TOWN OF PITTSFORD ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES
March 4, 2013 – Lothrop School Gymnasium
Select Board Members Present: Also Present:
Thomas (Hank) Pelkey, Chairman Matthew Harvey, Moderator
Allen Hitchcock, Vice Chairman John Haverstock, Town Manager
W. Joseph Gagnon Helen McKinlay, Town Clerk
Thomas Hooker Jean Parker, Assistant Town Clerk
Jane Cornell Kelly Giard, Recording Secretary
Approximately 100 guests
Moderator Matthew Harvey called the meeting to order at 6:33 PM.
Boy Scout Troop 110 presented the colors and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Moderator Harvey read the following warning:
The legal voters of the Town of Pittsford are hereby notified and warned to meet at the Lothrop School Gymnasium on Monday, March 4, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. to transact the following business not involving voting by Australian ballot.
Article 1: Moderator Harvey read the following article: “To hear the reports of the Town Officers and take appropriate action thereon.”
Town Manager John Haverstock read the Annual Town Report Dedications.
Representatives Charles “Butch” Shaw and Steve Carr and Senator Margaret “Peg” Flory were present to give updates on Montpelier “happenings”.
Moderator Harvey reviewed the Treasurer’s Report and had questions on the following areas:
· The Police Revenue increase was due to the COPS Grant that was received.
· There was a decrease in the solid waste charges and the recycling costs were down. Town Manager Haverstock indicated that the town’s people were doing a better job with recycling and there is more focus on education about recycling.
· The FEMA revenue is due to funds received as a result of Tropical Storm Irene.
Terry Poor inquired why the highway vehicle expense increased from $0 to $63,258 and the bridges expense increased from $58,000 to $120,000. Town Manager Haverstock explained that the bridges increase was due to the Furnace Road bridge repair and the vehicle increase was due to the discontinuance of the Equipment Rental Fund and the forming of a Capital Reserve account within the Highway Fund.
Moderator Harvey inquired the change in the overall fund balance. Town Clerk McKinlay explained that there was a Highway Fund carry-over of funds. Town Manager Haverstock explained that the bridge fund is allocated $50,000 per year to allow for future bridge repair work on the Kendall Hill Road Bridge.
Emerson Frost inquired if the Kendall Hill Bridge would be constructed to allow for the rail cars to pass under the bridge. Town Manager Haverstock explained that there are no design plans yet. Road Foreman Shawn Erickson has also suggested this design approach.
Presentations:
Chairman Pelkey introduced the members of the Select Board. Chairman Pelkey explained that he would be conducting the overview of the General Fund; Allen Hitchcock would be presenting the Water & Sewer Commission information; W. Joseph Gagnon would be presenting the Highway Department information.
Chairman Pelkey wished to thank Town Manager John Haverstock, Assistant to the Town Manager Linda Drummond, Town Clerk Helen McKinlay, and her staff, and all department heads for their help on the General Fund budget, which was level-funded.
Mr. Gagnon gave the Highway Department report. The highlights include:
- The Department has been functioning as a 3-man crew for more than a year because the 4th member has been injured.
- The Highway personnel rebuilt and oversaw paving of Depot Hill Road.
- A second tandem truck was purchased
Upcoming projects include:
- A sidewalk project along Arch and Pleasant Streets funded by an 80% Federal Grant, leaving the town responsible for 20% of the total costs.
- A culvert will be replaced along Meadowlake Drive, covered by VTrans grant funding.
- The Municipal Office parking lot drain repair.
- Repaving of Sangamon Road
- Paving along West Creek Road in the area of OMYA – depending upon VTrans grant funding.
- The demolition of the Kendrick Pond Dam, which has been designated as “dangerous” by the State of Vermont. The sediment will be removed and the streambed will be restored. There is Federal and State grant funding available for this project.
- There are roads on the 10-year repaving cycle that are coming around for repaving in the very near future.
Peter Cady inquired if the sidewalk along Route 7 would be included in the sidewalk project. Selectman Gagnon indicated that this would be part of the upcoming Route 7 upgrade project.
Tom Carrara inquired if the Town will be selling any of the topsoil that will be removed from the Kendrick Dam demolition, and also inquired why something could not be done to save the dam. Selectman Gagnon explained that the dam is being demolished at the State’s recommendation.
Allen Hitchcock presented the following highlights of the Water & Sewer Commission activities:
WATER & SEWER:
- The water and sewer are now complete.
- The State demands have been met with regard to the size of the water lines and the pressure available to all customers.
- The meters are currently being read remotely, saving labor hours. The new rates have been set, which are higher. There may be an opportunity to adjust the rates in the future. Currently, the water rates are very close to the State average. Future rate adjustments will not occur until usage data is collected and analyzed.
- There is discussion currently with regard to the possible Route 7 upgrades and a planner will be hired to review the drawings with regard to the water and sewer lines. This will not occur until there is a realistic date for construction.
- The Water & Sewer Commission is currently trying to have the water and sewer systems be self-funding by the utilization of user fees, which is why the new rates were necessary.
- There was an increase in fire hydrants from 54 to 91 with the upgrades. The charge for the hydrants comes from the General Fund as all residents benefit from the fire services.
- Ground water infiltration into the sewer lines was addressed in the recent upgrade. Flow analysis will be submitted to the State regulators at the end of 2013 for review.
- The meter system experienced ball valve failures, which the manufacturer has accepted responsibility for. The valves have been replaced.
- The water system expansion project construction will be going to bid soon, which will allow approximately 37 new customers to be connected to the system over the upcoming summer. This construction includes Orchard Hill, Corn Hill residents and the Golf Course.
- There is a loan fund in place through the State to assist residents that have been abandoned by the Proctor Water system. There were 26 residents interested in the program and so far 7 loans have closed.
Lloyd Provin, Jr. inquired when the Town water would be extended to the northern end of town. Selectman Hitchcock indicated that this is a possibility with the upcoming Route 7 upgrade.
Tom Carrara inquired if there would be a lay-off of manpower. Town Manager Haverstock explained that future attrition is possible.
Jamie Stewart inquired about the status of Zero-Sort Recycling and indicated that Mt. Holly has experienced an increase of 45% increase in recycling, thus reducing waste tonnage. Chairman Pelkey explained that the Select Board members toured the Zero-Sort facility and a decision on the Transfer Station will be made in the future.
Tom Carrara inquired if there was a cap on the Truck Replacement Fund. Town Manager Haverstock explained that the Equipment Rental Fund has been discontinued and that appropriations will be added to the fund yearly and there is a listing outlining the Highway Department’s vehicle and equipment needs for the next 30 years.
Selectman Hooker announced that the Pittsford Fire Department would be celebrating their 65th anniversary on August 17 with a town-wide celebration, at no cost to any attendees.
Moderator Harvey encouraged residents to use mosquito repellent with the outbreak of EEE last summer.
Motion by Denise Mahoney and seconded by Margaret “Peg” Flory to accept Article 1.
Article 1 passed unanimously.
Article 2. Moderator Harvey read the following article: “To see if the Town of Pittsford will appropriate the sum of $1,287,803.00 (One Million, Two Hundred Eighty-Seven Thousand, Eight Hundred Three and no/100ths Dollars) to defray the General Expenses of the Town for the 2013-2014 fiscal year, of which the sum of $935,613.00 (Nine Hundred Thirty-Five Thousand, Six Hundred Thirteen and no/100ths Dollars is to be raised by property taxes?”
Motion to accept by Denise Mahoney and seconded by Hilary Kratky.
Article 2 passed unanimously.
Article 3. Moderator Harvey read the following article: “To see if the voters of the Town of Pittsford will appropriate the sum of $1,049,971.00 (One Million, Forty-Nine Thousand, Nine Hundred Seventy-One and no/100ths Dollars) to defray the Highway Expenses of the Town for the 2013-2014 fiscal year, of which the sum of $822,171.00 (Eight Hundred Twenty-Two Thousand, One Hundred Seventy-One no/100ths Dollars) is to be raised by property taxes?”
Motion to accept by Terry Poor and seconded by Gordon DeLong.
Tom Carrara inquired whether, since there are shorter winters, the decreased usage of salt and sand is included in the request. Town Manager Haverstock indicated that Highway Foreman Shawn Erickson indicated that less material was purchased.
Article 3 passed, with two or three “no” votes.
Article 4. Moderator Harvey read the following article: “To see if the voters of the Town of Pittsford will appropriate the sum of $19,000 (Nineteen Thousand and no/100ths Dollars) to defray the Village District’s Expenses for the 2013-2014 fiscal year, of which the sum of $19,000 (Nineteen Thousand and no/100ths) is to be raised by property taxes?”
Motion to accept by Margaret “Peg” Flory and seconded by Jamie Stewart.
Article 4 passed unanimously.
Article 5. Moderator Harvey read the following article: “To see if the Town will authorize collection of taxes on real and personal property by its Treasurer in three equal installments, due on or before August 12, September 12, and November 12, 2013?”
Motion to accept by Terry Poor and seconded by Linda Fox.
Article 5 passed unanimously.
Article 6. Moderator Harvey read the following article. “To transact any other non-binding business as legally may come before said meeting at this time.”
Bonnie Stewart spoke on behalf of Shirlee Nickless and Bob Harnish as being write-in candidates for Library Trustees.
Peg Armitage noted that the Historical Society will be selling merchandise at the polls.
Robin Rowe spoke on behalf of the Pittsford Food Shelf and explained that the Feinstein Challenge is currently underway and residents are welcome to donate food or money toward this event. Town Manager Haverstock reminded residents that Proctor and Pittsford residents are involved in a friendly competition of food collection to benefit the Food Shelf.
Jennifer Tinsman stated that Lothrop School is looking for history information for the Lothrop 100-year Celebration, which is scheduled to occur on May 31, 2013.
Odell Johnston is currently a write-in candidate for the 3-year Selectman term.
Article 7. Moderator Harvey read the following article. “To elect the following officers of the Town:
a. A Town and School District Moderator for a term of one (1) year
b. A Selectman for a term of three (3) years
c. A Selectman for a term of two (2) years
d. A Lister for a term of three (3) years
e. A Grand Juror for a term of one (1) year
f. A Town Agent for a term of one (1) year
g. A Trustee of Public Funds for a term of three (3) years
h. Three (3) Maclure Library Trustees for the term of one (1) year each
i. A Pittsford School District Director for a term of two (2) years
j. A Pittsford School District Director for a term of three (3) years
k. A Pittsford School District Director for a term of one year of an unexpired term of three (3) years.
l. An Otter Valley Union School District Director for a term of three (3) years.
Polls will be open Tuesday, March 5, 2013 from 7:00 a.m to 7:00 p.m.
Motion to adjourn at 7:58 PM. Passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted: Attest:
Kelly Giard, Recording Secretary Helen McKinlay, Town Clerk
Matthew Harvey, Moderator