The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM by Thomas “Hank” Pelkey, Chairman.
Select Board members present: Joseph Gagnon, Thomas “Hank” Pelkey, Allen Hitchcock, and Thomas Hooker.
Also present: Bruce Paynter, Anita Paynter, Linda Weeden, David Markowski, David Rowe, Shannon Murray, Charla Helton, S. W. Hitchcock, Mike Warfle (6:56 PM), John Haverstock, and Kelly Giard, Recording Secretary.
MINUTES
The minutes of the August 19 meeting were signed with no changes. A. Hitchcock requested that the Town Manager ask Shawn Erickson, Highway Foreman, to coordinate the paving on Furnace Road with Mark Youngstrom with regard to the water project that is scheduled for that road. J. Haverstock indicated that there is no paving planned this year for the section of Furnace Road affected by the water project.
ORDERS
The orders of September 2, 2009 in the amount of $10,838.00 (FY ’09 General Fund); $26,216.15 (FY ’10 General Fund); and $10,245.59 (Payroll) were approved and signed following discussion as stated below:
J. Gagnon inquired about the amount that was paid on a leased copier. J. Haverstock reported that the copier in the Town Clerk’s office is the leased copier and the copier in the Conference Room is owned. There was discussion that there was research done when the copiers were purchased/leased and found this to be the most cost-effective approach.
T. Hooker indicated that Howards’ Fire Control bills have been adjusted. J. Haverstock will see that these invoices are paid.
J. Gagnon inquired about the amount for a Constable’s hat. J. Haverstock reported that there is a new recruit and this was for that individual.
J. Gagnon indicated that the $448.00 paid to Gagnon Lumber was for some custom sawing of logs that were cut by the Highway Department. These boards will be used by the Highway Department for construction purposes at the Transfer Station.
TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
J. Haverstock reported on the following:
- The Water & Sewer Commission held a bid opening on August 25, 2009. Otter Creek Engineering has reviewed the bids. The Commission accepted the bid from Markowski Excavating at their meeting on September 1, 2009.
- An appeal has been made by Bruce Paynter to the State Supreme Court with regard to the summary judgment regarding the Town Plan case. The Town’s legal counsel has filed a motion to dismiss the most recent Paynter lawsuit with regard to the Town Zoning regulations.
- There will be a meeting about the possible Rutland area installation of fiber optic cable with Tom Macauley of the Rutland Redevelopment Agency, on Thursday, September 3, 2009, which J. Haverstock will be attending at the West Rutland Town Hall.
- Bill Bowman, Fire Warden, reports that Linwood Bovey has resigned his post. Mr. Bowman reports that no replacement is needed at this time.
- The painting has been completed at the Transfer Station by Charlie Rivers over the summer.
- A couple of web designers have been contacted about upgrading the Town’s web site and a proposal is expected soon.
- The Town Office will be closed on Monday, September 7, 2009 in observance of Labor Day.
PUBLIC COMMENT
David Markowski was present to “permanently” resign his post on the Select Board due to the award of the Water & Sewer Project bid to his company, Markowski Excavating. The members accepted the resignation, with regret.
OLD BUSINESS
Discussion of Excess Weight Permits/Enforcement
J. Haverstock recommended that this topic be moved to Executive Session, to include the Constable, Mike Warfle.
Discussion of Construction of Town Garage
J. Haverstock reported that the lot to the rear of the Town Office would be utilized to garage the police cruisers and utility vehicles. The recommendations were included in the packets for review. T. Hooker recommended that the building not be built too small to cause problems in the future. T. Pelkey agreed.
T. Hooker recommended that a 3-bay garage be built a little “deep” in the event extra storage is needed in the winter months. There were various options discussed as to what would be stored in the garage. There was discussion as to what would be included in the building.
J. Gagnon recommended that Bruce Babcock be present and give some input as to how much space is needed. A. Hitchcock recommended that some of the Water & Sewer record keeping be included in this space
Linda Weeden inquired whether the building would be heated. T. Hooker indicated that the heat would not occur in the beginning. There was discussion that this project could happen over various phases. J. Gagnon inquired if there would be an upstairs to be used for office spaces. J. Haverstock will look into this.
Basement Vault Door
J. Haverstock reported that the bids were included in the packets for a fire-rated vault door. The Royal Group bid for the DOOR ONLY at $8,737. The installation would be an additional fee to be done by another vendor. The other bid is from Lock & Glass Crafters in the amount of $9,174, plus $1,750 for installation. Motion by A. Hitchcock and seconded by T. Hooker to accept the latter proposal of $9,174, plus $1,750 for installation. Passed unanimously 4 – 0.
Water and Sewer System Contract
J. Haverstock reported that Mark Youngstrom from Otter Creek Engineering recommended to the Water & Sewer Commission that it award the construction bid to Markowski Excavating. Motion by J. Gagnon and seconded by T. Hooker to accept the proposed resolution as written. Motion passed unanimously 4 – 0.
Motion by T. Hooker and seconded by A. Hitchcock to accept, with regret, the permanent resignation of David Markowski from the Select Board. Passed unanimously 4 – 0. The position will be posted in various locations in Town, the website, and the newspaper. The prospects will have a deadline of October 7, 2009 to respond.
NEW BUSINESS
Town Signage Proposal
Charla Helton was present to present a proposal for a new sign at the north entrance to the Town on Route 7. There was discussion as to the sign, and a proposed design was presented. The sign will be placed by the Monument, where the previous sign was placed. The general consensus of the Board was to accept the sign, with gratitude.
Water & Sewer Commission
A. Hitchcock reported that the Water & Sewer Commission is expecting construction to begin in early October. There was an explanation that the Kendall Hill Road segment would be the initial segment. There has been no decision as to the metering company as both bids came in within $500 of each other.
The next meeting of the Water & Sewer Commission will be on Sept. 22, 2009 at 6:30 PM.
J. Haverstock reported that Mark Youngstrom has scheduled a meeting with the Route 7 abutters and Markowski Excavating on September 29, 2009 at 6:30 PM. J. Gagnon inquired how long the project is expected to take. J. Haverstock reported that there are 200 construction days to complete the project. T. Pelkey commended the Water & Sewer Commission on the work they have done to get the project this far.
Discussion of Meeting Schedule
J. Haverstock will be out of Town on September 16, 2009 and proposed the next Select Board meeting be held on September 23, 2009. Members agreed to the change.
Discussion of Stop Sign on Gorham Bridge Road
Shawn Erickson has indicated that the current traffic situation at the Gorham Bridge Road presents a safety issue. Mr. Erickson is proposing a “stop ahead” sign be placed on the Proctor side of the bridge and a stop sign placed on the Pittsford side. A drawing of Mr. Erickson’s ideas was presented for review. Mr. Erickson has spoken with the highway department in Proctor and it was determined that both Proctor and Pittsford Select Boards must agree on the record before the signage can be posted.
Motion by J. Gagnon and seconded by T. Hooker to accept the recommendation of Shawn Erickson with regard to the “stop ahead” sign on the Proctor side of the Gorham Bridge and a stop sign on the Pittsford side and that both Proctor and Pittsford work together on this project. Passed unanimously 4 – 0.
OTHER BUSINESS
A. Hitchcock inquired if there was any further information available with regard to the Sugar Hollow Road shots fired, as was discussed at the last meeting. J. Haverstock indicated that he spoke with Mr. Keith, who was present and made note of the concern, and Mr. Keith indicated that he had spoken with Officer Lema Carter, but that no formal police complaint was filed, nor a report issued. Mr. Keith will make a formal complaint in the event this happens in the future.
T. Hooker reported that Linwood Bovey has resigned from the Fire Department and is moving to Brandon.
T. Hooker made a motion and seconded by A. Hitchcock to go into Executive Session for Legal and Law Enforcement matters at 7:12 PM. The motion was passed unanimously. J. Haverstock and Mike Warfle were invited to stay.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
In accordance with 1 VSA 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 and Law Enforcement at 7:12 PM.
Constable Warfle exited Executive Session at 7:45 PM.
The Select Board came out of Executive Session at 8:05 PM with no action taken.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:06 PM.
The next meeting will be held on September 23, 2009.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kelly Giard, Recording Secretary