January 18, 2012
The meeting was called to order at 6:30PM by Allen Hitchcock, Vice Chairman.
Select Board members present: Joseph Gagnon, Allen Hitchcock, Thomas Hooker and Linda Weeden. Absent: Thomas “Hank” Pelkey. Also present: Lucia Suarez, Lee Kahrs, John Haverstock, and Kelly Giard – Recording Secretary.
MINUTES
The minutes from the January 4, 2012 meeting were signed, with no corrections.
ORDERS
The Orders in the amount of $47,927.07 and payroll in the amount of $13,636.54 were signed, with the following comments:
L. Weeden inquired about the expense to Ted Chastaine for the police cruiser repair. J. Haverstock indicated that this was for maintenance on the Charger.
L. Weeden inquired about the expense to Jeffrey Warfle for police equipment. J. Haverstock indicated that Officer Warfle had some items available for sale that could be utilized in the new vehicle and Chief Warfle felt that it would be a good expense compared with higher prices elsewhere.
J. Gagnon inquired about the expense for a survey at the Fire Department. J. Haverstock indicated that this was for the aproning in the area of the Fire Station and Highway Garage and is in preparation for work that may be done in concert with the paving to be done as part of the sewer project.
J. Gagnon inquired about the expense of $6,255.26 for the Arch Street Culvert. J. Haverstock indicated that this was for the engineering work performed by Weston & Sampson.
TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT:
J. Haverstock reported on the following:
- The anticipated FEMA reimbursement, with regard to Tropical Storm Irene, will be 87 ½% of actual damages approximating $75,000.
- The insurance adjuster with regard to the Swift Truck roll-over accident, has been in communication and the payment/settlement is forthcoming.
- A reminder to residents: There are new e-mail addresses on the website for Town employees.
- The auditors report that there is an excess of taxation in the General Fund from FY2010-11 due to the double counting of Special Appropriations in the amount of $100,569, which sum will be returned to the taxpayers in the FY2012-13 tax cycle.
- Shawn Erickson will be seeking bids for both single and tandem axle trucks. The bids will be due on February 10, 2012 and reviewed at the Select Board meeting on February 18, 2012.
- There are 4 properties involved in the Tax Sale to occur on January 24, 2012 at 10:00 AM.
- There will be a staff meeting on January 26, 2012 at 9:00 AM. Members of the Select Board are invited to attend.
- The auditors from Sullivan & Powers will be present at the February 1, 2012 meeting to review the recent audit of FY2010-11.
A. Hitchcock inquired the extra funds generated by the tax billing for FY2010-11. J. Haverstock indicated that there was a duplication of wording in the Special Appropriations as it was included in the warning and in the Special Appropriations budget article. The topic of Special Appropriations in general was discussed and J. Haverstock will be looking into how other towns handle these requests. The Special Appropriation changes for this year include: The George Aiken Southern Vermont Conservation District is no longer operational ($100); The Rutland Regional Ambulance Association is requesting a $596 reduction in their allocation; The Northern Vermont Conservation District is requesting a $100 payment to replace the George Aiken Southern Vermont District ($100); and the Rutland County Parent Child Center is requesting an increase ($100). There was much discussion concerning these entities. Motion by L. Weeden and seconded by T. Hooker to deny the request of the Northern Vermont Conservation District. The entity will be invited to submit petitions or present to the Select Board their request for consideration at a future time. Motion passed unanimously 4 – 0. J. Haverstock reported that 10 families benefit from the services of the Rutland County Parent Child Center. J. Gagnon indicated that he would appreciate a visit or presentation by the entity. Motion by T. Hooker and seconded by J. Gagnon to deny the request of increase by the Rutland County Parent Child Center, unless the necessary petition is filed within the week. The entity would be invited to submit petitions or present their request to the Select Board for consideration at a future time. Motion passed unanimously 4 – 0.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
None stated at this time.
OLD BUSINESS:
Continued Discussion of Budget Preparations:
J. Haverstock presented in the packets for review an updated draft of the budget. Some highlights include:
- A decrease in the General Fund revenue of $6,000 with regard to the Federal COPS Grant.
- The pumper truck is paid off, thus another decrease in the General Fund of $19,000.
- The Highway Department budget will require an increase for utility costs.
- L. Weeden inquired if the ballot clerk increase was included to accommodate longer voting hours. J. Haverstock indicated that there is an anticipation of 25% increase in expense, therefore, a 25% increase is included in the budget.
J. Haverstock reported that the following are the proposed budget amounts:
- Highway Revenue and Expense – $1,053,571, of which $896,771 to be raised by taxes
- Water Revenue and Expense – $348,600
- Sewer Revenue and Expense – $331,800
- General Fund Revenue and Expense – $1,273,688 of which $935,613 to be raised by taxes. This taxation amount is $13,000 less than 2011.
Motion by J. Gagnon and seconded by T. Hooker to approve the proposed budget. Motion passed unanimously 4 – 0.
Authorization of Town Manager to Bid at Tax Sales:
J. Haverstock reported that there are 4 properties that will be involved in the upcoming tax sale, to be held on January 24, 2012 at 10:00 AM. Atty. Kupferer has reviewed a resolution for the Town Manager to bid the unpaid tax balance at the sale. The resolution was read to the Select Board members.
Motion by T. Hooker and seconded by J. Gagnon to authorize the Town Manager to bid at the tax sale on behalf of the Town. Motion passed unanimously 4 – 0. The resolution was signed by the Select Board members.
NEW BUSINESS:
Discussion of Town Meeting Warning Articles:
This topic was tabled to a Special Select Board Meeting to be held on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 6:30 PM.
Certification of Highway Milage:
This is a document that is required by the State of Vermont on an annual basis. There have been no changes to the Town’s highway mileage. The document was signed with no discussion.
Standard Operating Procedure:
J. Haverstock indicated that he has had discussion with Shawn Erickson with regard to Winter Maintenance Standard Operating Procedures. A copy will be distributed for review and discussion at a future meeting.
OTHER BUSINESS:
J. Haverstock reported that there is a petition circulating with regard to a Constitutional Amendment and the organizers would like this included as an Article in the Town Report. As the Town has received legal advice, discussion was deferred to Executive Session.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
J. Haverstock reported that there are Personnel Issues and Congressional Petition discussions, thus recommending Executive Session.
A. Hitchcock made a motion and seconded by T. Hooker to go into Executive Session for Personnel Issues and Legal Issues where premature knowledge would be damaging to the
Town that may be jeopardized by public disclosure at 7:25 PM. The motion was unanimously passed.
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 Personnel Issues and Legal Issues at 7:25 PM. J. Haverstock was invited to remain for Executive Session.
The Select Board exited Executive Session at 7:39 PM. The Select Board tabled further discussion on the Congressional Petition discussion until the January 25, 2012 Special Select Board Meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 7:40 PM.
The next regular meeting will be held on February 1, 2012. A Special Select Board meeting will be held on January 25, 2012.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kelly Giard, Recording Secretary
_____________ABSENT_________
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