Meeting Minutes
March 13, 2006
Leicester Selectboard Meeting
Unapproved Minutes-See Subsequent meeting minutes for corrections
Board Members Present: Bob Oliver, Diane Benware, and Mark Stacey
Board Members Absent: John McDonough and Cecile Todd
Townspeople Present: Donna Pidgeon, Mary Hughes, John Hughes, Greg Moore Jr., Donna Wykes, Carol Leno and Arlan Pidgeon
Meeting was called to order at 7:02pm.
The pledge was recited.
Approval of Minutes
Discussion: The minutes of February 20, 2006 were corrected as follows:
Page 2- Under Discussion (fifth and sixth line from the bottom) it should be clerk/ treasurer instead of treasurer.
Page 5-Winmill (spelling)
Action: Town Hall Policy form is compiled. It will be posted on the refrigerator door as well as on the garage. A motion was made by Bob Oliver to accept the minutes as corrected. Mark Stacey seconded. 3 ayes and 0 nays
Discussion: Minutes of March 1, 2006
Action: Bob Oliver made a motion to accept the minutes. Mark Stacey made a second. 3 ayes and 0 nays
Review and sign Orders for bill payments
Discussion: The board reviewed the bills.
Action: The board signed the bills.
Reports from Town Officials or Committees
Discussion: Donna Pidgeon reported that the computer problem appears to be fixed. The wireless router was the problem. It was replaced.
Discussion: Election Day
Overall there were many positive comments regarding the use of the building. There was plenty of room, more lighting and warmer. There was a need for clean up after the polls closed.
Other: At this time, Donna Pidgeon called John McDonough and Cecile Todd via the request of Diane Benware in regard to their absence. Neither attended the meeting.
Action: The board chose to table the following topics until the next meeting: reorganization, annual appointments, review and sign bridge #6 payment agreement, bridge #4 acknowledgement, letter from town council to Lt. Noble re: Vermont Sun and the Blaise Fire issue.
Discussion: David Lathrop needs to know who and when the board will be meeting with him for the annual road finance meeting. A request for a paper trail for bridge #4 was made.
Discussion: No report was given regarding roads. A comment was made that hopefully the roads won’t wash away because of the amount of rain.
New Business
Discussion: Road weight permits were given to Arlan Pidgeon to approve. Arlan Pidgeon said he would call regarding two of the permits. The road commissioners then reviewed the permits.
Action: The board reviewed and signed the remaining road weight permits.
Discussion: John Hughes suggested the public and the board need to become more cordial to one another. Hearsay should not be permitted. If someone has a complaint they need to write a letter or show up to the meeting. He encouraged the board to ”stop it right off”.
Discussion: Donna Pidgeon suggested that the next meeting always be put at the end of each set of minutes.
Action: The minutes will always include the date of the next meeting at the end of minutes.
Dog Issues:
Discussion: Two dog issues were presented. First, Kate Briggs’s dogs are roaming the neighborhood. Mrs. Stackhouse, who is not stable on her feet, is afraid to go outside for fear of being knocked down by the dog. The dogs’ have been in trashcans as well.
Heather McDonough likes to walk, but two growling dogs greet her at the door in the morning and won’t let her out of her home.
Action: Greg Moore, Jr. is the “dog person”. A letter will be sent out. If this does not get results, Greg Moore Jr. and Tom Barker will go to the residences.
Discussion: Greg Moore, Jr. asked for copies of the ordinance, a letter with a copy of the ordinance stating that any future complaints would constitute a visit, a crate, a pole and loop an a crate. He does have a badge for his position as 1st Constable. He requested a whistle, reflective vest, and a good flashlight.
Action: The board will provide each of these items.
Old Business
Discussion: Town counsel suggested that the town of Leicester pay the bills to Brandon for the Blaise Fires and then file a small claims action. There is no state law, which would require Mr. Blaise to pay. However a lean could be filed. Town Counsel or the board could do the lean. He also suggested it be put in writing for fire protection.
Action: none; will be readdressed at the next meeting
Discussion: Jim Carrol was looking for a sense of direction from the board in regard to how to proceed with Vermont Sun. Diane Benware read a draft of a letter written by Mr. Carrol into the minutes. John Hughes commented that there was one section that seemed to indicate an “out” for Vermont Sun. He suggested getting rid of that paragraph. Donna Pidgeon asked if a copy of the letter should be sent to the Salisbury Select board to see if the new members and remaining members still had the same sentiment as the previous board. The commissioner makes the final decision.
Action: Donna Pidgeon will send a copy of the letter to the Salisbury Select board. The topic was tabled until the next meeting.
Public Opinion:
Discussion: Town meeting went well. A junk ordinance complaint was filed for 1486 Dunmore Road for accumulation of junk.
Action: none
Discussion: Diane Benware shared some appointment information, which is a relic from colonial days.
Action: Greg Moore Jr. expressed a willingness to continue as a “fence viewer ”.
Adjournment
Discussion: Diane Benware made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mark Stacey seconded.
Action: 3 ayes and 0 nays The meeting adjourned at 8:15p.m.
Other: The historical society would like to replace two outside doors on the town hall.
Action: none
Respectfully submitted,
Betty Wiedenbein
Next meeting will be Monday, March 20, 2006 at 7p.m.