Town of Weathersfield, Vermont

Ascutney Fire District #2

December 7, 2009

Minutes of Meeting

Present: George Murray, Everett Bingham, Bruce VanHouten, Larry Melen, Gloria Murray, Marion Bellam

Guests: Joe Duncan, Forcier and Aldrich, Edith Stillson

George Murray called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM

The minutes of the November meeting were approved as written.

There was no old business

Joe Duncan, Senior Engineer of Forcier Aldrich and Assoc. of Essex Jct., VT presented information about the water system engineering feasibility study application, which would be directed to the VT Agency of Natural Resources. The Study is defined as a possible replacement of the Country Estates water supply with a municipal water district system.

The Study is necessary to obtain information about the existing system and it's condition and determines what is needed for replacing or upgrading the system to meet current requirements of the ANR. Three areas to be addressed are the 1) source (i.e. wells or possible Windsor connection), 2) pressure, and 3) distribution (i.e. how far reaching is it?). Cost comparisons and political issues will also be discussed with respect to using the Country Estates versus connecting to Windsor Town Water System.

The cost and funding sources would need to be explained at community presentations, which include feedback at both the 60% and 90% completion point of the feasibility study. Median income level within the fire district would need to be determined early on, probably in March 2010. If the planning stage leads to the next step, both pre-design services and bond vote services will be considered.

About 275 parties live in the fire district and the feasibility study cost of $9900.00 would result in about $36 each connection over a five-year period for the payback of the loan. Larry M. indicated that the committee could set up a line of credit "tax anticipation" cash flow without further district authority. Chair, district treasurer and town manager need to discuss banking line of credit with a banker for a loan to cover short-term delays, which will result during the pay back period from the state. Joe reviewed the state approved loan application forms for the planning stage.

A motion was made seconded and approved to direct the committee chair (George M.) to sign the contract agreement between fire district #2 and Forcier and Aldrich contingent upon approval of funding and based on the minor rewording of the document #15 "ownership of document to satisfy clients request"

A motion was made seconded and approved to execute the application to the State's revolving loan fund as presented and dated December 7, 2009.

Tom Clark of Rural Development will be notified by George to do an income survey of the Fire District #2 residents.

Joe indicated that the state puts together a priority list in May for any construction funding and there is no obligation to proceed with construction but applying to be on the list is crucial with respect to timing if the Fire District decides to move ahead with the project. Inadequate chlorine content issue puts this project at a high level of priority.

A motion was made seconded and approved to direct the chair to sign the revolving fund letter of intent for water system improvement projects.

George pointed out that the district needs to address organizational issues i.e. by-laws and time line for the annual meeting on the first Monday of May plus budget.

There was no new business.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:50PM

Respectfully submitted,

Gloria Murray