Meeting Minutes - 1.15.18 - 2018 - Welcome to Leicester, VT

Meeting Minutes - 1.15.18

Town of Leicester

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Monday, January 15, 2018

*Unapproved*

** See subsequent minutes for any changes

Members Present: Diane Benware, Ron Fiske, Brad Lawes, John Rouse

Members Absent: Tom Barker

Others Present: Arlan Pidgeon, Julie Delphia, Beth Ripley, Sandra Trombley, Secretary

Call to Order: Meeting called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chair.

Pledge of Allegiance:

Review of Agenda: Town Warning and Railroad Grant under New Business.

Approval of January 8, 2018 Minutes:

Motion by Brad and second by Ron to approve minutes of January 8, 2018 as written. All in favor. So, approved.

Review/Authorization to Pay Bills:

Motion by John and second by Brad authorizing Julie to pay bills. All in favor. So, approved.

Reports from Town Officials, Committees:

Road Foreman:

Arlan had no new information to report.

Town Clerk/Treasurer:

Julie recommended getting a quote for re-appraisal of the Town. The COD came in at over 19; if it goes over 20 the Town would be mandated to have a re-appraisal. Mandated appraisals tend to be more expensive than if you just plan one. Julie would like to contact NEMRC for a quote for a re-appraisal. There is money in the restricted fund for appraisals to cover this.

Board approved Julie to contact NEMRC.

Julie provided the Certificate of Highway Mileage for Board’s signature.

Cemetery Committee:

Health Officer:

Weight Permits:

CORRESPONDENCE:

AOT: Culvert Old Jerusalem Road:

Diane provided the Board with a copy of an email from Gary Sweeney about the culvert on Old Jerusalem Road.

There was discussion about all the scenarios, history and FEMA dollars. There were differences in what certain board members thought they heard from him.

Diane will invite Mr. Sweeney to come to a future meeting for further discussion and questions.

NEW BUSINESS:

Diane welcomed Beth Ripley and declared the Board’s appreciation for her work as Delinquent Tax Collector.

Beth shared where she was at with certain properties that were in the collection process.

The Board discussed the collection policies and procedures with Beth.

Julie asked if Beth would find it beneficial to get help from paralegals with property searches.

Julie will investigate that option.

Beth shared the problems with her computer and outdated software.

Julie offered her the use of the computer at the Town Office; with updated software that can run delinquents. She could come to the office on her own schedule.

The Board was not opposed to providing whatever computer equipment/hardware that Beth needed to do her job.

2018 Budget Review:

Julie provided the revised budget.

Calvin asked for $10 more for mowing the Town Green. Lem would like $5 more per hour for roadside mowing. Julie stated that it would not be necessary to increase the budget to do this.

Town Warning:

The Leicester Town Warning was presented.

Shall the voters of the Town of Leicester vote to approve a sum of $638,224.47.
General Town Expenses $ 281,274.47. Amount to be raised by taxes: $ 194,445.05
Highway Expenses $ 356,950.00. Amount to be raised by taxes: $ 278,172.36

Motion by John and second by Brad to approve the warning. All in favor. So, approved.

Julie went over Leicester Town Officials. She sent a letter to the Animal Control Officer and hasn’t heard back.

The Unified School District Reports have been included in the Town Report.

Diane shared the Selectboard Report draft and asked for feedback. She will send Julie a finished electronic copy.

OLD BUSINESS:

Railroad Crossing Grant:

No one has contacted the Town Office about it.

Motion by Brad and second by Ron to table the discussion at this time. All in favor. So, approved.

BUILDING NEEDS:

There is heat at the meeting house now. Maintenance was done. It was dirty and looked like it got flooded and mud got in and there was air in the lines.

HIGHWAY CONCERNS/NEEDS:

Town Shed:

LIMITED PUBLIC OPINION:

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Motion by John and second by Ron to adjourn meeting at 7:54 p.m.

Next Meeting: February 5, 2018

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra L. Trombley

Selectboard Secretary