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Meeting Minutes

Town of Leicester
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
 
Monday, January 7, 2013
*Unapproved*
** See subsequent minutes for any changes
 
Members Present:  Diane Benware, Ron Fiske, Ken Young, Brad Lawes, Tom Barker
 
Others Present:  Julie Delphia, Sandra Trombley, Secretary
 
Call to OrderMeeting called to order at 6:32 p.m. by Chair, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 
 
Review of Agenda:  Agenda reviewed.
 
Approval of December 17, 2012 Minutes:
 
Motion by Ron and second by Brad to approve the minutes of December 17, 2012.   4 in favor.   1 abstention (Tom).   So approved.
 
Review/Authorization to pay bills:  Bills making their rounds for signatures.
 
Reports from Town Officials, Committees:
 
Town Clerk/Treasurer
 
Julie reported she is getting budget things together. 
 
Julie reported that we need a lister.  Auditors are coming in Friday.
 
Listers:  None
 
Town Foreman: None
 
Zoning Administrator:  None
 
CORRESPONDENCE:
 
There was a letter from FEMA.  The project completion and certification report needs a signature on page 2.
 
Motion by Ron and second by Tom to authorize Chair to sign on behalf of the Board.  All in favor.  So approved.
 
Addison County Solid Waste is hosting a pre-lead and asbestos workshop, next Thursday, from 2 – 4 p.m. at the American Legion in Middlebury.
 
A copy from Attorney Carroll accepting service in regards of Potter vs. Town of Leicester.
 
 
 
 
NEW BUSINESS
 
Diane provided a draft for review and discussion of the Selectboard letter for Town Report.
 
Diane shared that the Planning Commission is meeting on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. and that Ron has been requested to attend the meeting.  Kate has done her homework and ready with the plan of operation.  There may be some interested persons attending wishing to serve on the Board. 
 
There was discussion about the dog ordinance and statutory mandates and repeals.  Brad read that dog attacks on domestic animals are a private civil matter.  Diane will contact VLCT to see what responsibilities the town has through their Dog Ordinance in regard to dog bites to a person. 
 
OLD BUSINESS:
 
Leicester Roads Maintenance Policy Adoption:
 
Diane provided draft of Leicester Roads Maintenance Policy.
 
Motion by Tom and second by Ken to formally adopt policy with revisions and a copy in the Town Report.  All in favor.  So approved.
 
Motion by Tom and second by Brad to approve bills.  All in favor.  So approved.
 
2013 Budget Calculations:
 
Julie prepared an up-to-date copy of the budget for review.
 
The Board reviewed receipts/income.
 
Julie explained the disbursements and transfers to Restricted Fund.  Julie separated items for more clarity.
 
Auditing & Listing were reviewed.
 
Selectboard salaries are determined by Auditors.
 
Motion by Tom and second by Ron to increase Selectboard Secretary from $60 per meeting to $70 per meeting.  All in favor.  So approved.
 
Recycling will remain the same; unless tipping fees change.
 
Building expenses:  The Meeting House and Senior Center need to be checked for needed repairs.  Members of the board will look the buildings over on Wednesday and work out specs to get a sense of cost.  Diane will check on possible grant money for repair of historic buildings.
 
Board authorized Julie to call and ask Royden to evaluate furnace and look at stove pipe in Meeting House.  The furnace is over 30 years old.
 
Brad recommended getting a professional such as Webb to come up and spec the whole building.  Webb will do this free of charge.  Webb would be able to tell them what they can and can’t do and get some ideas.
 
Board felt we may need to request funds for building repair, but they need to gather more information first.
 
Fuel:  will remain level funded.
 
Grounds Care:  Cemetery:  Gus requested $25 more per mowing with clean up the same.  Office & Town Green:  Calvin requested $10 more per mowing with clean up the same.  Board agreed that they should get this increase because they haven’t requested an increase in several years.
 
Town Clerk/Treasurer/Assistant:
 
Tom commented on how much the Board appreciates the hard work that Julie has done and continues to do.  Board wants to increase Town Clerk and Treasurer by $250 each.
 
Office Expenses:  Discussion of Records Restoration and Maintenance.  Julie will put an explanation in her report for the Town Report about the funding and anticipated future expense of required record restoration/microfilming.
 
Insurance: Actual expenses.
 
Zoning:  Zoning Regulations need to be done this year, so there will be extra printing expense and perhaps some extra secretarial expense due to extra zoning clerical work.
 
Utilities:  A slight increase due to electricity expenses.
 
Public Safety Items:  Will remain level funded.  After all receipts are in, if there are any monies left from Law Enforcement, the Board agreed it should go to the Equipment Fund to benefit the highway.
 
Other Expenses:  Anticipated legal fees have increased.
 
Assessment and Appropriations have been filled in for what Julie has.
 
Highway:
 
Equipment Repairs:  Remains level funded.
Highway Purchases: Remains at “0”.
Equipment Rental:    Remains level funded.
Materials:                  Remains level funded.
Storm Damage/FEMA Disaster:  “0”
General Highway Expense:  
  • Resurfacing keep $30K in paving and ask for $20K. 
  • Roadside mowing, Lem wanted $5 hr more per mowing.  Board was in agreement.
Payroll:   Increase in salaries.  Last year was a very mild winter.  They don’t expect this year to be so mild.
 
Motion by Ken and second by Tom to increase Arlan and Scott by $1 per hour each for salary.  All in favor.  So approved.
 
Ken reported a massive tree down close to the road on Cram Road that is hung up in another tree that needs to come down.  Ron also mentioned a pine tree.  Ken will call Arlan.
 
Motion by Tom and second by Ron to recess at 9:35 p.m.  Reconvene for a brief meeting next Monday, January 14, 2013 to finalize the budget.  All in favor.  So approved.
 
Next meeting, Monday, January 14, 2013 at 6:30 p.m.
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
 
Sandra L. Trombley, Secretary