Meeting Minutes
April 3, 2006
Leicester Select Board Meeting
Unapproved Minutes-See Subsequent meeting minutes for corrections
Board Members Present: Bob Oliver, John McDonough, Cecile Todd, Mark Stacey and Diane Benware (chair)
Townspeople present: John Hughes, Mary Hughes, Mike Denis, Madeline Denis, Arlan Pidgeon, Bucky Shackett, Lawrence A. Felion, Jr., Greg Moore Jr.
Meeting was called to order at 7 p.m.
The pledge was recited.
Approval of Minutes
Discussion: The minutes of March 13, 2006 were reviewed. John McDonough requested that an asterisk be place by the name Heather McDonough to note that this was not Selectman McDonough’s wife.
Action: Bob Oliver made a motion to accept the minutes with the amendment. Mark Stacey seconded. Motion passed. 5 ayes and 0 nays.
Discussion: The minutes of March 20, 2006 were reviewed. The following changes were made: Page 1 (under Reports from other Town Officials or Committees) add the phrase ”in front of the meeting house” after the word sidewalks; Page 2 (under New Business) note that the two abstaining votes were from John McDonough and Cecile Todd; Page 5 correct typo by changing grater to grader; and on Page 6 (under Adjournment) add the phrase “for the purpose of discussion about a letter from Mrs. Wolf” after 9:45pm
Action: Bob Oliver made a motion to accept the minutes with corrections and additions. Mark Stacey seconded. Motion passed. 5 ayes and 0 nays.
Review and Sign Orders for Bill Payment
Discussion: Each board member reviewed bills.
Action: Bills were signed.
Four Corners
Discussion: Diane Benware wrote a letter to Ms. Gable regarding the 4 Corners intersection. Diane Benware noted that the board considered the intersection dangerous. Cecile Todd suggested that the board get information from the fire station regarding the number of calls they had responded to at the 4 Corners intersection. The board questioned where Ms. Gamble got her information. Was it from the DMV? Was it from the fire department?
Action: Diane Benware will make inquires.
Reports from other Town Officials or Committees
Discussion: Arlan Pidgeon shared that he received a call from Russell Mason’s wife who lives on Maple Street (off of Shackett Road). She reported that there was foot high water running under their home. The town culvert creates the problem. The water runs between the green house and Mason’s driveway. Arlan Pidgeon stated that the culvert needs to be ditched.
Action: The board authorized Arlan Pidgeon to address this problem as soon as possible. John McDonough and Arlan Pidgeon will look at another culvert on Maple St. on Saturday morning.
Discussion: Cecile Todd questioned whether the board was responsible to keep driveway culverts clean. Several board members speculated on what was decided last year. Cecile Todd found and read the policy into the minutes. It stated that existing culverts needing replacement will be the board’s responsibility. New culverts and driveways must meet town standards and be signed by the road foreman. Bucky Shackett and Arlan Pidgeon stated that in the past, the town tended the culverts. Many of the older culverts are too small and/or the culvert is too high for the water to run into. Cecile Todd made the point that if the culverts are not cleaned and the road washes out, it is a greater expense for the board. Diane Benware asked how do you inspect? Arlan Pidgeon stated that two people would be good. Lawrence Felion, Jr. stated that he would suggest going by the right of way of the road.
Action: Arlan Pidgeon (road foreman) and the Road Commissioners will inspect culverts. Large town culverts will be a first priority. Under driveway culverts will be a second priority. Culverts at Sprague house, Delorm Road and Randy Wilcox’s home were specifically mentioned for cleaning. Road Commissioners and road foreman will develop a policy addressing the culverts and ditches by the next meeting.
Discussion: Bob Oliver and Diane Benware met with Dave Lathrop last Friday to discuss the town’s financial statement. Diane Benware began sharing information. Cecile Todd questioned the numbers recited. Diane Benware then realized that the numbers were incorrect. The 2 for 1 grant money does not have to be spent in it entirety this year. Estimates are that it will cost $27000 for the Old Jerusalem Road. This left a balance of $13000 available for the 2 for 1 grant. The board will be notified by mid May of the status of the grant money.
Action: Diane Benware will contact Dave Lathrop for corrections.
Discussion: Greg Moore, Jr. sent two letters regarding dog complaints. He received one response back. The owner of the roaming dog stated that she did not know anything about the issue and that perhaps it was another dog that looked like hers. Mr. Moore asked if anyone had located the dog equipment. Arlan Pidgeon shared that he knew Donna Pidgeon had talked to the person who has the equipment, but that he did not think she had received it yet.
Action: Diane Benware will leave Donna Pidgeon a note regarding dog equipment.
New Business
Bridge #6 CD
Discussion: Doug Maccallum recommended that the board move $75000 into a one year CD with 5% interest, $97000 in a money market account so that the board would have access to these funds ($9000 needed each month for bridge payment to the state; interest free), and the remaining balance of 90000 stays in a money market account earning interest. John McDonough asked why there is not a flagman there. Our agreement with the state says they will provide traffic control.
Action: John McDonough made a motion to authorize the town clerk/treasurer to move $75000 to a one year CD at 5% interest and $97000 to a money market fund. Bob Oliver seconded. Motion passed. 5 ayes, 0 nays. Diane Benware will call Tony Coarse to ask for more consistent coverage.
Appointment of Service Officer and Fire Warden
Discussion: Kathy Eastwood will be service officer. Richard Nicklaw will be fire warden. Ray Lalumiere is the Emergency Management Contact Person. A second name is needed. Several meeting attendees were asked to be the second person. All refused.
Action: John McDonough made a motion to appoint Kathy Eastwood as service officer. Bob Oliver seconded. Motion passed. 5 ayes, 0 nays. Board signed paperwork. Kathy Eastwood needs to sign paperwork. Cecile Todd made a motion to reappoint Richard Nicklaw as fire warden through 2011. Mark Stacey seconded. Motion passed. 5 ayes and 0 nays. Diane Benware will put out a request for a second name to serve as an emergency management contact person. Diane Benware will call Mr. Nagy.
Meeting with Willem Jewett
Discussion: Last Thursday, John Hughes and Bob Oliver attended a meeting with Willem Jewett and AOT (Agency of Transportation). John Hughes said he thought that there was reason to believe that the board would be able to get a substantial amount of money back from the state in regard to the Leicester Whiting Road as well as bridge construction. Mr. Hughes approached the board. He did a demonstration to illustrate that all the money goes back to the state. He noted that there was a change in interest from ten percent to eighteen percent. John McDonough stated that the board shouldn’t pay the state. Mark Stacey replied to this statement by saying that not paying was not the way to go. Willem Jewett is willing to meet with the board regarding this issue. Donna Pidgeon had emailed Willem Jewett. She had tried to set up a meeting for Thursday, April 6. Willem Jewett had emailed a response saying that he felt Secretary Terrill should be present and that a spreadsheet needs to be compiled before the meeting occurs. Bills for the project reflect a flat fee instead of an hourly billing. There appears to be “no rhyme or reason” to the billing. There is not a break down. Blow and Cote’ were one of two bidders. There were few bidders because of a possible fine the state would impose. Blow and Cote’ was awarded the bid in August 2005. A timeline or project budget is not available. John Hughes stressed that the board needed to play”hardball”. Mr. Hughes also felt that person-to-person conversations were more effective than emails or letters. John Hughes requested a copy of ALT’s spreadsheet. A timeline or project budget was not available. Willem Jewett’s email is wjewett@leg.state.vt.us.
Action: The Whiting Select board and Willem Jewett will be contacted regarding a meeting to discuss this issue.
Road Weight Permits
Discussion: Arlan Pidgeon (road foreman) reviewed the permits. He approved two and questioned one. Road Commissioners reviewed the permits.
Action: Two permits were signed. Arlan Pidgeon will contact the company that filed the permit he questioned.
Cleaning Services
Discussion: Fourteen individuals inquired about the cleaning position. Six persons sent proposals and/or resumes. The board will interview four candidates. The cleaning position is to clean the town office once a month and the town hall occasionally.
Action: Diane Benware will contact the four candidates and set up interviews for Tuesday, April 11, 2006 at 7 pm. Interviews will be every fifteen minutes.
Computer Purchase
Discussion: The computer was repaired by Mike Forte’ from New Haven. He recommended that the board begin considering the purchase of a new computer that had more power. He made a proposal that included a computer, monitor, printer, antivirus , antispyware, windows xp and a three-year warranty. He would transfer all information to the new computer. He quoted a price of $1364. He suggested the old computer that Donna Pidgeon now uses, be utilized by the zoning board and Cindy Hill (zoning administrator).
Action: The board will get bids from other providers such as Steve Carr or the Leffler boy. The board tabled this issue.
Old Business
Review and Sign Ordinance Letter
Discussion:Bucky Shackett (town health officer) stopped by the Blaise residence because of a complaint of garbage and junk. No one was home. The board recommended that a sheriff or patrol officer accompany Mr. Shackett to this residence because of past history. Mark Stacey shared photographs taken of two residences, 1486 Dunmore Road and the residence directly across the road. Mark Stacey stated that the residents refused to take his calls. Cecile Todd prepared two letters to be sent to the property owners. A proof of delivery will be used. The board signed these letters. Mark Stacey will also take photographs of the Kimball residence, which has 10-15 cars on the property. A green up coordinator is needed.
Action: Mark Stacey will take photographs. Arlan Pidgeon and John Hughes will collect trash on Bullock Road. Cecile Todd will mail letters with proof of delivery. She will make copies and will be reimbursed.
Bridge #4
Discussion: Mike Hedges has not responded to the board’s inquiries.
Action: none
Vermont Sun
Discussion: Mark Stacey read a letter from the commissioner dated 3/21/06.
The letter stated that the commissioner’s past practice was not to approve permits if the communities affected were not in favor of the permit. He went on to ask Vermont Sun to prove that they had met their obligations in regarding the permit process. The commissioner had not made a final decision. Jim Carroll had sent a letter to Vermont Sun’s attorney. He was waiting for a response.
Action: none
Blaise Fire Issue
Discussion: none
Action: Mark Stacey will go to the residence.
Leicester Website
Discussion: The website is maintained by volunteers. It is in need of updating. The address is www.leicestervt.org
Adjournment
Discussion: none
Action: Diane Benware made a motion to adjourn at 9:35pm. Mark Stacey seconded. Motion passed. 5 ayes, 0 nays.
Respectfully submitted,
Betty Wiedenbein
The next meeting will be April 17,2006 at 7 pm.