Meeting Minutes
Town of LeicesterSelectboard Meeting MinutesTuesday, September 15, 2014*Unapproved*** See subsequent minutes for any changes Members Present: Diane Benware, Ron Fiske, Tom Barker, Ken Young Members Absent: 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. Review of Agenda: Approval of Minutes of September 2, 2014: Motion by Ken and second by Ron to approve minutes of September 2, 2014 as written. All in favor. So approved. Review/Authorization to Pay Bills: Motion by Tom and second by Ken to approve the bills. All in favor. So approved. Reports from Town Officials, Committees: Road Forman: Arlan reported that they have done some road work. They cut the trees by Bob Oliver’s. Tom reported that he and Arlan went to the Fern Lake Access to check the pipe. There is a grate on the end of it. There were a lot of weeds, but no rocks. Ken will talk with the Brandon Fire Chief about the maintenance. Julie reported that the easement for the telephone poles on Old Jerusalem Road is under the Telephone Operating Company of Vermont. Ken reported that the graffiti on the bridge will be covered up with black spray paint by the railroad. Tom will take care of the other graffiti. Ken reported that the railroad crossing project is probably cut for this year. Addison County Regional Planning: Diane reported that they met last Wednesday night for a very long meeting. 95% had to do with Regional Planning’s Memorandum of Agreement with VT Gas for Phase II of the pipeline. Cornwall has not signed the Memorandum of Agreement. The motion passed to accept it as written. Tomorrow night the TAC meeting is on rumble strips. Ron Fiske was named as delegate from Leicester to Addison County Regional Planning Commission. Cemetery Committee: Tom reported that they talked to Don Durkee. They have a list of stones that are tipped over and need to be fixed and some to be cleaned. Francoeur’s submitted a donation for five lots. Board accepted the donation. Julie went to a cemetery seminar today and will give the Cemetery Committee the information.Julie will call Jim Carroll for information. There was discussion on how detailed they want rules to be. Town Clerk/Treasurer: Julie was asked about the Town’s stance on VT Gas. It was suggested that perhaps there could be an independent assessment of the value so there would be revenue to the town. Donna P. thinks there is something in the record where Leicester went from a dry town to a non-dry town. Julie will need to investigate because one of the Handy Bros stopped by about a possibly proposed liquor store. Julie reported delinquent taxes were at $75,100. Julie has collected over $300,000 in new taxes. Julie went to training today about office security. Julie discussed some concerns with the Board. Julie received the preliminary education funding notice from the State. $140,000 in December and $140,000 in June. Much higher than in the past. Weight Permit: None CORRESPONDENCE: NEW BUSINESS: Open Meeting Law Review: Julie reminded everyone about minutes and agendas need to be on the web-site within five days. Julie suggested giving Sandy access to the web-site to meet the deadline under the open meeting law. The hard copies still need to be posted. Julie would still need copies. Motion by Tom and second by Ken to give Sandy access to the town web-site to post minutes and agendas. All in favor. So approved. Julie will be going to another meeting about the Open Meeting Law for VLCT. Planning Commission & ZBA Meetings: There was discussion about combining the two meetings. There are not always enough members to meet the quorums. Diane reiterated again where the zoning regulations were at. ACRP does not have current FEMA maps for Addison County. FEMA regulations are updated. Diane invited the Board members to come to the next meeting on September 30th at 6:00 p.m. Julie would be willing to do a meeting provided everyone knew which plan they are working from and prepared to do some work. Lister E & O: Comcast updated their assessment. Comcast is exempt from Municipal Taxes. The Chair circulated the Classification Change Errors and Omissions Certificate for signatures. OLD BUSINESS: Lighting Report: Julie heard back from Susan Eckhart. They have two street lights. The Town should let Susan know when ready to do something. Julie will contact Efficiency VT. Heat Pump: Jim Crawford from Green Earth Energy offered to do a quote after a site visit and offered to come to a meeting and discuss a heating and cooling system. Julie will contact SEC out of Middlebury to get a second quote. BUILDING NEEDS: HIGHWAY CONCERNS/NEEDS: Limited Public Opinion: None Motion by Ken and second by Tom to adjourn at 8:05 p.m. Next Meeting:October 6, 2014. Respectfully submitted, Sandra L. TrombleySelectboard Secretary