Town of LeicesterSelectboard Meeting MinutesMonday, September 9, 2024*Unapproved*** See subsequent minutes for any changesMembers Present: Diane Benware, Diane Randall, Brad Lawes, Tom Barker, John RouseOthers Present: Julie Delphia, Arlan Pidgeon, Doug Perkins, Sandra TrombleyCall to Order:Meeting called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Vice Chair.Pledge of Allegiance:Review of Agenda:Added Access PermitApproval of August 19, 2024, minutes:Motion by Tom and second by John to approve minutes of August 19, 2024, as written.3 in favor. 2 abstentions.So, approved.Review/Authorization to Pay Bills:Motion by Tom and second by Brad authorizing Julie to pay the bills.So, approved.Reports from Town Officials, Committees:Town Clerk/Treasurer:Julie provided the Access Permit for the Estate of Paul J. Allegretto for Chair’s signature.Julie explained where the driveway is.Arlan reviewed the application and was fine with it.Chair signed the Access Permit on behalf of the Board.Julie reported for Robbie that there are two dogs on Fernville that are running at large near Redgate.Robbie hasn’t been able to get a hold of the owners.There is a big fence in the yard, but they are getting out.Julie reported that Rutland Northeast sent her an email that they are scheduling meet and greet events introducing the new Superintendent at Keith’s Store in Pittsford on September 24th and at Sugar & Spice in Mendon on September 25th.Mae’s Place was last Tuesday.Julie reported that Suki reported that on August 23rd off road vehicles, going around their house around 9:00 p.m., damaging all their mailboxes.Julie reported this to the Sheriff’s Department.Julie reported a concerned citizen complaint about the new house built at 320 Lake Dunmore Road by Redgate and the placement of a row of boulders placed next to the road.They feel this presents a dangerous situation for anyone using the road for walkers, joggers, bicyclers, motorcyclist, motor vehicles.They talked with the state, and they stated to file a complaint with the Town of Leicester first.Julie shared a photo.Arlan doesn’t feel it is in the right of way of the road.It doesn’t block any line of sight.The Selectboard and Road Foreman reviewed it and find their placement to be acceptable to the town.It is farther back than mailboxes and fences on that stretch of road.Julie will respond to the concerned citizen.Julie reported that the office will be closed tomorrow as she is attending an election training in Montpelier.There will be de-escalation training, active shooter training, as well as a lot of other issues.Julie reported that tax bills went out.Road Foreman:Arlan reported that they worked on ditching on Cram Road.There is a culvert that needs to be changed due to the fact it rotted out.He wanted to let the Board know he will be using the large excavator.Arlan stated they will be closing the road on Wednesday.Chair reminded him to put up the signs; and Arlan said they would.Arlan reported that they had also hauled quite a bit of sand.Weight Permits: NoneCORRESPONDENCE:
Act 250 Interim Exemption Map
Weather Forecasting for the Town
ACEDC Priority Project List
VLCT Annual Meeting October 1st
Maple Broadband Construction on Hub – Attached Sandwich Board
oBoard was ok with sandwich boardOLD BUSINESS:OCW Update:Doug Perkins reported that they will have a OCWS regular Board of Trustees Meeting Wednesday night.There are some significant decisions the board will have to make.At the last Selectboard Meeting it was expressed very strongly that Leicester had an objection to the scheme that the district has right now of how the town’s assessment can be paid which has been warned on the agenda is not acceptable to Leicester. A Leicester representative will move to rescind the motion that requested quarterly payments from the towns and will also move to rescind the motion that the bill be paid at the beginning of the quarter instead of the end of the quarter.They will send out bills 30 days prior to their due date as a reminder.Brad asked if Doug had a sense how it might go.Doug suspects it will pass, but not sure.The Finance Committee will start to present their budget for next year.There will be two key decisions.One is what is the bottom-line expenses and is there an increase in budget for next year.Board doesn’t feel there should be an increase but needs to consider capital improvements.Doug asked about Leicester’s thoughts.Board doesn’t think there should be an increase due to this year’s slow summer.Brad discussed his opinion of how often the oil needed to be changed on vehicles that got so little mileage on them.He didn’t feel the oil needed to be changed so often.Brad didn’t think the whole fleet needed to be replaced at once.Diane R. and Brad didn’t think this would be the year for asking for an increase.OCWS Board needs to decide staffing for next summer.This will also have an impact on the budget.Doug explained some of the expected and primary carriers of the viruses.Doug stated we are considered a low-risk area.Brad explained about a ten-year cycle and was told there will be a higher number of mosquitoes in the next two or three years.Diane R. asked if they could come to spray the school.The children can’t go out on the trails and parents don’t always send mosquito spray with the kids.Doug explained that to spray there needs to be a threshold of mosquitoes caught in the traps.Doug explained where the traps were located.The question was asked if additional traps could be put out.Doug thought it would be difficult because it is very difficult to count all the mosquitoes in a trap.Brad stated they will bring up the school on Wednesday.MERP Update:Chair reported that the grant funds have been pulled back due to the Governor needing dollars for flood victims.Regional Planning was just as shocked as Chair was.They are looking to get other recommendations.REI Review:Board will not sign the Road Erosion Inventory right now because they are not quite happy with it.NEW BUSINESS:Chair brought up the Fern Lake Beach Front.The neighbor wants a porta potty.They are sick of seeing people’s backsides up next to their porch because there is nowhere to go.Board will consider one in the budget for next year and plan for a place to hold the porta potty.Brad thought Arlan and Scott could build something.Chair mentioned the weeds by the meeting house.Chair asked about the shrub that has gotten out of control.Tom will talk with Gus.Chair mentioned cleaning the basement of the meeting house.They have decided on Saturday, September 21st at 9:00 a.m. for about two hours.Brad, Arlan or John can bring trucks.They will coordinate.Tom stated they need to talk about a new furnace in the budget for the meeting house.Julie mentioned the ramp on the side of the White Building.The railings need to be stabilized. Tom and Arlan can take care of that.Julie mentioned that David Crane needs to come and clean the heat pumps.Brad will contact him.Executive Session:NoneMotion by Tom to adjourn at 7:38 p.m.Respectfully submitted,Sandra Trombley
