Town of LeicesterSelectboard Meeting MinutesMonday, January 20, 2025*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, Jeff Schumann, Lesley Bienvenue, Sandra TrombleyCall to Order:Meeting called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chair.Pledge of Allegiance:Review of Agenda:Approval of January 6, 2025, minutes:Motion by John and second by Brad to approve minutes of January 6, 2025, as written.4 yes, 1 abstention (Brad).So, approved.Review/Authorization to Pay Bills:Motion by John and second by Diane R. authorizing Julie to pay the bills.All in favor.So, approved.Reports from Town Officials, Committees:Road Foreman:Arlan reported he had to put a brake pedal assembly and a tire on the loader.Town Clerk/Treasurer:Julie reported that Arlan, Scott and Steve brought in the safe.Julie informed that the Board of Abatement Hearing is next Monday.Next Tuesday evening at 6:00 p.m. is the Planning Commission meeting.Weight Permits:CORRESPONDENCE:
Addison County Chamber of Commerce
Addison County Economic Development Corp.
Fall & Winter Lake Dunmore & Fern Lake Association Letter
Vermont Clean Water Initiative Performance Report 2024
Team Building Seminar VLCT February 11th.
OLD BUSINESS:Review Zoning Violation Letter:Keith Arlund’s zoning violation letter was approved by the Board.The Sheriff’s Department will deliver the zoning violation letters; along with the Junk Ordinance where appropriate and provide Julie with a notice of the dates the letters were delivered.MERP Grant Update:Diane stated they met with Shelly on January 12th and discussed seeking an amendment for the Meeting House rather than the White Building for the funds.Last week Julie & Diane worked on submitting the amendment for that purpose.The response they got was that the purpose of the amendment was to amend the buildings that they chose and not to switch it to a different building.They would be willing to entertain the request.They want more clarification.They wanted to understand what the Board’s intent was to switch to the brick building versus the white building.Julie tried to explain that the brick building was more need of repair.They want to have a meeting on Wednesday at 11:00 at the Town Office over the phone to try to understand because they based their decision on usage.Discussion about the use of both buildings.Diane R. and Tom felt they couldn’t let the brick building fall into disrepair if they had the funds.Neither building gets a lot of use.Work has been done to the white building.Diane R. thinks the Board needs a little more input on what the buildings need.What they wanted to do to the Town Office was substantial and there was discussion about the need.Tom is not for tearing the Town Office all apart.OCW Discussion:Jeff Schumann talked about the past year and current situation we have with Salisbury’s decision.Last summer was a good summer for mosquitoes.We put out less effort in some areas and more in others.They had some staffing problems.Staff took employment somewhere else. Our Board decided they need to restructure their employment for years going forward.They would like 120-man hours per week during the day and a team to go out at night when necessary.That’s their goal for this coming year.They budgeted for it and now they must staff the positions.They tried to keep the budget flat.It changed a little bit.The assessments for each town varied from a couple hundred less to six or seven hundred dollars more.Ads are in newspaper for the new positions.Chair asked if the Operation’s Coordinator Supervisor.Chair asked if the Operation’s Coordinator is a new person?Jeff doesn’t know for sure.Current person has taken another job.There has been no discussion.Chair asked if all the other positions were new.Jeff stated they had a woman working for them doing many jobs in the lab and we want to be sure this person could do 20-25 hours per week.Diane R. asked about all the new positions.Jeff stated last year they had three persons working for them.Jeff stated their staff should have been able to take care of all the towns, but it’s a mystery why they didn’t.Salisbury did not get treated last year.Salisbury changed their mind and decided to just do larvicide.Salisbury voted for adulticide control and then changed their mind to only do larvicide and didn’t pay $17,000.The OCW Board of Trustees will meet in February.They wanted to come to all Selectboard’s to see what their thoughts were.Doug explained that the assessment is the assessment and must be paid.They are not out of the district.Diane R. asked how the by-laws read.Doug read them out loud.Jeff’s belief is that they must pay the $17,000 to get back in.Doug is looking from us guidance on how the Board wants him to vote on the Salisbury situation.John & Tom stated they would like Option #2:Notify the town of Salisbury, they have a balance due of $17,868.Until the balance is paid, Salisbury would receive no adulticide mosquito control services additionally the voting privileges of the Salisbury representatives on the OCW Trustees could/will be suspended.Chair shared her concern that their representatives speak on behalf of the Leicester Board, and they do not share their own personal opinion.It was unfortunate there was something in the paper about Lynne’s personal opinion.Doug said he understood and would speak with her.Brad stated he wants to delay their answer to talk and think about this and give it some time before they answer.Julie asked about the assessment and asked where the surplus went.Doug answered that the surplus went into the bank account for some capital deficiencies that need to be addressed.Equipment, water into the building, restroom facilities, building needs work, internet, and the list goes on.Chair stated Board wants to defer and Doug can come back February 3rd for their answer.John stated that the OCW should be transparent about the surplus and put it all in a letter in the Town Report.2025 Budget Finalization:Julie provided the final draft of the budget for review.Brad asked about the postage number and the highway materials number for chloride.Postage has increased, so he thinks we should increase that line item.Julie stated that she can no longer use the school’s bulk permit, and the town must get its own bulk permit and annual fee.She agrees they need to increase the postage.John asked about legal and law enforcement and discussion of reducing legal and increasing law enforcement.Julie recalculated the budget for an increase of 1.92%.Selectboard Report:Chair went over the Selectboard Report and Board agreed.Ethics Ordinance Adoption:Julie provided the Code of Ethics Investigation and Enforcement Ordinance.Julie explained that before July 31st they need to appoint a Liaison Officer.Julie and Diane B. both offered to be the liaison, Officer.It was decided Julie would temporarily be the liaison Officer because Diane B. would have to forward everything to Julie anyway; so, it made sense for Julie to be the Officer.There is training for the Open Meeting Law.Diane B. stated that LEMP is due to be signed after Town Meeting.Sheltering is a new component.NEW BUSINESS:Approval of 2025 Warning for Town Report:Julie explained the warning due to new Open Meeting Law requirements.Floor vote, ballot vote, informational meeting. She has to video tape the informational meeting.Discussion about pros and cons of Australian Ballot.Motion by Diane R. and second by John to add an Article on the Warning that calls for all budget Articles to be voted by Australian Ballot effective 2026.All in favor.So, approved.Board signed the warning.Junkyard Permit:Julie provided a Junkyard Permit for the Board to sign.Board signed.Valid for five years.EXECUTIVE SESSION: NoneMotion by John to adjourn at 8:42 p.m.Next Meeting Monday, February 3, 2025Respectfully submitted,Sandra Trombley
