SelectBoard Minutes - September 16, 2008



SELECTBOARD MINUTES
September 16, 2008

Present: Vern Stone, Marc McKee, Dana Baltz
Guests: John Lapierre, Bill Baylis, Bob Hodge, John Roy, Deb Barnes, John Zimmer,
Fred Crowley, Harry Black, Rita French, Steve Ward, Debra Kingsbury Gene
Sobek

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.

John Roy reported on the ECFiber financial timeline. He submitted a document with a schedule for completing the documents.
The next meeting for ECFiber will be held on Oct 2nd and 8th at VT Law School. All interested parties may attend.
John discussed the financial risks of this venture. Two might come up, but John said there is no need to worry about them:
1. No tax monies from the town will be used.
2. A lawyer will preview all documents.
The town report will cover disclosure requirements. There will be no effect on the town budget according to John.
Vern and Marc will attend the ECFiber meeting at the VT Law School on Oct 8th. Paul Gillies, the lawyer, will be invited also.
The documents for the Selectboard to sign will be ready at the next Selectboard meeting, 9/30/08.
State law states that towns cannot lose money on a venture like this; the town can only get revenue.

John Zimmer said Dave Richards, the contractor who will restore the Town Center windows, couldn't make it to this meeting. Vern said he could meet with Dave at another time to sign the contract.

Harry Black reviewed the law concerning appointment of a new Selectboard member and it was decided that the Selectboard could appoint someone as early as the next Selectboard meeting. Rita French called the Secretary of State's office today and said it advised that interested people should send a letter of intent to the Selectboard. Two interested people attended the meeting tonight. The discussion was tabled until the next Selectboard meeting.

John Zimmer gave the contract with Dave Muscavita to Vern and Marc to review. Once they review it, let John know and a meeting will be set up (or a Selectboard meeting) for both parties to sign the contract. The Town Center Restoration Committee is planning to work on preparing the site the weekend before Dave Muscavita is to begin work (10/15/08). John has received a document from the Division for Historic Preservation regarding the grant for the work.

Mark thanked John for supervising recycling last Saturday. John said he knows someone who might be interested in the recycling coordinator job.

Deb Barnes attended the meeting to ask if Wellspring could hold its silent auction at the Town Center on 12/6/08. The Historical Society has its Memory Tree lighting on that night also. Gary Goodrich had been asked if this would be a conflict and he didn't think so as the Historical Society would only need its room. Wellspring hasn't been charged in the past to use the Town Center. Deb said the printed material has already been sent out. Rita and John, who are also members of the Historical Society, said they didn't think there would be a problem with both events happening on the same day. Wellspring will not be charged, but will need to get insurance; insurance will cost $75 if no alcohol is served and $150 if it is. A person/group can get their own insurance or get it through the town. A $100 refundable deposit is required.

Gene Sobek, who lives on Tenney Hill, said his road hasn't been graded in 3 years. He's been doing the work needed on the road. Bob said the town can't clean the ditches out as this will make the road too muddy if the dirt is put in the road. If he puts the dirt to the side, it will erode back into the ditches. Gene may rent the equipment himself to do the work. Bob told Gene if he and Donna buy the stone, Bob will spread it out for them. Bob said the town is responsible to make a class 4 road (which Tenney Hill is) passable one time a year in any vehicle and that includes an ATV. Gene said he will bring someone in to do the work. Bob told him it will take 15 loads of stone to shape up the road. The town doesn't have to upgrade class 4 roads. Marc asked Gene and Donna to attend the next Selectboard meeting.

Steve Ward said he needs dirt to put around the new hydrant at Leslie Sullivan's property. He needs 1 load. The dirt can be dumped beside the hydrant. Stones/boulders need to be put up in front of the hydrant to protect it. He said Richardson Rd needs to be graded as the ditches are so deep he can't plow it. Bob said he would look at the area. Steve said he would call the owner who has him plow (in Washington) to see if material can be brought in. Steve will call Bob on 9/17/08 and they will go together to look at the road. Steve said McIver Rd needs to be graded.

Jack Kruse is to call Steve about setting up a date to clean the grounds at the Town Center.

Bob called about Better Back Roads, but hasn't received a return call. He and Naomi will attend a meeting with FEMA Thursday 9/18/08 in S. Royalton concerning disaster relief. The paperwork which needs to be filled out to get FEMA help will be at the meeting. FEMA will pay 75%, with the Town and the State each paying 12.5%. Bob reported that Tullar Rd needs hand brush cutting with a chain saw. Apparently the road is moving sideways as the trees on the opposite side are growing. One maple tree is actually in the road at this point. The 'No Thru Street' sign on Tullar will actually be in Corinth.

The town will get a better loan rate for the new tractor from Mascoma Bank than it will from the selling company. The length of the loan will decrease from 10 to 5 years which will increase the monthly payments, but save the town about $11,000 in interest. The Mountain School gift to the town in lieu of taxes would cover it ($22 - 24,000). The tractor wouldn't take all of it. The Mountain School gift was used to buy the truck last year. It was decided to get the loan from Mascoma Bank. Naomi will be responsible to get the loan set up with Mascoma.

Dana will write Unifirst and let them know the town will cancel its contract with them as of August 2009 when the contract ends.

Marc said it will be necessary to get the castors and put them on the recycling ramps as he can't get in touch with the man who made the ramps.

The Veteran's light is out at the Town Center. The lamp lights the flag and the monument and must be on at night as the flag is not taken down.

Debra gave a written Errors and Omissions report to the Selectboard. She asked permission to ask Naomi to send out new tax bills and it was given.

Dana will send a letter to Dave Otterman, the lawyer for the Ricker property, to ask permission for the Selectboard to visit the property and go into the building. This could also be emailed.

Vern moved to accept the minutes of the last meeting. Marc seconded and the minutes were accepted.

Vern moved to adjourn the meeting. Marc seconded and the meeting was adjourned at 8:45p.m.