Select Board 12-04-08

Weathersfield Select Board Meeting December 4, 2008 Present:          Norman John Arrison Patricia Daniels Glenn Fisher Henry C. Cobb Daniel Boyer Others Present:    Larry Melen, Town Manager Jim Kamel Steve Ankuda Gordon Gurney Richard Bowen Joe Dibernardo Authelius Dibernardo Edith Stillson Julia Lloyd Wright, Eagle Times Deb Ostrum, SAPA Darre Moore, Budget Committee DeForest Bearse, Land Use Administrator 1.  Call to Order by Chairperson: Mr. Arrison called the meeting and Public Hearing to order at 6:33 p.m.  2. Public Hearing, Proposal to Reclassify the Old Weathersfield Road: Mr. Bowen said the Vermont Supreme Court has stated that a road exists where a road was built.  He said this is a Class IV road because any road without a designation is a Class IV road.  Mr. Dibernardo provided maps, surveys and copies of deeds for the Board to review. Mr. Arrison said even though there is some evidence of a road he didn’t see any evidence at the northern end that led to a road and said it may have been just a skid row.  He said the break in the bar way didn’t look like a road went through.  Mr. Cobb said he saw very little between the cellar hole and the Springfield line that convinced him there was a road.  Mr. Fisher agreed with Mr. Cobb.  Mr. Dibernardo said it is possible the stone walls were built after the road was laid out.  Mr. Melen said information indicates the road was relocated in 1900 and he is having trouble reconciling the lack of evidence on the ground.  It was noted the Nolon report was done in 1986 and it is a public record, there was discussion on if this report should be submitted as evidence.  Mrs. Bearse asked the purpose of the reclassification.  Mr. Bowen said there are 103 acres that is land locked.  Mr. Bearse said the landowner can access their land through a Right of Way, the Town is not allowed to land lock land to landowners but the public does not have access to it.  Mr. Cobb made the motion to recess the Public Hearing until February 5, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.  Mr. Fisher seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.  3.  Comments from Citizens: Mr. Moore provided Mr. Melen with information that he had on recycling plastic and a potential vendor.  Mr. Cobb said he questioned the email received regarding the second congressional stimulus package.  Mr. Melen said the League received the list from the Library and School but there is no bill at this time.  Mr. Melen said he would like to see the Ascutney sidewalk and the Town water/septic for Ascutney given to them.  Mr. Melen said it has to be construction ready.  Mr. Boyer said the Fire Commission would like to meet with the Board to discuss the agreement and they feel it will take two nights.  After discussion it was decided to meet on February 11th and 12th from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the Ascutney Fire Station. Mr. Moore said there was discussion on the new highway truck at the last meeting and the fact that it will be two months before the body could be completed.  He asked the Board to call Osgood’s to see if they were able to do it.  Mr. Arrison asked Mr. Melen to call Osgood’s.  4.  Review Minutes from Previous Meeting(s): Mr. Boyer made the motion to approve the minutes dated November 20, 2008, Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion.  Corrections were noted.  Motion carried unanimously. 5.  Renewable Energy Grants: Ms. Lloyd Wright said there is grant money available but it requires a 10% local match.  Mr. Arrison recommended we look at the furnace conversion at the Town garage and also noted we may consider two on demand hot water systems for Martin Memorial Hall (gas for downstairs, electric for upstairs). 6.  Weathersfield Fire Commission A. Fire Department Memorandum of Agreement: already discussed.  Mrs. Daniels said that we need to receive the Fire Commission and Fire Department reports for the annual report.  7.  Monthly Reports A.  Constable: No written report provided but there is still a huge issue with the sick kittens.  Mrs. Daniels made the motion to authorize euthanization for up to eleven kittens with Lynn using her discretion; Mr. Boyer seconded the motion.  It was noted that Mrs. Esty has cared for these sick kittens for four months and there is just no other alternative given the number of kittens/cats that are in shelters already.  Motion carried unanimously. B. Highway: no report C. Land Use: no report D. Police: no report E. Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste Management District: no report. 8.  Ordinance/Policies A. Animal Control Ordinance: Mr. Boyer made the motion to approve the Animal Control Ordinance.  Mr. Fisher seconded the motion, which passed without dissent. B.  Sign Objectionable Noise Ordinance: Mr. Melen did not have the final copy for signing.  Chief Brown said he does not foresee a problem enforcing this but will have to wait and see.  He said that hopefully it would be enforced by negotiations like in the past.  9.  Old Business A. VIBIRS/CITRIX: Chief Brown said the computer is in and Marty will be here this week to do the training.  Mr. Cobb said we owe the Law Enforcement Study Group one more meeting before dissolving the committee.  10.  New Business A. Sign Renewal of Equipment Note: Mr. Boyer made the motion to sign the renewal of equipment note for the loader for $52,000 for one year.  Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. B.  Town Wide Reappraisal: Mr. Melen noted there was a letter received dated November 14th with issues regarding the appraisal and the Lister’s response is enclosed. C.  Establish New Agency Fund, Bushway Family Emergency Relief: Mr. Boyer made the motion to establish the Bushway Family Emergency Relief Fund and designate Mr. Cobb to oversee disbursement.  Mr. Fisher seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.  11.  Appointments: None 12.  Sign Treasurer’s Warrants: Mr. Cobb made the motion to approve the Treasurer Warrants as follows: General Fund Payroll                $18,100.48 General Fund Operating Expense            $51,545.62 Highway Fund Payroll                $16,365.18 Highway Fund Operating Expense            $  4,751.29 Solid Waste Management Fund Payroll        $  2,931.46 Solid Waste Management Fund Operating     $     510.86 Reserves                        $  1,503.34 Library                        $       24.54 Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 13.  Next Meeting’s Agenda Items: Budget. 14.  Executive Session – Personnel Negotiations: Mr. Boyer made the motion to go into executive session to discuss Personnel Negotiations.  Mr. Cobb seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.  15.  Adjourn:    Mr. Boyer made the motion to adjourn.  Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.  Respectfully Submitted, Lisa A. Sargent Approved by the Weathersfield Select Board on January 8, 2009 ____________________ Norman John Arrison _____________________ Patricia Daniels _____________________ Henry C. Cobb _____________________ Daniel Boyer _____________________ Glenn Fisher Appendix Website policy - Larry Ancient roads (continue working on) - deForest Posting sign policy - John Use of Weathersfield Elementary School - Chip Capital asset inventory – Chris Adams No Parking Signs by Thomas residence Review and increase of land use fees - deForest 03/08/07    Procedure for handling of complaints and citizen inquiries - Pat 05/03/07    Emergency communication - Dan 05/03/07    Radio Station designation for emergencies – Mike Thomas 08/16/07    large gathering permit - John 10/18/07    Economic depreciation factors from AMPTA - Pat 11/01/07    Designation of emergency shelter and power supply - Dan 03/20/08    Cascade Falls Road Parking Area (maintenance) 06/19/08    Tenney Hill Pond 06/19/08    Noise Ordinance 07/10/08    Community Garden 07/10/08    Energy Audit at Town Garage & Martin Memorial Hall