Welcome to Leicester, VT

Town of Leicester

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Monday, October 20, 2008

*Unapproved*

** See subsequent minutes for any changes

Members Present:  Diane Benware, Bob Oliver, Ken Young, Ron Fiske, Tom Barker

Others Present:   John Hughes, Mary Hughes, Arlan Pidgeon, Bucky Shackett, Sandra Trombley, Secretary

Call to Order:  Meeting called to order at 6:35 by Chair, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Agenda Review:  Agenda reviewed.  Bucky Shackett asked to be heard.

Bucky Shackett reported about the auction of the Coons property.  The Sunapee Bank bought it back for an opening bid of $40,000.  Bucky has had some complaints.  He went over and someone has dumped more garbage.  There are garbage bags, tires, five gallon pails, and other junk.  He was wondering what approach the Selectboard would like to take.  He doesn’t know who is dumping. 

Action:  The Selectboard will write a letter to Sunapee Bank requesting immediate removal of all trash; otherwise Town will initiate health ordinance/junk ordinance.  Diane will compose the letter for all five members to sign.

Bucky had a complaint from Kirk Hanson in regard to Mr. Gearwar on Shackett Road.  He went to the properties.  There was debris and one bag of garbage.  There was some discussion on the property line.  Hanson was complaining there was grease dumped on his property and his dogs were getting sick, but Bucky did not see any evidence of this.  Gearwar said he didn’t dump any grease.

Action:  The Selectboard will leave it that if the neighbors have issues they can bring them to Bucky and Bucky can bring any concerns back to the Board.

Approve Minutes of October 6, 2008: 

Motion by Tom to approve minutes, seconded by Ron. All in favor.  So approved.

Review and Sign Orders:

 The folder for the bills has the register of the bills but there was a problem with Quicken and problems with the printer so she wasn’t able to print the checks to staple to the bill.  She didn’t have a chance to reconcile the bills to the checks.  If you feel comfortable signing the orders without seeing the actual bills, you can, or you can wait until Kylee gets things straightened around.

Reports from Town Officials or Committees: 

Kylee wanted to thank Joyce Cameron for volunteering her help with the tax bills.  Kylee getting ready for elections and lining up helpers for November 4^th.

Cemetery Committee:  Tom said they were meeting Thursday night.

Listers:  Nothing

New Business:

VLCT (Vermont League of Cities & Towns) insurance renewal application was reviewed.  Vehicles/Equipment, public officials, workers compensation, and guaranteed replacement cost and historical reconstruction costs for the town buildings.  Diane will call about value of the salt shed.

Motion by Tom, seconded by Bob to renew policies.  All in favor.  So approved.

Mowing Bids 2009:

Roadside mowing two times a year around the 4^th of July and no later than September 15^th.  Prices are firm and they need to provide general liability insurance as indicated and they need to prove their insurance at awarding of the bid. 

Cemetery mowing.  Price per mowing and costs for spring and fall cleanup.  Provide general liability insurance and workers compensation as indicated on form.

Town Green.  Price per mowing and costs for spring and fall cleanup.  Provide general liability insurance and workers compensation as indicated on form.

Diane will change the dates on the forms.

Motion by Tom, seconded by Ron to advertise 2009 mowing bids in Addison Independent and the two Brandon papers for two weeks.  Bids due to be open December 15.  All in favor.  So approved. 

Missing Road Signs:

Leicester-Whiting Road sign is still missing. 

Going thru the Junction, heading west, no speed limit sign.  Need to have a reduced speed ahead sign.  Citizens have been getting picked up by Sheriff.  Should be a 25 mph speed limit sign by Stove Pipe Avenue going west.

Sign missing at the end of Bullock Road.  Check on speed limit sign.  Debris to be cleaned up before winter.

Old Business:

Town Shed Report: 

Arlan stated they just started today.  Arlan, Scott, Chuck Charbonneau.  Arlan reported the uprights are rotted on the east side and need replacing.  Purchased 6x6 hemlock replacements.  Plan to put braces up the side and a couple overlays.

Tom wanted to go on record that decisions and expenditures need to be made by the Board. 

Motion by Tom, seconded by Bob, to approve work to be done to the salt shed not to exceed $5,000.  All in favor.  So approved.

Road Work Update:

Scott did some grading.  No culvert work.  Bob and Ron went to Stove Pipe Avenue and the road didn’t seem to be as bad as reported.  Diane talked to the Sheriff about the possibility of an unmarked car to patrol Stove Pipe and Delorm Road.  The Sheriff said they could do that but they would not chase any vehicles.

Arlan reported that Scott would like the Selectboard to send a letter to Brian Green on Shackett Road who leaves his car right in the road all winter and he has trouble on the end of Bridal Path Lane, Linda Mussaw, Jim Carey, Kathy Eastwood. 

Action:  Send letters to Brian Green and Linda Mussaw, Jim Carey, Kathy Eastwood from the Selectboard that should indicate he is obstructing road maintenance and could have them towed at owner’s expense.

Action:  Place legal notice stating any vehicle in traveled portion of the highway will be towed.  Illegal to plow snow from private drives across the highway.  Diane will find out the State Statute.

Arlan has worked on beaver damns.

Action:  Ron will call game warden, Isabel, to see if we can shoot the beaver.  Ken will call Wayne Kingsley about trapping them.

Fire Bills Update:

Diane wrote a letter and sent them out.  The bills go back to last November.  Diane will have a conversation with Bob Kilpeck about billing procedures.

Other:

John Hughes asked if the Town had a policy to help people with emergency fuel situations.  Other towns have five gallon cans of fuel to tide people over for the night, emergency numbers to call. 

Motion by Tom, seconded by Ron, to help residents in an emergency situation.  All in favor.  So approved. 

Action:  Diane will let Kylee know about our motion.  Let our Emergency Manager, Ray know that Selectboard has authorized him to provide a one-time emergency/overnight 5 gallons of fuel.

Monday, November 3, 2008 the Tri-Town School Committee is having a meeting.

Public Opinion:  None

Executive Session:   

Motion by Tom, seconded by Ron to go into Executive Session to discuss pending and new legal action. 

Motion by Tom, seconded by Bob to adjourn Executive Session at 8:45 p.m.  No action taken.

Motion by Bob, seconded by Ken to adjourn at 8:45 p.m.  All in favor.  So moved. 

Next meeting November 5, 2008, 6:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra L. Trombley

Selectboard Secretary