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Meeting Minutes

January 22, 2007

Leicester Selectboard Special Meeting
See subsequent minutes for any changes

Present:  J. McDonough, R. Oliver, M. Stacey, C. Todd, D. Benware (recorder)
Others:  Donna Pidgeon, Arlan Pidgeon

Meeting called to order at 7:02 p.m. by the Chair.  Flag salute recited.

The budget was reviewed in its entirety.  The decision was made to increase the salary of the auditors from $10.00 /hr to $12.00/hr.  Provided the auditors work roughly the same number of hours total (200) this can be accomplished without increasing the budget. 

Donna presented the totals for the town, with appropriations, of $170,756.76, down from $191,332.72 for 2005.

ACTION TAKEN:

Regarding building maintenance:  John made the motion, Mark the second, to authorize Bob to purchase, on behalf of the town, the transfer switch, 100 amp, estimated to cost about $250.00 plus shipping/installation, for the Town Clerk's Office. 

Motion passed unanimously.
Also confirmed decision to change Town Property Maintenance line to
Town Building Maintenance line.

Discussion regarding audit:  Concern was raised by Mark and John about the high cost to do an audit every three years.  Decision to include in the Warning an item asking if the town will vote to rescind the previously approved instruction to conduct a professional audit every third year?
( 2007 books at an estimated cost of $10,000).  Donna will check on the appropriateness of the wording with the Secretary of State's Office.

The decision was made to remove the $3,500 from the proposed budget.  Said amount was to be put in escrow for the audit.  Diane will contact VLCT for their recommendations for auditing firms.

The $100 previously approved for the Vt Coalition of Municipalities was added to the appropriations.  This addition and the deletion of the audit funds resulted in expenses in the amount of $167, 357.00 for the General Town expenses and a total of $198,700.00 for highway expenses.

The Warning was reviewed.  Article 3 was added, based upon recommendation from the Sec. of State.  It reads "To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectboard to spend unanticipated funds such as grants and gifts for which they were intended."  The USRDA grant of $65,000 is one such grant.

Items to be voted on by ballot include:

Article 2: Will the voters approve $10,000 to be placed in a Restricted Equipment Fund?
Article 3: Will the Town vote an additional $20,000 for road paving?
Article 4:  Allocations, if approved, totaling $10,160.

Warning signed by all five members of the Board.

The Selectboard and Road Commissioners' Reports were reviewed.

Motion by John to adjourn at 9:38 p.m.  Second by Bob, meeting adjourned at 9:38 p.m.

Next meeting Feb. 5, 2007

Respectfully submitted:
Diane Benware, recorder