Welcome to Leicester, VT

February 6, 2006
Leicester Select Board Meeting
Unapproved Minutes-SEE SUBSEQUENT MEETING MINUTES FOR CORRECTIONS
 
Board members present:  Bob Oliver, Diane Benware, Cecile Todd and John McDonough

Board members absent:  Mark Stacey

Townspeople Present:  John Hughes, Mary Hughes, Donna Pidgeon, Arlan Pidgeon, Jerry Flint, Virginia Wolf, Lawrence Felion Jr., Donald Felion, Mike Denis, Harold Smith

Meeting was called to order at 6:58pm

Agenda was reviewed.

Pledge was recited.

Approval of Minutes
Discussion:  January 16, 2006 minutes are to include an amendment stating that Diane Benware’s yes vote in the Vermont Sun issue was for the coming season only.  She was prepared to offer a compromise.
Action:  Bob Oliver made a motion to accept the Jan. 16, 2006  minutes as corrected.  Cecile Todd seconded.  4 ayes, 0 nays

Discussion: January 18, 2006 minutes are to include the following dialogue in regard to the potential town clerk position:  Donna Pidgeon asked Mark Stacey “Where does your wife work?” Mark Stacey responded “She doesn’t.”  A man’s voice asks “Would she like too?”  Mark Stacey states “Maybe when the kids are older.  I”ll ask her?”
Action:  Bob Oliver made a motion to accept the minutes with corrections.  Cecile Todd seconded.  4 ayes, 0 nays

Discussion:  January 23, 2006 minutes were accepted as written.
Action:  Cecile Todd made a motion to accept the minutes.  Bob Oliver seconded.  4 ayes, 0 nays

Bills and sign orders for bill payments
Discussion: none
Action:  Bills were paid.

Reports from other Town Officials
Discussion:  Arlan Pidgeon stated that he did not know what was wrong with the grader. The alternator is working.  Brakes need to be bled, battery needs checked (charge system), right hand lift cylinder needs looked as well.  This needs to be done before spring.
Action:  John McDonough will get a transport figure.  He would get an estimate on work.  He would get additional information.

New Business:  Gary Smith/Salisbury Fire Chief
Discussion:  The board had approached the Salisbury fire chief regarding the possibility of the Salisbury fire station being the primary response for Leicester.  Chief Smith stated that he was unable to accommodate the board because of insurance costs, equipment and manpower.  The reason the board is looking into this possibility is that the board only has a verbal agreement.  The board would like to pay a flat fee rather than a fire by fire agreement.  Brandon’s fire department has reservations about the flat fee.  The possibility of Leicester forming its own volunteer fire department was discussed. When insurance companies are aware of a line item in the budget, the town didn’t get paid.  John Hughes stated that the board needs to be more aggressive on town reimbursement.
Action: none

Budget
Discussion:  John McDonough reiterated the concerns of several townspeople that there should not be any monetary stipend increases in the budget. Increases are to be placed on the ballot.   In the late 1990s, there was a meeting regarding this.  He said the following year it should have been warned and gone into affect.  However it never showed up.  He thought the board may be overstepping their bounds.  John McDonough stated that he did not sign the budget because of this issue.
Action:  An attempt to find out more information will be made.

Town Clerk Training
Discussion:  $5000 is in the budget to train a replacement for the town clerk.  Concern was expressed that training a person prior to the current town clerk’s resignation may be wasteful.  The trained person may reject the job.  Concern that the $5000 should be voted upon by the people was shared.  John McDonough felt that the $5000 should be used to pay Donna Pidgeon to do the training.
Action: none

Listers
Discussion:  Listers are doing more groundwork therefore they are saving the town money.  The budgeted amount of $68000 is the same amount as in 1998.  Jerry Flint asked if the papers will be contacted. Mr. Flint also asked if the janitorial need was addressed in the papers. Diane Benware stated that the information should appear in the papers on Thursday. Virginia Wolf volunteered to make phone calls for appointments.  Harry Smith explained that the money allotted is not an increase in pay.  By using the listers, the town is saving $49 an hour. 
Action:  none

Cindy Bushy/Use of town hall for daughter’s baby shower on April 2, 2006
Discussion:  A policy should be written.  Cecile Todd asked what the past practice had been.  It was decided that the former practice needed to be changed.  A motion was made that stated as of this evening the policy will be $35 (nonrefundable) for the hall and 25 for a security deposit (refundable).  The one applying or the honored guest must be a resident of Leicester.  No alcohol.  There is a limit of 35 people.  If something is broken the person renting is responsible.
Action:  Policy will be formally written and brought back February 20, 2006.  Cindy Bushy was given permission to use the hall.

Letter for Dog Census
Discussion:  Greg Moore Junior responded to the board inquiry that this position was more than he could handle.  However, if the board had no other recourse to call him back.  Dog census needs to be done by April 1, 2006.  Board will write a letter and collate responses in regard to which homes had dogs.  The board needs to find 1-2 individuals to address labels.  Random checks will be done.
Action:  Don Felion and Virginia Wolf volunteered to address labels.  Kim Schroder, animal abuse officer, will be contacted to see if he would like to do the checks.   Board gave Diane Benware permission to print letter and postcard.

Grand List Certification
Discussion: none
Action:  Board members signed the document.

Sign Loan paperwork
Discussion:  A credit line of up to $150,000 was granted from the Brandon Bank.  This loan has a 3.59% interest rate and a 10 day late charge clause.  It is made with the anticipation of taxes being collected.
Action:  Board members signed the loan.

Other New Business:
Discussion:  Cecile Todd questioned the Windows 98 bill.  Donna Pidgeon explained that the old program was 5 years old and needed to be updated.