Meeting Minutes 03-20-2017
Town of LeicesterSelectboard Meeting MinutesMonday, March 20, 2017*Unapproved*** See subsequent minutes for any changes Members Present: Diane Benware, Tom Barker, Ron Fiske, John Rouse, Brad Lawes Others Present: Arlan Pidgeon, Jeremy Gildrien, 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: Added to agenda; liquor license, Addison County Solid Waste Appointment, independent contractors, Animal Holding Contract with Homeward Bound. Approval of March 9, 2017 minutes: Motion by Tom and second by John to approve minutes of March 9, 2017 as written. All in favor. So, approved. Review/Authorization to Pay Bills: Motion by Tom and second by Ron authorizing Julie to pay bills. All in favor. So, approved. Reports from Town Officials, Committees: Town Clerk/Treasurer: Julie reported that the election went well. The rabies clinic is rescheduled for March 30th from 5:00 – 6:30 Leicester and Salisbury due to the storm. Julie reported that VLCT re-evaluated what constitutes an independent contractor and decreased what they were going to charge for worker’s compensation for a “normal municipal function”. A service that cannot be done at the Town level. The Town does not own lawnmowers. VLCT suggested the town do a new contract and contractors must provide certain qualifying documents.Julie thinks she can get all the needed documents from their contractors. Julie provided a contract template for the Board’s review. The contracts will be put on the April 3rd agenda. Road Foreman: Arlan did not have anything to report. Brad asked how much sand was used. Arlan thought they have used about 40% of their sand. NEW BUSINESS: Conversation with Delinquent Tax Collector: Beth Ripley gave an update on several delinquent properties. She explained the difficulties with liens on properties. Beth stated that she has fourteen letters out to banks. The Board suggested doing the certified letters and stated their strong support and backing. The Board encouraged Beth to stay right on them. Beth recognized Arlan for the great condition of the roads. OLD BUSINESS: Conversation with Jeremy Gildrien: Introductions were made. Jeremy expressed his interest in the Energy Coordinator position. Diane explained that the position was in an advisory capacity and has no independent authority. Julie read the Energy Coordinator job description. Jeremy explained that he is going to school in the fall for a Master’s in Energy Management. His interest and motivation stems back to making wise energy decisions now; so, his children are safe in the future. He said he is a big research person and likes numbers and likes to retrieve data before making decisions. He does not want to leave the planet too polluted for his kids. He explained about S-51, a Senate bill, the Comprehensive Energy Plan for the State of VT. It says by 2025 mandates that carbon omissions will be decreased by 90%. All Planning and Zoning Plans will have to have a statement how they will decrease carbon omissions by 2025. Jeremy feels there is a lot of economic opportunity with this bill. He stated that he is interested in looking out for the Town. As a farmer, Jeremy thinks it’s important to keep prime agricultural lands for agriculture. Diane explained we are going to be reviewing our Town Plan. Addison County Regional Planning has money enough for three towns to work with them. Diane plans to send in a letter in hopes to be one of the three. Jeremy mentioned that he would like to keep our money in Vermont and would discourage big conglomerates. Motion by John and second by Tom to appoint Jeremy as Energy Coordinator for the Town of Leicester. All in favor. So, approved. Re-appointment of ACSW Representative: Diane signed re-appointment of Richard Reed as Leicester’s Representative to ACSW. Liquor License: Board signed the Liquor License for Champlain Beverage. Animal Holding: Chair signed contract for animal holding facility at Humane Society and circled #2. Approval of Unified Bylaws: Julie explained that the public meeting was held. The board needs to adopt, by the majority of the legislative body, the Unified Zoning Bylaws. They will become effective April 10, 2017. Motion by Brad and second by Tom to adopt the Unified Zoning Bylaws, effective date of April 10, 2017. All in favor. So, approved. DRB Creation: Discussion of implementing the DRB. Decisions that need to be made are:
- The size of the board. Board needs to be between five and nine members.
- Whether alternates are needed.
- Duties of the DRB.
- Does the Board want to ‘Review on Record’ or de novo? Review on Record requires you to audio tape and have a transcription.
- Section on Act 250
- Members & Alternates
- Term limits