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Selectboard Minutes - November 24, 2009
In Attendance: Vernal Stone (Chair), Marc McKee, Rita French, Gene Craft,
Debra Kingsbury, Alan Lyford
Guests: Bill Baylis (TRORC rep), Mary Martin, Chad Martin (Animal Officer)
Vernal called the meeting to order at 7:01pm
Alan has checked out the turn around area on Tullar Road that the Corinth
Highway Dept with Vershire’s Highway Dept had created to enable the Corinth
snow plow truck space to turn around. Alan has spoken with the adjacent
property owner and offered to monitor the area to see if it meets the needs
as designed and revisit the issue in the spring. Alan went out to the
proposed site on Cross Rd to review that agreed turn out area as well and
found that it had been started.
Alan anticipates the two remaining tires for the grader to be replaced on
Wednesday.
Marc inquired if the owner of Sargent Artesian Wells had visited the highway
dept site as yet. Alan stated that he had. It was agreed that a well could
be drilled on the site as long as it is clearly posted that the water is
non-potable. Marc stated the well drilling company and the state certified
engineer should converse prior to finalizing with the Selectboard.
Marc will then discuss the estimated costs with the drilling company and the
Selectboard will then review.
Gene Craft has spoken with Chris Calhoun (VAST rep) in regards to culverts
on McIver Rd and Vershire Center Rd that are need of repair. Alan agreed
that some work and gravel are needed at both areas. Alan stated that there
was water run off at a logging project on Beaver Meadow Rd, near the Atwood
property. Alan expressed concern that these and other places need to be
repaired, provided time and weather permit, so that damage is not caused
when plowing with town equipment. Gary Thrasher has offered to rent his
excavator to the town if needed to expedite the work.
Alan thanked the Martins for locating and delivering 8 road signs back to
the highway dept.
Bill Baylis as Vershire’s representative to the Two Rivers
OttaquecheeRegional Commission has made a reservation, with the
Selectboard’s approval, for consideration for an energy audit on municipal
buildings. Bill suggested that the Highway Garage was in need of an energy
audit and a written plan that TRORC was willing to provide. The town would
be given a list of agencies to choose from and then be able to acquire
professional input and a plan to correct not only the building but fuel
consumption on the town vehicles. There is a grant for this project
forthcoming from government stimulus money throughout the state but we need
to get our town on the reservation list.
Rita asked if there was money for the initial review of the building. Bill
stated that the money was to come in two parts, first for the review and
secondly for the implementation to correct the energy shortcomings. Gene
asked if it was a matching grant. Bill stated that it was his understanding
that the funds will come entirely from TRORC.
Rita asked if we could get more than one building reviewed. Bill stated that
both the town office building and the Town Center building have had updating
and that the town garage would be the priority at present. Marc stated that
with the ongoing discussion of a drilled well at the highway garage
location, this grant money from TRORC should be addressed. Marc asked what,
if any, paperwork may be involved. Bill stated that he will follow up on
that aspect at the next TRORC meeting on Dec. 9th and let the board know.
The Selectboard authorized Bill to move forward with the potential energy
grant through TRORC. Bill stated that the board will have to choose from the
provided list of energy auditors by the end of January.
Bill suggested that the Selectboard utilize the VLCT newsletter to advertise
any equipment that the town wants to sell. The board noted and discussed
bids on town equipment and asked Gene to submit ads for same in the VLCT
newsletter, the Town Newsletter, and usual posting places about town when
warranted.
Chad Martin came in to give notice that he is stepping down as Animal
Control Officer for the town. He has been away most of last summer and
anticipates that he will be out of the area from March through the summer
months in 2010. Chad suggested the Selectboard review the animal/pet
ordinance as it is now written as he feels there are multiple loop holes
that pet owners have had issues with when he has made site visits.
Mary Martin noted that the ordinance states that an animal will be taken to
the Barre Pound and there isn’t one at this time. The intended site is the
Central VT Humane Center. The ordinance doesn’t apply to horses, cows.
orchickens. There have been numerous farm animal complaints. There is
no job
description and at multiple times the animal officer has called
Selectboardmembers for advice. Chad felt that it was a trial run for
his position and
the enforcement of the new ordinance. He found that there were problems
accepting boarding of the animals that he had the retrieve at certain hours.
He stated that he responded to animals calls much more often than he had
logged time for as often he would recognize the animal and return it to the
proper owner. Chad stated the position should have an annual salary for all
the responsibility. The animal officer should have a back-up person
available as certain calls require additional support for safety reasons.
Chad stated that the local Sheriff had been unable to assist him when he had
asked for help. Chad and the board discussed the need for the next animal
control officer to have the necessary inoculation shots. Chad stated that a
livestock policy and clear definition in the ordinance would prevent future
problems. Gene asked the Martins if they would input their
improvements/revisions on the animal ordinance and return for the
Selectboard to review and they agreed to do so. The Selectboard accepts with
regret Chad Martin’s resignation and thanks the Martins for their assistance
with this position over the past few years.
Discussion ensued about appointed town employee’s use of their private
vehicles and the insurance coverage that the Town carries from VLCT.
Chris Sargent from TRORC inquired if the town was going to authorize and
adopt the new Flood Hazard guidelines and mapping which the Planning Board
acknowledged and made recommendation to the board for its approval. The
Selectboard will schedule a public meeting for December 22nd at 7pm to
review the Flood Plain Ordinance. The ordinance is of utmost importance so
that determinations can be made for residents in flood plain areas and
qualifying for insurance.
VLCT Health Insurance rates for 2010 were briefly discussed and will be
further reviewed at the next meeting on December 8th.
Rental fees for the Town Center building were discussed and tabled until
further time.
Orders were reviewed and signed.
Gene & Laura Craft donated a Dell computer to the highway garage. Gene
suggested that the Highway Foreman should have an e-mail account to enable
him to communicate with other town’s highway departments and with the State
Garage with more ease once high speed internet is an option.
The board agreed to advertise for the Animal Control Officer position in the
next town newsletter.
Marc stated that he had communications from the State Secretary’s office in
regards to looking in to all town funds, including the Cemetery Fund, and
asked that Rita and the other cemetery commissioners to update the board.
Selectboard Executive Session was also discussed that it was at the board
members discretion as to who could sit in and who may be there for clerical
assistance.
Marc has spoken with Phil Yacovello, our recycling coordinator, about
relocating the containers to their new site after the next pick-up. Marc and
Steve Ward will move the ramps to the new site prior to the next recycling
day on December 5th, 2009.
Vern moved to accept the Nov. 10th minutes as amended. Rita seconded. All
were in Favor.
Meeting adjourned at 9:03pm
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