: Mrs. Daniels read the Public Hearing notice. Mr. Cobb read the portions of the Vermont Statute #19 that pertain to discontinuing a Town Highway.
Mr. Watkins said he resides at 1285 Old Bow Road and he petitioned the Board to discontinue a portion of Old Bow Road because of unsafe traffic near and on his property. He said it is unsafe because he has four young children and a couple of times the vehicles/four wheelers have been stuck right on his front lawn at 2:00 in the morning. He said there are late night disturbances and he is looking for relief and trying to alleviate disturbances happening on his property.
Ms. Logan asked why the same procedure wasn’t followed when they wanted to have the Town reclassify Old Bow Road, she never received a certified letter regarding this hearing. Mr. Cobb said she is not an abutting property owner therefore, she did not receive a certified letter. Mr. Cobb explained the Public Hearing was warned and the site was visited.
Mrs. Wright questioned the language in Title #19 and said no petition was filed and it states it needs to be signed by 5% of the landowners. She said she and her family use this right-of-way and she owns land past this section of the road. She is concerned with how people will get out now that Mr. Watkins has built a wall in the town right-of-way. Mr. Cobb said 5% is one person.
Ms. Leining said she talked with Erin Wheeler today and he doesn’t have any concern with what they are asking the Board to approve.
Mr. Newton said in his opinion there is a public safety issue here because there are a lot of vehicles tearing around in the mud and as it gets muddier, more and more people come there.
Mr. Arrison made the motion to discontinue a portion of what is known as Town Highway 66, Old Bow Road, beginning at two right-of-way markers delineating the edges of the Town highway right-of-way along the western boundary fence of Interstate 91, the proceeding south-southwest a distance of three hundred twenty-four feet along the Class IV section of Town Highway 66 to a point just northeast of the driveway to the Watkins property. Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion.
Mr. Arrison said he is not in favor of this motion because he does not feel it meets the public good, necessity and convenience. He said he feels this is the wrong way to settle a civil matter. Mrs. Daniels said she would vote in favor of the motion. Mr. Boyer said he would vote in favor of the motion as well. Mr. Cobb said he would vote against the motion because he feels it is misjustice to use State Statutes to settle civil issues. He said civil issues should be reported to the police and arrest should be made.
Mr. Cobb called the vote, the vote was 2 – 2, motion fails.
Mr. Cobb closed the Public Hearing.
4. 7:30 p.m. –Public Presentation, proposed site for Veterans’ Memorial: Mr. Cobb recused himself from the Select Board for discussion regarding the Veterans’ Memorial because he is also Chair of that committee, Mr. Arrison will be Chair for this discussion.
Mr. Cobb said in order to proceed with applying for grants a location has to be determined. He said the Select Board needs to make the decision on the location and he gave everyone background information of the work that has been done since the initial thought of constructing a monument.
Mr. Dickinson asked the Board to approve the monument site to be on the green at the Perkinsville Church. Mr. Boyer made the motion to grant our approval to place the monument on the green at the Perkinsville Church with the Perkinsville Church’s approval, Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion.
Mr. Arrison asked who owns the green. Ms. Zigman said that the Perkinsville Church owns the green and the Church is very happy to have the monument placed there. She said the site will not interfere with any right-of-way and all that has to be done is a small crab apple tree needs to be trimmed.
Mrs. Daniels asked why the Center Church wasn’t used, Mr. Dickinson said the people at Weathersfield Center Church indicated there are enough monuments there already Mrs. Daniels stated the Town owns that land.
Vote 2 – 1, motion carried.
Moved ahead to #7 7. Request to Conduct Walk-a-Thon Event, Veterans’ Memorial Committee: Ms. Sargent said in an effort to help raise money for the monument she is in the process of organizing a walk-a-thon to be held on Saturday, July 21st. The walk would begin and end at Martin Memorial Hall and the route would be Route 5 North to Thrasher Road, Thrasher Road to Victory Drive to Route 131 and back to the Martin Hall. Registration will be at 8:00 am and the walk will begin at 8:30 a.m. Ms. Sargent said she has talked to Chief Brown about traffic issues (through voice mail and email) and she will ask to borrow some signs from the Highway Department and/or Fire Departments. The Board did not voice any concerns with this event.
Back to #5
5. Review Minutes from Previous Meeting (s): Mr. Boyer made the motion to table this item after corrections were noted, Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion. Motion passed without dissent.
6. Comments from Citizens: Chief Stapleton requested to talk to the Board in executive session regarding personnel.
8. Town Clerk, Warrant for Unlicensed Dogs: Ms. Esty said she would be knocking on doors based on the list provided to her by the Town Clerk. Mr. Boyer made the motion to sign the warrant on unregistered dogs; Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion which passed without dissent.
9. Policies/Ordinances
A. Adopt Repeal of Sewage Ordinance for the Town of Weathersfield: Mr. Arrison made the motion to adopt the Repeal of Sewage Ordinance for the Town of Weathersfield, Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion. Mr. Arrison explained by repealing our local ordinance we now refer to the State as of July 1, 2007. Motion carried unanimously.
10. Appointments:
I. Weathersfield Planning Commission (Alternate): Mr. Arrison made the motion to appoint Linda Foisy as an alternate to the Weathersfield Planning Commission. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
11. Sign Treasurer’s Warrant: Mr. Arrison made the motion to approvethe warrants as follows:
General Fund Payroll $14,033.78
General Fund Operating Expense $24,247.94
Highway Fund Payroll $12,835.39
Highway Fund Operating Expense $41,161.23
Solid Waste Management Fund Payroll $ 1,805.19
Solid Waste Management Fund Operating Expense $12,098.63
Library $ 328.92
Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
Mrs. Daniels and Mr. Cobb told Mr. Hazeltine that they are willing to help hand out stickers for vehicles at the Solid Waste Facility.
12. Next Meeting’s Agenda Items: Chief Brown and NIMS, Grader Bid, Mobile Home behind Bow Church, Beaver Dams, and Tax Rate.
13. Executive Session
A. Personnel: Mr. Arrison made the motion to go into executive session with Chief Stapleton to discuss personnel. Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
14. Adjourn: Mr. Boyermade the motion to adjourn. Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion, which passed without dissent. The Weathersfield Select Board meeting was adjourned at 9: 15 p.m. on Thursday June 21, 2007.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa A. Sargent
Approved by the Weathersfield Select Board on July 12, 2007
______________________
Norman John Arrison
______________________
Patricia Daniels
_____________________
Daniel Boyer
Appendix
Mobile Home behind Bow Church
Tenney Hill
Name of chairpersons of various committees
Internet policy
Disposal certification application, VT AOT
Procedure on utility easements
Beaver Dams
Property tax rebate system
Ancient roads (continue working on)
Sign posting policy
Use of Perkinsville Elementary School
Town Manager search (July, 2007)
Capital asset inventory
No Parking Signs by Thomas residence
No Parking signs on Route 131 near exit 8 and Tenney Hill
Review and increase of land use fees
Martin Memorial Hall/Town Office Building (where one ends and the other begins)
02/27/07 New Map for Town Report
03/08/07 Procedure for handling of complaints and citizen inquiries
05/03/07 Emergency communication
05/03/07 Radio Station designation for emergencies
05/17/07 Meet with Appraisers (delete?)
05/17/07 Disposal of CFL’s (delete?)
06/07/07 Rapid Response Plan