Meeting Minutes
Town of Leicester
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
Monday, December 7, 2009
*Unapproved*
** See subsequent minutes for any changes
Members Present: Diane Benware, Tom Barker, Ron Fiske, Bob Oliver, Ken Young
Others Present: Julie Delphia, Arlan Pidgeon, Kate Briggs, Sandra Trombley, Secretary
Call to Order: Meeting called to order at 6:32 p.m. by Chair, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Agenda Review: Agenda reviewed.
Approve Minutes of November 16, 2009:
Motion by Tom to approve minutes of November 16, 2009 as written. Second by Ken. All in favor. So approved.
Review and Sign Orders for Payment:
Bills making their rounds.
Reports from Town Officials & Committees:
Town Clerk:
Julie reported that delinquents were now at $107,000, but she has another $6,000 that Beth hasn’t seen yet. Julie reported that Beth has done really well collecting taxes.
Julie talked with VLCT’s in regard to the workers compensation situation. Julie received another $111 which brings it over $1,000 that the town has been refunded. Julie talked with Pam. There was discussion about Richard Humiston being an employee or independent contractor. Per VLCT’s recommendation, Julie called the Department of Labor. Julie doesn’t know if the League is going to credit the Town any more money because she hasn’t found the paperwork to show Richard is not an employee, but she told Richard he has to sign the papers for this year.
Julie filled out the renewal form based on the information from the Department of Labor. She received the renewal information from them with fees for our budget. The numbers they used for the 2010 payroll are nowhere near what we wrote on the paper. Julie has a call into them asking where they got the numbers.
Julie presented a new update of the budget for the Board to look at.
Zoning Administrator:
Kate updated the Board on the appeal of the permit Kate issued for the boathouse for Jeffrey Smith. Friday, Allen Quackenbush, Head of the State Water Conservation Department, is coming to look at the site. Kate notified both landowners.
Kate warns the Board that this is a very controversial issue.
Road Foreman:
Finished ditching on Ferson Road and some work on Shackett Road. Holding on the Delorm Road project until spring.
Ken reported a citizen complaint of a dangerous tree on Rte. 53 south of Bob LaPorte’s.
Diane referenced the low spot on Jerusalem Road. She reported that there is no marker with reflector on the northern part of Jerusalem Road.
Bob brought up the Grant the State gave us. The Town’s portion is $5,000 and the State’s portion is $45,000 for a total of $50,000. Diane has the paperwork for the Grant. Arlan will need to provide a budget for the project. One budget using the town funds and one using the state funds.
Bob says there are two or three poles that will need to be moved. Bob will contact the telephone company and have them come and look.
Bob asked about the grader. Scott graded Jerusalem Road, Ferson Road, Bullock Road, and Wheeler Road.
Ken stated the Harvest Program will donate wreaths for the Meeting House, Town Hall and Town Office.
Action: Diane will send a thank you note to Anne Young.
Cemetery Committee:
Tom reported that they had sold four more lots.
New Business:
Discussion about the end of the year and whether they needed an extra meeting before the end of the year to move money or set aside money and would authorize the clerk/treasurer to do that.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is on Monday, December 21, 2009. Julie will have everything organized and will provide dollars as close to year end as possible. At that meeting, the Board can make a motion to authorize treasurer to make transactions, if necessary.
The Board will meet every Monday, starting January 4, 2010 for budget purposes. On behalf of the Board, Diane would like proposals in writing from Julie, Arlan, Kate, Listers, ZBA; PC by January 4, 2010 indicating what you propose is needed to do your job next year.
Action: Diane will be sending an email message to everyone on behalf of the Board that she wants a proposed budget in writing by January 4, 2010.
Ken asked how the Lister bills get paid when we are over budget. There was discussion about the challenges faced by the Listers. When over budget, bills are paid from property tax money coming in.
Old Business:
Lister Position:
No one has applied for the vacant listers position.
The Board had a conversation about the vacant listers position. With no applicants, the Board is choosing not to fill the position at this time. The Board is hopeful that with Town Meeting coming up, someone will step forward.
Bids for Town Mowing:
Roadside Mowing:
Lem Palmer submitted a bid for both mowings for $50 per hour.
Motion by Bob to approve Lem Palmer’s proposal pending current workers compensation insurance, hold harmless and non-employee work agreement forms. Second by Ken. All in favor. So approved.
Cemetery:
Gus Letourneau submitted a bid for $150 per mowing, $400 spring clean up, $400 fall clean up.
Chuck Steady submitted a bid for $50 per mowing and $35 per hour for spring and fall clean up.
Motion by Tom to approve Gus Letourneau’s proposal pending current workers compensation insurance, hold harmless and non-employee work agreement forms. Second by Ken. All in favor. So approved.
Diane will call him and also remind him to put a proposal in writing about brush removal.
Town Green:
Chuck Steady submitted a bid for $50 per mowing and $35 per hour for spring and fall clean up.
Calvin Loven submitted a bid for $75 per mowing and $500 for spring and fall clean up.
Motion by Bob to approve Calvin Loven’s proposal pending current workers compensation insurance, hold harmless and non-employee work agreement forms. Second by Tom. All in favor. So approved.
Action: Diane will send Chuck Steady a letter.
Other:
Ron brought up the time limit on the Ancient Roads work. The Town needs to make a decision soon whether to reclassify their roads. The public meeting needs to be warned 45 days in advance.
Motion by Tom to authorize Ron Fiske as the Town’s Ancient Road’s Representative. Second by Ken. All in favor. So approved.
Information Items:
· Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grants
· Nominations: VT Public Service Awards – 20 years or more of service active or retired
· Become a VT Tree Steward
· ACRP Full Commission Meeting
· VT Council on Rural Development Loans & Grants for Qualified Towns
· Community Visit Program
· Boundary and Annexation Survey – Training
· Environmental Excellence & Pollution Prevention Experts
· Addison County Assistant Judges Public Budget Meeting Dec. 29
· Legislative Previews VLCT – Interactive TV
· Comment period: Forest-wide non-native invasive plants – Green Mountain National Forest
· Vermont Sun Triathlon 2010
· Solid Waste Management Report
Public Opinion: None
Executive Session: None
Other Business: None
Motion by Tom to adjourn at 7:50 p.m. Second by Bob. All in favor. So approved.
Next Meeting Monday, December 21, 2009.
Respectfully submitted,
Sandra L. Trombley
Selectboard Secretary