Weathersfield Select Board

Minutes

June 3, 2010

Present: Henry "Chip" Cobb

Glenn Fisher

Norman John Arrison

Gordon Eglintine

Others Present: Jim Mullen, Town Manager

Lisa Sargent, Recording Secretary

Wes Hazeltine, Highway Superintendent

deForest Bearse, Zoning Administrator

Edith Stillson

Hillerie Coutermarsh

Heith Lashway

Gilbert Whittemore

Lynda Spurr

Jeff Spurr

Keith Graham

Debbie Graham

Dan Willey

Greg Frazer

Courtney McKaig

Kelly Selmer

Kathy Martin

Kaycee Herschel

Jessica Selmer

Rand Frazer

David Gulbrandsen

Julia Lloyd Wright

Graham C. Hunter II

Peter Korbet

Heidi Eglintine

Ellen Clattenburg

Chief Brown

Dr. Clattenburg

Tom Kennedy

1. Call to Order: Mr. Fisher called the Weathersfield Select Board meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at Martin Memorial Hall.

2. Public Hearing 7:00 p.m. Proposed Interim Zoning Bylaw

Establish "Self Storage Facility" as a Principal and Accessory Permitted Use in the Highway Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts: Mr. Fisher opened the Public Hearing and read the Public Hearing Notice.

Mr. Korbet asked why the industrial zone on Route 131 by the Firehouse wasn't mentioned and asked if the Board intended to address that zone. After discussion it was decided to leave the Notice as written.

Mr. Spurr asked why yard sales/garage sales were excluded. Mrs. Bearse said it states that sales can not be held out of the unit itself. Mr. Wiley said he would like that wording stricken. Mr. Cobb said he thinks the wording is vague as written. Mr. Korbet said he thinks it is inconsistent with current zoning regulations.

Mr. Arrison asked if a person wanted to build a facility with the intention of allowing yard sales could they apply for a permit to do both, Mrs. Bearse said yes. Mr. Gulbrandsen said the intent as it is worded is to not allow a yard sale business to run out of the facility. Mr. Graham said they have sales at the storage facilities in North Springfield and he feels we are being too restrictive.

Mr. Hunter spoke against allowing self storage units and said he provided his reasons to the Board in writing prior to the meeting tonight. Mr. Willey said Zoning should be flexible and change over time.

Mr. Arrison asked why the Interim By-laws were before us tonight. Mrs. Bearse said we are doing this as a response to pressure by residents of Weathersfield.

Mr. Spurr talked in favor of the use and to allow yard sales to be held. He said the parking for the yard sales would be off the main road. Mr. Spurr said he understands there is no use for the building other than storage but the need is there for this particular use. Mr. Eglintine said he agrees, there is a need for storage units.

Mrs. Graham said seasonal road side stands are allowed and yard sales should be allowed at the facilities. Mr. Korbet asked what dead storage meant. Mr. Whittemore said no "live warehouse" use - no shipping and receiving allowed.

Mr. Arrison made the motion to amend Section 7.23 to say auctions, wholesale or retail sales or miscellaneous or garage sales may be allowed at self-storage facilities, Mr. Eglintine seconded the motion.

There was discussion on parking vehicles inside and outside the units. The proposed bylaws say the storage of flammable or hazardous chemicals and explosives is prohibited and cars have gasoline, oil etc in them. Mr. Gulbrandsen said we need to address outside parking of vehicles as well.

Mr. Cobb asked Mr. Arrison to withdraw his motion and ask the Planning Commission to rewrite the proposed bylaws. Mr. Arrison withdrew his motion, Mr. Eglintine withdrew his second.

Mr. Cobb made the motion to have the Planning Commission rewrite the proposed bylaws and take the letter from Graham Hunter into consideration as well as consider allowing auctions, yard sales etc at the facilities. He also asked that they look at the vehicle parking issues that could be of concern, Mr. Eglintine seconded the motion. Mrs. Bearse asked the Board to continue this hearing instead of adjourning it and warning a new one. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Arrison made the motion to recess the Public Hearing until July 15^th and also have the Planning Commission warned for a meeting this same night. Mr. Eglintine seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

Mr. Mullen asked to move ahead to #9 b. Mr. Fisher made the motion to move ahead to #9 b. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

9. New Business

B. Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste Management District

1. Approve Contract with Casella: Mr. Arrison made the motion to authorize the Town Manager to sign the contract with Casella. Mr. Cobb seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

2. Recycling Assessment Report/Northeast Resource Recovery Association, Thomas Kennedy: Mr. Kennedy said the District asked Northeast to do a study and look at all transfer stations in the region to help coordinate loads. And, we are working closely with other Solid Waste Districts to lower costs more. Mr. Kennedy said both towns and districts are working together to save costs, consider making joint purchases etc.

Mr. Mullen spoke on how Putney and Rockingham collect and dispose of recyclables and how affective it is for them. He asked the Board to consider the recycling assessment report. He said if we went to recycling dumpsters that were available 24/7 it would encourage more people to recycle and also reduce our labor costs.

Mr. Kennedy said our recycling facility is a great location for other towns to participate with us.
Mr. Spurr said he has heard our fees are reasonable compared to area towns and we aren't loosing money so why make changes. Mr. Mullen said we are just starting to consider all of our options because techniques to recycle waste in the region may change in the future and we need to be prepared.

Mr. Mullen said we are scheduled to purchase another compactor however, that will be put on hold for now.

3. Comments from Citizens: None

4. Review Minutes from Previous Meeting(s): Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the minutes dated April 15, 2010, Mr. Cobb seconded the motion. Corrections were noted. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the minutes dated May 5, 2010, Mr. Cobb seconded the motion. Corrections were noted. Motion carried 3 - 1, Mr. Cobb abstained.

Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the minutes dated May 20, 2010, Mr. Eglintine seconded the motion. Corrections were noted. Motion carried unanimously.

5. Approve Weathersfield Outdoor Parks & Recreational Facilities Tobacco-Free Policy, Mt. Ascutney Prevention Partnership (MAPP): Ms. McKaig and four students were present to ask the Board to consider adopting a policy. Mr. Arrison said no one could be cited because it's not an ordinance, Ms. McKaig said she understood that. Mr. Fisher read the proposed policy.

Mr. Eglintine made the motion to accept the Tobacco-Free policy, Mr. Arrison seconded the motion. Ms. McKaig said she would start working on the signs with the help of the kids and come back to the Select Board with the design/wording. The signs will be professionally made to standards. Motion carried unanimously.

6. Police

A. Monthly Report: Chief Brown said he has been busy with thefts and said everyone should lock their cars to help prevent them.

B. Report on Part-time Police Officers' Allocation of Time: It was noted that we are down one Officer at this time and we have only used about 55% of the allotted time. Chief Brown said a new Officer will be working for the Town soon; he is going through training right now. Mr. Arrison asked if we paid for training, Chief Brown said no.

There was discussion about enforcing the speed limits to help meet the budget.

C. Disband Law Enforcement Study Commission: Mr. Cobb said the Committee was established in January, 2008 and he feels it can be disbanded at this time. Mr. Cobb made the motion to disband the Law Enforcement Study Committee. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

Mr. Arrison said some day Chief Brown will retire and we need to look at what the townspeople really expect from the police force. Chief Brown said he agrees it should be looked at.

7. Board of Liquor Commissioners

-Request for Second Class Liquor License and Tobacco License - H&H Pizza & Deli, LLC dba 14 Ascutney Place: Mr. Fisher convened the Board of Liquor Commission.

Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the Second Class Liquor License and Tobacco License for H&H Pizza & Deli, LLC dba 14 Ascutney Place. Mr. Eglintine seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

Mr. Fisher adjourned the Board of Liquor Commission.

8. Old Business

A. Highway

1. Update on Brown Gravel Pit: Mr. Mullen said the highway department has been working down there and have made huge progress. He said they met on site with the State regulators and he thinks the violation isn't as bad as originally thought. Mr. Cobb asked when we would know about the fine; Mr. Mullen said it could be months.

Mr. Arrison asked about the bids for the bulldozer work, Mr. Mullen said we received four bids and they are checking references.

2. Approve Reconfiguration of Plains Road/Plains Road Extension/Plains Cemetery Road Intersection: Mr. Cobb made the motion o approve the reconfiguration of Plains Road/Plains Road Extension/Plains Cemetery Road intersection, Mr. Arrison seconded the motion. Mr. Arrison said the Clattenburg's were here but have now left and he is wondering if they would be interested in having the Town throw this section up since they own both sides of the short cut. Mr. Korbet asked if the pine trees would be removed, Mr. Arrison said a couple would have to come down. Motion carried unanimously.

B. Select Board 2010 Summer Meeting Schedule Update: Mr. Fisher said the second meeting of each month will be on the road and read the dates and locations.

9. New Business

A. Financials

1. Request for Paving Funds Submitted to Senator Sanders, Maple Street: Mr. Mullen said this is a grant application and it will take years to receive (if we receive it). Mr. Cobb said he is concerned where the 20% match would come from.

2. Approve Transfer of Funds for Martin Memorial Hall Repairs: Mr. Mullen said he recommends transferring $15,000 to cover some of the costs of repairs already made. Mr. Cobb made the motion to transfer $15,000 from the Martin Memorial Hall Capital Maintenance and Improvements reserve fund to the General Fund. Mr. Eglintine seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

B. already discussed

C. Land Schedule Implementation, Vermont Department of Taxes: Mr. Mullen said there was a possibility the State would have ordered the Lister's to do another re-appraisal but we received a letter saying we do not have to.

D. Center Grove Area Power Line Reconstruction: Mr. Arrison said the power company is trimming lines coming up to the Center Church, and he is concerned they may be replacing poles which will damage trees in the grove. He said he talked to CVPS and they agreed to get several parties together to discuss the work to be done and he would like to be the Town's representative. Mr. Cobb made the motion to appoint Mr. Arrison the Town's representative for this discussion. Mr. Eglintine seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

E. Treasurer

1. Renewal Notes

A. Capital Equipment, International Dump Truck: Mr. Cobb made the motion to renew the balance of $66,667 with Chittenden Bank at an interest rate of 2.25%. Mr. Eglintine seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

B. Capital Improvement/Wastewater Disposal Line: Mr. Cobb made the motion to renew the balance of $11,601 with Chittenden Bank at an interest rate of 2.25%. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

F. Approve Release of Request for Bids

1. Paving of Weathersfield Center Road: Mr. Mullen said he and Mr. Hazeltine worked on the request for bids. Mr. Cobb made the motion to put the paving of the Weathersfield Center Road out to bid after deleting the sentence that the contractor shall maintain traffic flow as practical. Mr. Eglintine seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

2. Seeding, Liming, Fertilizing, and Mulching Brown Gravel Pit: Mr. Mullen said VT local roads helped with the wording and we may choose to do this ourselves depending on the bid prices. Mr. Cobb made the motion to send the seeding, liming, fertilizing and mulching Brown gravel pit out to bid. Mr. Eglintine seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

10. Appointments:

(xiii) Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste Management District Alternate: Mr. Arrison made the motion to appoint Mr. Mullen the Alternate for the Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste Management District. Mr. Cobb seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

11. Sign Treasurer's Warrants: Mr. Cobb made the motion to approve the Treasurer's Warrants as follows:

General Fund Payroll $17,550.27

General Fund Operating Expense $25,005.52

Highway Fund Payroll $14,801.50

Highway Fund Operating Expense $39,111.79

Solid Waste Management Fund Payroll $ 2,264.37

Solid Waste Management Fund Operating Expense $ 345.10

Library $ 13.19

Mr. Arrison seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

12. Future Agenda Items: fire commission, haz materials and illegal burns, Hidden Glen Road Bridge, Perkins Hill Road grant, Hodgdon Brothers.

13. Adjourn: Mr. Arrison made the motion to adjourn. Mr. Cobb seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

Respectfully Submitted,

Lisa Sargent

Approved by the Weathersfield Select Board on June 17, 2010

Gordon Eglintine

Glenn Fisher

Norman John Arrison

Henry "Chip" Cobb