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Minutes - 03-21-2022

Town of Leicester
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
Monday, March 21, 2022
*Unapproved*
** See subsequent minutes for any changes
 
Members Present: Diane Benware, Brad Lawes, Diane Randall, Tom Barker, John Rouse
 
Others Present:  Arlan Pidgeon, Sandra Trombley, Secretary
 
Call to Order:  Meeting called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chair; followed by Pledge of Allegiance.
 
Pledge of Allegiance:
 
Review of Agenda:  Added conversation about Leicester Four Corners.
 
Approval of March 14, 2022 Minutes:
 
Motion by Brad and second by Tom to approve minutes of March 14, 2022 as written. All in favor.  So, approved. 
 
Review/Authorization to Pay Bills:
 
Motion by John and second by Tom authorizing Julie to pay the bills.  All in favor.  So, approved.
 
Julie stated that Lindsey is leaving next Monday or Tuesday.  Julie would like to pay Lindsey before she heads out west.  
 
Board approved Julie to pay Lindsey.
 
Reports from Town Officials, Committees:
 
Road Foreman:
 
Arlan brought up the price of fuel.  Arlan would like the Board to consider a fuel surcharge.  
 
There was discussion about possibly a change in hourly rate of $10 an hour for tandems and $8 an hour for small trucks and grader; or a surcharge for fuel usage. 
 
Arlan will keep track of the gallons he puts in the trucks each week.
 
Motion by John and second by Tom to pay Arlan the difference in fuel surcharge for fuel usage above $3.60 per gallon until rescinded.  All in favor.  So, approved.
 
Arlan reported he has hauled gravel this past week.
 
Diane mentioned the potholes in the middle of the road on Old Jerusalem Road that need to be filled.  
 
Arlan stated he would like six Town of Leicester magnetic signs for the sides of the trucks. 
 
Board agreed and Julie will order the signs.
 
Town Clerk/Treasurer:
 
Julie mentioned receiving an email from Chief Kilpeck in regard to 911 addresses.  He was asking about Bearor Road.  Julie stated that when 911 addressing was done, Bearor Road was not a road for 911.  All of the addresses off that road are Lake Dunmore Road; not Bearor Road.  On Google Maps it says Bearor Road.  She doesn’t know who changed it and stated that anyone can change Google Maps.  Julie was wondering how the Bearor Road sign got there about ten years ago.  This is creating some difficulties for emergency services.  
 
Julie stated that some people have been putting up their own road signs that don’t exist in 911.
 
Julie mentioned possibly acknowledging Bearor Road as a private road and re-911 all of the residents as Bearor Road.  Right now, the residents are all ## Lake Dunmore Road.
 
Julie will start the process of making Bearor Road a private road. 911 and Google Map would then agree. 
 
Julie reported that the Secretary of State’s Office will give the town a Ballot Drop Box for free.  The town is not required to take it.  There are a bunch of requirements as far as the installation of it, if you do accept it.  It needs to be affixed to a foundation, immovable, be under 24-hour video surveillance, within sight of the municipal building, impossible to remove ballots, be able to be closed.  The BCA would have to meet to agree to this.  They would like to know if the town is interested.
 
The Board is not interested in a Ballot Drop Box. 
 
Julie got an email on Tuesday from OVUUSD stating they were trying to coordinate a special election because the OV budget failed.  They went ahead and scheduled the election for April 26th.  They are not mailing ballots to people.  The BCA will need to meet before the next meeting.
 
Julie mentioned that they still need a Leicester Representative on the School Board.
 
Weight Permits:
 
Arlan signed weight permits.
 
CORRESPONDENCE:
 
  •       ACRPC Energy Planner in regard to Energy Score Card for each town
  •        VT Rural Fire Protection Task Force offering grants for dry hydrants
  •       Maple Broadband is looking for someone to serve on their Governing Board to represent Leicester.  Need a completed form by April 23rd for a delegate and alternate.
 
OLD BUSINESS:
 
LEMP Adoption (Duly Warned):
 
Motion by Tom and second by John to approve the LEMP effective March 21, 2022.  All in favor.  So, approved.  LEMP was signed by the Board Chair.
 
 
OCW Representative:
 
An alternate for Leicester is still needed for the Otter Creek Watershed Insect Control District.  It does not need to be a Selectboard member.
 
Brad explained the alternate position is not that critical.  It would give the Board some more time to think about it.
 
Board tabled the discussion for the moment.
 
Mowing Bids:
 
Chair received bids from Calvin Loven, Gus Letourneau, Lem Palmer and Guilmette Landworks, LLC from Burlington.
 
Board reviewed the bids.
 
Motion by John and second by Tom to award Lem Palmer the roadside mowing contract at $63 an hour.  All in favor.  So, approved.
 
Motion by John and second by Tom to award Gus Letourneau the cemetery contract for 22 mowings, not to exceed $5,200.  All in favor.  So, approved.
 
Motion by Brad and second by Tom to award Gus Letourneau the Town Green/Triangles, not to exceed $4,700.  All in favor.  So, approved.
 
Julie will contact Guilmette Landworks.
 
NEW BUSINESS:
 
Leicester Four Corners Intersection:
 
Brad brought up the recent accident, death resulting, at Leicester Four Corners.
 
There was discussion about the number of times that the Selectboard had contacted AOT or Department of Public Safety in regard to the safety at the Four Corners.  Some discussions were about speed limits and some were about the bicycle races.  There have been many accidents at that intersection.  The Board shared their concerns about speed near the school and store and possible flashing lights and reduced speed when approaching the intersection.
 
Diane will contact AOT and/or Department of Public Safety and report back.
 
BUILDING NEEDS:
 
Town Shed:
 
HIGHWAY CONCERNS/NEEDS:
 
LIMITED PUBLIC OPINION:  
 
 
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
 
Motion by John and second by Tom to go into Executive Session at 7:45 p.m. to discuss possible legal action.  All in favor.  So, approved.
 
Motion by Tom and second by John to come out of Executive Session at 8:03 p.m. with no action taken.
All in favor.  So, approved.
 
Motion by Tom to adjourn at 8:03 p.m.
 
Next meeting:  Monday, April 4, 2022 
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
 
Sandra L. Trombley, Secretary