Select Board 1-3-08

Weathersfield Select Board Minutes January 3, 2008 Present:        Henry C. Cobb             Norman John Arrison             C. Peter Cole                 Patricia Daniels             Daniel Boyer Others Present:    Larry Melen, Town Manager             Lisa Sargent, Recording Secretary             Anthony French, VSP             David Covell, VSP             Jocelyn Stohl, VSP             Edith Stillson             Jeff Locke             Tamara Locke             Mary Gulbrandsen             David Gulbrandsen             Julia Schmitz             Ernie Shand             DeForest Bearse             Peter Daniels             Bruce Cox             Zacciah Blackburn             Deb Ostrum, SAPA             David Saladino, Resource System Group             Gerry Coogan             Chief Brown              1.  Call to Order by Chairperson: Mr. Cobb called the meeting of the Weathersfield Select Board to order at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday January 3, 2008 at Martin Memorial Hall. 2.  Public Hearing: Draft Interstate 91 Exit 8 Master Plan: Mr. Cobb called the Public Hearing to order. Mr. David Saladino from Resource Systems Group (RSG) gave an overview of the Interstate Interchange Master Plan using a power point presentation.       Mr. Gerry Coogan, a private sub-contractor/planner, talked about the regulations that could be amended into the Town of Weathersfield by-laws and suggested perhaps adapting an “overlay zoning plan”.  He noted this is a preliminary draft but it could be adopted to our town plan.       Mr. Saladino said the next steps would be to finalize the master plan, amend the zoning ordinance to reference the interchange master plan and include the overlay district regulations and implement action items ie: funding for waste water etc.        Mr. Arrison noted there are a lot of accidents at the intersection of Route 5 and 131.  There was discussion on the traffic count and it was noted a lot of traffic comes off the interstate and goes directly into Claremont, NH.  There was discussion that maybe the four lanes could be decreased to two lanes since the road was built for about 27,000 vehicles daily and right now about 9,000 head toward Claremont.  It was noted that the State is not in favor of decreasing the lanes to two, Mr. Melen said they have contacted him and asked if the Town was interested in taking this over as a Class I road.  Mr. Shand said perhaps the State should consider a round a-bout to help slow the speed of traffic.       Mrs. Daniels said there are only three vacant pieces of land in this section right now, and asked how can we anticipate enough traffic in this area since all the other parcels are already developed.  Mr. Saladino said once new development comes into town it may encourage the current businesses to sell or subdivide which in turn could generate more business/traffic.  Mr. Coogan agreed that if nice office type buildings come in then the current businesses might want to redevelop.       Mr. Peter Daniels said this is a very small portion of Ascutney and asked what about the Northeast corner, he said he thinks the whole Village of Ascutney needs to be looked at.       Mrs. Daniels encouraged the Planning Commission, the Zoning Board and the Land Use Administrator to pursue changes for the future.       Mr. Cobb asked what happens next.  Mrs. Bearse said tonight’s comments will be incorporated into the preliminary plan then it comes to the Zoning Board and they look at it more.       Mr. Arrison asked if further grants were available to improve the roadway and possibly slow the speed of traffic.  Mr. Saladino said there is money but it is a competitive program.       Mr. Daniels said public participation and community support is important for this type of improvement.  Mrs. Bearse noted it might be time to try again for a sidewalk now that the school is consolidating and it could be incorporated in this.       Mr. Cobb closed the Public Hearing at 7:50 p.m. 3.  Law Enforcement Service: Lieutenant Jocelyn Stohl, VSP.  Lt. Stohl said she was present because Mr. Melen asked her if the State Police would cover Weathersfield if the current police department was done away with.  She said she feels the State Police need in the Town of Weathersfield has increased substantially in the past and no, they can not cover the Town of Weathersfield more than they currently are.  She said it is public knowledge that the State Police are being stretched too thin already and it is being looked at statewide. She explained that she and Chief Brown met today and there are two systems being operated now and there should be only one.  She said the Town of Weathersfield doesn’t appear to have the technology for Chief Brown to access their system, the CAD system, and it is important the same system is used for communication reasons. Lt. Stohl recommends a committee be formed to look at the situation that we have.   Mr. Cobb said the Select Board has to consider all options regarding either funding a Weathersfield owned force, or paying for the service that would be provided by another agency.  He told Lt. Stohl that doing away with our police force was not a viable option this budget year.  Mr. Cole agreed with Mr. Cobb and said we need to look at options.   Lt. Stohl said there is a large increase in criminal complaints in Weathersfield.    Mr. Gulbrandsen asked when a 911 call is made how it is handled.  Lt. Stohl said in addition to 911 calls they receive a large number of direct calls.  It was noted that if Chief Brown is on duty then the call goes to him otherwise the State takes the call.  Chief Brown said when he arrived in Weathersfield twelve years ago there was 230 incidents a year; today there are 603 a year.   Lt. Stohl explained that most calls dictate more than one officer to respond. Domestics, accidents, and family disturbances all take two or more officers now.   Mr. Locke said he hopes the Board and Town Manager are listening; the town needs to do something.  He said the school bond has been brought up a number of times and he doesn’t feel that it is right to keep talking about the bond payment increasing taxes when the townspeople voted to build a new school.  He said it is time to look at the public’s safety.   Officer Covell said many towns are facing budgetary problems and by forming a committee we may be able to look at the way we are doing business not just the financial problem.   The consensus of the Board was to proceed with a committee.  Mr. Melen will get with Chief Brown and Lt. Stohl to get their recommendations for the committee.   Mr. Shand suggested we move along rapidly on this as the State is in the process of looking at the Vermont State Police, the Game Wardens etc right now.  He said the State may be able to use some information from us, he said he doesn’t feel the Town of Weathersfield is unique.     Lt. Stohl said the committee should consist of a representative from the Select Board, law enforcement officials, citizens, a school representative etc.  She said we should look at what people think the Town and State police do, what they expect them to do, etc.  Also, we should look at community involvement, crisis training in schools etc.  And, look how we function independently and collectively.   4.  Review Minutes from Previous Meeting(s): Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the minutes dated November 1, 2007, Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion.  Mrs. Daniels noted a correction.  Motion carried 4 – 0 with one abstention.     Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the minutes dated December 20, 2007; Mr. Cole seconded the motion.  Corrections were noted.  Motion carried 4 – 0 with one abstention.   5.  Comments from Citizens: Mr. Melen said he would like an executive session for personnel. 6.  Monthly Activity Reports: A. Constable: Report in tonight’s packet B. Highway: Mr. Melen said he has received a call from Norm Gagnon, St.Pierre Construction Company’s insurance adjuster and he did a physical examination of the bridge and he is communicating with PACIF.  Mr. Melen said he received an estimate from Miller Construction and gave a copy of the quote to the Board.  He said there will have to be discussion on replacement and the cost of replacement if the insurance company doesn’t accept full liability.   C. Land Use: No comment D. Police: Report in tonight’s packet E. Municipal Assessing Property Service, LLC: No comment F. Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste Management District: No comment G. Sale of Town Owned Property – Muse Associates: Mr. Melen said there hasn’t been any activity. 7.  Old Business     A.  National Incident Management System: Mr. Melen asked to table this again, Bill Kearns is going to come in and talk with us.     B.  FY08 Municipal Planning Grant for Subdivision Regulations: Mr. Boyer made the motion to have the Town Manager sign the grant agreement for FY08 municipal planning grants.  Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion, which passed without dissent. (Mr. Cole was not present for this discussion) 8.  Ordinances and Policies:     A.  Solid Waste Fee Assessment Policy: Mr. Melen said the draft is in tonight’s packet.  Mr. Boyer made the motion to table until January 17, 2008.  Mr. Arrison seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.  (Mr. Cole was not present for this discussion) 9.  New Business:     A.  Hawks Mountain Bomber Crash State Historic Marker: Mr. Melen said per the email received from Marita Johnson the application has been approved, this is for information only.     B.  State Education Finance, Vermont Coalition of Municipalities: The consensus of the Board was not to discuss/support this.     C.  Town Energy Audit, Peak Energy Solutions: Mr. Melen said copies of the audit have been given to the Board but because Ms. Julia Lloyd Wright is not present he would like to discuss this at the next regular meeting. Mr. Boyer said we need to look at temperature differences closely; they are not that big of a change.  Mr. Melen said some recommendations are not too expensive.  It was decided to put on the budget for January 17th. 10. Sign Treasurer’s Warrants: Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the Treasurer Warrants as follows:     General Fund Payroll                    $16,170.73     General Fund Operating Expense                $29,612.12     Highway Fund Payroll                    $20,334.32     Highway Fund Operating Expense                $43,842.87     Solid Waste Fund Payroll                    $  2,226.75     Solid Waste Fund Operating Expense            $  6,339.09     Revenues                            $  6,196.46     Library                            $     344.11 Mr. Cole seconded the motion.  Mr. Melen noted he paid for the energy audit out of the town office’s capital improvement reserve fund.  Mr. Arrison said with the weather we’ve had we need to be careful on over time.  Motion carried unanimously. 11.  Next Meeting Agenda Items: Rapid response plan, solid waste assessment fee, law enforcement study, NIMS, Mr. Arrison requested Mr. Melen to send RFP’s for the Elementary School feasibility study out again.  Mr. Melen indicated that this time the RFP’s will be sent certified mail with return receipt.   12.  Executive Session: Mr. Arrison made the motion to go into executive session regarding personnel.  Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent. 13.  Adjourn: Mr. Boyer made the motion to adjourn.  Mr. Arrison seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.  The Weathersfield Select Board meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.                                                    Respectfully Submitted,                             Lisa Sargent Approved by the Weathersfield Select Board on January 17, 2008                             ____________________                             Norman John Arrison                             ____________________                             Henry C. Cobb                             ____________________                             Daniel Boyer                             ____________________                             Patricia Daniels Appendix         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    ROW for underground utilities 10/18/07    Economic Depreciation Factors from AMPTA 11/01/07    Designation of Emergency Shelter and Power Supply 12/06/07     Valley Fiber Service 12/20/07    Dispatch Contract