Selectboard Minutes - January 5, 2010



Vershire Selectboard Minutes
January 5, 2010 (approved)

In attendance: Vernal Stone, Marc McKee, Rita French, Alan Lyford, Gene Craft, Debra Kingsbury

Guests: Karin Strassburger, Bill Baylis, Steve Ward

Vernal Stone called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

McKee asked the Road Forman, Alan Lyford, if the drilled well was connected and working at the highway garage. Lyford reported that it was connected, enabling them to wash highway equipment. Lyford had gone to inspect and photograph the bridge on South Vershire Rd that the State had expressed concern about. Vern, as Road Commissioner, has also checked the bridge. The board reviewed the photos that Lyford took and all agreed it appeared to be in good condition at this time. Lyford will keep a file of the bridge photos and inspect in the spring for any changes.

The State suggested that the present cable type guard rails at the site in question, be replaced with metal guard rails. The width of the bridge was discussed. The State suggested that Vershire have an emergency management plan in place. Craft asked where the plan would be filed, how it would be updated and where it would be posted. Stone suggested that Vershire inform the State that the Road Commissioner and VF&R to be the contact source for emergency situations. Craft will contact the State to see what they require and how detailed the emergency service points of contact be. Craft recommended that emergency contact phone numbers be by everyone?s phone. Vern suggested that Vershire should contact all heavy equipment contractors, including log truck operators to assist with any debris clearing from rivers or roadways should there be a town emergency. Baylis stated that TRORC has a format in place for a written emergency plan and VLCT also has format guidelines.

Baylis will report back to the board after the January TRORC meeting with information.

Lyford asked what the board wanted to do about the entry door at the highway garage as it is rusted through at the bottom and thus not energy efficient.
A new metal exterior door with frame and threshold from Oakes was priced at $250. The item was tabled and the board will continue to look for a surplus door.

Lyford brought in two quotes for highway equipment radios. The previous quote from Pikcomm was clarified that the 4 channel radio in fact had 8 channels and was $323.50 per unit including installation with 50 watts. R&R Communications from W. Lebanon was $459 per unit plus $135 each for installation and had 45 watts. Ward asked about a base unit in the Town Office. It was included with the eight units in the quotes. Stone suggested that Vershire purchase the radios from Pikcomm. Lyford explained that the FCC license needed verification prior to the updates of the radios. Ward and Baylis suggested that Bill Burton from Strafford be contacted for assistance with the licensing procedures. Ward stated that the town?s license would have initially been applied for back in the early 80?s as the fire dept had established theirs back then. French agreed to go through the old town reports to see if information dates could be obtained for the FCC license in question. If there was no license in place the town will have to reapply and there are fees involved. French asked how long the radio quotes were good for. Lyford thought through March. The Selectboard will finalize the radio upgrades after FCC license verification.

Craft reported the State request for mileage certification has arrived in the mail. Gary Goodrich, designated ancient roads researcher, will pass along any needed additions to the board prior to the February due date.

Goodrich will be invited to attend Jan. 12th.

Baylis thanked Lyford for clearing a tree and some brush encroaching upon Tullar Road.

Karin Strassburger verified her interest in becoming the Animal Control Officer. It was noted this an hourly compensated position and that the officer must keep track of their time and mileage. Gene had informed her that a series of 3 rabies shots would be needed for her safety.
Strassburge had contacted VNA and her veterinarian about the costs.
Karin verified that she had holding space for stay animals if necessary. Craft asked that Strassburger give her input on the ordinance for the boards review.

Licensing of dogs and the upcoming rabies clinic to be held at the Town Office in March was discussed. Catch pole, animal leads and crates were discussed. Strassburger will get prices. Craft offered a spare animal crate that he had for the Officer’s use. French made the motion to appoint Strassburger for the Animal Control Officer position upon completion of the needed shots. McKee seconded. All were in favor. Craft will provide Strassburger the pet ordinance and the animal data base.

Strassburger suggested that the first hour of the upcoming rabies clinic be for cats and the balance of the time for dogs to keep the pets more calm.

Ward asked for an update about recycling and the coordinator position as there have been concerns about the tarps not being removed prior to the public recycling, which are now under the recycling items, or put back on the containers after the public hours. Discussion ensued on how to correct the problems, acquire replacement tarps and when to swap out the containers.

Stone and Ward had to shovel and salt the ramps the last two recycle Saturdays. Baylis offered to assist with improving the ramps by providing some roofing material to make them less slippery and eventually reconfigure the ramp angle when weather conditions allow. Winter recycling will be Feb 6th, March 6th, and April 3rd.

Discussion followed as to how to better inform participants what can be recycled. Signs showing the #1 and #2 plastic symbols, glass, and clean flattened cardboard will be made to assist the coordinator. McKee made a motion to ask Phil Yacovella to attend the next meeting. Stone seconded. All were in favor. Craft will contact Northeast Resource Recovery and have the containers swapped out prior to Feb.6th.

Bill Baylis, TRORC representative, came in to inform the board that offered energy audits were still 3 months out. TRORC will pay for the audit but the town would have to pay for improvements. Discussion of heat loss at the highway barn ensued. Baylis and Stone will utilize the VF&R thermo camera to check the building. Baylis suggested old fire hose could be attached at the bottom of the overhead doors to minimize drafts.

Kingsbury asked the Selectboard about including an article at town meeting to ask for funds for an elevator to be installed in the previously designed opening at the town center building. She asked if they felt that the time had come now that the senior/community lunches were being held there and that it would assist for ADA access during the winter months to the lower dining hall area. Kingsbury had contacted two companies for quotes. All-Ways Accessible Inc. from Concord NH had agreed to visit the site Jan 6th to give a written quote. Kingsbury asked if the board would review this item at the budget meetings. French asked if there might be grant money for the installation of the elevator.

Kingsbury will research.

Craft informed the board that they had received a request from a taxpayer for the minutes to be accessible sooner to those that cannot retrieve them from the town office, rather than waiting for them to be approved and then submitted to the Vershire discussion site and the JO. The board had previously decided that the minutes not be published until actually reviewed and approved, but that the draft would still be available within the required 5 business days at the town office and that they’d prefer to keep it that way to minimize any errors.

Road plowing policy was discussed. The Highway Dept. had initially plowed the paved roads only during the last snowfall in anticipation of doing the other roads after the predicted 8 inch storm had ended. The Road Commissioner and Foreman had made this decision based on broadcasted weather predictions.

Highway Handbook items of sick and vacation times were discussed and will be reviewed during budget meetings.

The board reviewed and signed orders.

The board reviewed and accepted the December 22nd minutes as amended.

Meeting adjourned at 9:47 p.m.