Minutes
August 16, 2007
Present: Henry C. Cobb
Daniel Boyer
Norman John Arrison
Patricia Daniels
C. Peter Cole
Others Present: Larry Melen, Town Manager
Lisa Sargent, Recording Secretary
Wes Hazeltine, Road Superintendent
Julia Lloyd Wright, Eagle Times
Edith Stillson
Lynn Esty, Constable
Rick Musbach
Ginger Wall
Thomas Wallerstein
Charles Johnson
Silvestre Gullegos
1. Call to order by Chairperson: Mr. Cobb called the meeting of the Weathersfield Select Board to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Weathersfield Center Church.
2. Review Minutes from Previous Meeting(s): Mr. Boyer made the motion to approve the minutes dated July 26, 2007, Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion. Corrections were noted. Mrs. Daniels asked that minutes be emailed to Board members and a paper copy is given to Mr. Melen, the consensus of the Board was this is ok. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Comments from Citizens: None
4. Board of Liquor Commissioners
Mr. Cobb convened as the Board of Liquor Commissioners
A. Application for Caterer’s License, Cormar L.L.C. dba P.K’s Pub, for a wedding reception at 268 North Runaway Road: Mrs. Daniels made the motion to approve the catering license requestfrom Cormar LLC, dba P.K.’s Pub on August 25, 2007 at the Solanos residence on 268 North Runway Road from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Mr. Boyer seconded the motion. Mrs. Daniels asked if they also needed a large gathering permit, Mr. Melen said no. Mr. Cobb asked Mr. Melen to let Chief Brown know, Mr. Melen said he already has. Motion carried unanimously.
B. Application for First Class Restaurant License, Fiesta San Marcos, L.L.C. 5803 Route 5: Because the applicant is not present, Mrs. Daniels made the motion to table the discussion for a short period of time. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
Board of Liquor Commissioners adjourned.
5. Request to Waive Annual Solid Waste Management Utility Fee, Charles Johnson: Mr. Arrison made the motion to remove the Solid Waste Management Utility Fee on parcel number 050155, Mr. Cole seconded the motion. Mrs. Daniels said she would vote against this as she owns five parcels, two have nothing on them, and she pays the waste management fee for all five. There was discussion on if undeveloped parcels should pay the fee; the consensus of the Board was to re-visit the policy. Motion carried 4 – 1.
Back to #4 b
4. Board of Liquor Commissioners:
B. Application for First Class Restaurant License, Fiesta San Marcos, LLC 5803 Route 5: Mr. Cobb reconvened the Board of Liquor Commissioners.
Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the first class restaurant liquor license to Fiesta San Marcos, LLC dba Route 5 Road House; Mr. Boyer seconded the motion.
Mr. Arrison asked Mr. Gullegos if he has operated a restaurant in the past. Mr. Gullegos said he operates the Golden Egg in Saxtons River, VT and has for several years. Mr. Arrison asked if he served liquor there, Mr. Gullegos said beer and wine.
Mr. Cobb asked his planned hours of operation, Mr. Gullegos said from 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. except Friday and Saturday open until 1:00 a.m. Mr. Cobb asked if he was familiar with the history of this location, Mr. Gullegos, said yes. Mr. Cobb said that in the past a concern has been the management of the parking lot at closing time. Mr. Gullegos said he does not have a plan in place at this time how to manage that. He said he is trying to focus on a family atmosphere, doesn’t want to direct the attention to the bar atmosphere. Mr. Cobb asked if he would have entertainment, Mr. Gullegos said he would occasionally. Mr. Melen said that is a separate permit.
Mrs. Daniels asked what type of food would be served; Mr. Gullegos said American, Mexican and Italian. Mrs. Daniels asked what it was like in Saxtons River at nighttime, Mr. Gullegos said his business there is 98% breakfast.
Mr. Cobb asked if he would be open seven days a week, Mr. Gullegos said he would be closed Mondays and then will have to learn what the area supports before making other decisions. Mr. Boyer asked when he would open for business, Mr. Gullegos said as soon as possible.
Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Cobb adjourned the Board of Liquor Commissioners.
6. Highway
A. Award Paving Bid, Stoughton Pond Road: Mr. Arrison made the motion to award the bid to Pike Industries at $58.00 per ton, Mr. Boyer seconded the motion. Mr. Cobb asked Mr. Arrison why he chose Pike, Mr. Arrison said if you do the math they are the low bid even though they projected a higher number of tons. Mr. Hazeltine said Pike is the only company that looked at the project and he recommends Pike.
Mr. Arrison asked if we provided any manpower for this, Mr. Hazeltine said yes that we’ll use their roller for two days and do traffic control. Mr. Cobb asked how we monitor tonnage. Mr. Hazeltine said the trucks have weight slips in them. Mr. Cobb asked when this would start, Mr. Hazeltine said October 3rd. Mr. Cobb asked how residents would be notified, Mr. Melen said by mail once we get the final date. Motion carried unanimously.
B. Request to pave Weathersfield Highway Garage Entrance: Mr. Hazeltine said he would like to come in forty feet and this would take approximately forty ton of pavement at a cost of $2326. Mr. Johnson said he thought this project was going to be done two years ago. Mr. Cobb explained not all the federal funds were available so this project has been delayed.
Mrs. Daniels made the motion to approve paving the apron into the Town Garage entrance a distance of forty feet by seventy feet; Mr. Arrison seconded the motion.
Mr. Cobb asked where the money would come from, Mr. Melen said from the highway budget. Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Hazeltine said Gene Adams has asked about going into his driveway with an apron about seventy five feet long and sixteen feet wide and he would pay the additional cost which should be about $1100. It was noted this section of his driveway is actually a Town Highway. Mr. Hazeltine said he feels we should go twenty feet wide but Mr. Adams wants to keep the cost at $1100. After discussion, the Board asked Mr. Hazeltine to discuss this again with Mr. Adams because twenty feet wide is the standard for a Town Highway.
C. Class III Roadway Grant Status: Mr. Melen said he has not received any paper work yet, Mr. Hazeltine said he was told the paperwork is in the mail.
D. Public Lands Highway Grant Program Status: Mr. Melen said there is no news on this. Mr. Cobb said he recommends writing a letter to Congressman Welch. The Board agreed with Mr. Cobb. Mr. Melen said he recommends starting with senator Lahey. Mr. Cobb said copies should be sent to Sanders, Welch and Shand and signed by the Board.
E. 2000 Mack Truck Maintenance Needs and Expenses: Mr. Hazeltine said shortly after getting the truck they noticed there were spring issues so they ordered front and rear springs which were less than $2,000. He said they have done other minor stuff like repaired the fuel line twice before finally having to replace it. He said we have probably spent less than $3,000 in repairs so far. Mr. Arrison asked if we would get a wing, Mr. Hazeltine said he is not sure at this time.
F. Class IV Town Highway Regulations: Mr. Melen said he came up with two opinions from VLCT and both indicate ATV’s are only allowed on Town roads when the road is not being maintained during the snow season. Mr. Cobb asked if the Select Board could prohibit motorized vehicles on Class IV roads, Mr. Melen said only if classified as a Trail.
G. Historic Bridge Preservation Grant, Congressman Peter Welch: Mr. Melen said we didn’t apply for this but it appears it is awarded for Upper Falls Covered Bridge as the last estimate had increased to 1.8 million dollars. Mr. Melen said he will talk to the auditors about this because we will be responsible for this.
Moved to #8 b8. New Business
1. Ordinance Regulating Objectionable Noise, Model Draft: Mr. Melen said a sample ordinance from VLCT was enclosed with the Boards packet this week. Mr. Arrison said it is subjective as to what noise is and it doesn’t mention property lines, he believes a decibal level needs to be set and it needs to reference property lines.
Mrs. Daniels made the motion to move this to the first reading on September 6, 2007; Mr. Boyer seconded the motion. Mr. Cobb asked Mr. Melen to send this to Mrs. Bearse, Mr. Melen said this has no impact on Zoning. Motion carried unanimously.
Moved to #10 e
10. Appointments
E. Pound Keeper: Mrs. Esty said she talked with the facility manager at Claremont Animal Hospital and they are willing to work through us and also help us place animals for adoption if that is needed. Mr. Arrison made the motion to appoint Claremont Animal Hospital as pound keeper. Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Back to 7
7. Monthly Reports
-General Fund: Mr. Melen said we finished in the black last year and so far this year we should be at 8% and we are at 9%.
-Highway Fund- Mr. Melen said we will end up about $46,000 in the red. Mr. Cole asked why, Mr. Melen said we didn’t make the revenues projected and winter maintenance was up. Mr. Arrison mentioned over time is over by a lot. Mr. Cobb asked how we erase it, Mr. Melen said we don’t, it has a fund balance so you carry it over.
Mr. Cobb said he is concerned with the motion we just approved to pave the apron in the Highway garage, we may need to revisit this.
Mr. Melen said so far this year we are a little over but most of the large payments are due at this time of year.
-Solid Waste Fund- Mr. Melen said we have a fund balance of almost $21,000. Mr. Cobb asked why, Mr. Melen said the revenues were up, tipage was down, C & D was up and disposal costs were down. Mr. Melen said so far this year we should be at 8% and we are at 2%.
Cash Flow- Mr. Melen said comparison at the end of July, we’ve lost some ground.
8. New Business
A. Special Town Meeting: Mr. Boyer made the motion to sign the warning as presented for a Special Town Meeting on September 13, 2007, Mr. Cole seconded the motion. Mrs. Daniels asked if this required a 2/3 vote, Mr. Melen said no. Mr. Cobb asked who is presenting at the meting, Mr. Melen said it is to be decided. Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Melen asked if we should mail a warning to all legal voters? After discussion, Mr. Boyer made the motion to instruct the Town Manger to send a mailing of the special town meeting to all legal voters. Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion which carried 3 –2.
Ordinances:2. Regulation of Large Outdoor Assemblies: Mr. Arrison suggested sending a letter to the Church (Weathersfield Center) regarding large gathering permits. Mr. Melen stated the policy is if you are using a Town facility you have to get permission of the Town. Mr. Cobb asked if alcohol was allowed on Town property, Mr. Melen said no. It was suggested to look at updating the existing large gathering permit and add the questions if alcohol will be served and/or if the event is going to be catered.
Buildings and Grounds: Discussed in b.
D. V.L.C.T. Annual Meeting – October 10 – 11, 2007: Mr. Melen told the Board that he would need to stay up there the night before as there are meetings held that evening. Mr. Cole made the motion to appoint the town manager as our voting delegate. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
E. Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, Schedule of Planned Stewardship Activities: Mr. Melen said this is for information only.
9. Old Business
A. Petition and Order for Pole and Wire Locations, Tel RT 58 CVPS LN 12, Thrasher Road: Mr. Melen said we have not had a response to the questions raised at our last meeting yet. Mr. Arrison made the motion to table this discussion until September 20, 2007. Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
B. Calendar Years 2007 – 2008 Priorities Schedule: Mr. Cobb said he asked Melissa to put a link on the web site. He said we are scheduled to start with the fire department issues. It was decided that Mr. Melen will email Killington’s policy to the Board members and then they will pass it onto the Fire Commission for their review.
Mr. Cobb said he would also like to discuss the equipment we have now - do we need what we have, do we have enough, what is the replacement time frame, etc.
10. Appointments: Discussed earlier.
11. Sign Treasurer’s Warrants: Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the Treasurer’s Warrants as follows:
General Fund Payroll $15,469.45
General Fund Operating Expense $38,449.36
Highway Fund Payroll $13,146.12
Highway Fund Operating Expense $ 9,701.55
Solid Waste Management Fund Payroll $ 1,997.35
Solid Waste Management Fund Operating Expense $ 9,701.55
Grants $ 289.58
Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
12. Next Meeting’s Agenda Items: Joint meeting with the school board and trustees of public funds, entertainment permit, town plan.
13. Mr. Arrison made the motion to adjourn. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent. The Weathersfield Select board meeting was adjourned at 9:47 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa Sargent
Approved by the Weathersfield Select Board on September 6, 2007
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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
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C. Peter Cole
Appendix
Tenney Hill (forestry management)
Name of chairpersons of various committees
Internet policy
Procedure on utility easements
Ancient roads (continue working on)
Sign posting policy
Use of Perkinsville Elementary School
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
08/16/07 Large gathering permit
08/16/07 Welch – National Historic covered bridge grant