Selectboard Minutes - March 16, 2010



Vershire Selectboard minutes for March 16th, 2010 (approved)

Attendance: Vernal Stone ( Chair), Marc McKee, Rita French, Gene Craft, Debra Kingsbury, Alan Lyford, Harold Ward, Tim Farrar, Diann Ward, Steve Ward, Bill Fisk

At 6:50 the previous meeting reconvened and the Board went in to Executive Session until 7:05 with no decision made.

Vernal Stone reviewed this week’s agenda.

Steve and Diann Ward came in to discuss the former Richardson property on Rt. 113 and requested that Richardson Road, which is presently a Class 4 road, be discontinued and thrown up. Steve Ward stated that it is presently Town Highway 44 and was formerly Rte 113 before the state straightened the road. Ward has been maintaining the road for the last few years, as the property caretaker, and has observed that traffic accesses it with no intended reason other than occasional mischief and damage to the fields. Stone & McKee stated that the Board would have to research the process to discontinue the road and let the Wards know the results. Steve stated that there is obviously a utility easement in place. Stone stated the access is blind from the east end. Diann Ward stated that she has observed people accessing the road from the east at too high a speed. Craft asked how the Wards would post the access. The Wards responded that they would install a “Private Property” sign. Steve noted that the VAST trail has access from the east end so they wouldn’t block it off entirely, but perhaps install a dirt mound. McKee asked Lyford, as Road Foreman, for input. Lyford didn’t see an issue with taking it off the designated highway roads to maintain.

Bill Fisk, a friend of the Mix family, came is to discuss the trail connecting the two sections of Kingdom Road. He stated that it was signified as a “light trail,” not for motorized vehicles, and had been that way for almost 60 years. Fisk expressed concern that underage area residents could be injured when using it for mischief. Stone asked where the Class 3 & Class 4 sections stop on that section of Kingdom Rd. The Class 3 section stops at Porter’s bend in the road and the Class 4 sections stop where the old red farmhouse was burnt by VF&R a few years ago. Stone stated that the owner of the land would have to request the change. Fisk stated that he was a concerned taxpayer and that’s what has prompted him to come in. He will contact Ms. Mix while the Board continues to research the process for road and trail changes. Lyford suggested that the process for any road or trail changes would be the same process, involving an open session to see if anyone objects to the closing of the noted trail or Class 4 road in question. McKee recommended to Fisk that a request from the land owner or a Power of Attorney from her to Mr. Fisk would be helpful for the file, and thanked him for his concerns.

Harold Ward came in to inquiry about a potential road crew position. Stone stated that the town may be placing an ad. Harold was prepared to submit his resume and an application for the position and stated that he’d be happy to revisit any concerns or issues from his previous time on the crew if the board so wished. McKee stated that the town would be looking for a crew member and Harold handed in his resume.

The Board moved to go into Executive session at 7:27 and returned at 7:54 with no decision.

Lyford stated that the pavement in the South Vershire Road area was a priority and he will work on getting quotes. Craft verified that $35,000 was set aside in the paving section of the 2010 Highway Budget. Lyford stated that getting a 50/50 match from the state should be researched and at least they had the funds set aside should they be able to obtain a grant for paving this area. Lyford spoke with Trevor Starr from the VT Dept of Transportation about the roadway on Vershire Center Road near the highway garage and the potential need for a retaining wall. Starr will try to come in to discuss.

Lyford discussed gravel road improvement and patching needs on Durgin Hill Road as well as a stone culvert in that area that needs to be addressed with a 4 or 5 foot diameter culvert to replace what is presently there. Stone thought that the majority of stone culverts in town had been replaced. McKee asked if the water on Durgin Hill was draining. Lyford commented, “Yes, but slowly.” Lyford will research further as the snow melts.

Nominations for Local Heroes was discussed as the VT Secretary of State sent a letter of inquiry to the town for recognition of people that have given 20 years service to improve their communities. McKee, on behalf of the Board, nominated 4 people as he felt that recognition of these individuals was long overdue. Ginny Colbert, from the Secretary of State offices, had contacted McKee to inquire if Vershire could host the event. McKee informed her that our Town Center building could serve the purpose well. McKee will work with her to schedule the event.

Craft stated that Vershire should have had multiple nominations over the years as we have so many that give so much in our town. Stone agreed that he knew of many that qualified, serving over twenty years to improve their community. Numerous names for future nominations were discussed. This year’s nominees are: Jack Kruse, Vernal Stone, Steve Ward and Diann Ward.

2010 Appointments by the Board as follows:

Secretary to the Selectboard, Debra Kingsbury

Administrative Assistant, Gene Craft

Town Service Officer, Eleanor Zue

TRORPC rep., Bill Baylis

Fence Viewers, Selectboard

Green-up day Coordinator, Rita French and Sue Sargent

ECFiber Delegate to the Governing Board, John Roy and Fred Crowley

Conservation Commission, (3 year appt) Alden Smith

Administrative officer, Karin Strassburger

Animal Officer, K. Strassburger

Health Officer, K. Strassburger

Recycling coordinator, GUVSWMD Rep, and Emergency Management delegate to be appointed after checking with candidates.

Steve Ward stated that he was there to discuss the Emergency Management position that needed to be appointed by the Board. Ward, Stone, Lyford and Bill Baylis attended the last meeting. Ward and Stone already serve as members of the VF&R and Lyford serves as Road Foreman. Stone suggested that Baylis be nominated. The Board will check with Baylis to see if he accepts. Ward stated that Bill Bergeron from Strafford could e-mail the monthly Emergency Management meeting reports directly to the Board so that they can be kept up to date.

A workshop for Community Development Grant Money will be held on June 23rd.
Kingsbury and Fred Crowley will plan on attending to see if the town can qualify for a grant for the Town Center building lift. Neal Hochstedler has recently acquired a used lift from a local rehab project. Kingsbury will check with him about the specifications and if it would suite the towns needs.

Craft stated that Pat Barnes provided the town with the required GPS coordinate information needed for the FCC application.

Kingsbury informed the Board that there was an official Vershire Day
Committee: Andrea Herrington, Jeff Worcester, Sheila Bedi, Laura Craft, Dawn Hancy and Bev Hill.

They are working on multiple activities, complete with a parade for this year’s event.

French stated that the Historical Society is considering entering a float his year.

Stone stated that the yield sign had been installed at the intersection of Chamberlain and Vershire Center Roads.

The Board reviewed and signed the orders.

The Board reviewed and approved the minutes as amended for the March 1st and 9th meetings.

Stone noted that the Road Commissioner needed to be appointed. French
nominated Stone. McKee seconded. Stone accepted. All were in Favor.

Funds in the Capital Projects category were discussed.

Upgrades for highway garage were discussed.

The Board reviewed mail correspondence and information about upcoming educational seminars. The Board reviewed a letter from Marie Sobeck. They will reply to her and send her a copy of the Town Road Policy. They will thank her for her concerns and invite her to attend the meetings. Craft will draft the letter for the Boards’ review.

McKee moved to adjourn. French seconded. All were in Favor. Meeting adjourned at 8:55.