Town of LeicesterSelectboard Meeting MinutesMonday, August 2, 2021*Unapproved*** See subsequent minutes for any changesMembers Present: Diane Benware, Tom Barker, Ron Fiske, Brad Lawes, John RouseOthers Present:Julie Delphia, Arlan Pidgeon, Sandra Trombley, SecretaryCall to Order:Meeting called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chair. Pledge of Allegiance:Review of Agenda:Added July 26, 2021 minutes for approval.Added an announcement for the Municipal Planning Grant Program and information about a statewide Covid 19 service.Fern Lake Boat Launch and LDFLA road issues.BLSG update.Approval of July 19, 2021 & July 26, 2021 Minutes:Motion by John and second by Tom to approve minutes of July 19, 2021 and July 26, 2021 as written. All in favor.So, approved. Review/Authorization to Pay Bills:Motion by Tom and second by Brad authorizing Julie to pay the bills.All in favor.So, approved.Reports from Town Officials, Committees:Road Foreman:Arlan reported that Scott and Tom did some grading and Arlan hauled gravel and sand.He had Richard Webb cut the tree down on the Creek Rd.Julie reported they got the bill from Nortrak for $350.Arlan stated it was for coming down for service call and mileage.Diane asked Arlan if he could look for tree branches that are hanging down in front of road signs.Tom stated there is some stuff on Shackett Road that needs cutting.Town Clerk/Treasurer:Julie reported that the Disability Rights Vermont people came down for their audit.She does not have the written report yet, but they stated that thresholds are too tall so we need to have a little ramp thing so the wheelchair wheels don’t hit.The handicap sign out front for parking space needs to say “van accessible” and it’s not the right height.That’s all they mentioned to Julie and didn’t have much to say.We faired very well with their audit.All things easily remedied.Julie reported tax bills will be going out August 15th.Julie stated that before the next Selectboard meeting or before the first meeting in September they should have a BCA meeting to review the checklist to be sure it’s current.Julie sent the dog list to Carlie and Jahnu.They said they were going to work on it, but Julie hasn’t heard back.Julie talked with Beth Ripley today and they are prepping the letters to go out from the lawyer’s office.The letters should be going out soon.Weight Permits:Arlan approved two weight permits.CORRESPONDENCE:
FY22 Municipal Planning Grants – Applications open September 1 – Deadline November 1
Statewide Covid 19 Memorial Service:Sunday, September 19th at 3:00 p.m. State House Lawn
OLD BUSINESS:Determining Compensation for DRB Secretary:Diane prepared two drafts but has not placed the ads before discussion tonight and whether to mention compensation in the ad. Diane shared some compensation information from area towns that Sandy and Julie provided.She read her draft ads aloud.There were compensation discussions.Some suggestions were a guaranteed dollar amount per meeting or a good hourly rate with a guaranteed number of hours.Julie shared that Keith offered to help by attending meetings of the DRB and assist them to get Findings done.Brad thought we should offer Keith $30 an hour to do the additional clerical work for the DRB.Board would be willing to pay $30 an hour to someone if Keith is not interested.Julie clarified the process and steps from beginning to end.Julie will see Keith tomorrow and ask if he would be interested in any of this clerical work.Depending on his decision, will determine the next steps to take.Julie shared her concerns with the future work that the Planning Commission needs to complete.Julie stated that she does not have the time to put into it like last time.Diane stated that we have a tentative DRB member recruited by Jay.They still need to find another member.Julie will post the ad seeking DRB members.Julie clarified that if Keith is not interested in the clerical piece, she will post the ad for clerical work with attractive compensation and also place it on Front Porch Forum.Traffic Monitoring Devices:Julie needed more information before ordering signs:
Need to determine whether they want white or yellow
Need to decide if they want large or compact
Doesn’t have data collection.No USB drive port.
$400 more for data collection sign
Cloud service would be more.
There was further discussion on the data collection.Board chose white and large 12” signs. Julie stated the two signs come on a pallet.Brad stated they could deliver the signs to his business.Julie is waiting for more clarification from the salesman.The quote is good until August 31, 2021.Julie stated if the salesman clarifies with her that it does include data collection without any $400 fee, downloading off the machine into a computer and not the cloud, then she will buy them and she will have the two white, 12” devices delivered to Brad’s business.If it doesn’t include any data collection and you have to pay $400 to download it to the computer, then she will wait and they will discuss it at the next meeting.Data collection can be added at any time.LDFLA Water Quality Study:The Fitzgerald Engineer contacted Brad but they have not gotten together to review the information.Dave Johnson contacted Diane and explained that the Fitzgerald consultant had finished their report and there were 61 problem areas identified in the town and the one that seemed most pressing and most matched the funding opportunity was the Fern Lake Boat Launch Project.He forwarded Diane a copy of the problem area summary sheet and the LDFLA was prepared to pursue a grant opportunity through the DEC for a Design and Implementation Grant.The consultant does the preliminary design and they would get the design done by October 2022.They do a pre-application of the plan and once approved, you submit a proposal for implementation.He is asking the town to consider an Operation and Maintenance Agreement to help maintain the area for the next 10 years.It would include re-grading the parking lot, some planting and shoreline remediation and they would do it all initially; and then the town would maintain it.LDFLA by-laws board offered a complimentary membership to the Chair.Diane would like to represent the town.Board agreed.Diane will complete the form.NEW BUSINESS:BLSG:Brad explained there was a fair amount of incomplete information that went out, but has since been resolved.They called a special meeting and made an amendment to continue the larvicide program for Salisbury.Brad stated they are all in good standing with the State.It was unfortunate they had the little blip because they missed an ideal time to do an aerial larvicide.Diane mentioned that Doug Perkins will be coming August 16th to go over updated by-laws.Other:There was a notice on Front Porch Forum July 21st about new roadside litter and vandalism.BUILDING NEEDS:HIGHWAY CONCERNS/NEEDS:Town Shed:LIMITED PUBLIC OPINION:EXECUTIVE SESSION:Motion by Tom to adjourn at 7:45 p.m.Next meeting:Monday, August 16, 2021 Respectfully submitted,Sandra L. Trombley, Secretary
