Members Present – Thomas “Hank” Pelkey, Thomas Hooker, Jane Cornell, W. Joseph Gagnon, David Trombley. Others Present: Dave Soulia, Mark Winslow, Dave Mills, Dan Adams, Edward Brutkoski, Ron Smith, Deb Reynolds, Tharon Malay, Chuck Charbonneau, Ed Bove, Ernie Clerihew, Rick Conway, Betsey Morgan, Bud Provin, Barb Lalancette, Ted Gillerin, Tammy Hitchcock, Darcy Stone, Todd Stone, Ed Wheeler, John Haverstock – Town Manager, Kelly Giard – Recording Secretary.
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM by Chairman Pelkey.
J. Haverstock reported that there was a need for Executive Session for one legal issue (Burditt Funds) and two personnel issues (police department and Town Report). Motion by T. Pelkey and seconded by T. Hooker to enter into Executive Session for legal and personnel. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
J. Haverstock reported that there was no need to amend the agenda. Motion by T. Pelkey and seconded by D. Trombley to adopt the agenda as posted. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
Minutes:
The minutes of the January 3, 2018 meeting were signed, with no changes.
Orders:
The orders in the amount of $2,154,513.43 and $12,338.53 were signed, with the following discussion:
D. Trombley inquired about the expense to Innovative Surface Solutions. J. Haverstock explained that this was for the salt mixture. D. Trombley also inquired about the expense to Weber, Chapman and Kupferer. J. Haverstock explained that this was for legal work related to the Caverly transaction and the Town Plan.
J. Gagnon inquired about the expense to Otter Valley. J Haverstock explained that this was taxes that were collected and transferred.
Town Manger’s Report:
J. Haverstock reported the following:
- The next Select Board meeting (February 7, 2018) will be the 4th public hearing regarding the Town Plan.
- The Zoning Board of Adjustment will be meeting on January 22 to continue the hearing of the Dollar General permit application.
- There will be a meeting on February 1, 2018 of the Emergency Management team, including Jason Davis, Chief Hemple, Shawn Erickson, Bob Foley, the Town Manager and any members of the Select Board that wish to attend.
- The next Staff Meeting will be held on January 25 at 9:00 AM. Any member of the Select Board is invited to attend.
- There will be an Active Shooter training at OMYA East on January 29 from 1 – 3 PM. Any staff or Select Board member that wishes to attend should contact the Town Manager.
- R R Charlebois has completed work on the new highway department truck cab and chassis.
- The Town Manager will be out of the office on January 22 and 23.
The Select Board recessed at 6:40 PM to convene the Public Hearing regarding the Town Plan.
The Select Board reconvened at 7:15 PM.
Public Comment:
None presented at this time.
OLD BUSINESS
Update on Fireworks Ordinance:
J. Haverstock reported that the required posting has appeared in the newspaper, around town and on the website. The ordinance will become effective 60 days after adoption.
NEW BUSINESS
Final Presentation and Adoption of Town Budgets:
J. Haverstock reported that the auditor from Sullivan and Powers has reviewed the proposed budgets and proposed some adjustments, some of which have been made. J. Haverstock read a memo describing final revisions. The General Fund tax increase is 3.9% and the Highway Fund tax increase is 6.2%, resulting in an overall net tax increase of 4.9%.
J. Gagnon inquired if the workers comp insurance premiums would continue to increase. J. Haverstock explained that the recent increase is based on a 3 – 5 year experience and that if we see fewer claims, premiums will fall.
Motion by D. Trombley and seconded by J. Cornell to adopt the budgets as presented. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
Review and Approve Town Meeting Warning:
The Town Meeting warning was presented as follows:
“The legal voters of the Town of Pittsford are hereby notified and warned to meet at the Lothrop School Gymnasium in the Town of Pittsford on Monday, March 5, 2018 at 6:30 PM to transact the following business not involving voting by Australian ballot:
- To hear the reports of the Town Officers and take appropriate action thereon.
- To see if the voters of the Town of Pittsford will appropriate the sum of $1,534,918 (One Million Five Hundred Thirty-Four Thousand, Nine Hundred Eighteen and no/100ths Dollars) to defray the General Expenses of the Town for the 2018 – 2019 fiscal year of which the sum of $1,197,763.00 (One Million, One Hundred Ninety Seven Thousand, Seven Hundred Sixty-Three and no/100ths Dollars) is to be raised by property taxes?
- To see if the voters of the Town of Pittsford will appropriate the sum of $1,494,175.00 (One Million, Four Hundred Ninety Four Thousand, One Hundred Seventy-Five and no/100ths Dollars) to defray the Highway Expenses of the Town for the 2018 – 2019 fiscal year, of which the sum of $967,475.00 (Nine Hundred Sixty Seven Thousand, Four Hundred Seventy Five no/100ths Dollars) is to be raised by property taxes?
- To see if the voters of the Town of Pittsford will appropriate the sum of $17,000 (Seventeen Thousand and no/100ths Dollars) to defray the Village District’s Expenses for the 2018 – 2019 fiscal year, of which the sum of $17,000 (Seventeen Thousand and no/100ths Dollars) is to be raised by Village property owners?
- To see if the voters will authorize collection of taxes on real and personal property by its Treasurer in three equal installments, due on or before August 10, September 10 and November 15, 2018.
- To see if the voters of the Town of Pittsford will authorize to be raised by taxation $500.00 (Five Hundred and no/100ths) to be used by Habitat for Humanity of Rutland County.
- To see if the voters of the Town of Pittsford will authorize to be raised by taxation an additional $1,000.00 (One Thousand and no/100 Dollars) to be used by ARC beyond its current funding level of $400.00 (Four Hundred and no/100ths Dollars).
- To see whether the voters of the Town of Pittsford will authorize the Town to join the BLSG Mosquito District as a full member for purposes of obtaining both larvicide AND adulticide applications, with the following attendant costs:
a. An increase from $15,000 to $24,638.55 in the Town’s annual contribution to the BLSG Mosquito District’s operations costs.
b. Four annual installment payments of $17,750.00 to “buy in” to the equity of assets owned by the BLSG Mosquito District and which are related to adulticide applications (e.g. building, trucks, sprayers, etc.) and
c. A one-time payment of $2,477.55 to account for the Town’s share of current inventories of adulticide.
[For information about the BLSG Mosquito District and its operations, please check out the District’s website: www.blsgmosquito.wordpress.com] - To transact such other non-binding business as legally may become before said meeting at this time.
At the close of the above business, the meeting shall be recessed until Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at 7:00 a.m. at the Town Offices, located at 426 Plains Road, Pittsford, to vote by Australian ballot on the following matters, to wit:
- To elect the following officers of the Town:
a. A Town 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 Town Agent for a term of one (1) year
f. A Grand Juror for a term of one (1) year
g. A Trustee of Public Funds for a term of three (3) years
h. A Trustee of Public Funds for a term of one (1) year
i. One MacLure Library Trustee for a term of one (1) year
Polls will be open Tuesday, March 6, 2018 from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Dated at Pittsford, Vermont the 17th day of January, 2018.
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T. Hank Pelkey, Chairman
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Thomas Hooker, Vice Chairman
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Joseph Gagnon, Selectman
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Jane Cornell, Selectman
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David Trombley, Selectman
Received and recorded this 18th day of January, 2018.
S/s Helen McKinlay
Pittsford Town Clerk”
Discussion of Winter Highway Maintenance:
Due to the storm, Chad Eugair and Shawn Erickson were out plowing and taking care of the roads. The Highway discussion will occur in its entirety at the February 7 meeting.
D. Trombley stated that the road conditions for emergency services have been “less than safe” this winter and believes that policies need to be updated.
Consider Position on S. 97 – A Bill to Allow Posting of Official Notices on Town Websites in Lieu of Newspapers:
The Select Board members unanimously consented to authorizing the Town Manager to sign the proposed endorsement letter.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
T. Pelkey made the motion and seconded by T. Hooker to go into Executive Session for personnel and legal where premature knowledge would be damaging to the Town, and may be jeopardized by public disclosure.
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 and legal at 7:40 PM. Town Manager Haverstock was invited to remain for Executive Session.
The Select Board exited Executive Session at 7:58 PM with no action taken.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:58 PM.
The next regular meeting of the Select Board will be held on February 7, 2018.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kelly Giard
Recording Secretary
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Thomas “Hank” Pelkey, Chairman
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Thomas Hooker, Vice Chairman
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Jane Cornell, Selectman
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W. Joseph Gagnon, Selectman
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David Trombley, Selectman