The meeting was called to order at 6:30PM by Thomas “Hank” Pelkey, Chairman.
Select Board members present: Joseph Gagnon, Thomas “Hank” Pelkey, Allen Hitchcock, Margaret “Peg” Flory, and Thomas Hooker.
Also present: Bruce Paynter, Anita Paynter, David Rowe, Linda Weeden, Tom Carrara (6:36 PM), John Haverstock and Kelly Giard, Recording Secretary
MINUTES
The minutes from the December 16, 2009 meeting were reviewed and signed with no corrections.
ORDERS
The orders of $48,747.44 (General Fund) and $10,525.84 (Payroll) were approved and signed following discussion as stated below:
J. Gagnon inquired about the costs of the repairs of the Police Department explorer and inquired if the current expenses of roughly $4,000 in repairs the “clunking noise”. J. Haverstock explained that the “clunking noise” is not eliminated and Officer Carter directed G. Stone Motors that no more work was authorized. However, the current expenses are roughly $1,200 more than anticipated due to the fact that when the technician at G. Stone Motors was test driving the vehicle, the door on the driver side was off balance on the hinge and could have fallen off. This was repaired. T. Hooker inquired how much has been spent this year. J. Haverstock does not have this information at hand. T. Pelkey recommended trading both vehicles and consolidating to 1 that is a 4 wheel drive vehicle, to be housed in the proposed garage.
TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
J. Haverstock reported on the following:
- The Water & Sewer project has made good progress in the current construction season. The “cross country” connection between the Pittsford and Florence systems is nearly complete. The metering installation is anticipated to begin soon and residents are encouraged to contact the contractor to schedule this independently. An e-mail from Carl Crawford, the engineer with Otter Creek Engineering is included in the packet for review on the progress of the project.
- The first of two Public Hearings occurred on January 6, 2010 at 6:00 PM with regard to the proposed Town Plan. The second is to be held on January 7, 2010 at 6:00 PM.
- The Paynters have moved to withdraw one of their several pending lawsuits against the Town. A summary from the law firms that are representing the Town regarding the Paynter lawsuits is included in packets for review.
- A meeting with Rutland Regional Planning Commission and Vermont Community Energy Mobilization Project (VCEM), in conjunction with Efficiency Vermont, was held on January 5, which was attended by J. Haverstock. This
- group will train local volunteers to make home visits around Town, at the request of the resident. Low-flow shower heads, CFL light bulbs, and pipe wrapping are just a few of the free products available through this project. J. Haverstock is taking names of anyone who would like visits or to serve as an inspector. Training will be later in January, and is anticipated to take roughly 3 hours to complete.
PUBLIC COMMENT
B. Paynter inquired whether the Town website has been removed. J. Haverstock indicated that the old website has been removed, however, the new site is currently active.
L. Weeden inquired whether the VCEM will be giving the CFL light bulbs at no cost. J. Haverstock explained how these bulbs are being funded through CVPS and that there is a subsidy.
L. Weeden explained that a school district in New York state has had their bank account “hacked” and inquired if there were any security functions in place to protect the municipality. J. Haverstock will be in contact with the server administrator and will advise regarding his findings.
T. Carrara inquired about the icicles on the roof of the Town Office. J. Haverstock indicated that this is on the agenda for further discussion.
OLD BUSINESS
Update on Timber Sales:
Eric Hansen has communicated that he has been in communication with TJ Turner with regard to the timber sale at the Caverly location. Mr. Turner is agreeable to the sale by mill tally. A copy of this communication is in the packets for review. Mr. Turner is requesting roughly 15 months to complete this project. Motion by J. Gagnon and seconded by A. Hitchcock to accept this recommendation, as stated by Eric Hansen. Passed unanimously 5 – 0.
Discussion of Operations at Transfer Station
J. Haverstock indicated that he has met with Charlie Rivers (attendant who takes the punches and money) and Doc Potter (operator of the compactor) with regard to the Transfer Station. The Town has already recently decreased the number of “punches” included in the purchase of a permit from 20-punch to 10-punch. A newsletter reminder of the bag sizes that are permitted is being sent out soon. There will also be a visual aid displayed at the Transfer Station. One other concern that was discussed was that the gate is left open, especially with snow removal operations and that some people are going in and dumping on “non-dump” days. Currently, the operation is open on Wednesday afternoon and all day on Saturday.
There were options that were discussed and more research will be done.
B. Paynter inquired about the annual loss. J. Haverstock indicated that the current deficit is roughly $30,000 – $40,000.
J. Haverstock will be meeting with a potential private operator in the near future and will advise the Select Board about the outcome of this meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
Review of Special Appropriation Requests:
J. Haverstock reported that the budget proposal is completed. One portion of this process is the approval of the Warning for Town Meeting. The Library has requested a Special Appropriation of $10,000 this year and a request was received from the Rutland County Parent Child Center in the amount of $400. These articles will be warned for consideration at Town Meeting.
J. Gagnon inquired if level funding was taken into consideration in the appropriations. J. Gagnon indicated that the Library is seeking a 20% increase over the allocation received in the past.
L. Weeden inquired if the special appropriations would be separate on the ballot. T. Pelkey explained that they are not typically treated separately.
T. Hooker inquired if the Library increase is for a special project. J. Haverstock indicated that this is believed to be a General Operating item for the Library. A. Hitchcock recommended more information be available for the next meeting. J. Haverstock indicated that Bonnie Stewart would be presenting information at Town Meeting. T. Carrara inquired if this is in addition to the current $45,000 that is currently allocated. J. Gagnon indicated that this $10,000 is in addition.
M. Flory explained that in the past, the allocations had been researched and found that some of the allocations had no longer existed. T. Pelkey recommended that a representative be present to answer any questions that may be raised at Town Meeting. There was much discussion concerning this topic.
Motion by A. Hitchcock and seconded by J. Gagnon to vote on all special appropriations’ requests separately. Passed unanimously 5 – 0. J. Haverstock will advise each recipient of the process and invite them to be present at Town Meeting.
Budget Preparation Status Report:
J. Haverstock reported that all departments have been asked to level fund their budget for the coming year. Some cuts noted were to reduce the garage construction appropriation from $10,000 to $6,000; the Rutland County tax bill is roughly $9,000 less than anticipated; reduce the budget for the correction of the Recreation Field by 1/3, due to the offers of help and equipment by J. Gagnon and T. Carrara.
J. Gagnon inquired about the status of the Replacement Fund amounts and whether proposed changes are included in the proposed budget. J. Haverstock indicated that this is an internal function and is currently an F/Y ’11 project.
Motion by M. Flory and seconded by T. Hooker to accept the budget as presented. Passed unanimously 5 – 0.
Grand List Consideration:
A memo was received from the Listers’ recommending that Chuck Smid be removed from the Grand List as Mr. Smid submitted a letter indicating that there is currently no inventory located in Pittsford. Motion by T. Hooker and seconded by J. Gagnon to remove Mr. Smid’s inventory from the Grand List. Passed unanimously 5 – 0.
Consideration of Tax Abatements:
J. Haverstock has 2 requests for Property Tax penalties and interest abatements. This topic was referred to Executive Session.
Leaf Blower:
Information was included in the packets for review and consideration for the purchase of a leaf blower. This item was tabled.
Recess the Select Board to conduct business as the Liquor Board at 7:33 PM.
Reconvene as the Select Board at 7:35 PM.
OTHER BUSINESS:
J. Haverstock indicated that there is a build-up of icicles at the Town Office, which is an indication of potential heat loss. J. Haverstock indicated that he has been in contact with Dan Adams with regard to an energy study, with the potential cost of roughly $250 – $300.
J. Gagnon inquired if there were any State services available to conduct this energy study. M. Flory will research the possibility of State services, however, if none are available, J. Haverstock was advised to proceed with Mr. Adams.
J. Gagnon has been approached by an individual that submitted zoning permits and has had no response from the Zoning Administrator. J. Haverstock reported that he has been in contact with Ms. Loomis with regard to this individual and the applications are not completed and Ms. Loomis is not in a position to assist the individual with this completion.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
J. Haverstock reported that there are legal issues pending litigation updates involving the Town and Union contractual issues, thus recommending Executive Session.
M. Flory made a motion and seconded by T. Hooker to go into Executive Session for legal issues where premature knowledge would be damaging to the Town, and contractual issues that may be jeopardized by public disclosure at 7:43 PM. The motion was unanimously passed. J. Haverstock was invited to stay for the entire Executive Session.
In accordance with 1VSA 312 (b), where premature general public knowledge would clearly place the Municipality or person involved at a substantial disadvantage, the Board
unanimously agreed to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of Legal, Contractual, and Personnel at 7:43 PM.
The Select Board came out of executive session at 8:44 PM with no action taken.
Meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.
The next meeting will be held on January 20, 2010.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kelly Giard, Recording Secretary
Thomas “Hank” Pelkey, Chairman
Allen Hitchcock, Vice Chairman
W. Joseph Gagnon, Selectman
Thomas Hooker, Selectman
Margaret “Peg” Flory, Selectman