Selectboard Minutes - June 23, 2009



Minutes from Vershire Selectboard Meeting 6/23/09
Unapproved

In attendance: Vern Stone, Rita French, Marc McKee, Dani Sweet, Gene Craft, and Debra Kingsbury.

Vern called the meeting to order at 7:04pm

The selectboard read a letter from resident Ralph Nau, referencing the poor condition of Beaver Meadow road. The board was sympathetic to Mr. Nau's legitimate complaints, but the town has been without a road foreman for over a month now. When we have a road foreman, all the roads in town would have been graded by this time of year. Rita said she would reassure Mr. Nau that as soon as the new road foreman takes his position, then all the roads in town will get the necessary attention they need.

Marc wanted to address the issue of Fairbrother road, and if the residents on that road can, or will, put up a gate. Rita contacted Vermont League of Cities and Towns with that question, she said the VLCT told her yes, a resident could put up a gate on a class four road, but they could not lock said gate. Marc said that the head of the local ATV club had been to see the residents about their concerns with ATV travel on their property, and had worked out an agreement to try and keep ATV's off the property. The club also gave the residents signs to hang up discouraging ATV travel. Vern commented he had traveled up to the residence in question, and he thought most of the damage had come from trucks traveling through the property. He also commented about the trash people have dumped on the property. The board agreed at this time not to address the issue of road reclassification, and Marc said he thought the residents of Fairbrother road were going to go ahead and erect a gate.

Vern said that while on Beaver Meadow road, he noticed the increase in beaver activity, and commented on the damage they are currently causing to the road and culverts. Vern contacted Mike Parsley, and he is willing to remove the beavers. The board decided it would be too costly to the town to try and keep removing debris from the culverts and road; therefore the best option was to have the beavers removed.

The board wanted to make an official announcement to the public that they have hired a new road foreman. His name is Paul Betters, and the board is looking forward to working with him.

Rita wanted to know if the town had a time frame for getting the recycling ramps fixed. Marc suggested contacting Phil to organize hiring someone to have them fixed. Debra asked if the town could have signs made for recycling containers to help keep items properly sorted.

Marc had contacted Steve Garrow, and he said the town could purchase the propane tank currently at the town center for $100.00., and then Pyrofax could fill it. Marc moved to buy the tank currently located at the town center property for $100.00, Vern seconded, all were in favor and the motion passed.

Gene wanted to make sure all town employees knew they were entitled to join, on behalf of the town's membership, BJ's Wholesale Club at a discounted rate.

Vern moved to accept the minutes from the last selectboard meeting, Marc seconded, all were in favor, and the motion passed.

Gene will pay Gary Goodrich the sum of $474.00 for 39.5 hours of work. Rita moved to increase the pay for the town center maintenance position to $12.00 per hour, Vern seconded, all were in favor and the motion passed.

At this time the selectboard, on behalf of all the residents of Vershire, would like to extend their most heartfelt sympathies to Shawn Ward and his family, for their sudden and tragic loss.

Orders were signed.

Vern officially adjourned the meeting at 8:57pm.