Members Present – Thomas “Hank” Pelkey, Thomas Hooker, Jane Cornell, David Trombley and W. Joseph Gagnon.
Others Present: Tom Browe, Bev Browe, Rula Moradi, Mary Lou Moradi, Dave Mills, Sue Markowski, Rishi Connelly, Barb Lalancette, Baird Morgan, Betsey Morgan, Ted Gillen, Craig Ferrera, Alicia Malay, Tharon Malay, Dave Soulia, John Haverstock – Town Manager, Kelly Giard – Recording Secretary.
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM by Town Manager Haverstock.
Motion by T. Pelkey and seconded by J. Cornell to appoint T. Hooker as Chairman. Motion by J. Gagnon to nominate D. Trombley as Chairman. Motion failed without a second. Motion for T. Hooker to serve as Chairman passed 3 – 0 – 2.
Motion by J. Cornell and seconded by T. Hooker to nominate T. Pelkey as Vice Chairman. Motion by D. Trombley to nominate J. Gagnon as Vice Chairman. Motion failed without a second. Motion for T. Pelkey to serve as Vice Chairman passed 3 – 0 – 2.
J. Haverstock stated that there was need for Executive Session for Personnel to discuss the Fire Warden position. Motion by T. Hooker and seconded by J. Cornell to enter into Executive Session for Personnel. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
T. Hooker stated that there would be some items removed from the agenda. These items were listed under New Business: Consider making appointment(s) to vacancy and alternate position on the Town’s Planning Commission; Appoint members of a committee to work with Town Planning Commission on potential amendments to the Town Plan; Review quote from contractor to install new generator at the Municipal Office; Review Water and Sewer Commission plans to replace and consolidate Depot Hill sewer pump stations and install aeration instrumentation at the Wastewater Treatment Facility and to investigate funding options (grants, forgiveness and low interest loans) and sign loan application. Motion by T. Pelkey and seconded by J. Cornell to adopt the amended agenda. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
Appointment of Recording Clerk:
Motion by T. Pelkey and seconded by J. Cornell to appoint Linda Drummond as Recording Clerk. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
Appointment of Official Newspaper (The Reporter):
Motion by T. Pelkey and seconded by D. Trombley to appoint the Reporter as the Official Newspaper. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
Adoption of the Select Board Meeting Schedule:
Motion by T. Pelkey and seconded by J. Cornell to adopt the Select Board meeting schedule. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
Appointment of Officials and Various Boards and Commissions:
Motion by T. Pelkey and seconded by J. Cornell to appoint the following Board and Commission members:
- Animal Control Officers
J. Michael Warfle
Cody Hesse - Tree Warden
Shawn Erickson - Tree Warden Assistant
Randal S. Adams - Delinquent Tax Collector
John Haverstock - Rutland County Solid Waste Representatives
Vacancy
Alternate Position-Vacancy - Emergency Management Director
Jason Davis - Rutland Regional Planning Commission
David Mills
Alternate—Dave Soulia - Enhanced 9-1-1
Sherry Reed
Vacancy - Rutland Regional Transportation Council
Vacancy
John Haverstock–Alternate - Fence Viewers
W. Joseph Gagnon
John C. Fox
Vacancy - Recreation Committee (3 Yr) 2021
Bill Crossmon
Vacancy - Fuel Coordinator
John Haverstock - Rutland Regional Ambulance Service Representative
Betsy Morgan - Fire Wardens
Bradley Keith - Zoning Board of Adjustment (3 Yr) 2021
Jack Orvis
Dan Adams - Planning Commission (3 Yr) 2021
Kevin Blow
Richard Conway
David Mills
David Soulia - Water & Sewer Commission (3 Yr) 3/2021
Ernest Clerihew
Clarence Greeno
Helen McKinlay
Hank Pelkey
Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
Minutes:
The minutes of the February 21, 2018 regular Select Board meeting; the February 21, 2018 Liquor Board meeting and the Special Select Board meeting of March 5, 2018 were signed with no changes.
Orders:
The orders in the amount of $34,452.18 and Payroll in the amount of $14,847.09 were signed with the following discussion:
J. Cornell inquired about the expense for the Route 7 water and sewer project. J. Haverstock explained that this was a progress payment for the engineers to communicate with VTrans and that there is a planning loan associated with this week.
Town Manger’s Report:
J. Haverstock reported the following:
- Proposals from engineers for the salt/sand shed project were due on February 23 and the Town hopes to make a selection soon.
- The Dollar General Hearing with the Zoning Board of Adjustment will continue on March 12, 2018 at 7:00 PM.
- There is a vacancy on the Planning Commission and 5 letters of interest have been received and will be reviewed.
- All of the warned articles were approved from the floor of Town Meeting. Congratulations to Tom Hooker on winning his 3-year reelection. The 2-year seat contest ended in a tie between Sue Markowski and Alicia Malay. This seat will have a special vote on March 27. Thank you to Jane Cornell for her time serving the Select Board.
- Selectman Trombley notified the Town Manager the Celebration Rentals calendar was filling up and the tents and other items have now been reserved for Pittsford Day, to be held on August 18.
- There was a site meeting at the box culvert project site on February 23 with the bids due on March 9. There were 14 contractors present. The design of the second project will be received soon.
- $12,000 has been received for the culvert replacement project on the West Creek Road – south of the Bovey Farm.
- The Recreation Department is seeking bids for a tractor/mower and will be approaching the Select Board soon with a request to purchase this equipment.
- Richard Amore will discuss the “Village Center” designation program at the March 21 meeting.
- The Staff meeting that was planned for March 8 has been postponed to March 15 due to weather.
Public Comment:
Rula Moradi stated that he feels that Selectman Gagnon misinformed the residents at Town Meeting with regard to Old Hubbardton Road. Mr. Moradi stated that there were huge costs and risks that were not included in the presentation. Mr. Moradi will be compiling information, including video and a website to inform the residents of the project. J. Gagnon stated that he did not intend to mislead anyone and felt that he did not do so. J. Gagnon stated that residents had ample time to express feelings before the project began and no phone call was received. J. Gagnon continued by saying that this project was mentioned and discussed for an entire year before construction. J. Gagnon stated that he has been on the road and saw the benefits, however, that some of the residents may have lost some privacy. However, the road is now easier accessed by emergency vehicles and is still classified as a Class 4 road. D. Trombley stated that the expenses mentioned at Town Meeting was just for materials.
OLD BUSINESS
None presented at this time.
NEW BUSINESS
Appointment(s) to Fill Vacancies among Officials, Board Members and Commissioners, if needed:
J. Haverstock reported that Robb Spensley has agreed to serve as the Town Grand Juror and Jessica McDonald has agreed to serve as an Assistant Animal Control Officer. Motion by T. Pelkey and seconded by J. Cornell to appoint these volunteers. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
Remarks from Dollar General Engineering Firm Regarding Potential Town Maintenance of any Sidewalks to be Constructed at VTrans Insistence:
Abby Dery, one of the engineers associated with the proposed Dollar General project, was present to discuss the sidewalk maintenance request. Ms. Dery explained that the permit from VTrans would need to list the Town as “co-applicant” due to the path being in the Right of Way. J. Haverstock stated that he has discussed this proposal with Shawn Erickson who stated that this is a good idea and that he had no objections. The Select Board agreed to maintain any future sidewalk related to this project and Ms. Dery stated that she would be in communication with the Town Manager when the State 1111 permit is filed.
Appoint Members to a Committee Tasked with Recommending a Salt Shed Engineering Consultant:
J. Haverstock stated that there have been 5 submissions from potential consultants. The State recommends a committee be formed to review the submissions. The Committee will consist of the funding agency; the Town Manager; Shawn Erickson and Selectmen Pelkey and Trombley. The committee will be meeting on March 16 and hopefully making a recommendation to the Select Board at the March 21 meeting.
Review and Sign VTrans Certification of Compliance for Town Road and Bridge Standards and Network Inventory Form:
J. Haverstock stated that this is an annual form that must be submitted in order to be eligible for VTrans grants. The Select Board signed the document.
Review and Sign VTrans Annual Financial Plan – Town Highways Form:
J. Haverstock stated that this is an annual form that must be submitted in order to be eligible for VTrans grants. The Select Board signed the document.
Warning for Special Election:
T. Hooker read the proposed Warning for the special election for the 2-year Select Board seat that ended in a tie. The vote will be held on March 27 from 7 AM – 7 PM. This is in accordance with advice from the Secretary of State’s office. The Select Board signed the Warning.
Budget Update:
J. Haverstock reported that the General Fund expenses are at 74.3% of budget and the Highway Fund expenses are at budget are at 71.4% of budget.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
T. Pelkey made the motion and seconded by T. Hooker to go into Executive Session for personnel 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 at 7:09 PM. Town Manager Haverstock was invited to remain for Executive Session.
The Select Board exited Executive Session at 7:30 PM, with no action taken.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM.
The next regular meeting of the Select Board will be held on March 21, 2018.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kelly Giard
Recording Secretary
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Thomas Hooker, Chairman
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Thomas “Hank” Pelkey, Vice Chairman
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Jane Cornell, Selectman
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W. Joseph Gagnon, Selectman
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David Trombley, Selectman