Minutes
Joint Meeting with Trustees of Public Funds and School Board
September 6, 2007
Present: Henry C. Cobb
Norman John Arrison
C. Peter Cole
Patricia Daniels
Daniel Boyer
Betty Adams, Trustee of Public Funds
Rollie Cann, Trustee of Public Funds
Jeff Locke, School Board
Holly Rheaume, School Board
Nat Whitney, School Board
Steve Walasewicz, School Board
Gloria Ballentine, School Board
Others Present: Larry Melen, Town Manager
Lisa Sargent, Recording Secretary
Gary Cross
Roland Whitney
Edith Stillson
Rick Musbach
Ernie Shand
Silvestre Gullegos
Christian Wimberg
Flo-Ann Dango
Bruce Murray
Barry Newton
Susan Boyer
Julia Lloyd Wright, Eagle Times
DeForest Bearse
Deb Ostrum, SAPA
1. Call to Order by Chairperson: Mr. Cobb called the meeting of the Weathersfield Select Board to order at 7:00 p.m. at Martin Memorial Hall. Mr. Locke called the meeting of the Weathersfield School Board to order and Mr. Cann called the meeting to order for the Trustees of Public Funds.
2. Disposition of Weathersfield Elementary School: Mr. Locke said a committee was formed to look at options for the Weathersfield Elementary School and they have given their proposal to the School Board and the Select Board. Mr. Locke asked the Select Board to do a feasibility study. Mr. Cobb told Mr. Locke it was a good opportunity to give a briefing of the proposed uses since there were several audience members and also SAPA was broadcasting. Mr. Locked told of the proposed uses that the committee came up with. Mr. Cobb asked what time line he is looking at. Mr. Locke said he would like the feasibility study to be completed so this can go to the taxpayers at the town meeting in March.
Mr. Cobb asked if the outside organizations that are listed as potential occupants of the building have agreed to be there. Mr. Murray said no but everyone should be willing to be there, it is what makes sense for the Town. Mr. Locke said the building has been maintained by the taxpayers and it is in good condition.
Mr. Boyer asked where the funds come from for the study, Mr. Melen said we have approximately $70,000 in a reserve fund to be used for a capital project. He said we would have to put out a request for qualified architects to do the study. Mr. Locke asked if the study would associate a cost to it for the project, Mr. Melen said they would give a ball park figure.
Mr. Arrison said he feels it is up to us to lay out the floor plan and there are a lot of builders/contractors that would walk through the building for free. He said the ADA work is straight forward and Fire Prevention will come through for free. Mr. Arrison said he is concerned that he possible tenants listed would not pay rent, he feels we won’t save money as proposed (for the new school) because we will still own and maintain two buildings.
Mr. Cann said he has five items for discussion, not necessarily tonight but to be considered. He doesn’t want to rush to get this done for this Town Meeting, you want to give the townspeople enough information. He said if a bathroom is accessible from the outside that it needs to be controlled. He said the heating cost would be sizable. He said that he doesn’t feel we should offer a preschool for age 3 and 4 until it is mandatory and where to put the vault and the cost associated to that is a concern of his.
Mrs. Dango asked how large the rooms are for the proposed Town Office area and if any more space would be gained than what we have right now. She said she is also concerned with where the vault would go. Mr. Locke said the feasibility study would tell us more.
Mr. Cole asked if any grant money was available, Mr. Melen said not at this stage and plus we are too “rich” to qualify for most of it. He said it would depend on where we fall in the cycle and it has to be for an income driven reason etc.
Mrs. Daniels said she is in favor of doing the feasibility study but not in favor of voting on in March of 2008. She said that we need to really look at the study before we can come to the townspeople. Many people agreed with her that this March is too soon.
Mr. Melen said a feasibility study will give an idea of what can be done and roughly how much it will cost. He feels in March we could ask voters for a blank amount of money to hire an architect to get this ready to put out to bid. He said we should not assume a short-term feasibility study will give us something cast in stone, it is just rough estimates.
Mrs. Adams said she is concerned about the cost and also if the Town Office moves over there what will happen to this building. She said other concerns are out there and they should all be looked at.
Mr. Locke said the new school is scheduled to be ready in September of 2008 so Weathersfield Elementary School will still be occupied for quite some time.
Mr. Boyer made the motion to go forward with the feasibility study for the uses of Weathersfield Elementary School, Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion.
Mr. Shand asked if we could include in the study what to do with this building if the Town Office moves. Mr. Cobb said yes, if the motion carried then we would have to decide what is to be included in the feasibility study. Mr. Cobb asked what the time line would be if this motion carries. Mr. Melen said he could have a draft for the Board at the next meeting and it would need to be advertised for fourteen days. Mr. Walasewicz said if the study turns out information that indicates this isn’t feasible then we should include a cost estimate for a demolition cost. Mr. Cann said we should consider renting the building too. Mr. Cobb thanked Mr. Murray and his committee for their work.
Motion carried 5- 0.
3. Adjourn: Mr. Cobb adjourned the Select Board portion of this joint meeting at 7: 45 p.m. . Mr. Locked adjourned the School Board and Mr. Cann adjourned the Trustees of Public Funds.
Weathersfield Select Board
Regular Meeting Minutes
September 6, 2007
1. Call to Order by Chairperson: Mr. Cobb reconvened the Select Board meeting at 7:55 p.m. at Martin Memorial Hall.
2. Review Minutes from Previous Meeting (s): Mr. Boyer made the motion to approve the minutes dated August 2, 2007, Mr. Arrison seconded the motion. Corrections were noted. Motion carried 3 – 0 with two abstentions.
Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the minutes dated August 16, 2007, Mr. Boyer seconded the motion. Corrections were noted. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Comments from Citizens: Mr. Boyer said last night at the Fire Commission meeting Michael Thomas said a grant may be available for a generator so if we get him the information he will put through the request.
Mr. Newton said, because of the drought, herons are moving inland and he cautioned everyone not to go near them, as they are dangerous with their beaks.
A. Entertainment Permit, Fiesta San Marcos, L.L.C. Mr. Cobb convened as the Board of Liquor Commissioners. Mr. Cobb asked what the property was zoned for, Mr. Melen said it is zoned highway commercial. Mr. Cobb asked if the neighboring residents were zoned commercial too, Mrs. Bearse said the two small houses on the same property are.
There was discussion on the past problems with loud music, parking lot problems etc. Mr. Gullegos said he is aware of some of these problems and his mission is to be able to sit and talk and listen to music. He is not looking for the drinking crowd.
Mr. Boyer made the motion to grant the entertainment permit to Route 5 Roadhouse, 5803 Route 5. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion. Mrs. Daniels asked Mr. Wimberg if he had any concerns as a neighbor. Mr. Wimberg said he has concerns because it was a problem in the past. He said Giovannis showed you can have entertainment without bothering the neighbors and hopefully it will be this way again.
Motion carried 5- 0.
A. Weathersfield Center Church Memorial Grove, Losee/Schaefer: This has already past, no discussion.
B. Ascutney Union Church, Public Auction: Mr. Boyer made the motion to grant the Ascutney Union Church a large gathering permit for September 8, 2007 and waive the fee. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion which passed 4 – 0 with one abstention.
6. Old Business:
A. Petition and Order for Pole and Wire Locations, Tel RT 58 CVPS LN 12, Thrasher Road – Verizon New England Inc.: Discussion that poles have already been installed and it is the understanding that they did not get property owners permission or an easement. Mr. Melen said he never received a response from the letter that was sent to them. It was questioned why they put the poles on the South side of the road and why they did not put them on the North side where they already have easements.
Mr. Boyer made the motion to deny the petition and order for pole replacement, Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion. Mr. Cobb asked what their recourse was, Mr. Melen said that is a good question. Mr. Cobb asked to deny their request and state our reasons why. Mrs. Bearse shared the section of the town plan that pertains to pole placement with the Board. Mr. Arrison said we should request a date for when the poles are to be taken down and also ask them to come before the Board to discuss this. Mr. Boyer amended his motion to include having the Chair of the Select Board sign the denial letter; Mrs. Daniels seconded the amendment. Motion carried unanimously.
7. Ordinances
Ordinance Regulating Objectionable Noise (First Reading): Mr. Boyer made the motion to move this to the second reading, Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion. Mr. Melen noted that there was wording added in Article 5. Mr. Cobb said he thinks there is a problem with snowmobiles and ATV’s, he would like to specify those motorized vehicles. Mr. Boyer amended his motion to include the changes noted, Mrs. Daniels seconded the amendment. Motion carried unanimously.
8. New Business
A. Town Plan Implementation, deForest Bearse: Mrs. Bearse said she would like to start discussion on implementation for the Town Plan. She said she wants to know how to move forward on goals and recommendations that the Zoning does not cover. Mr. Cobb asked her how she would like to go about this, Mrs. Bearse said she would first like to go through the goals and objectives and then create a time line and what kind of budget would be required. The consensus of the Board was to have Mrs. Bearse go ahead and start this and to prioritize her plan by importance and continue to come back before the Board with updates and information. Mrs. Daniels said she thinks part of the problem is people on the committees/boards are not aware of what is included in the Town Plan. Mrs. Bearse said that could be and we really need to encourage the people to use the plan.
9. Sign Treasurer’s Warrants: Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the Treasurer Warrants as follows:
General Fund Payroll $ 24,680.29
General Fund Operating Expense $921,347.04
Highway Fund Payroll $ 20,119.40
Highway Fund Operating Expense $ 17,062.70
Solid Waste Management Fund Payroll $ 2,972.32
Solid Waste Management Fund Operating Expense $ 1,540.98
Library $ 328.92
Agency Monies $ 75.00
Reserves $ 32,516.50
Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
10. Next Agenda Items: logging at Tenney Hill, paving, large gathering ordinance, generator, town plan
11. Adjourn: Mr. Cole made the motion to adjourn, Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent. The Weathersfield Select Board meeting was adjourned at 9:18 p.m. on Thursday September 6, 2007.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa Sargent
Approved by the Weathersfield Select Board September 20, 2007
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C. Peter Cole
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Norman John Arrison
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Patricia Daniels
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Henry C. Cobb
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
09/06/07 Annual SWMF – waive?
09/06/07 Letter to Senator Lahey
09/06/07 ROW for underground utilities