Weathersfield Select Board

Minutes

May 6, 2010

Present: Norman John Arrison

Glenn Fisher

Dave Fuller

Gordon Eglintine

Others Present: Chris Adams (in for Jim Mullen)

Lisa Sargent, recording secretary

Wes Hazeltine

Edith Stillson

Courtney McKaig

Melanie Sheehan

Dan Willey

Jeff Spurr

Patrick O'Grady

Julia Lloyd Wright

David Russell

deForest Bearse

1. Call to Order: Mr. Fisher called the Weathersfield Select Board meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. at Martin Memorial Hall.

2. Comments from Citizens: Mr. Spurr asked the Board when they were going to look at the interim bylaws regarding storage units, the Board said they will do that soon. Mr. Spurr said he hasn't had much luck finding agenda's on the Town's website. Mr. Fisher said we are working on maintenance of the website and interim bylaws needs to be an agenda item in the future.

3. Review Minutes from Previous Meeting(s): Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the minutes dated April 15, 2010, Mr. Fuller seconded the motion. Ms. Sargent said she forgot to bring the corrections that were emailed to her with her. Mr. Arrison and Mr. Fuller withdrew their motions and it was the consensus of the Board to table this until the next meeting.

4. Update of Brown Gravel Pit: Mr. Fisher said a week ago we received an administrative order from the State regarding not being in compliance with the Act 250 permit and we are being fined $50,000. He said this has been referred to the Town's Attorney and the Attorney is meeting with the State on May 10^th to discuss it further.

Mr. Fuller said he feels the Select Board has failed to review some situations that are happening in Town and that is our job - he said the Select Board needs to stay on top of activities that are happening and monitor them.

5. Highway

A. Approve Town Highway Structures Grant for retaining walls on Perkins Hill Road: Mr. Fuller made the motion to approve the grant for the Perkins Hill Road retaining wall. Mr. Eglintine seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

B. Bridge Inspection Reports 2009, State of Vermont: Mr. Arrison questioned the value of the structures report; he said he doesn't feel they are written up accurately. Mr. Fuller asked Mr. Hazeltine if he goes with them, Mr. Hazeltine said the State does this unannounced and by themselves.

6. Old Business

A. Request Ordinance Preventing Tobacco Use in Parks and Recreation Areas: Ms. McKaig from the Mt. Ascutney Prevention Partnership said she understands the Town doesn't want to adopt an ordinance at this time but she feels more than signage is needed therefore, she has drafted a policy for the Board's review instead of an ordinance. Ms. Sheehan said research shows setting a policy does help change social norms. Mr. Fisher asked how it gets enforced; Ms. McKaig said that typically it is self enforcing. Ms. Lloyd Wright asked if this included Hosington field, Ms. McKaig said yes. Ms. Lloyd Wright asked if Parks & Rec should be involved, Mr. Fisher said yes. It was decided that this would be on the agenda again on May 20^th for further discussion.

Mr. Willey asked the Board if they were aware of beaver activity near Tarbell Hill bridge. Mr. Hazeltine said he has talked to Cavendish in the past but it is on private property. He said he would talk to Town of Cavendish again.

7. New Business

A. Golden Cross Ambulance Agreement Renewal: Mr. Fuller made the motion to renew the agreement with Golden Cross Ambulance for three years and authorize the Town Manager to sign it. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

B. Transfer Station/Recycling Center

1. Town of West Windsor Permitting Structure: Mr. Adams said we bill the Town of West Windsor and the Town of Reading for use of the transfer station however, they are set up differently and it is difficult to reconcile the billing for Town of West Windsor. Mr. Arrison said he recalls the Town of Reading wanted to be more of a partner with us and because West Windsor residents are further away than the Reading residents it was set up differently.

The consensus was to have Mr. Adams work with Town of West Windsor to reach a resolution on how to make the system work, Mr. Adams will report back to the Board.

Mr. Fisher said we need to see if any written documentation was done when the programs were set up and if not we should have something in writing.

2. Safety Guidelines: It was said there is a concern with safety as people are taking metal out of the bins. Mr. Arrison said there are also people dumping C&D materials without paying. Mr. Hazeltine said he is looking at a new fee schedule and we need to provide sheets with the fees and do's and don'ts so that is being updated. Mr. Fuller suggested asking neighboring towns how they deal with people who loiter.

Ms. Sheehan said we may be able to get volunteers to work by contacting the court diversion program in White River Jct.; there are people that need to do community service. Mr. Hazeltine said he has had people from this program in the past.

C. PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy Program): Ms. Lloyd Wright, the Energy Coordinator for our town, asked the Board to consider putting this before the voters. She said eighteen states are signed up for it now and explained again how the program works.

The Board said they are still concerned with the Town "fronting" the money by bonding the amounts that are being distributed and administering the project.

It was mentioned that six towns in Vermont have approved the program through their voters but, Newport is the only town ready to lend funds at this point.

The Board said there is a significant problem in our town right now with delinquent taxes but encouraged Ms. Lloyd Wright to continue to keep them updated on this program as updates were available.

D. 2010 Vermont Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Grant: Mr. Fuller made he motion to accept and sign the Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Grant. Mr. Eglintine seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

8. Monthly Reports

A. Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste Management District: report received.

Mr. Fuller said the Fire Commission met last night and there was discussion about a new fee ordinance which he said may need some work because they are proposing to recover fees for the highway department and police department.

Mr. Fuller said Haz Mat fees are increasing across the region with an average increase of 40%.

Mr. Fuller said there have been some issues with burn permits and he is suggesting the Board make a motion to have an interim procedure be to contact dispatch before issuing a permit (to see if we are under red flag conditions). He also said that sometimes permits have been issued without dispatch being notified. Mr. Fuller made the motion to direct the Fire Wardens to notify dispatch when a burn permit is issued. Mr. Eglintine seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

Mr. Fuller made the motion to instruct the Fire Wardens to be aware of the classification for the day before issuing a permit and if they do not know to call dispatch and ask them if it is a red flag day. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

9. Resignation: Mr. Fisher read the resignation received from the Constable, Jacqueline Lindamood which is effective May 6, 2010. Mr. Arrison made the motion to accept the resignation and to send her a letter of thanks. Mr. Eglintine seconded the motion which passed 3 - 0 with one abstention. [Mr. Fuller did not vote on the appointment so he abstained]

10. Appointments: None

11. Sign Treasurer's Warrants: Mr. Arrison made the motion to sign the Treasurer Warrants as follows:

General Fund Payroll $21,809.24

General Fund Operating Expense $26,599.74

Highway Fund Payroll $21,175.23

Highway Fund Operating Expense $16,452.56

Solid Waste Management Fund Payroll $ 3,480.75

Solid Waste Management Fund Operating Expense $12,491.07

Reserves $ 589.35

Library $ -174.81

Mr. Fuller seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

12. Future Agenda Items: Zoning Bylaws and Subdivision Regulations, Delinquent Tax Collection, Paving Bids, Stoughton Pond Project.

13. Executive Session: Not needed

14. Adjourn: Mr. Arrison made the motion to adjourn. Mr. Eglintine seconded the motion which passed without dissent. The Select Board meeting was adjourned at 8:47 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Lisa Sargent

Approved by the Weathersfield Select Board on May 20, 2010

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Glenn Fisher

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Norman John Arrison

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Gordon Eglintine