Selectboard Minutes - March 30, 2010



Vershire Selectboard Minutes for March 30th, 2010 approved

In Attendance: Vernal Stone (Chair), Marc McKee, Rita French, Alan Lyford, Gene Craft, Debra Kingsbury. Guests: Gene Sobeck, Kathy Sobeck, Marie Sobeck, Kimberly Sobeck

Vernal Stone called the meeting to order at 7:05. Stone welcomed Marie Sobeck and thanked her for her letter concerning Class 4 roads. The Board gave Marie a copy of the Town Road Maintenance Policy for review. Marie had taken on this topic as a school assignment. She stated that her family spends time and money maintaining the Class 4 road to their residence and she expressed her concern about safety issues where other residents live on Class 4 roads. McKee and Marie agreed that tax bills would increase dramatically if all roads were maintained year round. Lyford told Marie that the Town is responsible to maintain the bridges and culverts on all roads, including Class 4. The Highway Dept. is working on improving multiple Class
3 roads, and hopes to address the Class 4 ones thereafter.

Stone noted that during the ice storm of 08-09 the Board authorized the Highway Dept. to sand Class 4 roads as a precaution. It was also noted that VF&R, the Board, and the road crew interact as needed whenever emergencies arise and credited the highway crew, past and present for their efforts.
Gene Sobeck asked that if and when the Disabled American Veterans Dept.
contacts the town would they be able to assist. The Board stated that it could be dealt with on a case by case basis, as it has been.

McKee shared with Marie that when someone purchases a property in town they
should be aware of the type of access. Kingsbury, as Lister, pointed out
that property values reflect a different land grade when they are on Class 4 roads as it does affect market value. Marie and Lyford discussed grant funding through the ?Better Back Roads Program,? but Lyford pointed out that funds have been curtailed due to present State finances. The Board thanked Marie for her interest and suggestions and invited her to come back to future meetings.

Gene Sobeck mentioned that the culvert on Tenny Hill was plugged and Lyford will follow up.

Kathy Sobeck asked what the statistics were for Class 4 roads miles. Lyford noted that it was approximately 19.5 miles, according to the state records.

Selectboard Appointments for 2010

GUVSWMD representative, Tom Griffith and alternate, John LaPierre, Sr.

TRORPC representative, Bill Baylis

Emergency Management, Alan Lyford as alternate, Steve Ward, as Fire Chief, Vernal Stone, as Road Commissioner, Bill Baylis as town representative

Next Emergency Management Meeting will be held in Tunbridge on April 15th.
Stone and McKee will attend.

Lyford informed the Board that Trevor Starr from the VT Dept of Transportation would be coming on Thursday, April 1st, to review Vershire Center Road and the possibility of getting some help from the State. McKee, French and Lyford will meet with Starr to see what he recommends.

Lyford noted that Daly Environmental Company was scheduled for Thursday, April 1st, to extract the oil tank.

Lyford requested a power pole saw for the highway crew and asked the Board if they had area equipment dealers that he should get quotes from. Three brand names and dealers were discussed, with prices ranging from $299 to $600.

The Board received a letter from Tara Mullen complimenting the road crews, past and present, for doing a great job on North Road.

It was noted that trash bags, other than the accepted ?Vershire green? type, were being placed out on Wednesdays. Craft suggested that if the highway crew could isolate the problem area, that he could send a ?reminder?
postcard to residents in that area.

McKee asked if the Board should place an ad as yet for a highway crew member. Lyford expressed that he would like a decision to be made by Monday April 5th. The Board will follow up at the next meeting. Personal files and written reports for same were discussed. Craft will research existing formats and give to the Board for review. Craft noted that the Board had previously discussed writing up personal reviews, in which the employee has access to the report and acknowledges it by signing as well for the files.

Stone and Craft met on Monday, March 29th, and completed the on-line planning grant that was required for the upcoming 2011 Town Plan review.

Lyford noted that half of the highway garage interior had been painted and repairs to several lights fixtures had made a vast improvement.

A credit of $230 at Oakes Brothers was discussed.

The Town Center Building lift was discussed. Kingsbury informed the Board that David Hooke and Fred Crowley had worked extensively on paperwork to acquire a potential grant from Mascoma Savings Bank for community improvements that was due by April 1st. The grant was also being reviewed by the Vershire Historical Society as they may be asked to assist with a monetary amount for the grant to move forward. Kingsbury noted that a lift had recently been salvaged from a residence and was in Neal Hochstedler?s possession and that she would touch base with him as to compatibility with the project but felt that it may not qualify due to the age and weight capacity and will follow up with the Board next meeting.

McKee spoke to Robin Mix, who appreciated the Board contacting him about concerns of the trail near the family property. The issue will be tabled until further information is received from the Mix Family.

Orders were reviewed and signed.

Minutes for March 16th and 25th were reviewed and accepted with amended changes.

McKee announced that the date has been set for Vershire to host the Recognition of Local Heroes at the Town Center Building. It will take place on June 4th at 4 pm.

The Board went in to executive session at 9:05 and returned at 9:07 with a decision to review highway employees? evaluations at the next meeting on April 13th at 6:30pm.

Meeting adjourned at 9:09pm