Weathersfield Select Board Minutes
August 18, 2005
Present: Henry C. Cobb
John Arrison
Daniel Boyer
Others Present: Larry Melen, Town Manager
Lisa Sargent, Recording Secretary
Edith Stillson
Peter Korbet
Bruce Johnson,SAPA TV
Sonny Grover, WWVFD Chief
DeForest Bearse
Wes Hazeltine
Dave Fuller
1. Call to Order: In the absence of Mr. Cole, Mr. Cobb called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. at the Weathersfield Elementary School. Mr. Melen said Mrs. Daniels is on vacation and Mr. Cole is out on bereavement as Mrs. Lillian Daniels passed away yesterday.
2. Public Hearing Proposed Amendments to the Town Plan: Mr.Cobb called the Public Hearing to order for discussion on Proposed Amendments to the Town Plan. Mrs. Bearse said this is primarily to establish amendments to the Town Plan. She mentioned a couple of recent changes, some grammatical changes as well as adding a provision for safe and affordable childcare within the Town.
Mr.Melen read the notice of the Public Hearing into the record. He also noted on July 11, 2005 it was posted at the Town Office, Ascutney Post Office, Perkinsville Post Office, Weathersfield Middle School, Weathersfield Elementary School and the Proctor Library. It was published in The Message on August 10, 2005.
Mr. Cobb asked if the changes being made were a result of changes in the State Law? Mrs. Bearse said some of them were.
Mr. Cobb asked if this has been presented to the Planning Commission. Mrs. Bearse said yes on 5/9, 5/23 and 6/13.
Mr. Arrison asked if our role was to accept or approve this. Mr. Melen said the Select Board needs to adopt this after two public hearings, the next one being held on September 15, 2005.
Mr. Korbet said he had participated in the two Public Hearings with the Planning Commission and has submitted his comments to the Planning Board as well as giving the Select Board a copy tonight. He added that at the close of the hearings last year he provided the Board information regarding the Springfield Reservoir. He went over the information he submitted to the Select Board tonight. He referenced several pages where he disagreed with what was written. Mrs. Bearse asked if she could interject the Planning Commissions comments as Mr. Korbet read his statements. Mr. Cobb asked if the Board members could receive copies of all information to review and then discuss the information at the next meeting. Mr. Korbet wanted to continue to read his information to the Board for the record. Mrs. Bearse asked what it was Mr. Korbet wanted changed. He said that in some cases the wording needed to be changed. Mr. Cobb asked Mr. Korbet to provide his recommendations to the Board as to how he would like the Town Plan changed. Mr. Korbet noted remarks throughout the Town Plan were misleading. It failed to note the trend of the village of Perkinsville, a lot of changes are a part of the trend. Mr. Korbet said he is concerned the percentages used are misleading.
Chief Grover said he disagreed with some of what Mr. Korbet was saying. He asked if these were his personal opinions or if they were from a committee he served on. Mr. Cobb said these were his personal opinions.
Mr. Korbet provided the Board photos of the General Store and referenced information he has obtained from the early 1900’s. He talked about elevations within the Town. He questioned 15% slope being relatively flat.
When Mr.Korbet had finished reading the five pages of his concerns, Mr. Cobb asked Mr. Melen to be sure most of the agenda at the meeting on September 15th was for discussion on the Public Hearing. He also asked Mr. Melen to be sure that all Select Board members had a copy of the Town Plan and the information discussed tonight by Mr. Korbet. Mr. Arrison asked that the Planning Commission members attend the meeting.
Mr. Boyer said trends can go back and forth, he is concerned the remarks made about the General Store are personal remarks.
Mr. Korbet added the Town Plan doesn’t say much about the interstate exchange area and he also remembers Mr. Cobb asking for information about the Schools to be included and it isn’t. Also, the Park & Ride, Hoisington Field and the Gravel concerns should be addressed.
Mr. Arrison made the motion to recess the Public Hearing until 7:00 p.m. on September 15, 2005 at the Center Meeting House, Mr. Boyer seconded the motion. Mr. Fuller said that the Chittenden Bank closed the General Store and there is no way the Select Board at the time got involved with moving the Perkinsville Post Office. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Comments from Citizens: Mr. Melen asked to change the agenda, under Old Business Thrasher Road should be there to be discussed.
Mr. Fuller told the Board he is breaking Farm Implements on the Town roads. He understands the grader is broke down but he is frustrated the roads are in bad shape. He said if the grader is down, lease one for a month. He said he feels the Town roads should be a priority and building repairs etc should come second. Mr. Hazeltine said the grader should be back this week. He added it has been a very dry year and they had trouble getting calcium and he has received a few other complaints on the roads. Mr. Fuller said he is concerned that Capitol Equipment purchases are going to be an issue. He mentioned he thinks the Fire Departments are getting new fire trucks before their scheduled time and when the grader and other road equipment needs to be replaced we are going to be in trouble.
Chief Grover thanked Mr. Hazeltine for repairing the dry hydrant in the Village of Perkinsville.
4. Review Minutes from Previous Meetings: Mr.Arrison made the motion to approve the minutes dated July 27, 2005, Mr. Boyer seconded the motion. Mr. Arrison noted corrections. Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Boyer made the motion to approve the minutes dated August 4, 2005, Mr. Arrison seconded the motion. Mr. Cobb and Mr. Arrison noted corrections. Motion carried unanimously.
5. Sign Municipal Planning Grant FY06: Mr. Melen asked to table this until the meeting on September 15th. Mr. Boyer made the motion to table the signing of the Municipal Planning Grant FY06 until September 15, 2005. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
6. Fire Truck Acquisition: Mr. Boyer said he has reviewed the specifications and they match up. Mr. Boyer made the motion to direct the Chair to sign the contract upon delivery of the check from WWVFD; Mr. Arrison seconded the motion. Mr. Arrison asked Mr. Melen to have Mr. Hazeltine start discussing the extended warranties that are available and come back to the Board with a recommendation. Mr. Melen said such funding would come from the Town funds. Motion carried unanimously.
7. Monthly Report:
Constable: Mr. Cobb asked to have Barry come to the next meeting and talk to the Board.
Fire Commission Report: Mr. Boyer said the Fire Commission is on summer recess.
General Fund: Mr. Melen said it is on target
Highway Fund: Mr. Melen said that it is on target. Mr. Cobb asked if Mr. Hazeltines computer was fixed, Mr. Melen said not yet.
Solid Waste Fund: Mr. Melen said it’s in good shape.
Per Mr. Arrisons request skipped to 9 e.
9. Old Business:
E. Thrasher Road: Mr. Melen said the bids were opened yesterday, there were four bids received. They were Gorman Brothers $1.61 square yard, Allstates $1.74 square yard, Pike $2.85 square yard and Lane $3.00 square yard. Mr. Hazeltine said he recommends awarding the bid to Gorman Brothers. Mr. Boyer made the motion to grant Gorman Brothers the bid for $1.61 per square yard for reclamation of Thrasher Road; Mr. Arrison seconded the motion. Mr. Hazeltine said that if they don’t start this soon he would do some cold patch. Mr. Melen said it was mandatory the project is completed by the 15th of October. Mr. Korbet asked how much the overall cost would be and the distance being done. Mr. Melen said 7/10 of a mile is being done and we budgeted $38,000 for the first stage. Mr. Arrison said $38,000 was budgeted for the paving too but paving prices are increasing. Motion carried unanimously.
8. Policies and Ordinances:
A. Alcohol and Drug Testing Policy: Mr. Melen asked to table this because there is a conflict with the Federal Law. Mr. Boyer made the motion to table this until September 1, 2005. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
B. Use of Excessive Force Policy: Mr. Melen said we need to adopt this in order to receive Federal money. Mr. Boyer made the motion to move forward for adoption. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
C. Residential Anti-Displacement and Relocation Policy: Mr. Melen said same as above. Mr. Arrison made the motion to move forward to September 1, 2005 for adoption. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
D. Fair Housing Policy: Mr. Arrison made the motion to move forward to September 1, 2005 for adoption. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
1. Group Insurance: Mr. Melen said we were asked during an interview if health insurance is available to purchase if an employee doesn’t qualify to receive the benefit. The answer is yes, if they work 17 hours a week and less than 30 they may purchase Group Health Insurance. Mr. Melen said with the Boards approval he would revise the policy and bring forward for the first reading at the next meeting. The consensus of the Board was to revise the policy.
F. Stop Sign Ordinance: Mr. Melen does not have the file with him, tabled until September 1, 2005.
9. Old Business:
A. Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation: Mr. Melen said he has talked with Mr. Morton and the US Soil Conservation Services and their report is pending. They have agreed to everything else at this time.
B. Request to reduce Route 131 Speed Limit: Mr. Melen said he has not had any response yet. Mr. Cobb asked Mr. Melen to send an e-mail to Representative Shand.
10. New Business:
A. Route 5 speed limit: Mr. Melen said there is no answer yet, they are waiting for signage. Mr. Melen said he is going to talk to the Resident District Manager. Mr. Cobb asked Mr. Melen to keep these items on the agenda.
B. Route 5 Crosswalk at Schoolhouse Road: Mr.Melen said this is somewhere within the Agency. Mr. Korbet asked why there was not signage by the crosswalk near the Town Library. Mr. Melen said he would ask the signage division.
C. Encroachment into Right-of-Way 244 Henry Gould Road: Mr. Melen said he would ask the Leagues Law Center to give him language to draft a letter.
D. Designate PACIF Representative to Vermont League of Cities and Towns’ Annual Meeting: Mr. Melen would like to table for now.
E. Water/Sewer Study Committee: Mr. Melen said he still doesn’t have a representative from the Planning Commission. Mr. Korbet questioned why this committee hasn’t met yet. Mr. Cobb said we don’t know who the members of the committee are yet. There was discussion about having a Perkinsville Village Trustee participate, Mr. Melen said he would send a letter and invite them to participate in the study.
11. Appointments: None to be discussed.
12. Sign Treasurer’s Warrants:Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the Treasurer’s Warrants as follows:
General Fund Payroll: $12,345.62
General Fund Operating Expense: $18,942.92
Highway Fund Payroll $11,762.20
Highway Fund Operating Expense: $37,140.61
Solid Waste Management Fund Payroll $ 1,786.17
Solid Waste Management Fund Operating Expense: $14,521.93
Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
13. Next Meeting’s Agenda Items: Constable visit, policies, Wilgus Park, crosswalks, speed limits, water and sewer committee, stop sign signage, Wes’ computer.
Mr. Arrison made the motion to adjourn. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent. The Weathersfield Select Board Meeting was adjourned at 9:31 p.m. on Thursday August 18, 2005.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa Sargent