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Town of Pittsford
Select Board Minutes 3/24/04
Thomas “Hank” Pelkey opened the meeting at 6:29 P.M.
The Board members present were: Thomas “Hank” Pelkey, Larry
Pomainville, Dave Markowski and Joseph Gagnon.
Allen Hitchcock was absent. Also
present were Michael Balch, Helen McKinlay, Roy Newton, Tom Hooker, Butch Shaw,
Tom Carrara, Bob Webster and Paula Bizon Recording Secretary.
MINUTES
The Board minutes from 3/17/04 were reviewed, discussed
and approved. The Liquor Board
minutes of 3/17/04 were reviewed, discussed and approved.
ORDERS
The orders of 3/24/04 were reviewed, discussed and
approved. The Board requested
additional information on the revenue and disbursement statement.
M. Balch stated that the revenues in question will be researched and the
information will be sent to all Board members.
TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
Sewer Capacity
G. Kupferer stated that the State has been sent the
information on the need to lower the sewer allocations at Pittsford Commons.
The request for lower allocations should receive a ruling from the State
in April.
Alcohol Consumption on Town Properties
M. Balch stated that he has contacted the appropriate
authorities and the Town is permitted to have liquor on Town property.
However, they highly recommend that the rental persons have a caterer on
site that holds a valid VT liquor license.
The Board stated their concerns about past parties that have gotten out
of control and the Board recommends that additionally the rental persons hire a
constable. The Board consensus was to have rental parties have the bar
catered by a State of Vermont liquor license holder and also hire a constable or
special officer to be on duty during the event.
Short term sludge removal
M. Balch stated that Bob Berardo has made arrangements for
sludge removal in the short term. This allows the Town approximately six months
to come up with a solution to the bag removal problem.
M. Balch stated that he will be meeting with Gary Fern on Friday and will
discuss the bagging system and all alternatives.
Sewer grate replacement
M. Balch has researched the need of certain grates that
need to be replaced down at the wastewater treatment plant.
He will have available by Monday a quote to have the needed grates
replaced.
USDA Reimbursement
M. Balch informed the Board that the USDA reimbursement
has been received and will be allocated.
West Creek Road Repairs
M. Balch stated that there might be a need to have some
professional engineering done to fix two areas on W. Creek Rd.
M. Balch requested guidance from the Board on how they would like to
proceed on repairing the road. The
Board will get back to M. Balch by next week on possible alternatives.
Fire Department Grant
M. Balch informed the Board that he is working with T.
Hooker and B. Shaw on putting together a Fire Department grant.
Recreation Director Memo
M. Balch informed the Board that he has a memo from R.
Adams. M. Balch stated that R.
Adams is not a union member. Since
he has been employed with the Town, R. Adams has done work for Otter Valley
Union High School. He coaches
two different teams and makes up his time with the Town each week.
M. Balch doesn’t see an issue with this arrangement but just wanted the
Board to be informed of the situation. The
Board was in consensus with the current arrangement.
PUBLIC COMMENT
B. Webster addressed the Board and requested that the
Board adopt a ridgeline ordinance that would limit wind towers, and to change
the town plan and zoning regulations as they pertain to wind towers.
B. Webster stated that he was not in favor of wind farms and stated the
reasons why. The Board asked if the
Town will have any say on wind farms or if the Town will be regulated through
the State to have the farms. B.
Webster stated his understanding is if the Town enacts an ordinance the Town can
react prior to the State regulating the wind farms.
The Board asked if there has been any an interest in Town of placing a
wind farm in Pittsford. The Board
stated that there was a group in last year that requested limitations to
alternative energy sources. The
Board discussed the need for future growth and exploration of other energy
sources and at times sacrifices would have to be made.
The Board recommended that wind farms should be addressed by the ZBA and
B. Webster should bring his concerns to that Board.
The Board will forward B. Webster’s concerns to all necessary Boards.
B. Webster departed at 7:01 P.M.
The Selectboard recessed and went into Sewer Board at
7:01P.M. The Board reconvened at 7:38 P.M.
OLD BUSINESS
Wildlife Management Area
M. Balch presented a letter from Ducks Unlimited, in
reference to a dedication of the Wildlife Management Area, for the Board’s
review. It was the Board’s
recommendation to have the Town’s attorney write a brief on the Town’s
position to be sent to the Environmental Court. H. Pelkey moved and J. Gagnon seconded a motion to have the
Town’s attorney draft a brief on the Town’s position on the conditions of
the permit and have the document forwarded to the Environmental Board.
Unanimously approved.
Rutland County Solid Waste District Representative
The Board tabled the discussion until the next meeting.
FY 2005 Board/Manager Goals
M. Balch recommended that the Board and he draft goals and
bring back to the Board for discussion. The
Board would then combine the lists and prioritize the goals.
M. Balch also suggested that there be three priority levels given to each
task and then time assessed to those items.
The Board set a deadline of the end of April to have FY 2005 goals
determined.
Town Employee Maintenance
T. Carrara asked if the Town has established what
maintenance could be performed by Town employees on Town vehicles.
M. Balch stated that a procedure is in place and it will be followed.
NEW BUSINESS
Fire Department
T. Hooker addressed the Board and stated that the Fire
Department has had an old truck at the Academy that is being used for training.
The State has had another older vehicle on site that has a new ladder on
it. The ladder truck has not been
used, but twice. The engine and
ladder on the ladder truck would fit with the engine on the Town’s ladder
truck. The State has agreed that
the ladder truck could be swapped with the Town’s older truck.
The cost would be approximately $2,500 to swap out the vehicles.
T. Hooker agreed Nickwackett Hose Company would pay any charges over and
above the $2500. The swap would not happen until summer. D.
Markowski moved and L. Pomainville seconded a motion that the Town approve and
contribute a maximum of $2,500 to complete the ladder and engine swap with the
State’s truck. Unanimously
approved.
T. Hooker informed the Board that he has received an offer
on the Town’s old fire department van that is being replaced with a new van
next month. D. Markowski moved and
T. Pelkey seconded a motion to authorize the sale of the surplus fire vehicle
and authorize the Fire Department Chief to negotiate the sale of said vehicle.
Unanimously approved.
T. Hooker informed the Board that there are new bay doors
being replaced in the station. The
Hose Company has voted to pay for the project.
T. Hooker informed the Board of the three non-matching
grants that the Fire Department is submitting.
T. Hooker and B. Shaw departed at 8:01 P.M.
Credit Supervisor
D. Markowski moved and L. Pomainville seconded a motion to
appoint Michael Balch as the credit supervisor for the Town’s water shut off
notices. Unanimously approved.
Board Thank You
The Board expressed their appreciation to Helen McKinlay
on her dedication and hard work during this period of transition between Town
Managers. It was the Board’s
consensus that H. McKinlay is not obligated to attend future Select Board
meetings unless otherwise directed by the Town Manager.
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 go into executive
session for Legal issues at 8:23 P.M. Michael
Balch was invited to stay. All
others were excused. The Board came
out of executive session at 9:00 P.M.
Without any further business, the Board adjourned at 9:05
P.M.
Respectfully
submitted:
Thomas
“Hank” Pelkey, Chair
Larry
Pomainville, Vice-Chair
Dave
Markowski, Selectman
W.
Joseph Gagnon, Selectman
Paula
Bizon, Recording Secretary
ABSENT
Allan Hitchcock, Selectman
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