SelectBoard Minutes - April 14, 2009



Vershire Selectboard Minutes
April 14, 2009 Meeting
Unapproved

Present: Selectboard-Vern Stone, Marc McKee, Rita French.
Secretary- Dani Sweet.
Town clerk/treasurer- Gene Craft.
Also present: Chris Calhoun, David Hooke, Bill Baylis, Debra Kingsbury, John Smith, Fred Crowley, Neil Hochstedler, and Joel McCarty.

Vern called the meeting to order at 7:05pm.

Gene Craft reported that Unifirst still had not picked up the uniforms from the town garage. Unifirst offered to lower the contracted rate of service, if the town would agree to finish out said contract, but the board unanimously agreed to uphold there previous decision to end the contract with Unifirst.

Neil Hochstedler reported that Roger Carpenter would be at the town center building next week to start work on the boiler. Neil suggested that it would be a good idea to upgrade the wiring to include a new switch, thus preventing the system from running constantly in the summer, and saving the town money and energy. Vern agreed that the fix was inexpensive, and it should be done. Marc wants the issue of the pump on the septic system at the town center building to be resolved. Marc suggested getting Middlebrook Mechanical to come and look at the pump, and get it fixed. Vern said the septic tank would have to be pumped first, to allow Middlebrook to do their work. Marc was going to coordinate that effort, to get the situation resolved.

John Smith had "heard a rumor around town" that Bobby would be resigning his position as road foreman for the town of Vershire, and if so would like to let the board know that he would be interested in applying for the position. The board responded that they had not received any resignation from Bobby; therefore there was no need for further discussion at this time.

Chris Calhoun asked the board for their permission to continue in the emergency coordinator position fro the town. The board agreed, and Vern moved to nominate Chris Calhoun to the emergency coordinator position for the town of Vershire for the term of one year, Marc seconded, all were in favor. The motion passed.

David Hooke was present to let the board know that he had been to look at a bridge in Newfane VT., which needs to be dismantled and removed, with the possibility that it could be resurrected in Vershire. David discovered the bridge to be in terrible condition, and not worth saving. David also was there to ask the board if they had any objections about moving forward with the bridge project. Marc replied that the town had voted in favor of the project on town meeting day, therefore the selectboard's opinions were irrelevant at this point.

Joel McCarty from the Timber Framer's Guild was present to discuss his part in building the proposed foot bridge. Joel stated that the Guild was an educational charity that worked with non-profits to erect timber frame structures of any kind. They provide volunteer labor in exchange for food, and lodging. The Guild uses these projects as education for their own advancement, and to promote community engagement within the town. Joel stated that the Guild would need to be provided food and lodging, in the form of donations, and that they would be happy to camp on site. One of Joel's goals for the project would be to encourage town wide participation, and said that the Guild has numerous ways to encourage and implement this. He said that the Guild had done over sixty of these projects and had a great safety record, and would provide safety training to those wanting to get involved with the building of the bridge. If the Guild needed to purchase supplies while they were in town, Joel suggested buying local, within the town, emphasizing total community involvement. Marc wanted to know what was needed from the town now, and Joel suggested getting touch with the town's attorney to explore any legal issues that may arise, and contacting the town's insurance agent to explore those issues, as well.

David wanted the board to know that the bridge committee had met with the appropriate agencies within the State to get approval for the project. The Agency of Natural Resources had visited the site, and gave their approval, as well as the highway department. Joel commented that he knew of grant monies for towns, available through the Department of Agriculture, for improving the stabilization of riverbanks, and that may be something that the committee wants to investigate to go along simultaneously with the bridge project. Debra Kingsbury and David stated that they would be moving ahead with the permitting process, and fundraising for the bridge project.

Gene reported that Steve Ward would like the board to know that no burn permits were being issued at this time- too dry.

Fred Crowley reported on a letter presented to the board written by John Roy. John is the town's representative to the E.C. Fiber Network project, and Fred is the alternate. Fred touched on the reasons in the letter that John wrote regarding why he felt that the Topsham Communications proposal would not be good for the town. The board agreed that Topsham's proposal wouldn't be good in the long term for all of Vershire's residents, and asked that a letter to pass on said proposal be sent to Topsham Communications. Marc moved that the board pass on Topsham's proposal and stay with E.C Fiber, Vern seconded, all were in favor, and the motion passed.

Gene reported that he had spoken with the Bobby Hodge, who had gotten a quote for lettering the new town truck. Bobby also requested a radio be installed in the new truck, and that all the radios be upgraded at that time. Gene will ask Bobby to get a professional to quote a price for the installation and upgrades of radios. Vern said this needs to happen soon, so that we will be in compliance with the new FCC standards.

Gene was approached by two representatives of a local women's softball team to have use of Vershire's town center field for play this season. Rita suggested finding the old contract used by a men's softball team years ago, and updating it, she also suggested that if the board decided to allow the fields use, that the team carry its own insurance policy. Gene will call other local towns to see how they manage their playing fields.

The board will work on a new job description for the town maintenance position of the town center building. Once that is completed, then the position will be advertised in the town newsletter. Gene will also advertise the towns york rake for sale in the newsletter.

Gene presented the profit and loss sheet to the board, and reported that the board may want to consider the possibility of using a line of credit that the town has available through Mascoma Savings Bank, to cover the time period between now and when the town revenue becomes available in the fall. This is primarily due to the fact that the town had to purchase a lot of gravel for road repairs this spring. Gene and the board agreed, however that our roads were in very good condition, and that the town crew had done an excellent job in making this happen.

Marc moved that Vern Stone be elected road commissioner, Rita seconded, all were in favor, and the motion passed.

Vern reported that the road closed signs had been stolen, and that Bobby was investigating their possible where-a-bouts. Vern expressed the seriousness of this crime, and that it presented a safety issue for drivers.

Vern moved that the minutes from last meeting be approved, Rita seconded, all were in favor, and the motion passed.

Bill Baylis presented the board with a copy of a new Strafford town ordinance regarding junk, which had been presented to the Vershire planning board. The planning board felt it was an important ordinance and that it was well written, therefore the selectboard should read it and take it into consideration for the possible use in Vershire. Marc reported that the State of Vermont was going to be making monies available to towns to address the issue of junk yard contamination and cleanup. The board felt that this issue of cleanup and enforcement of said cleanup would be costly, and therefore better suited for the State to handle.

Selectmen's orders were signed, and Vern officially adjourned the meeting at 9:40pm.