Weathersfield Select Board

Minutes

July 5, 2011

Present: Gordon Eglintine

Norman John Arrison

Dave Fuller

Richard Clattenburg

Dan Boyer

Others Present: Jim Mullen, Town Manager

Wes Hazeltine, Highway Superintendent

Edith Stillson

Marilyn Houghton

Peter Korbet

Chris Adams

Michael Todd

Richard Butler

Bonnie Butler

Cathy Sullivan

Eric Sullivan

BJ Esty

Tom Browe

Carl Wyman

Note: these minutes were typed from notes taken by the Mr. Mullen and watching the SAPA tape as the Recording Secretary was not present at the meeting.

1. Call to Order: Mr. Fuller called the Weathersfield Select Board meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Hawks Mountain Grange.

Mr. Fuller said the Board received generic information on Roberts rules and he wanted to clarify that if there are questions from the audience they should be addressed to the Chair and then he will have the appropriate person speak to it. He also asked the Select Board members to say point of order when necessary and he will stop the meeting and discuss the issue. He also asked people to ask one question at a time.

2. Comments from Citizens and Select Board: Mr. Korbet asked again for the minutes regarding the Perkinsville Green from back in the Fall to be changed. The minutes stated the date of October 7^th and it happened on November 18, 2010. Mr. Korbet said the language should also be changed to say a section of the park outside the section of the green deeded by the Church.

Mr. Arrison apologized for his remarks to Mr. Korbet at the last meeting.

Mr. Fuller asked Mr. Mullen to look into the dates of the meetings and also the name of the road. Mr. Mullen said he doesn't agree with the name of the road difference but he will look into this further.

Mr. Todd said the agenda's are not on website. Mr. Mullen said they are in the calendar section, you need to click on calendar but he can post it elsewhere on the website.

3. Review Minutes from Previous Meeting(s): Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the minutes dated June 21, 2011. Mr. Clattenburg seconded the motion which passed 4 - 0 with one abstention.

Mr. Fuller said the May 21^st and May 31^st were warned meetings but, there was not a quorum of the Board so please clarify in the minutes at the next meeting that there was not a quorum at either meeting.

4. Review Land Lease, Rick Butler: Mr. Mullen explained the reason for the lease. Mr. Boyer made the motion to extend the lease with Richard and Bonnie Butler for another five years. Mr. Eglintine seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

Mr. Mullen will look into land lease from the Weathersfield Bow.

5. Request to Hold a Coin Drop/September 24, 2011 - Springfield Humane Society: Mr. Clattenburg made the motion to allow the Springfield Humane Society's coin drop on Route 5 by the School House Road on September 24, 2011, Mr. Boyer seconded the motion. Mr. Eglintine asked if they have permission from the State, Mr. Browe said they didn't need to if they have permission from the Town. Mr. Arrison said it is still a good idea to talk to VTrans. Motion carried unanimously.

6. Appoint Animal Control Officer: Mr. Mullen said after the position was advertised he recommends appointing Cathy Sullivan. Mr. Fuller asked if there were differences between Vermont and New Hampshire. Ms. Sullivan said it depends on town ordinances. Mr. Mullen said there are State laws that they will have to become familiar with. Mr. Clattenburg made the motion to appoint Cathy Sullivan as an Animal Control Officer, Mr. Eglintine seconded the motion. Mr. Mullen said that we budgeted four hours a week and we will communicate so we can stay within the budget. It was noted that her mileage charge would start once she crosses into Vermont. Mr. Clattenburg asked her what her duties consisted of and she explained her duties vary but consists of helping the Red Cross, helping with abandoned animals, assisting with wildlife etc. Ms. Sullivan explained that she makes sure the dogs are licensed with the Town before she releases them and they have had their rabies shots. Mr. Arrison asked how she would be notified, Mr. Mullen said her phone number would be posted and made available to the parties that need to contact her. The town pound will be an agenda item in the future. Motion passed unanimously.

7. Old Business:

A. Drumlin Road Reclassification, Warn Hearing Date for Second Section: Mr. Mullen recommends having the Public Hearing September 6^th. He suggested having the perambulation at 6:30 and then a meeting at 7:00. Mr. Mullen will ask Shirley to change a meeting to Perkinsville side of town so after the perambulation we can meet on the same side of town. Mr. Clattenburg made the motion to have the Town Manager work out the details for the Public Hearing and Perambulation for the laying out of the Class 3 road and possible simultaneous discontinuance of part of Drumlin Road within the next three months. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

B. Delinquent Tax Update: Mr. Mullen gave the Board an update on the activity that is taking place with taxpayers that are delinquent in their taxes. Letters have been sent and some taxpayers have either caught up or have called and talked with him to discuss why they are falling behind.

Mr. Mullen encouraged everyone to file the homestead tax declaration each year, especially the elderly.

8. New Business:

A. Approve and Sign Assignment of Broker/Consultant of Record, VLCT Health Trust, Inc. Mr. Clattenburg said the VLCT is offering a number of different companies to look at health insurance this year. They have chosen Hickok and Boardman as the Broker and doing this will not cost us more money. Mr. Arrison made the motion to sign the Assignment of Broker/Consultant of Record letter with Hickok and Boardman for health care, Mr. Boyer seconded the motion. Mr. Adams wanted to mention that by signing this agreement we still can choose a different option in the end if we want to, we are not tied in at this point. Motion carried unanimously.

B. Transfer Station

1. Approve Memorandum of Understanding for Electronic Waste Disposal: Mr. Mullen said beginning of July 1^st it is illegal in Vermont to discard most types of electronic waste: instead, it must be recycled. For us there is very little change other than we will not take punch cards for these items.

Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the Sate Standard Plan E-Waste Collector Memorandum of Understanding with Northeast Resource Recovery Association and to amend the Town's Solid Waste Disposal Fees to remove any charges for disposal of monitors, computers, and televisions, Mr. Eglintine seconded the motion. Mr. Clattenburg said we should include all power data cords and printers. Mr. Arrison amended the motion to include peripherals, Mr. Eglintine seconded the amendment. Motion carried unanimously.

2. Amend Disposal Fees: included in above

3. Discuss Transfer Station Sticker Procedures: Mr. Mullen said anyone in the State of Vermont can dispose electronic waste at any solid waste facility so not everyone coming in to the facility will have a sticker. Mr. Mullen recommends we do not sell the stickers at the landfill and if someone wants another one or a duplicate sticker for a second vehicle they have to come to the Town Office to obtain one. If someone comes without a sticker then they will be double punched. Reading and West Windsor did not mail the stickers in the tax bills, those residents have to go to their Town Office to obtain one. The Board agreed with Mr. Mullen recommendations and suggestions.

C. Request Large Gathering Permit, Weathersfield 250^th Celebration: Mr. Clattenburg made the motion to approve the Large Gathering Permit for the 250^th Celebration and waive the fee, Mr. Boyer seconded the motion. It was noted the trash could be disposed of the next day without a fee at the Transfer Station.

Mr. Fuller said there is also a request to close the road from 1:00 p.m - 2:00 p.m. for the parade. Mr. Clattenburg amended his motion to also approve the closing of the road for the parade per the note received for approximately one hour, Mr. Boyer seconded the amended motion. Motion carried unanimously.

D. Park and Ride Grant for Downers Four Corners Area: Mr. Todd said there was some discussion during review of the Transportation Chapter but there was not an actual discussion about a grant. Mr. Wyman wanted to be sure the neighbors were allowed to participate in the decision. He noted he supports the park and ride but does have concerns about it being located in the right spot. Mr. Mullen said the neighbors would be involved. Mr. Fuller asked if this specific grant is for this specific location or can it be generic. Mr. Mullen said this grant is for the Downers Four Corners are

Mr. Clattenburg made the motion to approve the grant application to discuss the potential of a park and ride in the area of Downers Four Corners, Mr. Boyer seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

E. Bid Awarded for Repair to Martin Memorial Hall Front Steps: Mr. Mullen said the Trustee's have taken care of this and funds will come from the Trustee's funds. Mr. Clattenburg asked about the condition of the walls, Mr. Mullen said they are working on that right now. Mr. Mullen noted thirteen more lights will be replaced as well through the energy efficiency grant.

F. Set 2011 - 2012 Property Tax Rates: Mr. Arrison made the motion to set the Fiscal Year 2012 Tax Rates at:

General Fund 0.2892, Highway Fund 0.2930, Highway Equipment 0.0100, Fire Apparatus 0.0100, Reappraisal Reserve 0.0100, County Tax 0.0024, Local Education 0.0061, Homestead Education 1.5964, Non-Residential Education 1.5054, Perkinsville Village 0.0380, Ascutney Fire District #2 0.0180, Waste Management Fee $40.00.

Mr. Boyer seconded the motion. Mr. Clattenburg asked how this compares to last year. Mr. Mullen said the municipal tax rate is up just slightly, we were $11,040 short of our goal to having a zero increase. It was noted it is going up 4/10 of one penny. There was discussion on tax rates this year vs. last year. Mr. Korbet asked how the tax rate could be set for the Village of Perkinsville when they haven't met yet; Mr. Mullen said the Village of Perkinsville sent a proposed budget to the Town. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Clattenburg made the motion to set the tax due dates as August 17, 2011, November 9, 2011, February 8, 2012 and May 9, 2012. Mr. Eglintine seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

G. Discuss Next Steps - Mr. Fuller said he asked to add these next items on the agenda because they are topics that will take up a significant amount of time.

1. Perkinsville School Reuse: Mr. Arrison suggested a special town meeting in November with just one article and by a floor vote which would give the citizens the opportunity to voice their opinion. The budget number would be available at the regular town meeting in March. Right now the Committee's directive is to work on getting estimates for demolition.

2. Crown Point Road Classification: Mr. Fuller said this is difficult to lump into one piece of property so we may want to break into sections. Mr. Mullen said the estimate he has for a survey is about $15,000 - $20,000. He also said changing it to a trail could reduce the right of way to a one rod road. Mr. Fuller asked to put this on the next agenda to discuss again.

3. Regional Policing: Mr. Eglintine said it is low priority on his list. Mr. Boyer said he thought we didn't have much interest. Mr. Arrison said even if the Regional option falls through we need to have a plan when Chief Brown retires. Mr. Clattenburg said we have always hired another Officer when one gets done. Mr. Arrison said we need to look at other options, he's not sure one full time Police Officer and two special's are right for our Town. Mr. Fuller said he talked with Bob Stacey and Hartland is happy with their State coverage. He suggests that we keep attending the Regional meetings and talk to other towns that are similar to ours. Mr. Mullen said Chief Brown will attend the August 2^nd Select Board meeting and will discuss this with the Board at that time.

4. Health Insurance: Mr. Clattenburg said this will be complex and he is willing to attend the meetings in the future. Mr. Mullen said he will fax the Broker of Record letter in tomorrow and then Hickok and Boardman will schedule the next meeting.

5. Other Important Issues: Mr. Korbet asked about the progress on the LaVigne bridge. Mr. Mullen said Miller is looking into this. Mr. Todd said since another quarter has just finished he would like the Board give the Budget Committee a directive. Mr. Fuller said this will go on the next agenda.

9. Appointment of Select Board Representative to Highway Commission: Mr. Arrison said he sent a note a couple weeks ago asking to resign. He said he doesn't mind keeping the position but some ways it is easier if the Select Board Chair has this position. Mr. Arrison said he will withdraw his letter of resignation but if he does he needs to be the person that does it. The consensus of the Board was Mr. Arrison should keep the position and he would be the person for the Select Board. Mr. Arrison withdrew his letter of resignation.

10. Appointments: none

11. Next Meeting's Agenda Items: Next meeting is the site visit on July 16^th (Mr. Mullen will let the Board know what time and where to meet). Mr. Fuller urged at least three Select Board representatives to attend. Mr. Eglintine asked to keep the review of the opt out policy on the agenda.

12. Sign Treasurer's Warrants: Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the Treasurer's Warrants as follows:

General Fund Payroll $15,103.65

General Fund Operating Expense $51,076.53

Highway Fund Payroll $11,537.86

Highway Fund Operating Expense $95,257.12

Solid Waste Management Fund Payroll $ 1,444.23

Solid Waste Management Fund Operating Expense $ 3,437.50

Agency Monies $ 51.08

Reserves $ 350.17

Mr. Clattenburg seconded the motion. Mr. Boyer asked about the invoice for Dingee machine. Mr. Arrison said it started out as a pump issue and turned into an electrical issue. Mr. Arrison said the wage garnishment is under General Fund, does it belong there or the Highway Fund? It was said the money goes into the General Fund and then is paid out of the General Fund. Motion carried unanimously.

13. Adjourn: Mr. Arrison made the motion to adjourn. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion which passed without dissent. The Weathersfield Select Board was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Lisa Slade

Approved by the Weathersfield Select Board on July 19, 2011