September 21, 2011
The meeting was called to order at 6:30PM by Thomas “Hank” Pelkey, Chairman.
Select Board members present: Joseph Gagnon, Thomas “Hank” Pelkey, Thomas Hooker, Linda Weeden, and Allen Hitchcock. Also present: Lucia Suarez, Dorothy Parkinson, John Weeden, Tom Carrara, Mike Warfle, Jeff Warfle, Charles “Butch” Shaw, Bruce Babcock (6:55 PM), Bob Berardo (7:00 PM), John Haverstock, and Kelly Giard – Recording Secretary.
MINUTES
The minutes from the September 7, 2011 meeting were signed with no corrections.
ORDERS
The Orders in the amount of $39,103.56 and payroll in the amount of $12,381.12 were signed, with the following comments:
A. Hitchcock inquired about the purchase of a sump pump. J. Haverstock indicated that this is a replacement for a broken pump that Bruce Babcock uses.
J. Gagnon inquired about the expense to Florence Crushed Stone. J. Haverstock indicated that this was for gravel that was used in the repair of the roads as a result of Tropical Storm Irene. J. Gagnon inquired if this expense would be reimbursed by FEMA. J. Haverstock explained that he attended a meeting recently and that all storm related expenses would be compiled and submitted for reimbursement.
L. Weeden inquired about the expenses to Keiths Store. J. Haverstock indicated that this was for fuel for various departments.
J. Gagnon inquired about the expense for Great Escape tickets and inquired if this was an expense that was reimbursed. J. Haverstock explained that the Recreation Department is able to purchase tickets at a reduced rate and the residents purchase the tickets from the Town.
TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT:
J. Haverstock reported on the following:
- Completion of the water project was anticipated to occur in October, however, this project has been put on hold due to Tropical Storm Irene recovery and the timing needs to be confirmed with Markowski Excavating.
- Phase II of the sewer project has been delayed due to Tropical Storm Irene, which forced Belden Construction to be pulled from this project to assist with more critical roadwork in other parts of the state. Belden Construction is anticipating the project to resume the week of September 26, with an additional crew being mobilized for the Pleasant Street section.
- The paving is complete on the Furnace Road and the highway department will be working on driveway transitions as time permits.
- There will be a staff picnic on September 30 from noon – 2:00 PM at the Recreation Area. All staff members and Select Board members are invited to attend.
- Sullivan & Powers has completed 3 days of their annual audit. The finishing work will occur in the near future.
- A committee has been formed to raise funds through October for victims of TS Irene. A portion of the Haunted House revenues will also be donated to this cause. The Hard Farm in Florence has been tracking water levels on a ledge, and OMYA will be funding the chiseling of the 2011 level, following TS Irene.
- An attorney is working on the tax sale of seven properties as a result of delinquent property taxes.
- The newsletter has been sent to the printer and will be delivered to residents soon.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
T. Carrara inquired about deficit spending for highway projects. J. Haverstock explained that this was due to the timing of Whipple Hollow Road paving and grant funding and the highway garage heat and bay door projects, following replacement of the fuel tank at the highway garage. T. Pelkey explained that the funding for these projects was from the Highway surplus account.
T. Carrara inquired if there was any volunteer time of the dump trucks to help other towns in the wake of TS Irene. J. Haverstock indicated that the trucks assisted Chittenden and Mendon.
Butch Shaw asked that the Select Board support the Irene Relief Fundraising Groups. Motion by T. Pelkey and seconded by T. Hooker to support the Irene Relief Fundraising Groups. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
OLD BUSINESS:
Discussion of the Size and Composition of the Police Cruiser Fleet :
Mike Warfle indicated that the current police cruiser is not a winter vehicle and access to some areas in town will be tough in the winter. J. Haverstock handed out proposals that were researched by Officer Lema Carter with regard to vehicles that are available from a dealership in New Jersey. The vehicles are equipped as police vehicles and the vehicles that were proposed are 4-wheel drive vehicles.
Mike Warfle indicated that, in the event of purchasing a vehicle, his recommendation would be to purchase a radar unit that could be either handheld or mounted.
Jeff Warfle indicated that there is $28,000 of donated computer equipment for the vehicles that is ready for installation.
J. Haverstock inquired if there was any information on the COPS program. J. Warfle indicated that there has been no answer received, however, the answers are expected before the end of September.
There was much discussion concerning the purchase of a new vehicle and the members agreed to discuss this issue at the October 5, 2011 meeting.
Consider Adoption of Police Policy & Procedures Manual:
M. Warfle indicated that the manual was drafted by VLCT and other towns have used the manual. However, they have made their own modifications to fit into their town’s needs.
The Select Board members were asked to review the manual and forward any comments, corrections, or suggestions to J. Haverstock, who will forward them to M. Warfle and the manual will be reviewed at the October 19 meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
Discussion of Certificates of Occupancy:
This topic was tabled.
Approval of Errors & Omissions from the Listers’:
The Listers presented 2 errors and omissions for review. One requested that the value of Parcel 1153 (Wolfe) be reduced from $99,000.00 to $55,999.00 to reflect the demolition of a cottage. The other requested that the value of Parcel 0255 be set at $3,607.00 to reflect Coca Cola refreshments. Motion by T. Pelkey and seconded by T. Hooker to approve the errors and omissions as presented. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
Budget Calendar:
A budget calendar was presented for review. The Select Board members agreed to the proposed calendar.
OTHER BUSINESS
J. Haverstock reported that PEG-TV has proposed the possibility of live broadcasting, as well as a taped version of the Select Board meetings. The members agreed that the taped version was acceptable. However, they would not like to have live broadcasts.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
J. Haverstock reported that there are Contractual Issues, Legal Issues and Personnel Issues, thus recommending Executive Session.
T. Pelkey made a motion and seconded by A. Hitchcock to go into Executive Session for Legal, Contractual and Personnel Issues where premature knowledge would be damaging to the Town that may be jeopardized by public disclosure at 7:07 PM. The motion was unanimously passed. Bob Berardo and J. Haverstock were 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, Personnel and Legal Issues at 7:07 PM.
Bob Berardo exited at 7:17 PM.
Bruce Babcock was called into Executive Session at 7:17 PM and exited at 7:25 PM.
The Select Board exited Executive Session at 7:46 PM, with the following action:
Motion by A. Hitchcock and seconded by J. Gagnon to award Jack Shedd the Masters Skills rate of pay. Motion passed 4 – 1 (L. Weeden opposed).
The meeting adjourned at 7:47 PM.
The next regular meeting will be held on October 5, 2011.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kelly Giard, Recording Secretary
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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