SelectBoard Minutes - March 18, 2009



Vershire Selectboard Minutes (unapproved)
March 18, 2009

Board - Chairman Vern Stone, Marc McKee, Rita French, Gene Craft, Administrative Assistant

Guests - Bill Baylis, John Zimmer, Neil Hochstedler, Jean MacDonald, Robert Hodge, Debra Kingsbury, Louis Cadwell, Danielle Sweet.

Chairman Stone called the meeting to order at 7:07pm.

Discussion and election of Chairperson - Selectboard began the night with the re-election of Vern Stone as the chairperson for the next year.

Job Description for Town Center Caretaker - Review of the job description submitted by Gary Goodrich and the discussion included rolling the rental booking agent duties into the caretaker job. Unanimously decided that the job descriptions should be separate but could be done by the same person. It was decided that Sis Cadwell (assistant Town Clerk) would continue to be the person who would clean the Town Office.

Central Vermont Humane Society Contract - The board reviewed the contract and most recent letter from CVHS and the per animal cost ($84.00) for CVHS to accept an animal. The cost seemed high to the board but we currently have no other options open for the animal control officer to place animals. The contract was unanimously approved and an outstanding invoice of $84.00 ordered to be paid.

Rita French suggested the board take the visitor business before moving on to other items before the board.

Update on the Town Center Building - Committee members John Zimmer & Neil Hochstedler were present and spoke to the board. The discussion began with the quote from Dave Wurtz to do some updates/repairs on the Town Center heating system. The board thought the quote seemed high and that others might be gotten before deciding. Several names were suggested including Mike Furno and Roger Carpenter.

Neil Hochstedler also indicated that there was a need for a fire stop on the bottom of the flu from the boiler, probably required to be up to code. Discussion continued regarding the urgency of the safety related parts on the heating system and hot water supply. This work is required for the proper operation of these systems and includes a new mix (tempering) valve, zone valves and a new flow switch.

Gene Craft reminded the board that during the last board meeting, they agreed to go forward with Dave Wurtz after they received his quote. Selectboard reiterated the need for other quotes for the work to be done.

John Zimmer reported that the status of the committee is that they are no longer meeting and that the need exists for a new committee to maintain the building, possibly named the "Town Center Committee." Other towns have them. Rita French suggested there should be a committee that oversees all the town buildings. Neil felt the current committee should continue to meet until they finish the agreed upon work which includes ~ten various and assorted things still to be completed. It was unanimously agreed that the committee would continue.

Highway - Road Forman, Robert Hodge present and discussion began with soon to be purchased new equipment.
Backhoe - there was a discussion regarding other models and/or alternatives and Mark McKee brought up the idea of keeping the current model another year. Discussion revolved around alternatives. Bob suggested that we should just go with the John Deere. Debra Kingsbury asked if maybe Gene should run the wording of the Article by the Secretary of State and the feeling of the board was that because of the language and the way the article was written, if something else was done, we could be open to a lawsuit. Motion to purchase the backhoe was moved and seconded and unanimously passed.
New Town Truck - Discussion moved to the second major piece of equipment to be purchased this year by the town, a new town truck. Bob Hodge stated he thought we should get the old truck (trade-in) to Clark's before something happens to it and they decide not to take it on trade. The road crew has no need to plow with it now. The new truck lease to purchase - paperwork by Naomi LaBarr (see Town Clerk) will need to be located. Vern asked what was needed of him; Bob Hodge said he would call him with the information.
Unifirst Plus Contract - the board moved on to discuss this contract and contract status. The current contract expires in August 2009. Discussion moved on to the agreed amount of clothing allowance, no one knew what the agreed amount was. Gene Sobeck had been working on finding a way out of the contract. Gene Craft agreed to call and work out the details. Debra Kingsbury asked how the clothing allowance would be paid out. The question was unanswered/undecided.
York Rake - Bob Hodge said this piece of equipment was just junk, that the road crew doesn't use it and asked if we should just get rid of it. Rita French expressed her thought that we should charge something for it. Vern Stone said that historically these types of rakes were unsafe, they were a good idea but not necessarily good once built.
Road Project Grants - Meeting has been set with Trevor Starr regarding possible grants for road projects. This meeting has been scheduled for March 26, 2009 at 9:00am at the town offices. Gene Craft reminded the board that the projects needed to be shown on a map for Trevor Starr.

Appointments - Selectboard Secretary and Administrative Assistant - Discussion revolved around the duties of each. Danielle Sweet was appointed to Selectboard Secretary. Gene Craft stated that he was uncomfortable allowing the AA job to go before he had a clear handle on the divisions between AA/clerk/treasurer etc. The Selectboard agreed to give him some time to figure that out.

Emergency Plan - Emergency Coordinator is Chris Calhoun and we have an Emergency Plan in place. Gene Craft to look for a copy of the plan and Bill Baylis will call TRORC.

Vershire Resident - Joe Cullinan has written a letter to the Selectboard regarding a variety of questions, needs, complaints. The board will draft a letter to respond to each.

Office Software - NEMRC - New England Management Resource Center will install the new software on the Town Clerk's computer, hopefully, before April 1, 2009, and then the town clerk/treasurer will be working backward, inputting data from year's beginning as well as working forward. The clerk/treasurer is working with NEMRC staff to clear the hurtles before beginning the switchover.

Pink House Property - Rita French asked about the vote and if the town votes "no" when does the money put down at the auction flow back to the town? Marc McKee said it was forty-five days from the date of the auction, which was February 12, 2009. [note: this works out to be March 29, 2009]

Orders - Selectboard moved and signed orders.

Other -News from the town attorney that the legal case with Mangala Sri Buti is resolved.

Meeting adjourned 10:28pm.