Town of LeicesterSelectboard Meeting MinutesMonday, March 16, 2020*Unapproved*** See subsequent minutes for any changesMembers Present: Diane Benware, Brad Lawes, John Rouse, Tom Barker, Ron FiskeOthers Present:Julie Delphia, Arlan Pidgeon, Sandra Trombley, SecretaryCall to Order:Meeting called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Julie for reorganization. Pledge of Allegiance:Review of Agenda:Add delinquent tax collectionBoard Reorganization & Appointments:Motion by John and second by Tom to nominate Diane Benware as Chair of the Board.4 yes. 1 abstention by Diane.So, approved.Diane, as Chair, took over the meeting.Motion by John and second by Brad to nominate Tom Barker as Co-Chair of the Board.4 yes and 1 abstention by Tom.Motion by Tom and second by John to nominate Brad Lawes as Road Commissioner.4 yes and 1 abstention by Brad.Motion by Tom and second by John to nominate Ron Fiske as Buildings and Grounds.4 yes and 1 abstention by Ron.Board reaffirms Sandra Trombley as Clerk.All in favor.So, approved.Board reaffirms the Addison Independent as media of record.All in favor.So, approved.Board reaffirms that the Chair may place ads on behalf of Selectboard.All in favor.So, approved.Board reaffirms that the Board will follow the Civil Rules of Conduct and follow the Robert’s Rules of Order for small boards.All in favor.So, approved.Board reaffirms that any one of the Selectboard can sign on behalf of the Board for orders that need attention prior to a meeting.All in favor.So, approved.Board reaffirms that regular meetings are the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at 6:30 p.m.All in favor.So, approved.Board Re-appointments:
Donna Pidgeon as Cemetery Sexton.All in favor.So, approve.
John Rouse as Emergency Management Coordinator.All in favor.So, approved.
Jeremy Gildrien as Energy Coordinator.All in favor.So, approved.
Richard Reed as Representative to Addison County Solid Waste District.All in favor.So, approved.
Arlan Pidgeon as Tree Warden.All in favor.So, approved.
Jeff McDonough as First Constable.All in favor.So, approved.
Mike Rakowitz as Second Constable.All in favor.So, approved.
Julie mentioned they are looking for an auditor.They have someone that might be interested.Deb and Donna will get with her and explain what they do.Julie will let the Board know the results.Diane received a letter of interest for First Constable.Diane will send him a thank you letter.Delinquent Tax Collection & Corona Virus:Beth Ripley came to discuss the collection process for delinquent taxes and should they re-evaluate collections in April due to the virus crisis.Seven delinquent taxes did come in as a result of the first letter.Board agreed with Beth to re-visit in a month.Approval of February 17, 2020 minutes:Motion by Brad, second by Tom, to approve minutes of February 17, 2020, as written. 4 yes and 1 abstention by Diane.So, approved.Review/Authorization to Pay Bills:Motion by Tom, second by John, authorizing Julie to pay the bills.All in favor.So, approved.Reports from Town Officials, Committees:Road Foreman:Arlan reported everything was good.They have been grading and hauling gravel.Town Clerk/Treasurer:Julie reported that Town Meeting and voting went well.Election went fine.Health Officer:Animal Control Officer:Cemetery Committee:Tom reported that Gus was down cleaning in the cemetery.Tom wants to get the fellow down to look at the head stones to clean and he wants to get the flag replaced.Weight Permits: Arlan signed weight permits.CORRESPONDENCE:Upcoming trainings for town health officers.April 9th in Middlebury.It may be canceled due to the pandemic.NEW BUSINESS:Precautionary Measures:Julie talked about the pandemic and precautionary measures.There are twelve cases of the virus, at this time, in Vermont. Things are shutting down.Municipal governments are shutting down town offices.Julie composed a letter she would like to post on the web-site with the Selectboard’s support, to start on Wednesday.Julie would be here working, but doors would be closed to the public.Communication would be through email, phone or regular mail.Researching land records before 2008 would be by appointment; otherwise Julie will copy what they need upon request.If Julie got sick it would have a big impact on the town.Motion by Ron and second by John to approve Julie’s letter for the web-site; to close Leicester Town Office to the public until further notice.All in favor.So, approved.Julie reported that the rabies clinic is canceled for March 17th.Julie recommended waiving late fees for dogs through May 1st.Motion by Diane and second by Ron to waive late fees for dog licensing through May 1st.All in favor.So, approved.Julie brought up the use of town buildings due to the pandemic.Board agreed to cancel non-essential scheduled events in town buildings due to the pandemic until further notice.There was discussion about non-essential meetings.Julie explained recommendations from VLCT.Board is suspending regularly scheduled meetings until further notice.Emergency Preparedness Exercise:Diane will call to postpone.Drug & Alcohol Policy CMV:VLCT Representative provided the new template for CDL drivers.The template was provided to the Board to review and to be revisited at a later date.Contracts for Mowing:2020 contracts were signed for:Lem Palmer, roadside mowingGus Letourneau, cemeteryCalvin Loven, town greenAmounts agreed upon by the Selectboard.Contract for Animal Holding:2020 annual contract; a flat $600 for Homeward Bound to take in stray dogs and no limit.Motion by Tom and second by John to approve contract with Homeward Bound.All in favor.So, approved.OLD BUSINESS:OJR Culvert Update:Tom and Julie went down and met with the State Reps at the site.The first week, they talked about how it would affect Andy Hogan; then the next week they met with Catlin.BUILDING NEEDS:HIGHWAY CONCERNS/NEEDS:Town Shed:EXECUTIVE SESSION:Motion by Tom to adjourn at 7:50 p.m.Next meeting: Board is suspending regularly scheduled meetings until further notice.Respectfully submitted,Sandra L. TrombleySelectboard Secretary
