July 21, 2010
The meeting was called to order at 7:27PM by Thomas “Hank” Pelkey, Chairman.
Select Board members present: Thomas “Hank” Pelkey, Joseph Gagnon, Thomas Hooker, Linda Weeden, and Allen Hitchcock. Also present: Kit Hudson, Shawn Erickson, Bruce Paynter, Anita Paynter, Helen McKinlay, Don Nickless, Amy Loomis, Trish Lewis, Tom Carrara, John Haverstock, and Kelly Giard, Recording Secretary.
MINUTES
The minutes from the July 7, 2010 meeting; July 7, 2010 special meeting; July 7, 2010 Dog Hearing; July 14, 2010 special meeting were reviewed and signed with no corrections.
ORDERS
The Orders in the amount of $473,782.10 for FY ’10; $6,064.03 for FY ’11; and payroll in the amount of $14,957.58 were signed with the following comments:
J. Gagnon inquired about the expense for “DMV renewals lost”. J. Haverstock reported that this was for vehicle registrations that were lost in the mail.
J. Gagnon inquired about the purchase of Deluxe Checks. J. Haverstock reported that this is just the name of the checks that are used in the offices.
A. Hitchcock inquired about the payment of $380.00 to Top Dog and inquired if the quality issues have been corrected. J. Haverstock indicated that he has spoken with the owners of Top Dog and hopefully the issues have been resolved.
J. Gagnon inquired about the payment of $97.00 for the Ford F350 for an oil change. J. Gagnon inquired of S. Erickson if oil is being purchased in bulk. S. Erickson indicated that this oil change was for the first oil change and any further oil changes will happen at the Highway Garage and that the oil is purchased in a 55-gallon drum.
L. Weeden inquired about the expense to Crystal Rock Water for the highway cooler. J. Haverstock reported that a plumber has been contacted, however, has not given an estimate for the installation of a fountain at the Highway Garage. J. Haverstock will research alternatives and report back.
TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT:
J. Haverstock reported on the following:
- The Sewer Bond vote passed 124 – 37 with a passage rate of 77%. The Water & Sewer Commission conducted their meeting following the vote and notices have gone to affected parties.
- The water project will include temporary patch paving in the area of Arch, Mechanic and Pleasant Streets.
- The Whipple Hollow Road water main replacement will be completed by October 1, 2010.
- There are about 15 meters to be installed. Some of these have been scheduled and others will be addressed on a case by case basis.
- The Vermont Youth Conservation Corps will be in Pittsford next week working on the banks of Sugar Hollow Brook at the Recreation Area and at the culvert on the south side of Depot Hill Road. This crew is from the Rutland area.
- The newsletter will be out for delivery at the end of July.
- There will be a staff meeting on July 22, 2010 at 9:00 AM and members of the Select Board are invited to attend.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Tom Carrara indicated that he would like to see a public statement given to all residents indicating that the entire Town is responsible for the indebtedness of any projects voted by bond. A. Hitchcock indicated that this is clearly stated when the vote is advertised.
OLD BUSINESS:
Continued Discussion /Setting Tax Rates:
H. McKinlay presented a proposal of various tax rates. T. Pelkey reported that there would be $353,550 plus $2,600 in interest, as voted on at Town Meeting. The current fund balances will allow for a return of $120,000, and still maintain the State recommendation of a 15% ($180,000) General Fund balance carry-over. There is currently $30,464.04 available in the Village Fund.
Motion by J. Gagnon and seconded by T. Hooker to set the General Tax Rate at 0.1196. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
Motion by A. Hitchcock and seconded by L. Weeden to set the Highway Tax Rate at 0.2209. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
Motion by T. Hooker and seconded by J. Gagnon to set the Voter Appropriations at 0.0295. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
Motion by T. Pelkey and seconded by T. Hooker to set the Village Tax Rate for the current year only at 0.000. D. Nickless inquired if this fund covers the lighting in the village. T. Pelkey explained that this fund covers the lighting and sidewalk repairs and that this rate would only cover FY11. J. Gagnon inquired if the surplus was due to the sidewalk repairs not completed. J. Haverstock reported that this work was included in the Highway Budget. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
Motion by A. Hitchcock and seconded by T. Hooker to set the Town School rate at .3699 for the residential rate and 1.4197 for the non-residential rate. H. McKinlay indicated that this rate is set by the State and that the Town has no control over this rate. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
H. McKinlay exit at 7:51 PM.
Consideration of Potential Wood Chipper Purchase:
J. Haverstock reported that there were bids for a wood chipper included in the packets for review.
S. Erickson indicated that there was no reason not to purchase the machine that had the lowest bid ($24,000), as he believes that the machines are comparable. There were some various demonstrations for the Highway Department staff.
L. Weeden inquired about the delivery lead time. S. Erickson indicated that the delivery would be immediate as bids were based on demo models.
Motion by T. Hooker and seconded by L. Weeden to purchase the Altec machine for $24,000.
A. Hitchcock inquired if there was sufficient funding available in the Highway Capital Equipment Fund. J. Haverstock indicated that there was sufficient funding available.
L. Weeden expressed that it may have been better to purchase from an in-state supplier.
J. Gagnon indicated that he would have liked to have seen a “municipal partnership” to share purchase and maintenance costs.
Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
Continued Consideration of Application to Renew Salvage Yard Permit – R. Brown & Sons, Inc.
J. Haverstock reported that the application has been updated per request of A. Hitchcock at a previous meeting and included in the packets for review.
Motion by A. Hitchcock and seconded by T. Hooker to accept the application as presented.
Consideration of Implementing a Resident Survey:
L. Weeden indicated that she can not see spending in excess of $10,000 to conduct this survey and that if there is a concern from a resident, they should contact any member of the Select Board. The Board agreed with this thought.
Appeal of Dog Hearing Ruling:
T. Pelkey explained that a letter has been received appealing the Laura Smart dog hearing order. There were 3 letters included in the packets for review.
T. Pelkey indicated that he has spoken with neighbors, and there have been no further issues since the removal of the ‘male’ dog. T. Pelkey indicated that he has spoken with various individuals who all have indicated that this particular breed of dog make “excellent pets”. T. Pelkey indicated that he has spoken with Mr. Gladski, who participated in the previous hearing, and indicated that there have been no noise issues since the hearing. J. Haverstock indicated that he has spoken with the other complainants, who have also indicated that there have been no issues.
Motion by T. Pelkey and seconded by T. Hooker allow a 60-day moratorium on the removal of ‘Angel’, however, the dog must be under control of the owner at all times, and if the barking begins again, the moratorium will be voided.
L. Weeden inquired if ‘Angel’ was the dog that was admitted to barking and chasing deer. T. Pelkey indicated that this is not the dog, that it was the ‘male’ that behaved in this manner.
J. Haverstock indicated that a letter was received from Cory Smart with regard to another female named ‘Ruby’. T. Pelkey agreed that the moratorium should apply to “Ruby” as well.
Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0. J. Haverstock was instructed to phone Ms. Smart, as well as follow up with a letter.
A. Hitchcock indicated that if there are issues, then the 60 day time period will be void and the previous order will be in effect and that the communications should be specific.
NEW BUSINESS:
Budget Status Report:
J. Haverstock reported that expenses in the General Fund for Fiscal Year 2010 are at
98.5 % of budget and in the Highway Fund expenses are at 79 % of budget.
Consideration of Interim Zoning Ordinance:
Motion by A. Hitchcock and seconded by T. Hooker to adopt the Proposed Zoning Ordinance as presented with minor changes that were discussed in the Public Hearing that preceded this Select Board Meeting.
T. Pelkey asked the members of the Planning Commission to clarify concerns that were expressed by Mr. Hudson in the Public Hearing.
D. Nickless inquired if the Select Board agreed to the chart that discussed the PRD. D. Nickless indicated that this proposed Ordinance was not written against Mr. Paynter, and that there is no focus on any one individual’s needs within the Town or the Village.
There were several properties discussed with regard to the PRD’s.
J. Gagnon inquired if it was possible to change the Route 7 section north of the Village to the Brandon Town Line to be “commercial”. D. Nickless indicated that this would require additional hearings.
D. Nickless indicated that there have been businesses that have failed south of Town and that the proposed Ordinance restricts sprawl, as recommended by other consulting entities.
J. Haverstock indicated that this Ordinance will need to be reviewed by the Planning Commission for an updated version, within 2 years.
The motion passed 4 – 1 (Gagnon).
A. Hitchcock expressed his thanks to the members of the Planning Commission for undertaking this difficult and prolonged task. D. Nickless expressed thanks to Amy Loomis for her dedication to this project.
S. Erickson exit 8:23 PM; A. Loomis exit 8:24 PM; D. Nickless exit 8:29 PM.
Report on Activities of the Water & Sewer Commission:
A. Hitchcock reported that the Sewer Bond Vote passed and that the Commission met with engineer Mike Smith following the bond vote. Mr. Smith indicated that the design documents will be finished in early August. The work at the Wastewater Treatment Facility will hopefully be done in the Fall of 2010 and the work on the sewer lines and Elm Street pump station will occur in the Spring of 2011. The paving will occur under the sewer project costs.
OTHER BUSINESS
None presented at this time.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
J. Haverstock reported that there are contractual issues (involving Union negotiations), and a personnel matter (that will remain confidential) thus recommending Executive Session.
T. Pelkey made a motion and seconded by T. Hooker to go into Executive Session for contractual issues where premature knowledge would be damaging to the Town, and personnel matters at 8:34 PM. The motion was unanimously passed. J. Haverstock was invited to remain for 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 Contractual and Personnel at 8:34 PM.
The Select Board came out of executive session at 8:59 PM with no action taken.
The next regular meeting will be held on August 4, 2010.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kelly Giard, Recording Secretary
Thomas “Hank” Pelkey, Chairman
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Allen Hitchcock, Vice Chairman
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W. Joseph Gagnon, Selectman
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Thomas Hooker, Selectman
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Linda Weeden, Selectman