Minutes
August 4, 2005
Present: C. Peter Cole
Daniel Boyer
Henry C. Cobb
Norman John Arrison
Patricia Daniels
Others Present: Larry Melen, Town Manager
Lisa Sargent, Recording Secretary
Julia Lloyd Wright, Eagle Times
Scott Reed, SG Reed Truck Service
Fred Brunnhoelz, Valley Fire Equipment
DeForest Bearse
Clarence Grover, WWVFD Chief
Richard Ballentine
Rachel Frank
Barry Newton, Constable
Mark Knight
Peter Korbet
Attorney Chris Callahan
Wes Hazeltine
Chief Brown
1. Call to Order by Chairperson: Mr. Cole called the meeting of the Weathersfield Select Board to order at 7:04 p.m. at the Martin Memorial Hall.
2. WWVFD Contract negotiations with fire truck vendor: Attorney Callahan said after the last meeting there was a conference call with Valley Fire Equipment, himself and Mr. Melen. Valley Fire has agreed to issue a Certificate of Non-Collusion, they have agreed to let the Town retain ten per cent from the final purchase for a period not to exceed sixty days and they are willing to execute a mutually acceptable written contract for the purchase and delivery of the fire truck however, they can not purchase the chassis as that is against their company policy.
Mr. Brunnhoelz said several years ago his company took on the policy they don’t sell chassis. They have no control over the warranty and/or call backs etc.
Mr. Reed said he has talked to the West Weathersfield Fire Department about the specs and he has brought trucks to them to see. He said his company would be responsible for the truck specs, general service issues and warranties.
Mr. Brunnhoelz said they have not had any problems in the last four years with overlaps between the truck versus the chassis. He said the problem is usually cut and dry and is not an issue.
Mr. Cole said one reason to purchase both from the same vendor is to be absolutely sure the specs on the chassis are correct for the truck.
Mr. Arrison asked Mr. Reed what the price for extended warranty would be. Mr. Reed explained there are several options and he would be happy to quote the options. He said the normal engine warranty is 36 months or 150,000 miles but Towns usually get 60 months because it’s an emergency vehicle. He said there is a huge range that can be tailored to the Towns needs. Mr. Reed said his dealership is equipped with computers, their mechanics are trained and they stock a lot of parts.
Mr. Cobb asked who would be responsible for meeting the delivery date. Mr. Brunnhoelz said he needs 90 – 120 days after the chassis is received. Mr. Reed said once he knows the date of order he can tell Mr. Brunnhoelz an estimated date of delivery. Mr. Brunnhoelz said usually one signs a contract for the body and chassis dealer at the same time so he’ll order all the equipment he can while the chassis is on order. Mr. Reed guessed it would take 60 – 90 days to get the chassis.
Mr. Arrison asked when the warranty would begin on the chassis. Mr. Reed said once its placed into service.
Mrs. Daniels asked if the price on the chassis through Reed was the same or within reason of the State bid. Mr. Melen said yes, the State bid was $75,936.62 and the bid received from Reed is $74,900.
Mr. Arrison made the motion for the Town to issue two notices of intent. One to SG Reed in the amount of $74,900 for the acquisition of a fire chassis and the other to Valley Fire Equipment in the amount of $165,350 for pending construction of the body. Mr. Cobb asked once we issued the notices of intent what was left to do. Mr. Cole said that we need to sign the purchase contracts. It was decided that Attorney Callahan would review the contracts that the vendors offered to the Town and make sure they include the governmental language that is required. It was decided Mr. Boyer would review the chassis specs from the Reed bid to be sure they met all specs. Motion carried 4 – 1, Mr. Cobb opposed.
3. Comments from citizens: Mr. Korbet mentioned he heard through Chief Grover that the dry hydrant is working again.
Mrs. Daniels said she would like the monthly reports to include the Fire Commission report every month. Mr. Melen suggested scheduling reviewing the monthly reports the second meeting of the month in order to give the Fire Commission time to submit their report.
4. Review Minutes from Previous Meetings: Mr. Cobb made the motion to approve the minutes dated June 2, 2005, Mr. Arrison seconded the motion. Mrs. Daniels noted corrections. Motion carried 4 – 1, one abstention.
Mr. Cobb made the motion to approve the minutes dated July 21, 2005; Mr. Arrison seconded the motion. Mrs. Daniels and Mr. Boyer noted corrections. Motion carried 4 – 1, one abstention.
5. Monthly Reports:
Highway: Mr. Hazeltine said the fire hydrant in Perkinsville is up and running and will be checked on a monthly basis. He said the work at the transfer station is just about completed. They need to put a guardrail system up and down the ramp. Mr. Melen said Thrasher Road bids are out and bids will close on the 17th of August so the Board can review them on the 18th. Mr. Arrison asked if they had cold patched Reservoir Road yet. Mr. Hazeltine said no but will in a week or two. Mr. Hazeltine said the gravel crushing has ended for the year and he is concerned there is only one more year for gravel there at the pit. Mr. Korbet asked if he was referring tot he Perkinsville pit. Mr. Cole said yes, Ron Brown’s pit that we are leasing. Mr. Hazeltine said the grader is going in for work on the pump next Friday and they agreed to keep the re-build cost to $3,000. He said the calcium is supposed to be here Monday morning. Mrs. Daniels asked how long the grader would be down, Mr. Hazeltine said one week at the most. Mr. Arrison asked what would be used as the calcium application. Mr. Hazeltine said the old WWVFD truck was at the garage and they would use that. Mr. Korbet asked if we are still going ahead with a loader bid. Mr. Hazeltine said yes, we need a new loader. Mr. Cobb asked Mr. Melen if we have money from the State for Stoughton Pond Road. Mr. Melen said yes, $60,000. Mr. Cobb confirmed with Mr. Melen that it was not use it or lose it. Mr. Melen said no it’s not. Mr. Hazeltine said he is trying to contact the Engineer regarding elevations on Butterfield Hill Road. The pipe is on site and they have done some preliminary work already.
Land Use: Mrs. Bearse said she received notification of an ACT 250 amendment for development of Lot E on Pine Hill Road. She is concerned because it will be a 700’ long, 10’ wide driveway and she is not sure how emergency equipment will access the house. There is also a deer yard that should be protected even though the applicant indicates he has spoken with the State Biologist. Mr. Cobb made the motion to direct the Chair to sign an entry of appearance to the District Environment Commission regarding application number 250825-2. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
Police: Chief Brown said the GMC is stripped apart, the lights, radio and siren are out. He has found a 2002 Ford Expedition with 50,000 miles on it for $15,000. Mr. Melen and Mr. Hazeltine have looked at it. It is 4 door and has a tow package. He has a chance to buy an LED light bar from Whelen fully installed for $2,000 and marking will cost between $350 - $400. Mr. Boyer made the motion to direct the Town Manager to purchase the vehicle described by Chief Brown for the amount not to exceed $15,000. Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion. Mr. Cobb asked if we needed a motion for the light bar, Mr. Melen said no. Mr. Korbet asked if we were exempt from sales tax, Mr. Melen said yes. Motion carried 5-0.
6. Policies: First Reading of Alcohol and Drug Testing Policy: Mr. Boyer made the motion to accept the first reading of the Alcohol and Drug Testing Policy and to move to the second reading. Mr. Cobb seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
A. Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation: Mr. Melen said he talked to Tim Norton on the 29th of July and they will come back and give us more answers. Mr. Cobb asked if we asked them to minimize the travel during the school bus times. Mr. Melen said yes, they have agreed to the conditions given. There was discussion about the area being a Town Forest, Mr. Melen said it has not been declared a Town Forest.
8. New Business:
A. Conservation Commissioner Resignation: Mr. Arrison made the motion to accept the resignation of Ann Gammel. Mr. Cobb seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
B. Weathersfield/Ludlow Revolving Loan Fund: Mr. Melen said the State has been trying to re-capture funds, we need to designate the Brattleboro Area Community Land Trust the NCDO. Mr. Cobb made the motion to approve and sign the Resolution to Designate a Nonprofit Community Development Organization Form PM-5 and to designate the Brattleboro Community Land Trust as the NCDO. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
Mr. Melen said the Residential anti-displacement and relocation plan information will be on the agenda at the next meeting to adopt.
9. Appointments: None to be discussed.
10. Sign Treasurer’s Warrants: Mr. Cobb made the motion to approve the Treasurer’s warrants as follows:
General Fund Payroll: $14,603.26
General Fund Operating Expense $14,398.94
Highway Fund Payroll $12,918.54
Highway Fund Operating Expense $ 3,770.22
Solid Waste Management Fund Payroll $ 1,914.38
Solid Waste Management Fund Operating Expense $ 1,117.25
Mr. Arrison seconded the motion, the motion carried unanimously.
11. Next Meeting Agenda: Crosswalks, contract for the fire truck, policies, Route 5 speed limit, accountant position, water/sewer committee update, stop sign ordinance, report on Mr. Hazeltine’s computer.
Mr. Cobb made the motion to adjourn; Mr. Boyer seconded the motion. The Weathersfield Select Board meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday August 4, 2005.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa Sargent
Approved by the Weathersfield Select Board on August 18, 2005
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Henry C. Cobb
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Daniel Boyer
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Norman John Arrison