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SelectBoard Minutes - January 8, 2008
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
January 8, 2008
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Richard L. Johnson, Vern Stone, Sydney Veysey
Bob Hodge, Naomi LaBarr
Guests: Chip Powers, Chad Martin, Bill Baylis, Debra Kingsbury, Andrea Herrington, Doug Shane, Marc McKee, Steve Ward
Debra submitted the Listers 2008 budget request.
Chad reviewed an animal complaint that he received, and he asked the Selectboard for clarification on the animal control ordinance for this situation. Andrea and Doug reviewed the nature of the problem. Discussion took place on the wording of the animal control ordinance. Richard noted that the ordinance could not get changed that evening, but the Selectboard would review this further.
Chip submitted an invoice for services to the town and asked the Selectboard to decide what the appropriate rate should be.
Doug reviewed dates for the special collections that Greater Upper Valley Solid Waste District will set up in Vershire. The Selectboard approved the dates. Doug will coordinate with Greater Upper Valley Solid Waste District and check on scrap metal collection dates.
Doug requested a sign to go into place outside the town office the Thursday before recycling to remind residents. Naomi will take care of the sign. Doug suggested changing the recycling hours for earlier in the day. The Selectboard did not have any problems with that. Doug also asked if the road crew could keep the recycling containers free of snow. Bob will see make sure it is kept open from now on. Doug reported that we should be able to collect different types of plastic and fluorescent bulbs beginning this spring. Announcements will be made in the Vershire Town Newsletter.
Marc requested a $2.00 per hour raise for the Planning Commission secretary. The Selectboard will discuss it with other salary increases.
Marc asked if anything came in from Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Planning Commission on the Flood Ordinance regulations. He reported that Vershire was the only town in the region that does not have one and that the hope was to have it on the Town Meeting warning. No information has been received yet. There was not enough time for public hearings on these regulations to warn it for Town Meeting.
Steve wanted to know how to get a hold of the highway department when they need sand for a fire call, and thought that the highway crew should stop to see if there was anything the fire department needed. Pagers were discussed. Vershire Fire & Rescue can take sand from the sand pile if needed for a fire.
Steve asked about the town truck that went off the road and if the driver was going to get written up so it would be a part of his record. Bob reviewed what had happened, that there was no damage to the truck or the road, it was an accident, and that he was going to report it at tonight's meeting. Richard stated that it would not be written up because it was not due to negligence.
Other incidents and records were discussed.
The exhaust system on the packer truck, maintenance schedules, driver's hours, manpower, water supply, the condition of the F550, the Gateway repairs, a recall notice for a sensor on the F550, and repair and maintenance of gravel roads were discussed.
The audit contract for 3-years with a non-appropriation clause was approved.
Items to be raised for discussion at the budget meetings included a new ton truck, rising costs mean a higher budget or fewer services, an extra person just to run the solid waste pick up route, how much could get done with a full crew this summer vs. 2007 that had road crew changes and vacancies, eliminating the electric heat at the town office, and matching the grant for the Town Center.
The Selectboard entered executive session to discuss personnel from 7:58 to 8:13 p.m. Richard and Vern voted to increase salaries effective January 1, 2008 for Road Foreman Bob Hodge to $21.00 per hour, Road Crew Sydney Veysey to $16.00 per hour, and Shawn Ward will be reviewed in 3 months. Syd abstained from voting.
Naomi reviewed info from Vermont League of Cities and Towns PACIF CDL regulation seminar she attended.
Bill returned to the meeting to further discuss the packer truck exhaust system.
Debra said the Listers felt their salary rate was fine but they were requesting additional hours.
The Vershire Animal Control Ordinance was reviewed. The Selectboard decided that Herrington/Vitols were in violation of section 3(b.). Naomi will forward this information to the Animal Control Officer, Chad Martin.
The Selectboard went into executive session to discuss personnel from 8:45 to 8:50. Salaries for town personnel were discussed further. Town Clerk/Treasurer office hours were discussed. The Selectboard voted to increase the following salaries effective January 1, 2008:
Town Clerk/Treasurer 3% cost of living increase
Planning Commission Secretary, Selectboard Secretary, Newsletter Coordinator, and Maintenance personnel to $11.00 per hour
Assistant Clerk/Treasurer to $12.00 per hour
Animal Control Officer, Town Health Officer, and Development Administrator to $12.50 per hour
Administrative Assistant to the Selectboard to $15.50 per hour
Effective January 15, the Town Clerk/Treasurer's office will be open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., recycling Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to noon, or by appointment by calling the town office.
Richard made a motion to approve the minutes from December 26, 2007 and to approve the orders and update the payroll to reflect the new salaries. Vern seconded the motion. All were in favor. Richard was delegated to sign an order for Chip Power's invoice.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
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