Meeting Minutes 01-03-2017

Town of Leicester

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

*Unapproved*

** See subsequent minutes for any changes

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

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

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

Pledge of Allegiance:

Review of Agenda:

Approval of December 19, 2016 minutes:

Motion by John and second by Tom to approve minutes of December 19, 2016 as written.

All in favor. So approved.

Review/Authorization to Pay Bills:

Motion by Tom and second by Brad to approve bills. All in favor. So approved.

Reports from Town Officials, Committees:

Town Clerk/Treasurer:

Julie reported that three Selectboard positions are up. There is an auditor term up. The constable position will be put on the warning.

Julie reported about the school building. There is talk going around about what’s going on with the Leicester School. Julie has a packet of information. The intent is that over the next 2-3 years, is to transition the school to strictly preschool.

Motion by John and second by Brad authorizing Julie to write a letter to the superintendent on behalf of the Board asking what their long range plan is for the school. All in favor. So approved.

Tom mentioned that a representative should come and report to the Board.

Julie reported that she completed the LDFL Assn grant paperwork for the 2016 Milfoil grant and it was sent to the State. Julie read a complimentary thank you letter from the State about this grant and the work involved on the project.

Brad suggested that this letter go into the Town Report.

Road Foreman:

Arlan had little to report. Salt and sand are good.

Cemetery Committee:

Health Officer:

Weight Permits:

CORRESPONDENCE:

NEW BUSINESS:

Conversation with Peter Conlon:

Introductions were made. Peter Conlon, from Cornwall, is our new representative in the legislature taking Willem Jewett’s place. Peter explained that he wanted to introduce himself and talk about some of things at the forefront and hear what the Board has to say.

Some things he was briefed on were:

The clean water legislation. The state is under order to reduce phosphorous in Lake Champlain 30%. This is a new expense.
Vermont population and the decline in Vermont public school enrollments.

Peter finds out tomorrow what committee he is on.

Peter provided some background about himself. He and his wife grew up in Montpelier. He’s lived in Cornwall since 1990. He used to be a reporter and news editor of the Addison Independent. He worked in agriculture for 10 years working with dairy farms from Maine to Mass helping them hire, train and retain their front line people. He currently operates a small move management business. He has three children. He is Chair of the Unified School Board of Addison Central School District.

Peter attended a road foreman’s meeting about mapping and inventorying roads.

Peter asked for questions or concerns from the Board.

Diane mentioned it would be nice to have Peter come and give an update mid-year.

Peter will try to make it to all town meetings.

Peter brought up the milfoil funding and the mosquito problems. Brad explained some of the process.

Julie talked about the education tax and her frustration about the timing of the payment process and late filers and the Statute around it.

OLD BUSINESS:

Budget Review:

Julie provided the Board with an updated budget to review and explained changes.

Motion by Brad and second by John to increase Clerk’s pay by $500 to $9,500 and increase the Treasurer’s pay by $500 to $10,000. All in favor. So approved.

Motion by Tom and second by Brad to increase the Clerk Assistant hourly rate from $13.00 to $13.50 per hour. All in favor. So approved.

Motion by Brad and second by Ron to increase highway payroll hourly rate by $1.50 for Arlan and Scott and increase by $1.00 for Steve.

Motion by John and second by Tom to increase Selectboard Secretary from $75 per meeting to $85 per meeting. All in favor. So approved.

Motion by Tom and second by Brad to increase Zoning/PC Secretary pay from $14 per hour to $15 per hour. All in favor. So approved.

Julie mentioned that Peter was asking if any decisions had been made about heat pumps for the Town Office.

No action taken.

BUILDING NEEDS:

There was discussion about the shed roof.

Furnace Quote – Town Shed: $3,400

HIGHWAY CONCERNS/NEEDS:

LIMITED PUBLIC OPINION:

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Motion by Tom to adjourn at 8:12 p.m.

Next Meeting: Tuesday, January 16, 2017

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra L. Trombley

Selectboard Secretary

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Meeting Minutes 01-03-2017