SelectBoard Minutes - November 25, 2008



SELECTBOARD MEETING
NOVEMBER 25, 2008


Present: Vern Stone, Marc McKee, John LaPierre, Dana Baltz
Guests: John Zimmer, Neil Hochstedler, Bob Eastman

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

John Zimmer reported on the progress at the Town Center:
- Dave Muscavita is almost done with his carpentry work and it looks great.
- The volunteer excavation work saved the town about $600.
- Dave Richards' work on the windows looks great, but he is behind schedule.
- The storm windows have been ordered and Dave Muscavita will install them when they arrive.

The Town Center committee has interviewed 3 insulation contractors. The last one interviewed has been chosen. He has 25 years' experience and had the lowest bid. Currently costs total $25,815. This includes (?) the cost of weather-stripping and putting weights and pulleys in the windows which totals $3,000. Window quilts were discussed. The Committee is concerned about condensation with the use of quilts. This will need to be researched and is still an option, but they will need to be done correctly. John stated there were many things which still needed to be done at the Town Center and the list may never end given the age of the building. But he listed several things that should be priorities in the future:
- An outlet is needed for the dehumidifier in the boiler room. An extension cord is currently being used.
- The sheet rock in the boiler room needs to be taped.
- The landing on the parking lot side of the Town Center is too low.
- There is a lot of condensation around the flu pipe for the boiler.
- The old flu pipe for the boiler needs to be removed.
- The door to the historical society doesn't close. John said the door may be warped.
- The side of the cupola (sp?) which faces the ball field has an opening in it through which birds and bats can get in.
- The insulation in the historical society roof needs to be removed as it is sagging and will fall out. There is a lot of insulation to be removed and could be available to someone who wants it. The insulation is 24" X 6" and is paper faced.

Marc reported that he spoke with Joan Waltermire about her email concerning Wellspring being allowed to use the Town Center for free. The Selectboard decided to think about this some more and discuss it. There needs to be a policy about who is charged and who isn't. Naomi LaBarr, clerk/treasurer of Vershire, will be invited to the next Selectboard meeting to discuss this with the Selectboard.

John Zimmer suggested that the Town Center committee keep records of what work has been done on the building, when it was done and who did it.

Bob Eastman, who represents Vershire on the Citizens Advisory Board to the State Police in Bradford, attended the meeting to ask the Selectboard if there was anything the town needed to improve safety in the town. This is something the State Police ask each year through the Advisory Board. The Selectboard will think about this and let Bob know.

There was a discussion about the Sherriff's coverage of Vershire vs. the State Police's assistance. Marc stated he thinks the $3,000 paid to the Sheriff's department should be a separate article for the town to vote on in March 2009.

Bob Eastman stated that it's dangerous and illegal for the packer truck to crisscross Rt 113 when picking up garbage. Marc said he would talk with the garbage collector about this on 11/26/08.

Marc discussed the cost of trash bags with Naomi LaBarr. Naomi pointed out that there is $40,000 in the budget for the bags. So a price increase wouldn't be well accepted. Marc suggested increasing the price of the bags $.25 to pay for a new town garage.

Vern asked Bob Eastman how the returnable bottle program was going for the holiday baskets. Bob reported that it is going well. He said 9 - 10 families need help.

Vern signed the road permit for Salomaa trucking.

Vern moved to accept the 11/11/08 minutes as amended. Marc seconded and all were in favor.

Marc will ask Bob Hodge if he has ordered the pagers for the road crew.

The Selectboard approved and signed the orders.

Vern moved to adjourn at 8:45 p.m. Marc seconded and all were in favor.