Town of Pittsford
Select Board Meeting
September 18, 2013
The meeting was called to order at 6:30PM by Allen Hitchcock, Chairman.
Select Board members present: Thomas “Hank” Pelkey, Thomas Hooker, Jane Cornell, Allen Hitchcock, and W. Joseph Gagnon.
Also present: Trish Lewis, Bruce Edwards, Ann Rademacher, John Haverstock and Kelly Giard, Recording Secretary.
MINUTES
The Select Board minutes from the September 4, 2013 meeting were signed, with no corrections.
ORDERS
The orders in the amount of $54,880.94 and $9,754.20 (Payroll) were approved with the following discussion:
J. Gagnon indicated that the $420 that was paid to Gagnon Lumber may be returned to the Town as Randy Adams has indicated that there are some trees that need to be removed later in the season, so there is a possibility of a credit being issued.
TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
J. Haverstock reported on the following:
- The Water System expansion project is nearing completion. The pump has arrived and will be connected in the near future with a switch-over to follow. There is one easement that still requires a signature, which that is expected soon. A. Hitchcock explained that the possibility of a stand-by generator is still being researched.
- The Water & Sewer Commissioners met with Engineer Mike Smith at their regular meeting. The meeting focused on the review of the proposed new Sewer Ordinance.
- Zero-Sort Recycling has begun with a Casella employee on-site to assist residents with the concept.
- Union negotiations are continuing and will resume again on September 30.
- Congratulations to Markowski Excavating for serving the community for 50 years.
- The 4th Annual Staff Appreciation Picnic will be held on September 20 at the Recreation Area.
- The external audit was recently completed. Thank you to all the staff members that assisted in any way to complete this task.
- VTrans will be addressing the Select Board on October 2 to discuss placement of sidewalks within the Village.
- The Fall Newsletter is expected to be out to residents soon.
- The Haunted House will be held on October 18 and 19 and again on October 25 and 26.
T. Pelkey indicated that the tree cutting at the Recreation Area should receive three bids prior to removal, as with any other Town project. T. Pelkey also indicated that the Route 7 sidewalks have been discussed many times in the past.
A. Hitchcock discussed the Pittsford Historical Society’s position regarding removing the historical marker that is on the Town Green. This marker was placed in error and will be given to the Historical Society.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None presented at this time
OLD BUSINESS
None presented at this time.
NEW BUSINESS
Update from Rutland Region Planning Commission:
Town Representative Trish Lewis was present to discuss the following highlights:
Ø Served as the Needs Committee Chair
Ø Currently serves as the back-up treasurer for the Regional Commission
Ø OMYA rail line was discussed at a recent meeting and was approved with a noise monitoring condition
Ø Attended a Lowell Wind Tower Tour in August
Ø Is taking comments with regard to the proposed gas pipeline from Middlebury to Rutland.
Ø The Rutland Library has received a Google Interactive Grant. Any Rutland County resident is welcome to contact the Library staff to reserve this service for any meeting. This service is similar to Skype.
J. Gagnon inquired if the proposed pipeline would use the mapping path that was presented in the past. T. Lewis indicated that no map has been proposed.
T. Lewis exited at 6:54 PM
Consider Purchase of Used Guardrails:
J. Haverstock explained that the bid for used guardrails falls under his authority threshold of $5,000. Therefore, no Select Board approval is required.
Adoption of Revised Basic Emergency Operations Plan:
J. Haverstock reported that only very minor changes have been made. However, this document must be submitted annually. The Select Board unanimously agreed that this document was acceptable as presented.
OTHER BUSINESS:
None presented at this time.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
J. Haverstock reported that there are personnel issues to be discussed in Executive Session.
T. Pelkey made a motion and seconded by T. Hooker to go into Executive Session for personnel issues where premature knowledge would be damaging to the Town.
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 personnel at 6:58 PM.
J. Haverstock was invited to stay.
J. Haverstock was excused from Executive Session at 7:03 PM
The Select Board exited Executive Session at 7:21 PM.
Motion by T. Pelkey and seconded by J. Gagnon to prohibit elected officials with a vacation benefit from “selling” unused vacation days back to the Town for monetary consideration. Motion passed unanimously 5 –0.
The next meeting will be held on October 2, 2013.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kelly Giard, Recording Secretary
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Allen Hitchcock, Chairman
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Thomas “Hank” Pelkey, Vice Chairman
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W. Joseph Gagnon, Selectman
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Jane Cornell, Selectman
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Thomas Hooker, Selectman