Weathersfield Select Board

Minutes

September 6, 2011

Present: Gordon Eglintine

Norman John Arrison

Dave Fuller

Richard Clattenburg

Dan Boyer

Others Present: Chris Adams

Lisa Slade, Recording Secretary

Wes Hazeltine, Highway Superintendent

Edith Stillson

Alan Hudson

deForest Bearse

Robert Compo

Marcy Backstrom

Thomas Coleman

Kent Backstrom

Ross Girard

Mike Szelangowski

Pat Daniels

Jeff Spurr

Harrison Todd

Laurie Todd

Nicole Parent

John W. May (sp)

Harold Lamica (sp)

Paul Brosseau

Aleta Feeney-Brosseau

Bruce Murray

Patrick O'Grady

Craig Lyons

Calvin Gelineau

Lucille Gelineau

Andrea Watkins

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

2. Comments from Citizens and Select Board: Mr. Fuller said our Town has been through something this last week that has never happened before (flood damage from Hurricane Irene) and in no particular order he wanted to say thank you to both fire departments, the police, highway crew, private contractors, town employees, town volunteers, Jim Mullen and everyone else that has helped out during the storm.

Mr. Arrison backed what Mr. Fuller said and thanked all the citizens and even total strangers for coming together during this difficult time.

3. Review Minutes from Previous Meeting(s): Mr. Boyer made the motion to table the approval of the minutes until September 20, 2011 since copies were not included in the packet. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

4. New Business

A. Request Large Gathering Permit, Running Bear Camping Area: Mr. Girard said Running Bear Camping Area is putting together a fundraiser to benefit the victims of the recent storm and all profits will be donated. He said the event is going to be called Band Aid for Twin States and they are working with the Upper Valley Red Cross for Vermont and New Hampshire. Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the large gathering permit for September 17^th from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm and waive the fee. Mr. Eglintine seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

B. Update on August 28, 2011 Storm Damage: Mr. Fuller said it has taken this week to close roads and reopen roads. As some problems have been fixed some more problems have occurred. He said things are changing on a daily basis and we will have long term affects. He said Route 131 is passable in Weathersfield but damage remains in the Cavendish/Ludlow area. Mr. Fuller said Route 106 south of Downer's is closed and he has heard work should begin in this area within a week. He said because some of the main roads have been closed Upper Falls Road, Plains Road and some other dirt roads are seeing a lot more traffic than normal. He noted meetings have been taken place on a regular basis and we are doing what we can to make things easier but other towns next to us are still cut off. For example Tarbell Hill Road in Weathersfield is the only way out for some Cavendish residents. He said the Fire Chiefs have been talking to each other to be sure everyone is covered and Golden Cross Ambulance is involved too.

Mr. Hazeltine said the following roads were affected: Baltimore, Tarbell Hill, Ascutney Basin, Grout, Amsden School House, Amsden Hollow, Green Valley Butterfield Hill and Branch Brook. He said he contacted contractors Sunday night and had Gary Brown Excavating, Ben & Dave Fuller, Bushway Excavating and Jarvis & Sons working on the roads first thing Monday morning. Mr. Hazeltine said permanent repairs are not being made until the FEMA information/approval comes through. He said the big issue now is Branch Brook Road as there is a gravel pit and one house that are still inaccessible. Mr. Fuller said this road is not an easy fix.

Mr. Arrison asked if the temporary repairs on Baltimore Road would be ok until the Spring. Mr. Hazeltine said there needs to be some stone work done and then yes.

Mr. Fuller reminded everyone that the Town does not have jurisdiction over the State roads so we can't do anything about Route 106 but he knows the State has been meeting to discuss that repair. He said the State should come to us to talk about weight restrictions on the town roads as it appears they may need to use Upper Falls Road in the beginning of the Route 106 repair. We will have to keep monitoring our town roads and bridges for wear and tear due to so much traffic and overweight traffic.

Mr. Clattenburg asked if Route 131 was open to Downers. Mr. Fuller said yes. Mr. Clattenburg said he feels there is a safety issue with the way the road closures were set up, not much signage for warning motorists. Mr. Fuller said the Town authorized a chain link fence to go up on Route 106 to help keep people away from the washed out area.

Mr. Backstrom said he lives on the 4iver side of Route 106 and there are still so many variables. He said he has no idea how much longer his property is safe and doesn't know how long they should plan on being out of their home. Mr. Fuller said he knows people are discussing large amounts of stone for repairs but he doesn't have the answers either. Mr. Backstrom asked if those directly affected (like he is) could receive direct feedback from the Town when there is some information available.

Mr. Arrison noted that Route 4 from Woodstock to Rutland is still closed so while we have one problem (Route 106) the State has a lot of problems. Mrs. Daniels asked that the Emergency Operations "Center" be moved back to the Town Office as soon as possible (from the West Weathersfield Fire Station), people are calling the Town Office and the Town Manager/Emergency Management Director should be there taking calls.

Mr. Murray asked if the Select Board would give Branch Brook Road priority. Mr. Fuller said decisions need to be made as a group by the Board, Fire Departments, Highway Department and Police Department. Mr. Murray said he has heard assess may be changed to go through Brosseau's property. Mr. Brosseau said he met with the Town and he is willing to work with the Town, he just wants to be kept informed of the process. Mr. Fuller said this may need to be a permanent change so a survey may need to be completed before it can be done.

Mr. Hudson said he thinks the Town did a wonderful job during this storm but things there should be a plan in process going forward to include contractor's names, prices for labor, their equipment etc. Mr. Arrison said if a plan is made it has to be kept up to date.

Chief Brown said the police department has done what they could and he has had the two part time police officers work as many hours as possible. Their job has been to monitor traffic, trying to keep the roads safe. He said the washout on Route 106 is dangerous and people need to stay away from this area. He encouraged anyone having problems with traffic on the back roads to call him. Chief Brown thanked SERT (a volunteer group) that came out and helped direct traffic last Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mr. Arrison encouraged anyone that feels their property value has diminished, due to the storm, to call the Town Office and ask for an abatement and also talk to a Lister and ask for your property to be reassessed.

C. Monthly Reports: Mr. Adams said everything is looking ok at this time. He noted that the bins bought for the Transfer Station are considered an asset on our books. There was discussion on West Windsor solid waste facility sticker sales, they were down last year. Mr. Fuller asked Mr. Adams to keep the fund summary sheet updated especially as storm bills come in. Mr. Adams said there was a conference call this afternoon and it is not clear when funds will be available from FEMA for rebuilding our roads.

D. Planning Commission:

Receive Four Proposed Amendments to Zoning Bylaws - Nonconforming Lots and Parcels, Nonconforming Structures, Steambank Conservation and Abandoned and Damaged Structures: Mr. Clattenburg made the motion to set a Public Hearing date for the Proposed Amendments on October 4, 2011. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

E. Weathersfield Proctor Library, Appoint Trustee/Remaining term through March 2012: Mr. Arrison made the motion to appoint Virginia "Ginger" Wimberg as Library Trustee for the remaining term, Mr. Boyer second the motion. Mr. Fuller asked when the Library accepted the resignation because he wondered if the position was open long enough to give everyone a chance to submit a letter of interested. It was noted the resignation was accepted on August 17, 2011. Motion carried unanimously.

F. Update: Veterans' Memorial Committee: Mr. Clattenburg moved to table this until September 20, 2011. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

G. Approve VTrans Town Highway Structures Program Grant, Bowen Hill Road Retaining Wall: Mr. Arrison made the motion to table this until September 20, 2011. Mr. Clattenburg seconded the motion which passed unanimously. It was noted bids have been received but the Board needs to discuss releasing bid requests again.

H. Approve Contract with BMA Architects, Costs for Various Options for Perkinsville School Reuse/Demolition: Mr. Clattenburg made the motion to table discussion on the situation at the Perkinsville School site until October 4, 2011. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

I. Policy on Aid to Residents in Need/First Reading: Mr. Arrison made the motion to table this until October 4, 2011. Mr. Eglintine seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

J. Approve High Risk Rural Roads Grant's Recommended Safety Improvements for Wellwood Orchard Road/Reservoir Road Intersection: Mr. Clattenburg made the motion to approve having the Town Manager start the grant writing process. Mr. Eglintine seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

5. Appointments: none

6. Next Meeting's Agenda Items: Next meeting September 20, 2011 at Ascutney Fire Station. Public Hearing on Reclassification of Crown Point Road from Class IV to a Trail, review FY2011 budget results, set tentative FY2013 budget goals; approve purchase of Perkinsville School, request of large gathering permit.

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

General Fund Payroll $23,796.70

General Fund Operating Expense $47,470.18

Highway Fund Payroll $19,264.50

Highway Fund Operating Expense $11,650.34

Solid Waste Management Fund Payroll $ 1,948.69

Solid Waste Management Fund Operating Expense $ 9,295.03

Agency Monies $ 1,246.52

Reserves $ 1,569.00

Library $ 105.81

Mr. Boyer seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

8. Executive Session, Personnel: Mr. Arrison made the motion to go into Executive Session. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

9. Adjourn: Mr. Arrison made the motion to adjourn. Mr. Clattenburg seconded the motion which passed without dissent. The Weathersfield Select Board was adjourned at 8:57 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Lisa Slade

Approved by the Weathersfield Select Board on September 20, 2011