Welcome to Leicester, VT

LEICESTER TOWN MEETING MINUTES 2011

February 28, 2011

The legal voters of the Town of Leicester, Vermont are hereby warned and notified to meet at the Leicester Meeting House in said Town on Monday, February 28, 2011 at 7:00 pm to transact the following business:

Jeffrey Wallin, Moderator, welcomed the 48 voters in attendance to the 250^th Annual Town Meeting and School Board Meeting. Everyone was invited to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance

The Moderator explained that Non-residents cannot vote.  Town and Town School District meetings will be run according to VT State Law and Roberts Rules of Order, all motions, remarks and questions should be directed to the Moderator.  Articles must be moved, seconded and restated by the Moderator before debate can begin.  Unanimous consent will be used. 

The Moderator called the Town of Leicester and Leicester Town School District Meetings to order at 7:03 PM.  By unanimous consent the Town Meeting was recessed, to be reconvened immediately after the School Meeting.  The Town Meeting reconvened at 8:38pm.  The Moderator introduced the Select Board.

The reading of the warning was waived without objection.

1. To hear the auditor’s report.

Auditor's report is in the town report.  No discussion.  No motion required.

2. Shall the voters of the Town of Leicester vote to approve a sum of $ 462,254.00 to defray the necessary expenses and liabilities of the town for the ensuing year, divided as follows:

Note: The amount to be raised will increase by the amounts voted on Australian ballot. 

The Selectboard will set the tax rate at a later date.

                A motion was made (R. Oliver) and seconded (C. Morrison) to accept Article 2.

C. Todd asked why the amount to be raised changed so much for highway.  D. Benware explained that $35K was transferred to the Highway Equipment fund for future purchases. 

H. LaPorte asked about the increase in equipment rental and the grader.  D. Benware explained that the town grader is not functional.  The town will be leasing Arlan Pidgeon's grader with the understanding that if the town chooses to purchase the grader, the lease costs would be used toward the purchase.

T. Comes asked if the town has considered purchasing instead of renting equipment.  T. Barker explained that the town has limited space at the town garage and is looking to buy land.  M. Brush asked how much a new grader costs.  T. Barker answered ~$220K, used ~$40K or more.  T. Comes urged the board to consider purchasing equipment rather than renting.  T. Barker explained that they had discussed it but there isn't any place to put it or a road crew.

D. Benware explained that there is money in the Equipment Fund and Land Acquisition fund.  At the end of the year, they look at remaining money for possible transfer.  Also, sheriff's department profit is put into Equipment fund.  T. Comes said they would have to borrow money for a big purchase.  D. Benware agreed.

L. Alger asked how our highway costs compared to other towns who had a road crew and own equipment.  D. Benware answered that we pay a lot less.

M. Brush asked what would happen if Arlan Pidgeon retires.  T. Barker answered that is the reason they are putting money into the Equipment Fund.

D. Benware explained the budget lines for software and server installation.

C. Carroll commented on how well the roads have been maintained.  V. Leskenin agreed.

H. LaPorte asked about the records restoration line.  Julie explained that the remaining budget money had been transferred into the restricted fund.

D. Benware explained that the increase in the sign budget line is due to new sign requirements.  M. Brush asked what would happen if we did not follow new requirements.  D. Benware said they would withhold state funding.

J. Lee asked where Isthmus road was located.  J. Delphia identified where it was located.  T. Barker and J. Delphia explained that it goes from Route 53 to Hooker Road.  Part is Class IV, part is trail.  The right-of-way goes the full distance.   D. Benware explained the need for upgrade of the road for emergency access. J. Wallin explained the pending bill regarding maintenance agreements on private roads.  J. Delphia drew attention to the Emergency Information in the Town Report.

D. Benware explained the $40K budget line for repaving and stated they are hoping for a state matching grant.

Article 2 was passed by unanimous voice vote.

3. Discussion of articles to be voted by Australian ballot.

The Moderator reviewed the articles to be voted on by Australian ballot. 

Candidates were acknowledged. 

C. Reed asked for clarification on Article 2 level funded appropriation requests.  J. Delphia explained that new appropriations and appropriations with new amounts would still be on Australian ballot.  Individuals spoke in support of appropriations.

4. To do any further business that is proper to be done when met.

J. Delphia explained that the town challenged the State Common Level of Appraisal (CLA).  The town challenged it last year as well and was denied.  We are currently waiting on this year's challenge response.

D. Benware thanked the auditors and town clerk for their work on the town report.  She thanked Cecile Todd and Kate Briggs for their work as Listers and brought to everyone's attention that two lister spots on the ballot were empty.  C. Reed asked what would happen if no one was elected.  D. Benware explained that the Select board would have to appoint people.  J. Russo and J. Lee expressed a willingness to serve and asked if it was too late.  J. Delphia expressed gratitude and said they could still mount a write-in campaign.

D. Benware talked about the 250th Anniversary Celebration and invited voters to the planning meetings.

J. Delphia discussed upcoming events and reminded people to register their dogs by April 1.

D. Wykes discussed the Historical Society Bingo and encouraged membership.

J. Lee indicated that he would be a write-in candidate for the 1 year lister position.  J. Russo indicated that he would be a write-in candidate for the 3 year lister position.

A motion was made (C. Reed) and seconded (A. Ouellette) to adjourn Town Meeting.  The motion to adjourn was approved by unanimous voice vote.

Leicester Town Meeting adjourned at 9:25 PM.

Results of those elected by Australian Ballot Voting: (Ballots and results attached)

March 1, 2011 –The legal voters of the Town of Leicester, Vermont are further warned and notified to meet at the Leicester Town Office in said town on March 1, 2011 between the hours of 10 AM and 7 PM when the polls will be open to vote by Australian ballot on the following articles:

Article 1:  To elect Town Officers for the ensuing year

OFFICE                                                    CANDIDATES                                         TERM                                      VOTES

MODERATOR                                        JEFFREY WALLIN                                   1 YEAR                                    151

SELECTBOARD                                       KEN YOUNG                                           3 YEAR                                    139

SELECTBOARD                                       TOM BARKER                                        2 YEAR                                    126

LISTER                                                     JAMES RUSSO                                       3 YEAR                                      27

LISTER                                                     JEFF LEE                                                  1 YEAR                                      34

TO FILL AN UNEXPIRED TERM

AUDITOR                                                DOT D'AVIGNON                                   3 YEAR                                    147

DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTOR           BETH RIPLEY                                          1 YEAR                                    152

FIRST CONSTABLE                 JEFF McDONOUGH                               1 YEAR                                    146

SECOND CONSTABLE                           MIKE RAKOWITZ                                   1 YEAR                                    141

GRAND JUROR                                      JEFF McDONOUGH                               1 YEAR                                    143

TOWN AGENT                                       JEFF McDONOUGH                               1 YEAR                                    143

TOWN CLERK                                        JULIE DELPHIA                                       3 YEAR                                    156

TOWN TREASURER                               JULIE DELPHIA                                       3 YEAR                                    155

Article 2:  Shall the voters of the Town of Leicester vote to authorize the Selectboard, beginning in 2012, to include in their budget the level funded appropriation requests that are currently voted by Australian ballot?

Note: Level funded requests are requests for money in the same amount as the previous year.

                                                Yes - 85 votes                                       No - 64 votes

Article 3:  To approve or disapprove the following allocations from the General Fund

                        The total amount to be allocated is $13,186.08

Respectfully Submitted,                            Approved By:

Julie Delphia, Town Clerk                            Jeffrey Wallin, Moderator                         Diane Benware, Board Chair

Recorded, March 4, 2011