Weathersfield Select Board

Minutes

January 17, 2012

Present:

Norman John Arrison

Dave Fuller

Richard Clattenburg

Dan Boyer

Others Present: Jim Mullen, Town Manager

Lisa Slade, Recording Secretary

Edith Stillson

Colby Hodgdon

Darrin Spaulding

Corissa Hodgdon

Julia Lloyd Wright, Energy Coordinator

Michael Todd

Alan Hudson

Christopher Adams

Bette Jo Esty

Robert J Compo

Hillerie Coutermarsh

Cookie (Lorraine) Shand

Josh Compo

Shawn Brown

Jeff Slade

deForest Bearse

Josh Dauphin

1.  Call to Order: Mr. Fuller called the Weathersfield Select Board meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at Martin Memorial Hall.

2.  Comments from Citizens and Select Board: Mr. Fuller said Mr. Eglintine would not be present due to a medical condition.  He also said he was pleased with the way the packet of information was presented to the Board members this week, complete with a lot of information.

3.  Review Minutes from Previous Meeting(s): Mr. Boyer made the motion to approve the minutes dated January 3, 2012.  Mr. Arrison seconded the motion which passed 3 - 0 with one abstention.

4.  Board of Liquor Control Commissioners: Mr. Arrison made the motion to convene the Board of Liquor Control.  Mr. Boyer seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

-Circle K Vermont, Inc. /DBA Circle K #7408:  Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the renewal of the Second Class Liquor License for Circle K Vermont, Inc. /DBA Circle K #7408.  Mr. Boyer seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the renewal of the Tobacco License for Circle K Vermont, Inc. /DBA Circle K #7408.  Mr. Boyer seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

-Petrostores, Inc. /DBA H&H Pizza & Deli:  Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the renewal of the Second Class Liquor License for Petrostores, Inc. /DBA H&H Pizza & Deli.  Mr. Boyer seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the renewal of the Tobacco License for Petrostores, Inc/DBA H&H Pizza & Deli, Mr. Boyer seconded the motion. Mr. Arrison asked why the name is different.  Ms. Coutermarsh said it is the same owners but they merged with the gas company.  Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Fuller adjourned the Board of Liquor Commission.

5.  Old Business

A. Amendment to Personnel Policies, Second Reading Regarding Holiday Policy:  Mr. Clattenburg noted the employees are paid for ten hours for a holiday since they work ten hour days, not eight.  Mr. Arrison made the motion to move this to the third reading.  Mr. Boyer seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

6.  New Business

A.  Meet with Perkinsville School Reuse Committee for an update:

Discuss two of the options, timetable for future steps, proposal from BMA Architects, proposal from Weston & Sampson and budgeting for expenses in FY2012 and FY2013:  Mr. Mullen said the rough numbers he has received for haz mat remediation is $150,000 and past estimates for demolition have been $85,000 - $150,000.  There was discussion that in addition to this, money will be needed to stabilize the old school building.  Mr. Clattenburg said annual maintenance budget numbers will be needed too.

Mr. Mullen said we will have the draft of the Level One Site Assessment at the next Board meeting.  There are a lot of unanswered questions right now and a lot of the figures are just budget numbers.  Mr. Todd said to get further information we need to spend money for further architectural work.  The estimate for this work is $5,400 from BMA. There was discussion what the "gym" could be used for if it was kept and also discussion that we would need to worry about security, insurance, coordination of scheduling the use etc.

Mr. Boyer made the motion to grant the work to BMA not to exceed $5,400 for an additional architectural study and to waive the purchase policy for this bid.  The work from BMA at this time will also include what the projected annual carrying costs will be, Mr. Clattenburg seconded the motion. Mr. Arrison said this is not in the budget.  Mr. Mullen said we will have to over extend our consultant line item.  Motion carried unanimously.

B.  Meet with Weathersfield Fire Commission, receive recommendation regarding Long Term Debt Schedule for replacement of fire apparatus:  Mr. Spaulding said at the last Fire Commission meeting they voted in favor of asking for the purchase of a new fire truck to be put on the Warning.  He said the motion was 3 - 0 with one abstention.

Mr. Arrison made the motion to include the Article (draft Article 12) to purchase a new fire truck on the Warning, Mr. Clattenburg seconded the motion. Mr. Arrison said the word donation should be changed to contribution.  Mr. Hudson said when the original discussion took place the estimated cost was $270,000 now it is all the way up to $330,000.

Mr. Dauphin said the Select Board has been talking about the next fire truck that is purchased should carry more water and this proposed purchase would not do that. Mr. Spaulding said the proposed truck will have 970 gallons of water and 30 gallons of foam.  There was discussion on if a multi crew cab is needed.  Mr. Spaulding said during the day it is difficult to wait for enough people to arrive at the station but a night time usually more people respond to the calls.

Mr. Fuller said he is still concerned with emptying the reserve fund, having West Weathersfield wait another four years for a replacement truck and while there won't be a tax increase this year there will be next year.

Mr. Arrison voted in favor, Mr. Boyer voted against, Mr. Clattenburg abstained and Mr. Fuller did not vote.  Motion failed for lack of majority.

Mr. Boyer said he voted against this because of so many other expenses this year, he doesn't think we can afford to purchase a $300,000 fire truck.  Mr. Arrison said we asked the Fire Commission to make their recommendation and feels we should support their recommendation.  Mr. Fuller agreed with Mr. Arrison but also agreed it is a lot of money and the West Weathersfield truck is twenty two years old.  Mr. Dauphin said re-wiring of the Ascutney truck was not discussed at the last Fire Commission meeting.  Mrs. Slade said even though some Board members do not personally feel the Town can afford the purchase she feels the decision should be made by the taxpayers, they should be given the opportunity to vote.

Mr. Arrison made the motion to include the draft Article 12 on the Warning.  Mr. Clattenburg seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

C.     2012 Town Meeting

-Approve Final Budgets

General Fund: Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the General Fund budget of $1,035,672 with $677,929 to be raised by taxes, Mr. Boyer seconded the motion. Mrs. Slade mentioned that while the police department is asking for an additional ten hours there is only one part time police officer at this time and over the last two weeks he has only worked a total of six hours. Mr. Todd noted that the budgets are up, the only reason there is not a tax rate increase is because of surplus funds and we won't always be able to rely on surplus funds so we need to watch spending because when the surplus funds are gone there will be a huge tax increase.  Motion passed unanimously.

Highway Fund: Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the Highway Fund budget of $1,046,668 with $780,398 to be raised by taxes, Mr. Boyer seconded the motion. Mr. Hudson said he doesn't understand why the highway crew can't do all of our work, why do we have to hire outside contracting.  And, he doesn't agree with putting shur-pac on Gird Lot Road, it only lasted a few months when it was put on Goulden Ridge Road.  Motion carried unanimously.

Solid Waste: Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the Solid Waste budget of $202,644.  Mr. Boyer seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

Mr. Adams said to summarize - we are showing a reduction of almost two cents on the tax rate and he understands the school is proposing an increase of about three cents.

The Board went through the Warning.  Mr. Clattenburg made the motion to approve the Warning as presented and discussed tonight. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

The Board reviewed the Select Boards and Town Manager's report that will be part of the town report and it was noted that they will summarize the budget at the end of the report.

D.  Update on Tropical Storm Irene, review expenses and FEMA reimbursements to date:  Mr. Adams said we have spent $431,199.13 to date and have received $38,647.60 back from FEMA.  Mr. Arrison asked them to be prepared to give an update at the Town meeting.

7.  Future Meeting Agenda Items: 12/13/11 minutes still need to be approved

8.  Sign Treasurer's Warrants:  Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the Treasurer's Warrants as follows:

General Fund Payroll                                                 $23,039.21

General Fund Operating Expense                                        $15,784.73

Highway Fund Payroll                                                            $23,464.03

Highway Fund Operating Expense                                       $22,606.67

Solid Waste Management Fund Payroll                               $  1,009.92

Solid Waste Management Fund Operating Expense           $  6,068.82

Agency Monies                                                                      $     375.00

Willey Earth Moving                                                 $15,776.33

Willey Earth Moving                                                 $10,384.00

Everett Hammond                                                                  $  3,375.00

Mr. Clattenburg seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

Mr. Arrison made the motion to go into Executive Session for the discussion of personnel.  Mr. Clattenburg seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

9.  Adjourn:  Mr. Arrison made the motion to adjourn.  Mr. Boyer seconded the motion which passed without dissent. The Weathersfield Select Board meeting was adjourned at 9:43 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Lisa Slade

Approved by the Weathersfield Select Board on February 7, 2012