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Meeting Minutes

Town of Leicester
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
Monday, October 7, 2013
*Unapproved*
** See subsequent minutes for any changes
 
 
Members Present:  Diane Benware, Ron Fiske, Brad Lawes, Ken Young, Tom Barker
 
Others Present:  Julie Delphia, Arlan Pidgeon, Kate Briggs, Sandra Trombley, Secretary
 
Call to Order:  Meeting called to order at 6:35 p.m. by Chair, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 
 
Review of Agenda:
 
Approval of September 16, 2013 & September 23, 2013 Minutes:
 
Motion by Brad and second by Ken to approve minutes of September 16, 2013 & September 23, 2013 as written.  All in favor.  So approved.
 
Review/Authorization to pay bills:  Bills making their rounds for signatures.
 
Julie reported there is a bill in the packet for 7,215.00 because they lost the PVR appeal.  It sounds like our assessor should have done a little more work to prepare. The listers would not have known.  You can’t just give them recent sales; you actually have to do the work for comparables.  Her opinion is that they lost because it was badly prepared; not on the merits of the case.  But, she is not sure.  It is an expensive learning experience.
 
Sheriff’s Department billed for month of September for 50 hours, plus mileage.  He has not been patrolling where he is supposed to be.  Our contract ended September 7.  Contract needs to be clarified.  Diane will give them a phone call.
 
Tom had a conversation with Mark Stacey about the town not having the Sheriff’s Department patrolling.  Mark thought it was a mistake due to home invasions and drug trafficking in the area.  Tom informed Mark that they were not patrolling where the town had requested.
 
Reports from Town Officials, Committees:
 
Town Foreman:
 
Arlan reported they need to do some work on one side of the salt shed.  It’s bulged out and broke some uprights.
 
Arlan was given the weight permits and Cargill salt bid.
 
Zoning Administrator:
 
Kate and Diane finished the Municipal Planning Grant Application for $8,000.  Funds would be to pay for technical review of new zoning regulations, community public meetings, printing and publication.  VLCT would probably be the most competent and least expensive to use. 
 
We addressed interim zoning regulations; boundary line adjustments, simple sub-divisions and minor changes to non-conforming buildings in first round and it wasn’t warned properly.  Kate has a draft for the Planning Commission.  The Planning Commission is meeting tomorrow.  It has to be warned 15 days prior to the special meeting.  The best date would be the first Selectboard Meeting in November.
 
Kate and Julie went to the Town Fair in Killington where Kate attended the meeting on shoreline protection.  Kate thinks we are going to have to do something.  We want the state to have major enforcement, not have it on the town’s back.  The town has the opportunity to work with the state in writing the regulations.  She anticipates a lot of construction next year.
 
Kate stated that the Energy Standards creates civil liability; under Act 89. 
 
Ron asked about overlays for construction on steep slopes.  Ron is wondering about the expense to the town and private person.  No one is quite sure how to work with steep slopes.
 
Town Clerk/Treasurer:
 
Julie learned all about dogs while at the training.  Julie brought the beta version of the book, Big Book of  Woof; the municipal responsibility for dogs.
 
Julie reported that unless someone gets bit by a dog, off the premises of the owner of the dog, and files a written vicious dog complaint, the town is not required to have a vicious dog hearing or take action.  They suggested that you should reevaluate the dog ordinance; otherwise they are considered civil actions.  A dog bite, even on the premises of the owner, still has to be investigated by the health officer and animal control officer and a bite form has to be written up.
 
When a dog is vicious on the owner’s premises, the town is not required to act and if the town does act, it may be setting a precedence for the future.  Julie recommends reading the Big Book of Woof.
 
Julie had an unregistered dog at large and called Ron.  The animal control officer needs to be more aggressive in issuing citations.
 
The other training Julie went to was on public records.  There are going to be some classes on public records over the next few months.  It would be good to have some people go to them.  Almost everything is a public record.  They spent a full day on public records and exceptions.  It is very complicated.  When you write something in a letter or email, anyone can read it.
 
Delinquents are at $55,400.  Will be open Monday for taxes.
 
In the packet is the Lister Errors and Omissions document for signature.  All Board signed the Errors and Omissions Form.
 
First payment for the milfoil is in the orders.
 
Motion by Brad and second by Ken to allow the Treasurer to transfer Milfoil Grant Funds to Lake Dunmore/Fern Lake Association as received.  All in favor.  So approved.
 
The appropriations and assessment in the budget will be in the next bills.
 
All of the signs are here that were anonymously donated to the town.  Installation and materials for installing the signs will be at the town’s expense.  Ron will talk with Bob Munger about framing and installing.
 
  • 2 Welcome Signs with web-site
  • 2 Town Office
  • 1 Rectangle School sign; s/b framed
 
Motion by Tom and second by Ron to approve the bills.  All in favor.  So approved.
 
CORRESPONDENCE
 
Cargill Salt:
 
The Quote Agreement letter was discussed for 400 ton and was signed by the Chair and Julie will fax it to them.
 
Letter to Alan May:
 
On September 20th, Brad, Kate and Diane met at Reserve Road with Alan May to discuss the Better Back Road Grant proposal.  He was agreeable to an extension.  The work to be done is within the Reserved Road:
  • Washed 3” stone on sand
  • 2 water bars and lay 3” stone to catch erosion – ditching and stone on side
  • 5 mph sign
 
Diane mentioned they hadn’t talked to any of the landowners to date.
 
VT Gas Pipeline Communication to Town:
 
Diane read the letter from opponents.
 
VT Gas has filed paperwork for Phase II.
 
VTrans Transportation Alternatives Programs
 
251 Vermont Towns 12th Annual Renewable Energy Conference October 28 & 29 at the Sheraton in Burlington for Energy Solutions.  $75 a day.
 
US Department of Army office has moved.  Keep on file.
 
Senior Center Building Needs:
 
Bob took out the whole front floor.  Ron brought over his backhoe and dug a hole for the sump pump.  All the floor joists are gone and need to be replaced. 
 
 
NEW BUSINESS
 
Town Health Officer Needs:
 
Now that Jim has resigned as Town Health Officer; the position automatically defaults to the Chair of Selectboard for a 3 year term.  Suggestion that Animal Control Officer can investigate and report to Town Health Officer for dog bites.  Diane will take her manual home to read and report back.
 
Motion by Ron and second by Ken to authorize Treasurer to send $50 on behalf of the town to Brandon Area Rescue Squad in memory of Sandy’s sister.  All in favor.  So approved.
 
LIMITED PUBLIC OPINION: None
 
Motion by Tom and second by Brad to adjourn at 8:25 p.m.
 
Next Meeting October 21, 2013.
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
 
Sandra L. Trombley, Secretary