Select Board 11/18/2010

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Select Board 11/18/2010

Weathersfield Select Board

Minutes

November 18, 2010

Present: Henry "Chip" Cobb

Norman John Arrison

Glenn Fisher

Gordon Eglintine

Dave Fuller

Others Present: Jim Mullen, Town Manager

Lisa Sargent, Recording Secretary

Edith Stillson

Jeff Slade

Peter Korbet

Michael Todd

Annmarie Christensen

Julia Lloyd Wright

Matt Keniston

deForest Bearse

Pat Daniels

Lynn Houghton

Christopher Adams

Philip Golding

1. Call to Order: Mr. Fisher called the Weathersfield Select Board meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. at the Perkinsville Green. The Select Board examined the premises (the Perkinsville Green) as required by 19 VSA 710.

2. Public Hearing: Whether to Lay Out a Public Park on Perkinsville Greens: Mr. Fisher opened the Public Hearing. Mr. Mullen showed those present where the property line for the Church was and what piece of the land is being considered for the Public Park. He noted it needs to be surveyed to determine the exact boundaries.

Meeting continued at the Perkinsville Grange at 6:50 p.m. Mr. Fuller said he attended the Veterans Memorial Monument Dedication Ceremony and he thanked Chip Cobb, the Veterans Memorial Committee and everyone else who organized the event.

Mr. Korbet gave the Select Board Chairman further information on the Perkinsville Green.

Mr. Mullen said he recommends continuing the Public Hearing until the first meeting in February and trying to get the survey done before that meeting. Mr. Mullen said he received a letter from the Perkinsville Church stating they want to keep the land they own and not put their land into the Public Park parcel. Mr. Mullen said the neighbors were notified of the Public Hearing.

Mr. Korbet said ninety five registered voters signed the petition to have the land laid out as a Public Park.

Mr. Arrison asked Mr. Mullen what the cost of the survey would be. Mr. Mullen said probably a couple thousand dollars. Mr. Mullen said that someone owns the land under the highway rights of ways, the Church owns some, the Town Park will own some and individuals will own some. He said some maintenance agreements will be helpful.

Mr. Korbet said there is an article in the 1937 town report about the Park so maybe the surveyor will come across some quit claim deeds.

Mr. Fuller made the motion to request bids for the survey of the proposed park and have it completed by February 3, 2011, Mr. Arrison seconded the motion. It was noted the bid would be awarded December 16, 2010 in order to have the work done by the February meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Cobb made the motion to continue the Public Hearing until February 3, 2011, Mr. Fuller seconded the motion.

Mr. Korbet said the State Statute for laying out parks is 24VSA2501 and he wanted this added for the record.

Motion carried unanimously.

3. Comments from Citizens and Select Board: none

4. Review Minutes from Previous Meeting(s): Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the minutes dated September 23, 2010, Mr. Cobb seconded the motion. It was noted the SAPA tape was reviewed and Mr. Fuller did ask if there are any other concerns or issues that need to be addressed at the special meeting at the Weathersfield Center Church but his question was not answered because the discussion quickly turned to other matters. Motion carried 4 - 0 with one abstention.

Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the minutes dated October 7, 2010, Mr. Cobb seconded the motion. Ms. Sargent said the correction that Mr. Fuller noted a few weeks ago is correct, Mr. Arrison did originally abstain from voting - this will be corrected. Motion carried 4 - 0 with one abstention.

Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the minutes dated November 4, 2010. Mr. Eglintine seconded the motion which passed 3 - 0 with two abstentions.

5. Request Town Road Classification Change, Crown Point Road: Mrs. Bearse said as of 2010 the highway map shows Crown Point Road as a Class IV highway and she would like the Select Board to consider reclassifying portions as a trail. Mrs. Bearse said on behalf of the Ancient Road Committee she is asking the portions that lie on public property be classified as a trail.

Mr. Cobb asked why. Mrs. Bearse said the historic users would prefer to use it as a trail. Mr. Cobb asked how the Crown Point Road was classified in Springfield? Mrs. Bearse said she doesn't believe it is a town road outside of Weathersfield, to include the towns of Cavendish and Springfield.

Mr. Fuller asked if any part of the road was used by the snowmobile clubs. Mrs. Bearse said she doesn't believe so. Mr. Cobb asked what the property owners wanted to see. Mrs. Bearse said she believes most of them want to see it as a trail.

Mr. Arrison made the motion to start the process of reclassifying, Mr. Cobb seconded the motion. Mr. Cobb asked about Wellwood Orchards and the fact that part of it goes through the orchard. Mrs. Bearse said that still needs to be talked about with Mr. Mark, owner of the orchard.

Mrs. Daniels said she feels it is very important to prevent development on Crown Point Road and hopes that this will prevent it. Mr. Fuller asked how long the road was in our town, Mrs. Bearse said seven miles. Mr. Eglintine asked if it was well marked. Mrs. Bearse said no but we will be required to mark it. Motion carried unanimously.

6. Agricultural Zoning Bylaw, Receive copy of the Amendments from Planning Commission and Set Date for Public Hearing: Mr. Fuller said he attended the hearing and he just received the copy of the trials. He said he is still concerned with the point system and the discrepancy in the NRCS map. Mrs. Bearse said the cut off is 160 points so if it is 160 points or less you are exempt from the bylaw and if it is 160 or above you are limited as to development and subject to the terms of the bylaws. Mrs. Bearse said the current and past uses will be considered and the point system is to be exercised in the case of an appeal.

Mr. Cobb made the motion to set the date of the Public Hearing for December 16, 2010. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

7. Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Review:

Martin Memorial Hall: Mrs. Houghton told the Board they would like to do some work to the building including side window casings, the front steps, new water heaters, insulation and drainage work. Mr. Arrison asked that the Trustee's make a list in the order of priority. Mrs. Daniels said they also have a safety list of repairs that need to be made from VLCT and the roof still needs work. She said in order to keep the building maintained they can't afford to have the budget reduced in order to keep the building maintained.

Listers: Mr. Golding said they would like a few more staff hours. Mr. Arrison said the hours have been reduced in the past because they haven't been used. Mr. Cobb said he would like to see how the hours are allocated and an explanation as to why more are needed.

Mr. Todd asked for budget information to be provided to the Budget Committee before the meetings so they are aware of this information.

Zoning: the Board took the preliminary information under advisement

Approve New Vision Insurance Plan effective 1/1/11: Mr. Mullen said VLCT has set their rates and the Town would like to switched vision insurance providers effective 1/1/11 because the rates are substantially less. Mr. Cobb made the motion to adopt the EyeMed Standard Package Vision Plan for 2011. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

8. Old Business

A. Policies/Resolutions/Ordinance

1. Policy for Social Service Agencies' Request for Appropriation: Mr. Mullen said there were no changes from the last meeting. Mr. Fuller made the motion to adopt the policy. Mr. Cobb seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

2. Solid Waste Fee Assessment Policy: Mr. Fuller made the motion to adopt the policy, Mr. Cobb seconded the motion. Mr. Arrison confirmed it was not retroactive, Mr. Mullen said that is correct - this is effective July 1, 2011. Motion carried unanimously.

3. Approve Proposed Amendments to Hazardous Materials Response Ordinance: Mr. Mullen said the Board may want to pull the rates out of the ordinance so they can be adjusted without amending the ordinance. After more discussion on rates and which rates to use Mr. Eglintine made the motion to continue the second reading until the December 2, 2010 meeting, Mr. Cobb seconded the motion. Mrs. Daniels will ask the Fire Commission to discuss the rates at their next meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

4. Fire Services Reimbursement Ordinance: Mr. Eglintine made the motion to continue the second reading until the December 2, 2010 meeting, Mr. Cobb seconded the motion. They asked the Fire Commission to discuss billing, collection and litigation at their next meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

B. Update on Stoughton Pond Road Paving Project: Mr. Mullen said the project is done and we are waiting for lab test results on the pavement. He said Maple Street got shimmed today.

C. Update on Hidden Glen Road Bridge Project: Mr. Mullen said Daniels Construction is finishing the bridge and they are doing a great job.

9. Monthly Reports: Mr. Mullen said that reimbursement of the Towns cost under the Center Road paving grant is on hold because the road signs are not done yet. Mr. Mullen said the signs are ordered and should be here next week. Mr. Adams noted that the quarterly school tax payment was made this week.

10. Appointments:

(i) Budget Committee: Mr. Cobb made the motion to appoint Jeff Slade to the Budget Committee. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion which passed without dissent.

11. Sign Treasurer's Warrants: Mr. Cobb made the motion to approve the Treasurer's Warrants as follows:

General Fund Payroll $16,213.97

General Fund Operating Expense $18,789.73

Highway Fund Payroll $11,916.08

Highway Fund Operating Expense $11,204.92

Solid Waste Management Fund Payroll $ 2,403.25

Solid Waste Management Fund Operating Expense $ 3,359.30

Library $ 497.99

Grants $12,523.00

Agency Monies $ 800.00

Mr. Arrison seconded the motion which passed without dissent.