Minutes - 08-05-2024
Town of LeicesterSelectboard Meeting MinutesMonday, August 5, 2024*Unapproved*** See subsequent minutes for any changes Members Present: Diane Benware, Diane Randall, Brad Lawes, Tom Barker, John Rouse Others Present: Julie Delphia, Arlan Pidgeon, Robbie Devoid, Rene Sanchez, Christina Roach, Fred Kenney, Jeremy Gildrien, Caitlin Gildrien, Catherine Raishart, Jason Barnard, Jane Dessereault, Sandra Trombley Call to Order: Meeting called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chair. Pledge of Allegiance: Review of Agenda: Approval of July 15, 2024, minutes: Motion by Tom and second by John to approve minutes of July 15, 2024, as written. All in favor. So, approved. Review/Authorization to Pay Bills: Motion by Brad and second by Tom authorizing Julie to pay the bills. So, approved. Reports from Town Officials, Committees: Road Foreman: Arlan did not have anything to report. Town Clerk/Treasurer: Julie reported that the Department of Homeland Security did the election safety assessment. We will be getting a report of the assessment. Julie provided the Municipal Hydrologically Connected Roads Grant & Aid FY25. Diane B. signed on behalf of the town. Total award was $7,000 where $1,750 is the town’s portion. Animal Control Officer: Rob reported that two dogs were turned into the Humane Society. They played telephone tag, so he did not get who the dogs belonged to. They were reported as being vicious. Most recently Norm Michaud’s dog was picked up. No tags, unregistered. Rob will keep the Board informed. Rob was familiar with the new legislative rules on investigation. Julie explained more details. Weight Permits: None CORRESPONDENCE: Telecommunication Easement for Maple Broadband: The easement for Maple Broadband was signed by the Board. Maple Broadband Zoning Permit: Motion by Brad and second by Diane R. to approve the signing of the Easement and Zoning Permit for Maple Broadband. All in favor. So, approved. Whiting ATV Ordinance Review: Julie shared the newly approved ATV Ordinance for the Town of Whiting allowing ATVs on most of their roads, which includes the Leicester/Whiting Road. It goes into implementation 30 days from the meeting date. OLD BUSINESS: MERP binder update for Meeting House and Town Shed. Madison is trying to get an architect. Feedback RE: Delorm and Ferson Roads: Catherine Raishart and Caitlin Gildrien provided a survey of how people were feeling about the changes that were made to the intersection of Delorm and Ferson Roads. They got feedback from a dozen people and more than ¾ still think a T and a stop sign on Ferson Road would feel better. They also said the south end where the brush was cut was a ton better. They appreciate it and thinks it is good, but the final solution would be a T on the south side. Jeremy Gildrien stated it’s really the radius of the curve. People don’t pay attention to signs. With a T you have to stop. With the Y, they can still drive too fast. With a T you would not be required to have a stop sign. Tom feels what has been done so far has increased the speed by ten mph. There may need to be some restructuring of the intersection due to elevations and possibly put boulders to narrow things out. Tom feels they are going to have to discuss it more before making any decision. Diane B. stated they will probably have to make another site visit and invite Mike Winslow and Diane B. asked Arlan to check out the intersection at Old Jerusalem Road and Leicester/Whiting Road and all other intersections before school starts. Vegetation is very high. She couldn’t see over it and had to pull out into the road to see if traffic was coming. Navigator Flyer Insert: Diane B. and Diane R and Gloria Currier attended the meeting a few weeks ago with Shannon Bryant and Jean Twiliger. Because we don’t have a public location or gathering place to post, they were brainstorming to come up with an idea to get information out to people. They came up with the idea to put an insert in with the tax bills to go out to everyone that filed for a homestead. Shannon worked on a draft of the letter that could be inserted in the tax bills. Board reviewed the letter for Leicester’s part. The front side is from Leicester and the other side would be the MERP side. Julie wants to send a letter to every property owner on the grand list inserted in the tax bills regarding the substantial increase in education tax rate this year; offering telephone numbers they can call in Montpelier. The increase has nothing to do with the town. Board authorizes Julie to send her letter in tax bills to all on the grand list. Cleaning the basement of the Meeting House will be moved to September. NEW BUSINESS: Introducing New Principal and Superintendent: Board introduced themselves. Christina (Tina) Roach, new Principal at OCA, introduced herself. She stated she was very excited to work with the community and families. Rene Sanchez, new Interim Superintendent at RNESU, introduced himself. He stated he was very excited to be here. Diane B. asked if there were any initiatives they should know about. Rene stated that he has been very impressed how open and welcoming the OV and Barstow boards have been. Employees have been so happy to see us. Rene would like to look at systems, the budget, what is the district doing for student outcomes and prepare them for success. Christina stated that at OCA she would like to have more community involvement and events and a good partnership with everyone in the town. Diane R. agrees. They are always looking for new ways for community involvement. To reach into the town is a little harder than with the parents in the school. A Superintend ant’s letter; as well as the principal’s letter helps get information out. Diane B. thinks it helps for the community to know what the schools are doing. Rene realizes that belts are going to have to tighten in the district and keep people aware of what goes on in Montpelier. Julie mentioned the bulletin board outside at the Town Office. Front Porch Forum is another good resource to use to reach people in the community. Julie explained the deeded water rights between the school and town to them. Diane R. explained that the school cannot be an emergency shelter because it doesn’t have a generator. It might be a wish list item. The emergency plan will need to be shared with everyone. Dessereault Road Access Permits: Introductions were made. Jason Barnard explained they were there for three separate driveway access permits. Two driveways off Shackett Road serving two individual lots and a shared drive to serve six individual homes on Fern Lake Road for new construction; part of a proposed subdivision, known as the Old Peach Orchard. Jason provided the plans to the Board. Arlan gave his approval. Motion by Diane B. and second by Diane R. that Brad signs the access permits on behalf of the Board. All in favor. So, approved. They hope to get started by the fall. Fred Kenney, ACEDC Efforts: Introductions were made. Fred Kenney, Executive Director of Addison County Economic Development Corporation is making rounds to all Addison County towns to talk to Selectboards and make them aware of what ACEDC does. Fred provided a Power Point which outlined their mission and what they do day to day. They practice economic health. They are one of 12 regional development corporations in Vermont. Their members are municipalities. Their monies come from grants, loans, member businesses, town contributions and other. They have 15 board members, 3 employees, 100 business/non-profit members, 10 municipal contributors and 2 revolving loan funds. Their core activity is advancing economic and community development in Addison County.They can do grant research. Fred wondered if we wanted them to build a logo for the town. Set Tax Rate: Tax Rate $2.1555 Total Homestead Tax Rate $2.3609 Total Non-Residential Tax Rate Diane wanted to discuss the next meeting date due to the Labor Day Holiday. Board agreed to meet Monday, September 9th and Monday, September 16th. Motion by Tom to adjourn at 8:34 p.m. Executive Session: None Respectfully submitted, Sandra Trombley