Selectboard Minutes - December 23, 2008



SELECTBOARD MEETING
DECEMBER 23, 2008

Present: Vern Stone, Marc McKee, John LaPierre, Dana Baltz
Guests: John Roy, Jean MacDonald, Naomi LaBarr

The Selectboard received notification to proceed to grant Act 250 to Gary Thrasher for his driveway and non-illuminated sign if no action by 1/8/09.

Marc asked if the Selectboard needs to sign documentation from Accountant Randall Northrop.

The credit amount due from Perry's was discussed. It was wondered if Perry's will issue the town a check.

Naomi is executing the documents from the accounting firm. She still has one more question. Confirmation of the report that the Treasurer has reviewed. Signing receipt and review of the members.

Statement of revenues and expenditures.

Annual budget for Municipal budget is $600,000+.

Human Resources contacts. Get password for email and general information from Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT). This is a free program.

Naomi discussed forms to pay Selectboard for 2008 services.

The Selectboard discussed the Secretary of State Opinion newsletter.

John Roy reported that Senator Leahy is saying that ECFiber is ready to go if the funding can be attained. There will be a resolution in the Town Report and will be voted on at Town Meeting. Question to release money to build the network. Article - 3.5 lines to be put in Town Meeting agenda and Town Report. There was a discussion about area cell towers. Libby Bricker is considering putting a cell tower on her property.

The Orange County Sheriff has sent Vershire a contract to sign for services for 2009. Marc wants to have an article for the Town Meeting so the town can discuss whether or not to sign the contract. The town doesn't seem to be happy with the Sheriff department's services. Naomi said the Sheriff did investigate one call. The article would state: Shall the town vote to approve $3,000 for the Sheriff's department to contract with the Orange County Sheriff's department. Marc is willing to go with the public sentiment.

Naomi reported that the storm windows for the Town Center were delivered today and will be installed after the holidays.
Phil Yacavello is the new recycling coordinator and he gets paid for this job, but he hasn't filled out the paperwork yet. Marc will call him to ask him to come to the Town Office and fill out the paperwork.

Marc reported that Celia Thorson hasn't responded to his call about being paid for some of her work as Planning Board secretary. Marc said he will call her again and tell her if she wants to get paid, the paperwork needs to be in by Tues, 12/30/08.

Naomi reported that Vershire received a $333 refund from VLCT.

A VLCT subcontractor inspected the town buildings. This is the first time this has been done. The Town Office needs 2 smoke detectors. Debra Kingsbury suggested getting the new kind and she said she would purchase them.

The trash bag price will stay the same: $.25/bag for 104 bags/year. The price is staying the same because it's already in the budget.

One half of the Mt. School donation was used to pay for the new tractor. The rest of the money for the tractor came from a loan. Money is budgeted in 2008 to pay part of the tractor loan. Nothing is budgeted in 2009 yet. The town could make a $15,000 payment this year. Bob Hodge has told Marc the town is out of money for the highways. Marc asked Naomi if that was true and Naomi said yes. Marc asked Naomi if the town had the money. Naomi got her financial report and reported that the account is over budget. The payment to Mascoma is due 9/09 and will be $15,000. The Selectboard decided not to pay the tractor bill out of the mowing budget. If the budget is exceeded it needs to be brought before the town. The tractor and extra auditor expenses were unexpected. Marc asked if paying Mascoma now helps in terms of total interest paid. Debra Kingsbury said if may save a few hundred dollars. Highway fund - $4,000 - for the warranty, General Fund $3,000 - extra auditor expense. Tipping fees are a big expense. Debra Kingsbury asked what they run and Naomi said they are about $1,500/month. There is $2,000 left in the general fund. Marc said the Selectboard needs to vote on where to put the Mt. School donation. Marc asked Naomi if she had a recommendation and she said she didn't: she had brought it up just to get it out on the table for discussion. The Mt. School gave Vershire $23,175. It was decided to split it in thirds and put a third in the highway fund, a third in the general fund and a third in the capital equipment fund. So each fund received $7,725. The money in the capital equipment fund can be used for the truck or the tractor. Naomi reported that the Highway fund is going to be over budget. It's now $5,300 over.

Naomi said there are 3 bills in tonight's orders that will show up in January 2009: Delta Dental, VLCT health insurance bill, and VLCT insurance which covers everything else e.g. Workman's Comp and liability insurance.

The Selectboard received an email from Paul Gillies, the town lawyer, informing them that the issue of Mangala Shri Bhuti (MSB) is not finished as previously thought. Debra Kingsbury couldn't find the actual court decision. Naomi got the decision from the vault and made copies for the Selectboard. It appears the court has opened the case back up - not MSB or the Town of Vershire. Paul's email asked the Selectboard to appoint someone who could represent the Town. The Selectboard wasn't sure if the person had to be from the Selectboard or could be from the town at large. Marc will call Paul and find out.

Vern and Naomi met at the Town Office earlier today and signed the auditor's paperwork.

The Selectboard postponed the Mascoma Savings Bank tractor loan payment. The invoice was removed from the orders.

Marc reported that he had called VLCT and told them the Selectboard had met with the town employees to discuss their health insurance coverage. The employees understood the need to hold costs down for health insurance. The Selectboard chose the VLCT open access Plus plan with a $500 deductable, with the OAP 500a prescription plan.

Marc called Randi Clark, of Clark Truck in Jericho, who explained the added costs to keep the warranty on the newer (2007) International truck the town owns. The cost of the extended warranty addition is $4,424. Vershire didn't cover the older (2003? 2005?) truck that's warranty expires in June 2009. This covers the engine, engine electronics and injectors.

Vern deleted the invoice for Mascoma Savings Bank off the list of orders as the bill will not be paid this week.

Vern moved to sign the orders. John seconded and all were in favor.

Marc brought up the possibility of finding another auditor. The current auditor was picked from 3 bidders. Other CPAs were suggested. Marc will call them.

Vern moved to approve the minutes from the 12/9/08 Selectboard meeting as amended. Marc seconded and all were in favor.

Vern moved to adjourn at 8:50 p.m. John seconded and all were in favor.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.