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Selectboard Minutes - October 13, 2009
In attendance: Vernal Stone ( Chair), Marc McKee, Rita French, Gene Craft,
Debra Kingsbury Guests: Joan Waltermire, Steve Ward, Christine Ryan, John
Zimmer, Louis Cadwell, Richard Johnson, Robert Hodge
Gene Craft, as Treasurer, informed the Selectboard that the auditors were
not on the agenda tonight as they had a scheduling conflict. The select
board agreed that they wanted to meet with the auditors prior to signing off
on the reports for the 2008 audit and reschedule the Auditors for October 27
th, 2009.
The Selectboard received a letter from Debra Kingsbury expressing concern
over the previous meeting and other Highway items. The letter was read out
loud and then discussed. The letter will be noted in the minutes and then
be filed in the correspondence folder. No action to be taken as it was an
opinion as Marc pointed out. Anyone can write letters to the select board to
express their concerns and interests in town matters.
Joan Waltermire came in to discuss a volunteer project in and around the
Taylor Valley area that will be named the Orange County Headwaters Project.
Large land owners, such as John Hemenway, who owns approximately 2500
acres,and others may be interested in conserving the land by putting
easements on
it. Joan thought there would be a need to raise funds to offset the
landowner fees to do this. Marc commented that he thought it was the other
way around and that when a property owner gives up their development rights
on a parcel, The Land Trust pays the property owner to offset. Joan said
that a brochure was going to be put together including a map of the area
which is defined by the Nature Conservancy for the protection of wildlife
species. Funds for the project would be raised by John Hopkins of Strafford,
Peter Hayward and Euclid Farnham of Tunbridge, Joan Waltermire and Alden
Smith of Vershire, and Ginny Barlow in Corinth. The expected brochure and
map should be available in November. If any one has questions please contact
Joan. She plans on meeting with the Land Trust next week and was also going
to the Vershire Planning Board on October 14th, 2009 to make them aware of
the project.
John Zimmer & Christine Ryan came to discuss the proposed turn around area
at the top of Tullar Rd. John commented that both Lou & Richard had come up
some years back to view the road. Vern commented that it needed to be
measured to determine the Right Of Way. John asked what Vern’s position was.
Vern stated that it was a necessity. John seemed to think that his land ran
to the road and discussed approximate road widths, how far back the ROW is
that belongs to the town and how the center of the road is actually
determined and if the roads have moved over the years how would
onedetermine the center of the road: John and Christine felt the drop
off was
about 5 feet from the road to the abutting land where the Town of Corinth
wants to add fill for the turn around area. They then suggested that the
area between Drew’s and Smithwick’s driveways may be more suitable. Bob
Hodge stated that he did believe that the roadway had shifted to the east.
Marc said that winter is approaching and that it needs to be resolved soon.
Gene asked how the center of the road could be established. Lou commented
that you could look for stonewall markings and agreements with land owners
would determine the ROW. Marc commented if Vershire were to repair Mr.
Smithwick’s driveway from any damage caused by the Corinth truck plowing,
perhaps Corinth would consider continuing to plow as they have in the past
for the convenience of both towns. The select board will contact Joe
Blodgett (Corinth Foreman) and Dan Smithwick to discuss. Vern agreed that
more research would be done before determining the location.
Louis Cadwell III came in to discuss the condition of Parker Road by the
pond (Godfrey’s old place). Rita suggested that the town hire Allen Rowell
to do some grading in town. Richard, Lou and Bob all stated that material
needed to be added on Parker as well. Rita stated that she contacted Allen
Rowell and that he had 2 free Saturdays. Louis also informed the
Selectboardthat his log truck trailer received damage from hitting a
limb on Parker
Road and he brought in photos of the damaged trailer. Lou said the town is
obligated to keep the roads clear up to 14 feet high, and that the limb was
lower than that. He also stated that the limb was struck as the truck
swerved out of the roadway to avoid a rough patch of road. The cost to
replace the damaged aluminum stake on the trailer is estimated around $1000.
The incident had been reported to Marc McKee by phone some weeks earlier
and Marc had invited Louis Cadwell IV to come to the next
Selectboardmeeting to discuss it with the full board. The issue was
then discussed at
the next Selectboard meeting (after reported to Marc McKee) and Gene was
asked to contact VLCT regarding a possible claim. At the time, VLCT said
that it was their responsibility to follow-up once a formal complaint was
brought to the Selectboard. Gene asked Lou if the tree had been worked on
previously or had been a problem in the past (when Lou had been the Road
Commissioner). Lou said that the tree had been limbed when he was on the
board and was Road Commissioner. The board suggested to Lou that, if he
wanted, the town could file a claim and then agreed that Gene would collect
more information and contact the town’s insurance provider. Lou also asked
the board what they were doing about hiring more highway help. The
Selectboard stated that it was a priority on their agenda.
Richard Johnson came is to discuss the poor conditions of both South
Vershire and Moody Hill Roads and that they need to be dealt with prior to
hard freeze. Rita will contact Allen Rowell to subcontract grading ASAP. Lou
mentioned that the best grader operator is sitting in the room. Vern then
asked Bob Hodge is he was interested in doing some grading for the town. Bob
declined.
Bob wanted to reopen the discussion about the earlier read letter and
contested some of the items mentioned. Vern commented that the previous
meeting with personnel issues being aired in public may have been
inappropriate and Marc stated that he would assume responsibility. All
agreed that personnel issues should be discussed in executive session. Vern
spoke highly of Bob’s previous employ with the Town. Rita commented that you
can’t tell a taxpayer not to write to the Selectboard and that anyone can
contact them with an opinion.
Steve Ward was there to discuss insurance concerns and what needed to be
signed between the Town of Vershire and VF&R for any liability concerns for
the recycling containers and ramps to be set up at the 9111 VT Rte 113
location. Plowing for the recycling area was discussed. VLCT has advised
that a reciprocal agreement of liability would be in order. Steve stated
that whatever the town needs to be signed shouldn’t be a problem and that
VF&R would do whatever is necessary to make it easy.
ECFiber came out on Thursday to look at both previous determined locations
for their equipment to potentially be installed. The information would then
be forwarded to a research company. The fiber optics, if put in, would not
have an impact on the location of the recycling containers.
State Police have been contacted about the missing road signs. Gene stated
that the Orange County Sheriff’s Office pulled over a teen with multiple
road signs in their possession.
Gene asked the Selectboard if they wanted him to contact the Town Legal
Counsel to draft an agreement with VF&R and noted that the agreement should
be kept simple. Vern made the motion. Rita seconds. All were in favor. Gene
will also inquire about any guidelines for discussing past employees.
VLCT municipal assistance center advised that citizens wishing to work on a
Class IV road would need to discuss the project with the Selectboard, be
informed of the policy, and standards, and request a permit for any work to
be performed. Discussion about Class IV roads continued. Gene asked if the
Selectboard wants him as Administrative Assistant to draft wording for
standards, and the permitting policy. Marc asked if the Selectboard could
adopt a well written policy from another town of similar size that had been
provided by VLCT that the board had reviewed. Rita asked if the board could
approve a Class IV road policy and revise at a later date if needed and Gene
agreed. The town of Worcester VT’s road policy is straight forward and a one
page format. Marc made the motion to adopt the Worcester Class IV road
policy for Vershire Class IV roads at this time. Vern seconded. All were in
favor. Taxpayers will supply a written request for any work to be done on a
Class IV road. The Road Commissioner will review and issue a permit with
guidelines.
The seasonal flags installed earlier this summer along Rt. 113 were
discussed. The Selectboard will ask the highway dept. to remove prior to
winter.
Discussion ensued about a drilled well at the highway garage. Marc and Rita
will continue to research where the septic system may be located at the
garage.
The sink hole previously discussed on Goose Green Road has been corrected.
The 1998 Sterling dump truck (minus plow and wing) at the highway garage
will be advertised for sale. Specifics on the truck will posted in the next
Vershire newsletter and also posted around town.
Ruth Payne called Marc to report that she felt that Durgin Hill Road needed
additional work to resolve the water run off issues. Marc told her that it
would be reviewed when the town has a full crew.
Applications for the Highway Foreman were briefly discussed as to how to
handle previous applicants that were still on file.
The September 29th minutes were reviewed and approved with changes. It was
also agreed that from here forward that the minutes would not be put in the
JO or the Vershire discussion website until they were approved.
Sabra Ewing had contacted Rita to discuss 911 addresses and the
complications resulting from people using mapping systems. Gene will contact
the E911 Board to find out how to let national mapping companies know what
route are trails and not passable roads.
Marc reported that clearing was in progress at the Vershire Center Cemetery
and asked if he could get permission from the Cemetery Trustees to burn
brush in small areas there. Rita will talk with the trustees. Vern commented
that Marc will need to pull a burn permit from the Fire Warden for the task.
Orders reviewed and signed.
The Selectboard approved a minor change to the wording of the Health
Insurance section of the Highway Employee Handbook to clarify the town
offers to pay 90% of the health insurance premium cost only.
The select board went in to executive session at 9:35. Came out of session
at 9:45, at which time a motion was made and seconded for the select board
to adjourn the meeting to a date certain, October 19th, 2009 at 7:00pm, at
which time they will be interviewing in executive session for the position
of Road Foreman. No other actions were taken.
October 19th, 2009
The Selectboard meeting was resumed at 7:03 pm and the board then went in to
executive session to first interview Tim Farrar and then Allen Lyford.
After coming out of executive session, the board announced their decision
to hire Tim Farrar as a member of the highway crew at a rate of $16/hr. Tim
will commence working for the town on November 30th, 2009. The town will not
be paying for his health insurance premium cost as Tim will retain his own
private insurance.
The Selectboard announced that Allen Lyford had accepted the position of
Road Foreman. His starting rate of pay will be $23/hr. Mr. Lyford will also
retain his own private health insurance coverage. Allen’s start date will be
November 2nd, 2009.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:03 pm.
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