Meeting Minutes
Town of Leicester
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
Monday, March 16, 2009
*Unapproved*
** See subsequent minutes for any changes
Members Present: Diane Benware, Bob Oliver, Ken Young, Ron Fiske, Tom Barker
Others Present: Arlan & Donna Pidgeon, Julie Delphia, Jeff McDonough, Tim Johnson, Sandra Trombley, Secretary
Call to Order: Meeting called to order at 6:37 p.m. by Chair, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Agenda Review: Agenda reviewed.
Approve Minutes:
The minutes for February 16th meeting were reviewed. Motion by Ron to approve minutes. Seconded by Tom. All in favor. So approved.
The minutes for February 23rd meeting were reviewed. Motion by Ken to approve minutes. Seconded by Ron. All in favor. So approved.
The minutes for March 4th meeting were reviewed. Motion by Tom to approve minutes. Seconded by Bob. All in favor. So approved.
Diane signed her name to the minutes of March 2, 2009 Town Meeting.
Diane circulated document for signatures for the September 8, 2008 meeting. They never got the warning to sign.
Review and Sign Orders for Payment:
Bills making their rounds.
Weight Permits:
Arlan reviewed permits and approved. Bob signed.
Reports from Town Officials & Committees:
Julie reported that things have been going really well. Dog licenses are due April 1st. Rabies clinic on the 24th from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. She hasn’t seen any checks for delinquent taxes. The first tax sale is April 13th. Julie spoke with another Town Clerk about how they handle their delinquent taxes. They stated that once they started tax sales every six months, they don’t really have an issue with them.
Julie said Beth had sent letters about delinquent taxes and some monies came in at that time, but none recently.
In the bills, there is a check for Leicester Little League. They need their money to pay for insurance for Wednesday and they don’t have funds to do that.
Julie needed clarification about when the listers will be in the office.
Arlan reported that they just started grading the roads today and drawing some gravel. They are using the Town grader. He has not heard anything from Wind Mill. Arlan said he could use some help on the roads for 3 or 4 days. He has a man, Burt Wedge, that is interested. He can run a loader.
Motion by Tom to offer Burt Wedge $12 per hour for 3 or 4 days to run loader. Seconded by Bob.
All in favor. So approved.
He would need to see Julie to complete W-4, and copy of his CDL license.
Discussion whether it’s worth the risk.
Motion by Ron to rescind previous motion to offer Burt Wedge $12 hour for road work. Second by Ken. Tom abstained. Bob abstained. Ken yes. Ron yes. Chair voted yes. So approved.
Follow up on bridge inspection report. Tom Roberts needs to meet with Selectboard and Arlan to discuss State aid to highways. Arlan will call Tom to schedule some dates and then call Bob.
Cemetery Committee: None
Listers: No one attending
New Business:
Diane read the written resignation of Harry Smith received March 9, 2009. Motion by Tom to accept resignation with regrets. Seconded by Bob. All in favor. So approved. Diane sent a thank you note on behalf of the Selectboard.
Diane indicated the board needs to find a third lister. We need to advertise to fill an unexpired term to March 2010 Town Meeting. Diane will place an ad March 23rd to run four weeks requesting letters of interest. Deadline would be April 18th for letters of interest to be opened at meeting of April 20th.
Brandon Fire Department contract passed around for signatures. Board authorized Julie to pay first quarter installment of $4,500.
Appointments for Town governance:
Julie talked with John Quelch and he is not interested in Town Agent or Grand Juror. Talked with Mike Rakowitz. Talked with Jeff McDonough who is here.
Grand Juror (vacant)
Town Agent (vacant)
Motion by Bob to leave positions vacant until next March. Seconded by Ron. All in favor. So approved.
Cemetery Sexton needs to be appointed.
Letter of interest from John Quelch for his interest in Cemetery Sexton and Energy Coordinator for 2009.
Motion by Bob to appoint John Quelch Cemetery Sexton. Second by Ken. There was some discussion about duties and responsibilities of Cemetery Sexton. Ken withdrew second. Bob does not want motion withdrawn. No further discussion.
Moved to a vote to appoint John Quelch as Cemetery Sexton. Bob: yes all others: no
Motion by Ron to have Chair contact John to set up a meeting to talk with Selectboard. Second by Bob. All in favor. So approved.
Action: Chair to contact John to schedule time to meet with Selectboard.
First Constable needs to be appointed.
Jeffrey McDonough, 236 Indian Trail, Leicester, Vermont presented letter of interest for 1st Constable position. Mr. McDonough explained that sometimes just a pleasant voice can solve problems.
Board explained there was a badge, required to take an oath, but no legal authority. Might serve papers. No vehicles, no lights, no gun.
No other interest in 1st Constable position.
Motion by Bob to appoint Jeffrey McDonough of 236 Indian Trail, Leicester, as 1st Constable. Second by Tom. All in favor. So approved.
Went with Julie to take oath.
2nd Constable needs to be appointed.
Julie informed the Board that Mike Rakowitz was interested in the 2nd Constable position.
Motion by Tom to appoint Mike Rakowitz as 2nd Constable. Second by Ken. All in favor. So approved.
Need to contact Heidi Schuerger to get the badge.
Tree Warden needs to be appointed.
Motion by Ron to appoint Arlan Pidgeon as Tree Warden. Seconded by Tom. All in favor. So approved.
Energy Coordinator needs to be appointed.
Motion by Tom to appoint John Quelch as Energy Coordinator. Second by Ron. All in favor. So approved.
Solid Waste Representative needs to be appointed.
Diane talked with Richard Reed. Richard does want to serve as our representative. Motion by Ron to appoint Richard Reed as our representative. Second by Ken. All in favor. So approved. Diane will complete paperwork and forward to Addison County Solid Waste.
Town Services Manager does not need to be officially appointed until April. Diane has left two messages with Kathy Eastwood to see if she is still interested in the position.
Zoning Administrator
Diane read letter of interest from Tim Johnson. Tim was present. Diane stated that Ed Hanson has expressed interest. Kate Briggs also submitted a letter of interest and resume. Letter was read.
Interviews Wednesday, March 25th starting at 6:30 p.m. Tim can come for 7:00 p.m. Diane will contact Ed Hanson and Kate Briggs to schedule times.
Diane has placed ads for two alternate positions on the Zoning Board and Planning Commission. We need at least four positions. Everyone needs to try to find interested candidates.
Donna completed the Highway Structure Grant. Motion by Tom to authorize Chair to sign the Highway Structure Grant. Second by Bob. All in favor. So approved.
Diane signed Grant and Donna will see that it is mailed to Tom Roberts.
Old Business:
Loan paperwork from Lake Sunapee in the amount of $300,000 was passed for signatures. We are not taking it all at once.
Contract for Addison County Humane Society. Town needs to select Option 1 or Option 2 for the contract. Motion by Ron to select Option 2 for the contract. Second by Ken. All in favor. So approved. Board authorized Julie to pay $500. All in favor.
Tom reported the State auction is coming up in May. Now would be the time to do something about the grader if we are going to. Arlan was asked about leasing his grader to the Town. Arlan was asked to work up a per hour price. By April 6th Arlan will come back with a price per hour to rent his equipment and Bob will call Reg for a report and costs.
We need to get information and make a decision by April 20th.
Ron explained the difference between executive session and deliberative session. Board will be attempting to use deliberative session in the future rather than executive with the exception of the meetings with legal action, hiring, firing, etc.
Public Comment: None
Executive Session:
Motion by Tom, second by Ron to go into Executive Session at 8:37 p.m. to discuss pending legal action. Passed unanimously.
Motion by Ron, second by Ken, to come out of Executive Session with no action taken at 8:48 p.m. Passed unanimously.
Motion by Ron, second by Ken to adjourn at 8:48 p.m. Passed unanimously.
Meeting adjourned 8:48 p.m.
Next regularly scheduled meeting: Monday, April 6, 2009, 6:30 P.M.
Meeting Wednesday, March 25, 2009, 6:30 p.m. to interview Zoning Administrator candidates.
Respectfully submitted,
Sandra L. Trombley
Selectboard Secretary