Meeting Minutes
Town of Leicester
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
Monday, May 21, 2012
*Unapproved*
** See subsequent minutes for any changes
Members Present: Diane Benware, Tom Barker, Ron Fiske, Brad Lawes
Members Absent: Ken Young
Others Present: Julie Delphia, Arlan Pidgeon, Kate Briggs, Jeff Lee, Paul Crosby, Sandra Trombley, Secretary
Call to Order: Meeting called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chair, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Review of Agenda: Agenda reviewed.
Approval of May 7, 2012 Minutes:
Motion by Tom and second by Brad to approve minutes of May 7, 2012, as written. All in favor. So approved.
Review/Authorization to pay bills:
Bills making their rounds for signatures.
Reports from Town Officials, Committees:
Listers:
Jeff Lee reported they are preparing forms and getting ready for the appeals that start tomorrow. Today is the deadline for appeals. They are talking about an assessor coming in to help out with the appeals.
Julie stated that the contract goes through the BCA hearings. She thinks what Jeff is talking about is going forward; having outside assessors doing assessments on properties instead of the Listers doing it. Julie is assuming since this was a discussion back when Tim was a Lister. After this is all over, having them continue to do assessor work and the Listers do more of the clerical work.
Julie wanted to make a clarification. The Listers can recommend to the Selectboard to hire an outside assessor. The Listers are still responsible for the data. They are the ones who have to have the grievance hearings, have to attend the hearings, and must make the decisions from the grievance hearings and they must represent at the BCA. The assessor cannot make a decision on behalf of the Town, even if the Board was to hire an assessor to assist the Listers.
Jeff acknowledged that Jim is doing a great job and Cecile has been very helpful. Jeff complimented Julie and Ashley for all their help.
Diane thought that they should get through the grievance hearings first and BCA hearings; and then go from there.
Town Clerk/Treasurer: None
Health Officer: None
Zoning Administrator:
Kate reported that she, Julie and Diane spent four hours re-writing the Town Plan and then she and Julie spent another three hours working on the Town Plan. The Land Use section needs more work to incorporate and reflect our philosophy for the Town. None of our content changes were in the Plan. Many other hours too numerous to mention have been put into the Plan.
By Thursday Julie will mail the PC & Selectboard a copy of the revised Town Plan. Everyone needs to read the document prior to the meeting and be prepared to only spend a minute or so, on each page. The Land Use section will need more time. It is proposed to meet Thursday, May 31st at 6:00 P.M. for the Planning Commission and Selectboard. Diane will contact Donna. Sandy will warn the meeting when she gets confirmation from Diane.
Town Foreman:
Arlan reported that they had graded the Cram Road and Delorm Road. They have been taking dirt off the shoulders on the Delorm Road and some on Ferson Road. Arlan would like to get someone with an excavator with a hammer and take off the corner down by Greg Moore’s. He wants to get some prices for equipment rental plus the operator and come back to the Board. There may be some other spots that need to be done.
Cemetery:
Tom reported that they met and they are going to do some plotting and measurements and try to get their map up-to-date in the old part of the cemetery, the last couple rows that are left, so they can get numbers on certificates when people buy a burial plot. They are not going to worry about the new part just yet.
Tom will let Julie know of the re-scheduled date of next meeting.
Weight Permits:
Weight permit from Delphia Excavating was given to Arlan for review.
Meeting with Paul Crosby:
Moved Paul up on the agenda.
Diane read letter from Paul and his proposal of interest and fees for Animal Control Officer. Paul talked about possible grants for animal welfare. He will check into it. National Animal Control Association has sources for public safety and training. He feels training would be a benefit. Forms need to be made and updated. The ordinance needs to be updated.
Julie reported that issues have been local dogs and not seasonal dogs.
The biggest issue the Town has; is to have someone answer their phone and respond in a timely manner and then follow up.
His proposal is a flat $200 a month and $12.00 hour plus mileage to conduct the census.
Motion by Tom to offer Paul $15.00 per hour for on-call responses and clerical work, plus federal mileage rate and $12.00 per hour plus mileage for census work. Second by Ron. All in favor. So approved.
Julie will provide Paul business cards and order two magnets for the side doors of his vehicle identifying him as Leicester’s Animal Control Officer.
Paul needs to come by the office and complete paperwork for Julie and Julie needs to contact the Judicial Bureau for tickets. Julie will need to contact Brian Webb to get the bite stick, snare and badge.
Tom and Ron responded to a dog complaint from Lounsberry’s on Hooker Road and did not find dogs.
NEW BUSINESS:
Energy Forum: Middlebury:
Addison County Regional Planning is offering an Energy Forum on Thursday, May 24th from 7:00 – 8:30 P.M. at the Regional Planning Office. It is to help Addison County municipalities implement energy retrofits. There is financing and grant opportunities.
Ron was thinking about the Town Shed. Ron will try to attend and represent the Town.
Senior Center Maintenance Request:
There was discussion about the former board member’s request to paint the front of the Senior Center. There was discussion about the paint not lasting. The worst part is the front of the building.
Chair asked how they would like to proceed. Table until we get further information.
Tom Roberts reported that Leicester has been approved $86,735.10 for a paving grant.
Brush Trimming – Shackett Road Issue:
Michele Carter Witherby called and left a voice message of a complaint about tree cutting from last fall. Arlan thinks it was Kevin Bagley, but it was in the Town’s right of way. Arlan has picked up some of his mess. There is another day of clean up from Paul Francoeur’s north.
Julie reported that her message said the trees were cut down that she had planted to cut down on the road dust. The message sounded like it just happened, but in truth the trees were cut last year.
Arlan offered a few bags of chloride to help cut down on the dust. Arlan will check the facts to see if there is any fresh cutting.
OLD BUSINESS:
Graffiti Paint Issue:
The Revenue Assurance Partners is contacting the Town for $130.36 because the claim has been placed with them for balance in full.
Julie’s notes indicated all the previous dates and correspondence. Julie would be happy to write a letter.
Board feels it is a scam and advises the Treasurer not to take action.
Town Shed:
Tom has not had an opportunity to talk with the Brown family. He wanted to talk with more than one family member at one time.
Planning for Meeting with Steve Hare:
Mr. Hare has requested a meeting with the Salisbury and Leicester Select boards. Diane will come up with a list of dates for Mr. Hare. Diane felt it was important to have Mr. Hare hear from some of the residents to discuss safety concerns regarding the Vermont Sun Triathlon events. Possible dates for a public meeting are June 11 or June 14.
Tom would like Leicester to host the public meeting. Diane can be moderator or ask Richard Reed to be the moderator to keep the meeting civilized and organized.
Triathlons: June 24, July 15, August 5 and August 26.
Diane stated that there is not much we can do to prevent them from happening this year because they were approved way back last fall, but she is hoping that if we had the minutes taken, that the comments of that meeting could be forwarded to Commissioner Flynn and Major Walter Goodell and we might have an impact on future races.
Ron stated that they need a little more law enforcement control. In the past, Diane doesn’t know how many of the comments made to Jared, got back to Steve.
Tom stated that this is a race and it is competition and the bikers are very serious because they have invested good money to be in the event. The economic impact to Vermont is big.
Brad asked about insurance liability. Tom stated that Mr. Hare guaranteed that the event is covered through the sanctioned event. Brad thinks we should be listed on their policy for these events in case someone gets hurt on our roads.
Motion by Tom and second by Brad to approve bills as submitted. All in favor. So approved.
Motion by Tom and second by Ron to go into Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter at 8:15 P.M. All in favor. So approved.
Motion by Tom and second by Brad to come out of Executive Session with no action taken at 8:25 P.M. All in favor. So approved.
Motion by Ron and second by Tom to adjourn at 8:25 P.M. All in favor. So approved.
Meeting adjourned at 8:25 P.M.
Next regular meeting, June 4, 2012.
Respectfully submitted,
Sandra L. Trombley, Secretary