Select Board Meeting
Minutes
August 24, 2006
Present: Henry C. Cobb
Daniel Boyer
C. Peter Cole
Norman John Arrison
Patricia Daniels
Others Present: Larry Melen, Town Manager
Lisa Sargent, Recording Secretary
Wes Hazeltine, Highway Superintendent
Ray Stapleton, Chief Engineer WWVFD
Julia Lloyd Wright, Eagle Times
Helen Bearse
David Bearse
Patience Bearse
Andrew Bearse
deForest Bearse, Land Use Administrator
Edith Stillson
Barry Newton
Eileen P. Hongisto, Counsel for Douglas Metcalf
Chris Callahan, Town Counsel
Kristin Fountain, Valley News
Chief Brown
Barry Newton
1. Call to Order by Chairperson: Mr. Cobb called the meeting of the Select Board to order at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday August 24, 2006 at Weathersfield Center Church.
2. Comments from Citizens: Mr. Newton said construction work is being been done off Bowen Hill Road and Girdlot Road and he is concerned it could lead to problems. Mr. Hazeltine said he has seen this work and everything is ok.
3. Review Minutes from Previous Meeting (s): Mr. Boyer made the motion to approve the minutes dated August 1, 2006, Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion. Corrections were noted. Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the minutes dated August 3, 2006, Mr. Boyer seconded the motion. Corrections were noted. Motion carried uamously.
4. Certificate of Recognition: On behalf of the Town of Weathersfield, Mr. Cobb presented Andrew Bearse a certificate of recognition for receiving five gold medals in the National Special Olympics.
Skipped ahead to item 10 A.
10. Old Business
A. Notice of Decision on Alleged Vicious Domestic Pet: Ms. Hongisto said a specialist from Vermont Volunteer Services for Animals Humane Society did an evaluation of Bear and has agreed to take Bear. Ms. Hongisto said a placement came together today with a gentleman from Charlestown, NH, Mr. Robert Smith. Ms. Hongisto noted Vermont Volunteer Services for Animals Humane Society was concerned the dog was not neutered so that will be done at the Claremont Animal Hospital before he goes to Mr. Smith. She also said they would like the current dogs (that Mr. Smith has) to meet Bear at the Claremont Animal Hospital and they would like Mr. Metcalf to travel with Mr. Smith while Bear gets used to him. She said she has adoption papers drafted in her office and asked the Board what language and conditions they would like to see in the adoption papers.
Mr. Melen said he received a call from Sue Skaskiw late this afternoon and she said she has examined the property. She said Mr. Smith currently has two other Rottweilers and a large fenced in yard and he is willing to take Bear.
Mr. Cobb read the motion that was made by the Select Board on August 3, 2006 which stated Bear would be disposed of in a humane way on August 24, 2006 unless before then its owner presented a suitable placement in a rescue organization or similar organization which is acceptable to the Select Board. Mr. Melen said the Town would surrender the dog to Sue, so it would be given to the Vermont Volunteer Services for Animal Humane Society not an individual.
Mr. Arrison said the Board has received written information that is entirely different information than what he is hearing now. Mr. Arrison asked why we received information from Cate Norton and Diane Richardson. Mr. Callahan said these are evaluations Springfield Humane Society had done because they had not heard from anyone else. It was discussed the information received in writing states Bear should be euthanized. There is not a written report to provide the Board that shows otherwise.
Mr. Boyer made the motion to have Bear euthanized under recommendations from Cate Norton and Diane Richardson, Mr. Arrison seconded the motion.
It was mentioned that Ms. Skaskiw was asked to be at this meeting but was not present. Mr. Callahan said he did have her phone number if the Board would like to call her.
Mr. Newton said he was present when Ms. Skaskiw did her evaluation and Bear obeyed several commands. He said there were even children around. Mr. Newton asked how the Board could take the other evaluations into consideration when neither one of them removed Bear from his cage. Mr. Boyer said the two reports say they did not dare to take Bear from his cage.
Mr. Melen said the Board needs to decide if the Vermont Volunteer Services for Animals Humane Society is a valid organization. Mr. Callahan said an acceptable organization, not valid. Mr. Callahan said he would not recommend the Board give the dog to an organization tonight because the information on the organization that is wiling to take the dog is not present.
Ms. Hongisto said she didn’t know about the meeting tonight until earlier this evening so she wasn’t totally prepared. Mr. Cobb said this meeting was scheduled on August 3, 2006. Mr. Cobb said he is willing to wait to make a decision after obtaining information from Ms. Skaskiw in writing.
Mr. Arrison called the question, motion carried 4 – 1.
5. Highway
A. Request to Extend Town Highway 103 (Meadow Lane) Henry J. Kudlinski: Mr. Melen said he received the letter from Mr. Kudlinski and Mr. Hazeltine has looked at it. Mr. Hazeltine said we would need to plow and maintain about another 1/10 of a mile. However, there is not a road or any gravel there at this time, it is a field. Mr. Boyer said the owner should bring their section up to Town spec’s before the Town considers taking it over. Mr. Cobb asked the Highway Committee to investigate the request and bring their recommendation back to the Select Board for consideration.
B. State Regulated Storm Water Discharge System Riley Drive: Mr. Melen said we did not receive a report on this yet. It was the consensus of the Board to table this item until a report is provided.
6. West Weathersfield Volunteer Fire Department
A. Vehicle Maintenance Policy: Mr. Arrison said the expense is insignificant as far as transferring the vehicle from AVFD to WWVFD but he would like the Fire Commission to come up with a plan of equipment needed in Town. He said he would also like the departments to put money in a nest egg for future purchases instead of additional purchases. Chief Stapleton said WWVFD just put $20,000 of their money towards the purchase of Engine 2. Chief Stapleton said he understands they should have a three or five year plan. He said that the forestry truck was offered to them by Chief Spaulding and he thinks it is a great idea as he is not comfortable with using personal vehicles to respond to a call and this would give them an a vehicle to use.
Mr. Cobb confirmed with the Board that the Fire Commission should provide them with a plan to invest money for replacement equipment in the future as well as a list of equipment that is needed in the Town between the two departments.
Mr. Boyer made the motion to follow with past practices and continue to maintain the forestry truck being transferred from Ascutney to West Weathersfield. Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
B. Murray Flats Dry Hydrant Failure: Chief Stapleton said there has always been an issue getting a draft from this hydrant. He said the pipe is now sitting above the water. Chief Stapleton suggested the hydrant be pulled and possibly put it on the other side of the road. Mr. Cobb asked where the next closest hydrant is. Chief Stapleton said Gravelin Road. Mr. Cobb asked what area would be impacted. Chief Stapleton said Greenbush, Downers and Amsden
Mr. Melen said Mr. Peter Daniels has looked at the hydrant and his recommendation is to pull it out and not repair it.
The consensus of the Board is to abandon this hydrant and try and find a new location.
7. Monthly Reports
A. General Fund: No discussion
B. Highway Fund: Mr. Melen said the Highway fund is on target
C. Solid Waste Fund: Mr. Melen said it is too early to look at this, it has only been one month
D. Cash Flow Report: Mr. Melen said $101,000 in delinquent taxes were cleared up from tax sales
8. Fiscal Year 2007 Grand List Errors and Omission: Mr. Cole made the motion to grant approval to make the change as requested by the Lister’s, parcel number 070103.PP1. Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion which passed without dissent.
9. New Business
A. Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste District Revised Consultant’s Proposal: Mr. Melen said he attended the meeting with four other area Town Manager’s and they found a number of items that they believed to not be in the best interest of the Towns. Based on their conversation with the DSM they came back with a revised proposal of $30,000 less per year. Mr. Melen said this revision will go to the meeting next week; it was the consensus of the Board to vote in favor of the revision.
B. Town Wide Revaluation Board of Lister’s report on response to Request for Proposals Award Contract: Mr. Melen said they received five submissions and the Board of Lister’s used the scoring grid. One firm was disqualified because they would not use the software we’ve been using. The Lister’s interviewed two firms this week and they made their recommendations solely on scoring. Their recommendation is Associates in Municipal Property Assessment for $144,584.00 which equals $88 per parcel. Mr. Cole asked if this price included attending appeals, Mr. Melen said yes.
Mr. Boyer made the motion to award the reevaluation to Associates in Municipal Property Assessment for $144,584.00, Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion. Mr. Cole asked when they would start; Mr. Melen said they can start data collection procedures on October 1, 2006. Mr. Cobb asked the payment schedule, Mr. Melen said basically they would be paid $12,000 per month as long as they met the performance goals. Motion carried unanimously.
C. Weathersfield Planning Commission Proposed Interim Zoning Bylaws: Mrs. Bearse presented changes that need to be made to the Interim Zoning Bylaws as soon as possible. Mr. Arrison made the motion to hold a Public Hearing on Thursday September 21, 2006 to discuss the changes. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
Mr. Boyer made the motion to accept the resignation from Mr. Newton from the Conservation Commission; Mr. Cole seconded the motion. Mr. Cobb asked why he was resigning from this committee. Mr. Newton said he has been to a few meetings and he doesn’t feel they accomplish anything, there is no activity. Mrs. Daniels said the reason on his letter of resignation states it is because of indifferences with the Select Board and Town Manger, she said she does not feel it is fair to not state the real reason in his letter. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Cole made the motion to accept the resignation from Mr. Newton from the Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste District. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
C. E-mail Communications: Mr. Melen said email should not be an official means of communication because there appears to be a server problem and he can’t guarantee it is being received. Mr. Cobb asked if he could respond to his emails within three days, Mr. Melen said he generally responds in two days. Mr. Cobb mentioned Mr. Melen’s voice mailbox is sometimes full. Mr. Melen said this happens as there are a lot of hang-ups and his mailbox fills up.
D. Appointments
(i) Weathersfield Planning Commission Alternate Rene Bergeron: Mr. Boyer made the motion to appoint Mr. Rene Bergeron to the Weathersfield Planning Commission as an alternate through March, 2007. Mr. Cole seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
(ii) Zoning Board of Adjustment Alternate Michael Schmitz: Mr. Cole made the motion to appoint Mr. Michael Schmitz to the Zoning Board of Adjustment as an alternate through March, 2007. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
E. Town of Weathersfield’s Animal Control Ordinance: Mr. Melen said he went through the Ordinance and some of the changes requested by Mrs. Harriman can not be made because it is not possible to make the changes by law. Mr. Melen said Mr. Callahan is looking at the Ordinance now and will make recommendations.
F. Police Incident Reporting System: Chief Brown said he gave the Board information on hardware recommendations. The estimated cost to maintain the system is $400 - $430 monthly. His recommendation is to wait until December to see what is available at that time. It was decided that Mr. Melen and Chief Brown would start looking at replacing hardware now and also look at the budget for computer expenses.
11. Sign Treasurer’s Warrants: Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the Treasurer Warrants as follows:
General Fund Payroll $20,627.79
General Fund Operating Expense $16,488.14
Highway Fund Payroll $18,266.16
Highway Fund Operating Expense $38,660.44
Solid Waste Management Fund Payroll $ 2,675.75
Solid Waste Management Fund Operating Expense $14,276.85
Grants $ 1,298.01
Reserves $ 2,500.00
Library $ 5.96
Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
12. Next Meeting’s Agenda Items: October meeting will be the 12th and 19th, Meadow Lane, Riley Drive, Murray Flats, Animal Control Ordinance, Tenny Hill and Mr. Boyer to do assessment on value of two chickens killed by dog.
13. Adjourn: Mr. Arrison made the motion to adjourn, Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent. The Weathersfield Select Board meeting was adjourned at 10:03 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa A. Sargent
Appendix
Agenda Items to be discussed:
Visit from Michael Smith (carried forward from August 24, 2006)
Fire District letter (carried forward from August 24, 2006)
Murray Flats
Riley Drive
Animal Control Ordinance
Tenny Hill
Meadow Lane
Assessment on value of chickens