Meeting Minutes
Town of LeicesterSelectboard Meeting MinutesMonday May 18, 2015*Unapproved*** See subsequent minutes for any changes Members Present: Diane Benware, Tom Barker, Ron Fiske, Ken Young, Brad Lawes Others Present: Julie Delphia, Arlan Pidgeon, Bill Shouldice, Donna Swinington, Jeff McDonough, Peter Field, Lee Kahrs, Ben Lawton, Wayne Rausenberger, Dot & Royden D’Avignon, Mort Pierpont, Sandra Trombley, Secretary Call to Order: Meeting called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chair. Pledge of Allegiance: Review of Agenda: NEW BUSINESS: Zoning Administrator Vacancy with ZBA/PC: Chair welcomed the Planning Commission/Zoning Board. Donna shared that the PC would like to interview Jeffrey Biasuzzi on May 26, 2015 at 6:15 p.m. Diane will call to invite Jeffrey to the PC Meeting on May 26, 2015 at 6:15 p.m. and will report back. Bill inquired about checking references. There was discussion about days Jeffrey would be available which would conflict with when the office would be open. Julie shared that he works for Pittsford and the town clerk has been quite happy with him. Julie offered to call two other towns he works for; for references on the town’s behalf. Ron suggested that they try to get some other applicants. Julie mentioned the availability of the Front Porch Forum. Tom thought we should try the Rutland Herald at least once. Julie will put an ad in the Front Porch Forum and Rutland Herald with a deadline of June 1st. Tom and Ken will attempt to be at the meeting on May 26th at 6:15 p.m. Zoning Rewrite By-Laws & Regs: Diane brought up the discussion that the Municipal Planning Grant could pay for the legal review of the document. The revised document is written as if the DRB is in existence; and it isn’t yet, so the document has not gone for legal review. The first step would be for the PC to recommend going to a DRB. Peter stated that the PC was recommending going to a DRB/PC model and not the record review model. Any hearing would be heard de novo. There needs to be a public hearing to approve the DRB model and zoning rewrite. They need to follow a timeline. Julie reminded that there is a checklist and timeline to follow. Motion by Tom to set up a public hearing to discuss the DRB/PC model and approve unified bylaws. All in favor. So approved. Diane shared that there has been discussion about the size of the new document of 120 pages compared to the current document of 55 pages. Concerns shared were the size and complexity of the document and the Zoning Administrator didn’t see the document and right now we are in between Zoning Administrators. Donna reminded that this document has a lot of legal things that need to be in there now and their hands are tied. This document had been approved by Rutland County Regional Planning and attorneys. Julie recommended only referencing the junk ordinance in the revisions in the event the ordinance changes over time, the by-laws would not need to be changed. Peter suggested legal review. Diane will send revisions to Jim Carroll for legal review. Julie reported on the timeline steps and warnings of public meetings. After the legal review, it will probably take 3 – 4 months to get thru the process. Peter recommended a working draft copy to be made available on the web-site and in the Town Office prior to legal review. Julie would like to do a read thru and check the charts and spelling/grammar before it went on-line. It could be sent to Jim Carroll shortly thereafter. Diane thanked the PC for coming and reminded them that if we are going to the DRB/PC model, we need to think about people in the community that might volunteer for a position on one of these boards. Approval of Minutes of May 4, 2015: Motion by Tom and second by Ron to approve minutes of May 4, 2015 as written. 4 – Yes, 1 – abstention (Brad). So approved. Weight Permits: One weight permit was approved. Review/Authorization to pay bills: Motion by Tom and second by Brad to approve the bills. All in favor. So approved. Reports from Town Officials, Committees: Road Foreman: Arlan reported that he replaced the three culverts; one on Delorm Road, one on Old Jerusalem Road and the one on Rte. 53. Tom mentioned the vandalism of signs. Arlan has been cleaning them up. Ron talked about the bad language written in the road. They will get some black paint to cover. Arlan reported they can open the Lower Bullock Road anytime. Town Clerk/Treasurer: Julie reported that delinquents are at $100,000. Julie reported that she contacted the State Police about the problems with ATVs, dirt bikes, vandalism of signs/roads and asked them to put Leicester on their two week rotation. The listers are having their grievance hearings on May 26th from 9:00 a.m. – Noon and 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Julie is waiting on the bank for the annual loan documents. Motion by Tom and second by Ron to designate Chair to sign on behalf of board for $250,000 tax anticipation loan. All in favor. So approved. Julie reiterated Arlan’s report about cleaning vandalized signs and now there is another sign at the Fern Lake access. Vandals are writing on the roads, as well. There is a quote for the tree on Rt.53 below LaPorte’s. Arlan is waiting to hear from GMP. He will try to get a price from McCullough and Webb. Julie sent information for reimbursement for the fire. Julie sent another request for legal review on cemetery deeds. Julie reported that their old/new copier is coming back this week to replace the loaner. Chair signed on behalf of the town for the lister’s CAMA cost table software for $238.81. Cemetery Committee: The Committee is meeting next month, June 11th. Health Officer: Diane will be following up on two garbage complaints. CORRESPONDENCE: There has been a complaint from a resident on Lake Dunmore Road that rocks on her property have been moved and trees were cut; among other issues. Julie and Diane have driven by and it appears to be a civil matter between neighbors. Diane and Julie will write a letter to the resident. There is a May on-line webinar about the emerald ash bore management considerations for Vermont communities. OLD BUSINESS: BLSG: Ben Lawton reported that they are coming under a perfect storm and it is out of their control. The State has been more restrictive in the last several years. They have tried to get larvae before they hatch and ones that don’t hatch; they have to use the adulticide program. The State has increased the larvae count in the water dips before they can treat. The Lemon Fair District sold their airplane; so now they don’t have the use of the plane to treat small areas. They have to call in helicopters from NH which is very expensive. There has been an expansion of organic farms in the area, so there are more restrictions on how they can treat. They are in negotiations with the State to use organic products Natural R 30 which would be active in the swamps for 30 days instead of a 7 day window. They had about 600 acres they could treat at $25 an acre and the State would only reimburse for half and it was determined they didn’t have the funds. They have been hand treating, but the amount of area is limited with no proper equipment. There is an opening on the Board. Ben reported that Jeff Smith is willing to be an alternate on the Board. Mort reported that in the last couple days, they have been told that they need to restrict their adult treatments to right of way only; no private property, no private roads, no school property. Mort read the document. This particular document says they hold a 7B non-commercial license which states they are working toward mosquitoes. They are out their targeting mosquitoes. The State says because BLSG is a municipality that they must work under the municipality right of way only roads. Dominic Galleo, the local state inspector agrees it is not really clear or spelled out in the document. Dominic will have to refer us to Cary Giguere at the State. Cary is not returning calls. Ben stated their charter says they are treating nuisance mosquitoes. Mort gave some background on the 12 treatment sites being changed. Ben is working to get clarification from the State. This program has been going since the 60’s.Ben will continue to try to talk with Cary tomorrow. There was a lot of background information and discussion. Bill Shouldice reported there was a Lake Dunmore/Fern Lake Association meeting the next evening and he will bring this problem up. He recommends everyone call their Senators and Governor’s office. Bill gave some recommendations on changing the BLSG message on their phone. Julie does not feel comfortable talking on behalf of BLSG. This problem is changing hourly. Julie will direct calls to BLSG. Mort will continue to work with Dominic to find where this restriction is written in the document. BLSG representation: Brad Ramsey has resigned from the Board. Motion by Tom and second by Ken to appoint Jeff Smith as an alternate to BLSG. All in favor. So approved. Diane will notify Jeff Smith. BUILDING NEEDS: A broken window was discovered this evening at the Town Office. Motion by Ron and second by Brad to authorize Julie to contact Desabrais Glass to fix the window; funds to come out of the Building Fund. All in favor. So approved. Ken thinks they should plan on replacing the siding and insulation at the Town Shed. Ken will report at their next meeting. HIGHWAY CONCERNS/NEEDS: Old Jerusalem Road RR Project Update: George Shortsleeves reported today that they expect to receive their last trailer load of materials for the above ground crossing/signal hardware this morning. The next three days will be electrical work and ditching. Paving, line marking, sign installation later in the week. Public Opinion: None Motion by Tom and second by Ken to adjourn at 8:55 p.m. Next Meeting: June 1, 2015 Respectfully submitted, Sandra L. TrombleySelectboard Secretary