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SelectBoard Minutes - January 22, 2008
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
January 22, 2008
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Richard L. Johnson, Vern Stone
Bob Hodge, Naomi LaBarr
Guests: Steve Ward, John Roy, Debra Kingsbury, Rita French, John Zimmer, Neil Hochstedler
John Roy reviewed that there was no news from Topsham Telephone regarding high speed internet in Vershire. He reported that EC Fibernet recommends that towns with independent telephone companies within their border should still vote at Town Meeting to join the group. He submitted their report and wording for the article, and confirmed that the project is self-financing and no money is required from the taxpayers.
Steve reported that the Vershire Fire & Rescue funding request from the town is up about 3% over last year. He asked if Vershire Fire & Rescue can get the waste oil from the town garage, reported that signs had been put up, and asked about the towing bill for the town truck.
The Selectboard appointed Naomi LaBarr as a representative to bid for the town at the tax sale scheduled for Feb. 6.
The Selectboard set Jan. 29, 2008 for a special Selectboard meeting to sign the Town Meeting warning.
Richard made a motion to approve the minutes from Jan. 8, 2008 and to sign the orders. Vern seconded the motion. All were in favor.
The Selectboard approved a request from ValleyQuest to include their "Raven Quest" on town land in their new book.
Debra reported the new tax maps should be done by mid-February.
The Selectboard received a copy of the proposed Vershire Flood Hazard Area Regulations. The Selectboard will hold a public hearing on the proposed regulations.
The following budget items were discussed:
Pagers for the Road Crew - quotes and prices reviewed; approximately $200 should fit in the line item "other equipment".
Capital Equipment Fund - the appropriation request has been $15,000 for many years; the Selectboard will increase the appropriation request to $20,000 this year to keep up with rising equipment costs.
New ton truck purchase - Bob, Richard, and Vern will meet to review the quotes; funding from the Capital Equipment Fund and Highway Fund for the truck was discussed; truck specifications were discussed.
Highway Fund - 5 culverts will cost $3000; guardrails are $10 per linear foot and are needed on South Vershire Rd; the loader needs a new wrist at $2600 and the backhoe needs a new valve bank at $2000; paving South Vershire Rd. quote is $38,000 for a base coat and top coat to Parker Rd.; grinding the paved section of Vershire Center Rd. by Rena Darlings was discussed; mowing tractor rentals @ $2000/40 hrs vs. lease of tractors for $8000/yr was discussed along with cost sharing from neighboring towns; the Selectboard budgeted more for mowing and reduced the brush removal; hand tools and a tool box were discussed for the parts and supplies line item;
Agency of Transportation grants - Selectboard will submit a grant request for additional gravel, fabric, and culverts for Eagle Hollow Rd. estimated at $92,000; the town share will be 20% and should get budgeted under special projects; paving Eagle Hollow Rd was quoted at $144,000; the Selectboard will apply next year for a paving grant.
Town Center Fund - the Selectboard previously approved a matching grant to renovate the windows with the town's matching share at $5350 which will be included in the Town Center Fund budgeted under the General Fund; the Town Center Committee reviewed the other items their research covered and the recommended actions; the Selectboard voted to put a separate article for $30,000 on the Town Meeting warning to fund the projects recommended in the committee's report;
Capital Projects Fund - changing the electric heat at the town office was discussed.
The Selectboard asked the committee to continue their work and see the projects through at the Town Center, and thanked them for their work.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
Naomi LaBarr, Vershire Town Clerk/Treasurer
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