SelectBoard Minutes - September 2, 2008



SELECTBOARD MINUTES
9/2/08


Present: Vern Stone, Marc McKee, Dana Baltz
Guests: Fred Crowley, Bill Baylis, John Zimmer, Rita French, Sebastian Lousada

The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m.

Marc reported that Paul Gillies has reviewed the Interlocal agreement and has advised the Selectboard to sign it. Marc moved that the Selectboard, on behalf of the Town of Vershire, approve the form and content of the Interlocal Contract Definitive Version as of September 8, 2008 presented to this meeting, and that the Chair be authorized to execute and deliver the same. Vern seconded it and both voted yes. Vern signed the Interlocal agreement.

Vern signed the Pyrofax contract and circled the '1 year' to make certain that the company knew the town was entering the contract for only one year.

Leslie Sullivan has asked for signage from the town to keep people from driving on her land. She could put a gate up on her own land, but not on a town road. Bill Baylis pointed out that vehicles go up Tullar Rd, but don't come back down, so they are continuing through on Leslie's property. Vern suggested she put gates up on her property. Bob Hodge said the town can put 'Not a Thru Road' signs at the intersection of North Rd and 113 and at the beginning of Tullar Rd. This is what the town will do.

Joe Cullinan had asked if there could be a suggestion box at the Town Office. The Selectboard responded that if he wanted to build a waterproof box, it would be installed outside at the Town Office.

The Selectboard had a question about the lease for the new tractor. Vern will talk with Naomi and then sign the lease.

Unifirst notified the town that its price for supplying uniforms will increase with the September invoice. The Selectboard discussed cancelling the contract and buying coveralls and vests for the road crew to wear. Dana will find out when the U1st contract ends.

Sabra Ewing called Bob Hodge last week about having her class 4 road graded. Bob said the town is responsible to grade the road once a year and has no further obligation.

A driveway on Reed Rd which is either a class 3 or 4 road was put in without a culvert. Bob will talk with the landowner and have him put in a culvert.

Syd Veysey has resigned effective immediately from the Vershire Selectboard. The Selectboard is very sad that he is leaving. Syd had served on the Selectboard well for 4 years. The town will advertize for someone the board can appoint until the March election when a new Selectboard member will be elected.

The town is still looking for a recycling coordinator. Marc asked John Zimmer, who was at the meeting, if he would help on Saturday, 9/6/08, and he said he would. Marc will speak to Syd about it also.

Bob has talked with Gary Thrasher about ditching Tullar Rd and replacing the culvert. The estimate to do this work is $4,000 - $5,000. This estimate doesn't include the gravel. FEMA may contribute 75% with the State and Town each contributing 12.5% to cover the cost. Vern asked Bob about McIver Rd. Bob said there wouldn't be enough money to include that road also.

The Ricker property was discussed.

John Zimmer gave an update on the Town Center renovation.
1. Carpentry - There are 3 areas that need work: the foundation wall, the basement storage room, and the attic. The committee has received 3 bids for the work and they recommend Dave Muscavita. The Selectboard reviewed 2 of the 3 bids as the 3rd bid wasn't available at the meeting, but had been reviewed by the Town Center committee. The Town Center Committee members will do what work they can themselves to decrease the cost. Marc moved to accept the Town Center Committee's recommendation of Dave Muscavita. Vern seconded it and they both voted yes.
2. Window Project - Vern and Marc reviewed Dave Richards contract to restore the windows. He can begin work on 9/15/08. Dave Estimates 234 hrs for the sash restoration work. The Selectboard asked if Dave could be at the next Selectboard meeting on 9/16/08. Vern said he could meet with Dave earlier if that was necessary. John said he would give Dave that information.
3. The North door of the Town Center Building - John informed the Selectboard that this door (which faces Rt 113) needs to be replaced. The commercial doors the committee has looked at aren't very good. They have located a company in Burlington that manufactures a high performance door. John pointed out that the current door is the biggest source of heat loss for the main hall. The VT Vinyl Door Systems door has an R factor of 15 while the Thermatru door's is an R 4. The VT Vinyl Door System's door has a U rating of .17 while Energy Star's is .35 and Thermatru's is .8 (the lower the U rating the better).
Marc asked about the total expenses so far for the renovation project. John responded that $22,000 of the $30,000 budgeted has been accounted for so far. John would like to order the door. He will need a $500 check at the next meeting to order it.
The Selectboard asked about the storm windows. The estimate, gotten 6 months ago, was $3,700. The frames of the storm windows will be permanently placed on the windows. But the sash can be removed and screens put in during warmer weather. The committee is planning to put screens in 4 windows, not all of them.
John has been in touch with the Preservation Trust. Naomi is the contact person.

Marc has called Mike Crowley about putting castors on the other ramp for the recycling dumpster.

John Zimmer will handle recycling this Sat. Marc pointed out that the person who is there is compensated $30.

Karen Strassberg picked up her redeemable bottles and the empty bins are back at the recycling site. Bill said he could get more bins.

Vern moved to sign the orders and Marc seconded. The orders were signed.

The Selectboard accepted the minutes of the last meeting with 2 name spelling changes.

Vern moved to adjourn. Marc Seconded.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:57 p.m.