Town of Pittsford Select Board Meeting
February 6, 2013
The meeting was called to order at 6:30PM by Thomas “Hank” Pelkey, Chairman.
Select Board members present: Thomas “Hank” Pelkey, Thomas Hooker, W. Joseph Gagnon, Jane Cornell and Allen Hitchcock.
Also present: Also present: Trish Lewis, John Weeden, Kevin Elnicki, Jim O’Gorman, Cathy Rider, Don Nickless, Matt Albertazzi, Randy Dapron, Chrissy Legge, Kit Hudson, Betsy Morgan, Charlie Rivers, John Haverstock and Kelly Giard, Recording Secretary.
Thomas “Hank” Pelkey, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
MINUTES
The Select Board minutes from the January 16, 2013 meeting and January 30, 2013 Special Meeting were signed, with no corrections.
ORDERS
The orders in the amount of $78,883.15 and $9,980.98 (Payroll) were approved with the following discussion:
A. Hitchcock inquired about the expense for truck repairs. J. Haverstock reported that the repairs were for the Water Department truck, had to do with the transmission and will check with Bruce Babcock for further information/details.
TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
J. Haverstock reported on the following:
- Chrissy Legge will be making a presentation on “Alternatives” for the sidewalk project.
- Town Meeting will occur on March 4, 2013 at 6:30 PM at Lothrop Gym
- The Town Report dedication will occur on February 20, 2013 at 9:00 AM
- A VLCT representative was present on January 18 to discuss the health insurance options to employees who are eligible for coverage.
- There was a successful tax sale recently concluded. Ten letters were sent to delinquent taxpayers, three of these went to tax sale and two were redeemed. The remaining property was transferred to the Town and marketing efforts on this lot are in progress.
- There have been some website upgrades. There is now a keyword search feature applicable to all posted documents and the entire photo collection is available for review. Any resident is welcome to submit photos of Town features and wildlife for inclusion on the website.
- There will be a presentation by an engineering firm at the February 20, 2013 meeting dealing with the potential deployment of solar tracking technology at the Florence Pump Station
- Sullivan & Powers, the external auditors, will also make a presentation at the February 20, 2013 meeting explaining their recent audit of the Town accounts.
- Proctor has accepted Pittsford’s challenge to compete for food and cash donations to benefit the Pittsford Food Shelf. Any non-perishable food item or monetary donation can be brought to the Municipal Offices or Town Meeting. This challenge runs from March 1 – April 30 and Robin Rowe will report the “winner”.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None presented at this time.
OLD BUSINESS
Consideration of Planning Commission’s Proposal to Adopt Zoning Ordinance:
Don Nickless, Chairman of the Planning Commission explained that two years ago the Interim Zoning Ordinance was adopted with a legal time allotment of two years before a permanent adoption was required. Mr. Nickless explained that the Planning Commission is recommending the current Zoning Regulations are adopted as permanent and that the Planning Commission has held the required public hearing prior to submitting to the Select Board for consideration. There were no comments received from the general public at the hearing before the Planning Commission.
Motion by A. Hitchcock and seconded by T. Hooker to adopt the Zoning Regulations as written and presented by the Planning Commission. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
Village Sidewalk Project “Alternatives” Presentation:
Chrissy Legge with the Dufresne Group was present to present the alternatives that have been discussed by the Project Committee. The main concerns were mailbox relocations, curb cuts, and parking lot access at Lothrop.
J. Haverstock indicated that abutting landowners were invited to attend this meeting for discussion and input.
The Committee will be making recommendations to the Select Board before to any commitments are made.
NEW BUSINESS
Execution of Loan Documents Regarding State’s Well-Drilling Loan Fund:
These documents, which will enable the Town to access the State’s new revolving loan fund, were signed appropriately by the Select Board.
Presentation by Earth Waste Systems re: Garbage and Recycling:
Kevin Elnicki expressed a desire, as a taxpayer, to save the Town expenses at the Transfer Station. J. Haverstock reported that the annual operating deficit had gone from approximately $50,000 to approximately $23,000 as a result of some of the procedural changes that have recently been made.
J. Haverstock reported that Mr. Elnicki has submitted a proposal in the past and the Select Board chose to continue the current operations, as is.
Mr. Elnicki has offered his assistance in the future for any Transfer Station fund savings.
Presentation by Rutland County Solid Waste District:
Jim O’Gorman was present on behalf of the Rutland County Solid Waste District (RCSWD) to explain the challenges that will be forthcoming with recent legislation. Mr. O’Gorman explained the various mandates that will be affecting all residents of Vermont, to include mandatory statewide recycling (however, enforcement will be an issue for all towns) and a requirement that all transfer stations collect yard and food wastes. Mr. O’Gorman explained that the district contract with Casella’s has expired and will be going to bid in the very near future.
Mr. O’Gorman explained that Mt. Holly and Wells have recently converted to Zero-Sort recycling and that Wallingford and Danby are considering making the change.
J. Haverstock inquired about the fairness of the RFP process. Mr. O’Gorman indicated that there would be fairness and an effort made to enable all qualified bidders to participate. Mr. Elnicki indicated that he wants to save towns money and wants a fair RCSWD bidding system.
Consideration of Zero-Sort Recycling Proposal from Casella’s:
Randy Dapron was present to discuss the Zero-Sort program at Casella’s. Mr. Dapron indicated that Mr. Holly has increased recycling substantially during the 6 months that they have been involved in the program.
J. Haverstock explained that the Zero-Sort being proposed by Casella now has an “opt out” clause in the event that the Town is not satisfied with the program.
This option will be researched further and further discussion will occur in the future.
The Select Board recessed and convened as the Liquor Board at 7:50 PM.
The Select Board reconvened at 7:52 PM.
BUDGET STATUS UPDATE:
J. Haverstock reported that the General Fund expenses are at 64% of budget and the Highway Fund expenses are at 68% of budget.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Cathy Rider expressed gratitude for the article that ran in the Rutland Herald with regard to the Select Board meeting and found it very helpful and felt that this type of information would entice other residents in the future to attend Select Board meetings.
Neil Crossman from Pittsford Commons has contacted the Town Manager concerning the Town paying for the streetlight at the Commons. The general consensus of the Select Board was that only the lights within the Village District are covered as a Town expense.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
J. Haverstock reported that there are legal, contractual and personnel issues to be discussed in Executive Session.
T. Hooker made a motion and seconded by A. Hitchcock to go into Executive Session for contractual, personnel and legal issues where premature knowledge would be damaging to the Town and the Town’s interests may be jeopardized by public disclosure, at 7:55 PM. The motion was passed unanimously 5 – 0. J. Haverstock was invited to stay for 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 contractual, personnel and legal at 7:55 PM.
The Select Board exited Executive Session at 8:08 PM.
Motion by T. Hooker and seconded by J. Cornell to accept, with regret, the resignation of Kelly Giard as Recording Secretary for the Planning Commission. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
The next meeting will be held on February 20, 2013.
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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Jane Cornell, Selectman
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Thomas Hooker, Selectman