SelectBoard Minutes - March 18, 2008



March 18, 2008

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Town Clerk, Naomi LaBarr.
Present: Marc McKee, Vern Stone, Sydney Veysey
Bob Hodge, Naomi LaBarr
Guests: Debra Kingsbury, Dustin Rhodes, Gary Rhodes, Doug Shane, Steve Ward, Bill Baylis, John Smith, Diann Ward

Naomi called for nominations for Chair of the Selectboard. Vern nominated Marc McKee. Syd nominated Vern Stone. Vern voted for Marc McKee, Marc and Syd voted for Vern Stone. Vern was elected Chair of the Selectboard.

The position and duties of Secretary to the Selectboard and written job descriptions were discussed. Naomi reviewed the duties of the Selectboard Secretary. The Selectboard will work on writing a job description for this position. Marc nominated Naomi LaBarr for Selectboard Secretary. Syd seconded the motion. All were in favor.

Steve wants the Selectboard to appoint people that have knowledge of the jobs. The difficulty in filling some of the appointed positions, the Health Officer and Development Administrator's position, training, and contacts were discussed. The Energy Coordinator and Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Planning Commission Representative positions were also discussed. Job descriptions were discussed.

The Selectboard voted to appoint the following:
a.. Bill Baylis to Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Planning Commission Representative. b.. Doug Shane to Energy Coordinator c.. Doug Shane to Greater Upper Valley Solid Waste District Representative, Alternate for a 2-year term d.. John Roy to ECFiberNet Representative e.. Vern Stone to Road Commissioner f.. VerShare to Green Up Day Coordinator The Selectboard will check with potential nominees before making any more appointments.

The position and hourly rate of Administrative Assistant to the Selectboard was discussed. Debra stated that she knew a few people interested in the position but they did not know what it entailed so they did not come forward. Naomi said anyone interested could ask either her or the Selectboard for specifics, and she gave a brief description of the duties. Marc and Naomi will work on a written job description. No nominations were heard. Naomi felt that it would be a good idea for someone else to take this position and said that she would continue with the duties for a few months, if the Selectboard wanted her to stay on. She added that she would help the transition to someone new, and would step down from the position when the Selectboard was found someone else. Marc made a motion to appoint Naomi to the Administrative Assistant position. Vern seconded the motion. All were in favor.

The Selectboard went into executive session for an employee review from 7:35 to 7:40pm.

Bob reported that the 2008 GMC is no longer available, but the dealer will honor the same price for the 2009. The Selectboard received information on the lease agreement. Naomi noted that town would have to borrow funds if the truck is purchased outright before tax payments are received. Vern and Marc will meet with Bob at the garage to review truck bodies.

Debra asked the Selectboard to move the boxes of trash bags out of the town office due to flue-like symptoms she gets after being in the town office. Bill will check on a lock for the storage area in the Town Center. Marc will get Mountain School students to move the boxes.

Doug reviewed recycling problems and reported that he was investigating costs with New England Resource Recovery Association. He added that the big change would be in the type of dumpsters that are available, and the town would have to build ramps similar to Thetford's. He will report back to the Selectboard when the numbers are worked up. He supported moving the recycling program to the Vershire Fire & Rescue property if they will still allow it and we changed the state permit to that site. Recycling programs were discussed.

John asked if the trucks were traded in or if someone could buy it outright. Bob stated that the Sterling was being kept for chloride use; the F550 could be sold although the new truck was priced with a trade-in. Gravel trucking was discussed. John requested an opportunity to bid on the sand delivery this year.

The Selectboard received the ECFiberNet contract. They will send it to the town attorney for his review.

The Selectboard will meet with the Agency of Transportation next Tuesday morning. The Selectboard will apply for a Class 2 Roadway grant for Eagle Hollow Rd. Naomi reviewed the highway financial statement that is due at the meeting. The Selectboard approved and signed the statement.

Diann and Debra congratulated Marc on his new position. Diann asked the Selectboard to get back to a realistic budget even though the budget passed and to cut where they can. The economy was discussed. Bob reported that the road crew goes home early to cut down on overtime. Energy savings and OSHA regulations at the town garage were discussed. Marc hoped to get plans for a new garage done so they would be ready when the right location was found. Debra will bring in some location suggestions.

Debra stated that Libby Bricker was concerned with the amount of snow and suggested getting a list of all the large animals together so if they got out of their fenced areas, it would be easier to find the owners.

Bob Youngquist's concern for the extra traffic on Miller Pond Road from the new camp proposed on Miller Pond was discussed. Traffic ordinances were discussed.

Naomi reported that she appointed Lorraine Cadwell as Assistant Town Clerk/Treasurer and Cilley and Boardway as Deputy Registrars. Debra asked for clarification that the Town Clerk appoints those positions. Naomi confirmed that it was. Marc asked for those positions to get put into writing also.

Syd made a motion to approve the minutes from March 3, 2008. Vern seconded the motion. All were in favor.

The Selectboard reviewed and signed the bridge inspection reports. They will look into guardrail on the bridges on South Vershire and Vershire Center roads and filling the drain holes on the Vershire Center Rd. bridge as suggested in the report.

Correspondence from George Michaelides was reviewed. The town will put in an 18" culvert and fill the road in by the beaver pond.

Syd made a motion to sign the orders. Vern seconded the motion. All were in favor.

Marc felt that no employee should have to bodily defend town rules, if a verbal statement did not work, than a road crew employee is to report it to the road foreman and the foreman will report it to the Selectboard who will take care of it. Vern wanted employees to think of safety and not put themselves where they will be in physical harm.

The Selectboard voted to give Shawn Ward a $.50 per hour raise beginning the first day of this pay period.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department invoicing was discussed. The Selectboard will invite the Sheriff to a Selectboard meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.