Select Board 9-4-08

Weathersfield Select Board Minutes September 4, 2008 Present:        Norman John Arrison             Daniel Boyer             Glenn Fisher Others Present:    Larry Melen, Town Manager             Lisa Sargent, Recording Secretary             Edith Stillson             Deb Ostrum, SAPA             Julia Lloyd Wright, Eagle Times             Wes Hazeltine, Highway Superintendent 1.  Call to Order by Chairperson: Mr. Arrison called the meeting of the Weathersfield Select Board to order at 7:08 p.m. at the Highway Garage. 2.  Comments from Citizens: Ms. Lloyd Wright asked the status of the animal control ordinance, Mr. Melen said Town Counsel still has it so the ordinance stands as is for now.     Ms. Lloyd Wright asked for an update on the disposition of the Elementary School, Mr. Melen said that would be discussed at the next meeting. 3.  Review Minutes from Previous Meeting(s): None provided 4.  Highway:     A.  Cascade Falls Road, Winter Maintenance: Mr. Boyer said there may be a few minor things to do before winter but it will be maintained this winter,     B.  Riley Drive: Mr. Melen will file a letter with the Agency of Natural Resources saying all work has been done.     C.  Butterfield Hill Road, Engineering Agreement: Mr. Boyer made the motion to authorize the Town Manager to sign the contract with Dufrense & Associates regarding Butterfield Hill drainage improvements, Mr. Fisher seconded the motion.  Mr. Arrison said he is concerned there is no wordage for responsibility.  Mr. Melen said the last revision states no limitation of liability.  Mr. Arrison and Mr. Hazeltine both said it is not necessary to have an engineer on site all day, they could have inspection sites.  After further discussion Mr. Boyer withdrew his motion and Mr. Fisher withdrew his second.       Mr. Fisher made a motion to table this item; Mr. Boyer seconded the motion.  Mr. Boyer said he is concerned this pushes the issue back into October.  Mr. Melen said negotiations are not real responsive so this could go into the next construction season.  Motion passed unanimously.     D.  Murray Flats Bridge: Mr. Arrison said he spoke with Town Counsel and was assured there would be some action taken.  Mr. Melen said we have not heard anything from the insurance carrier.       E.  Highway Garage, Energy Efficiency Report: The consensus of the Board was to do the work but go back to Efficiency of VT and ask for additional funding.  Mr. Boyer made the motion to put the electrical work for energy conservation out to bid.  Mr. Fisher seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.       F.  Posting Weight Limits for Town Highways: Mr. Melen said the State put up 24,000 lb signs at intersections of state highways and the Select Board needs to put weight limits on town roads.  After discussion the Board agreed to have Mr. Melen start the process of posting town highways.   5.  Fiscal Year 2009 Expenditures     A.  Energy Conservation, Implementation of Four Day Work Week: Mr. Melen said there are only two people working at the Town Office on Fridays now and he proposes working a four day work week to save on electricity and heating fuel. Mr. Arrison said Mr. Cobb asked for projected cost savings.  Mr. Melen said there would be no lights, no heat or no air conditioning for three days so he assumes it would save 20% of the electrical bill and cut the heating bill too.       Mr. Melen said the building would be completely closed on Friday’s and he would give the new schedule to the Board at the next meeting to be implemented October 1st.  Mr. Arrison said he recommends approaching elected officials and the Zoning Administrator to see if they could work late one day.       B.  Replacement of Law Enforcement Patrol Vehicle: Mr. Melen said Chief Brown is on vacation this week but he has been having discussion with him about replacing a vehicle.  Mr. Melen noted the State contract only includes Ford Explorers.  After discussion it was the consensus of the Board to look into the Explorer through the State contract.   6. Old Business:     A.  Vermont League of Cities and Towns Annual Meetings: Mr. Boyer made the motion to designate Mr. Melen our voting member at the annual meeting of the Vermont League of Cities and Towns.  Mr. Fisher seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.   7.  New Business     A.  Abandonment of Easement for Septic and Water Line, Weathersfield Proctor Library: Mr. Melen said the new system is not completed yet but we still have an easement from 1976 that he would like to start working on abandoning.  The consensus of the Board was to have the Town Manager negotiate with landowners to abandon the easement. 8.  Ordinances, Policies, Procedures     A.  Objectionable Noise Ordinance: Mr. Melen said he has updated this per feedback from Mr. Cobb and Mr. Fisher.     B.  Proposed Child Safety Ordinance: Mr. Boyer noted a typo, Mr. Arrison provided comments.  Mr. Boyer made the motion to move this to the first reading.  Mr. Fisher seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.   9.  Appointments: Mr. Melen said he has had a request to reactivate the Weathersfield is Togethersfield Committee and has Ruth Betty Adams, Beverly Savage and Francis Wright willing to serve.  Mr. Boyer made the motion to reactivate the Weathersfield is Togethersfield Committee and appoint Ruth Betty Adams, Beverly Savage and Francis Wright to the Committee.  Mr. Fisher seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.       Mr. Melen said there was only one opening for the Planning Commission and two new members were appointed at the last meeting.  Mr. Arrison asked Mr. Melen to talk to both individuals and see if one of them would be willing to serve in a different position. 10.  Sign Treasurers Warrants: Mr. Boyer made the motion to approve the Treasurer Warrants as follows:     General Fund Payroll                    $20,070.86     General Fund Operating Expense                $33,411.40     Highway Fund Payroll                    $13,424.26     Highway Fund Operating Expense                $42,602.86     Solid Waste Management Fund Payroll            $  2,864.35     Solid Waste Management Fund Operating Expense    $    864.41     Reserves                            $  1,600.00 Mr. Fisher seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 11.  Next Meeting’s Agenda Items: budgets, child safety ordinance, work week, police cruiser, and truck bids.     Mr. Boyer made the motion to go into executive session for possible litigation.  Mr. Fisher seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.   12.  Adjourn:  Mr. Boyer made the motion to adjourn.  Mr. Fisher seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.  The meeting of the Weathersfield Select Board was adjourned at 8:53 p.m.                               Respectfully Submitted,                             Lisa Sargent Approved by the Weathersfield Select Board September 18, 2008                             _____________________                             Norman John Arrison                             _____________________                             Daniel Boyer                             ______________________                             Glenn Fisher Appendix         Website policy - Larry         Ancient roads (continue working on) - deForest         Posting sign policy - John         Use of Weathersfield Elementary School - Chip         Capital asset inventory – Chris Adams         No Parking Signs by Thomas residence         Review and increase of land use fees - deForest 03/08/07    Procedure for handling of complaints and citizen inquiries - Pat 05/03/07    Emergency communication - Dan 05/03/07    Radio Station designation for emergencies – Mike Thomas 08/16/07    large gathering permit - John 10/18/07    Economic depreciation factors from AMPTA - Pat 11/01/07    Designation of emergency shelter and power supply - Dan 03/20/08    Cascade Falls Road Parking Area (maintenance) 06/19/08    Tenney Hill Pond 06/19/08    Noise Ordinance 07/10/08    Community Garden 07/10/08    Energy Audit at Town Garage & Martin Memorial Hall