Special Meeting Minutes
January 20, 2007
SPECIAL SELECTBOARD MEETING
See subsequent minutes for changes
Present: J. McDonough, R. Oliver, M. Stacey, C. Todd, D. Benware (recorder)
Others: Greg Bianchi, Bucky Shackett, later Arlan and Donna Pidgeon
Meeting was reconvened at 10:04 a.m. by the Chair. Flag salute recited.
Chair introduced Greg to the other members of the Board. Greg has recent experience driving for Maple Meadows, has his CDL. He would be hired to drive the small pickup with plow for intersections. Greg expressed his willingness to negotiate salary. Mark made the motion to pay $12.00/hr to Greg, on an as needed basis. Bob made the second to the motion, which passed unanimously. John then expressed his feeling that is was a waste of money to do intersections in this way. Greg responded that, in his experience, that's the best way to do it. Greg was excused at 10:14 a.m. so the Board could continue this discussion. Arlan arrived and was asked his opinion. He stated that it is easier to clean intersections with a smaller truck, Mark concurred, stating that the big truck could be kept on the road while the pickup did intersections. After further discussion, Bob made the motion, Mark the second, to keep the present arrangement, with the small pickup, as conditions warrant, doing intersections. Three voted in favor of the motion (Bob, Mark, Diane), Ceil and John voted nay. Motion carried.
Public Opinion:
Bucky expressed his concern with Harry's remark at the previous meeting, that "he's going to do the work", which led Bucky to question the good of having a budget. Further discussion about lister budget, prompted Donna, upon arrival, to ask what the problem was with Arlan, herself or Harry. There was no response, except Bucky asked if she posted her salary, and what the sum of fees was. Donna has not yet posted her 2006 salary, but provided a sheet with figures for the last 10 years. The 2005 figure was $24,213 for clerk/treasurer. Ceil expressed opinion that she didn't care what the salary was, as long as it was posted. Donna responded that it has been posted in the past and recorded in town reports.
BUDGET DERATIONS:
Based on John's recommendations, rather than showing individual budget figures for the town buildings, to show the TOTAL proposed for Town property Maintenance figures. Discussion included recommendation for storm windows for town office and difficulty in determining how much work/cost involved in replacing clapboards on
ACTION: Ceil made the motion, John the second for $5,000 for maintenance of the town buildings. 4 voted yes (John, Ceil, Mark, Diane) and Bob voted nay.
Telephone costs: Diane had asked Donna to inquire again about the cost of voice messaging (mailboxes) for the town office. Donna was told there was a $12.90 initial fee and for $13.00/month the office could have 4 message mailboxes (Donna, Harry, Cindy, and Selectboard). The added $169 per year was felt to be reasonable and the 2007 figure was set at $2,000.
Request from Vt Trails and Greenways Council for $30 to be added to our budget for 2007, to continue their work.
ACTION: Although initially approved in a motion by Bob, second by Mark, passed unanimously, it was later rescinded in a motion by Bob, second by Mark to not allocate the $30 request. Motion passed unanimously.
The board did agree to a $100 request from the Vt Coalition of Municipalities (the group that sponsored the revolt/repeal Act 60 measure) and has placed it on the Assessments in the budget.
ACTION: Bob made the motion to add the $100 request, John made the second, motion passed unanimously.
Donna shared with us information that, by statute, only social service agencies that serve community members may request appropriations from their respective towns. A review of our appropriations by the auditors, indicates that Vermont CARES-Aids Research and John Graham Shelter did not indicate in their letters of request, the level/type of service they have provided to residents. Others are explained in the comments section.
Highway portion of budget:
Equipment purchase: based on discussion earlier about need for new sander, Ceil proposed putting a line item in for sander at $4,000. Approved.
Bridge costs: Our best calculations indicate and are confirmed by the state that we have paid over $162,000 for the bridge thus far. We have $169,800 in the Money Market fund; we expect the release of $65,000 grant soon, for a total of $234,000. Add $234,000 to $162, and the total is $396,000, which SHOULD be more than we need for our share.
ACTION: No money budgeted for bridge for 2007.
Equipment Rental: discussion about what the figure should be. Bob proposed $50,000, Ceil $45,000, Mark $47,500. A poll was taken with 3 members stating "Yes to $45,000 (Ceil, Diane, John), Mark and Bob stating $47,500.
ACTION: The figure of $45,000 for equipment rental entered into budget.
General highway expenses: The "little things" added up to $17,760 in 2006. It was felt that sander should be added to purchase portion of budget, see above. Adding purchase of 6 months of furnace oil (prebuy runs through May), the line was increased to $21,000. Paving for $20,000 included. Warning will also contain request for additional $20,000 for paving.
Payroll was left at $40,000.
Other:
Diane to check with Beth Ripley to see if she is interested in sending fire bills on behalf of the town, to property owners to recoup costs from insurance companies. Bob informed the Board that a person from Proctor will donate a porta-potty for use at Fern Lake Access and is willing to maintain it. Bob will check to confirm and remind person of offer.
Our request for the additional $3,000 for
House bill #57 to be introduced, will delete provision that triathalons need permit requests to be filed with the state. If there is no such provision, the town may not know when a race is to be held. Possible road work could be impacted by this. Jeff Wallin is one interested party who is willing to testify at hearing about it in
Meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m. in a motion by John, second by Mark.
Next meeting to finalize budget and warning Monday, Jan. 22, at 7:00 p.m.