Members Present – Thomas Hooker, Thomas “Hank” Pelkey, Alicia Malay, David Trombley, and W. Joseph Gagnon. Others Present: Charles “Butch” Shaw, Mike Warfle, Kim Kinville, David Mills, Rick Conway, Tammy Hitchcock, Ted Gillen, Tharon Malay, Randy Adams (6:37 PM), John Haverstock – Town Manager, Kelly Giard – Recording Secretary.
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM by Chairman Hooker.
J. Haverstock reported that there was a need for Executive Session to discuss the Fire Warden, Police Department scheduling (Personnel) and Police Department (Contracts). Motion by T. Pelkey and seconded by D. Trombley to enter into Executive Session. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
J. Haverstock reported that there was no need to amend the agenda. Motion by T. Pelkey and seconded by A. Malay to adopt the agenda. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
Minutes:
The minutes of the May 16, 2018 regular Select Board meeting were signed, with no changes.
Orders:
The orders in the amount of $94,932.89 and Payroll in the amount of $13,029.46 were signed, with the following discussion:
J. Gagnon inquired the expense for the Ford 550 truck. J. Haverstock explained that this was for ball joints and bearings.
J. Gagnon inquired the expense for beaver removal and stated that the State had offered this service in the past. J. Haverstock stated that he would investigate this option and report back at a future meeting.
Town Manger’s Report:
J. Haverstock reported the following:
- The Pittsford Pride Committee will be meeting on June 4 at 5:00 PM. Any resident that is interested in beautifying Pittsford is invited to attend the meetings.
- Chairman Hooker, the Town Manager, Union Representatives, Shawn Hendee and Chad Eugair recently met to continue discussion of the Union Contract. The committee will meet again on June 11 at 2:00 PM.
- Project WorkSafe has been invited to the Water and Sewer departments to assist with preparing the areas for any future VOSHA inspections.
- The next OMYA Community Issues Committee meeting will be held on June 14. Any one with any concerns is asked to be in touch with the Town Manager.
- Efficiency Vermont will be visiting the various town facilities on June 19 to review and make suggestions in regarding energy saving tips.
- Gov. Scott will be at the Rutland Airport on June 11 at 10:00 AM. The Governor’s staff has asked for one representative from each nearby town to attend this discussion. The Town Manager will attend this meeting.
- There will be a Staff Meeting on June 7 at 9:00 AM. The members of the Select Board are invited to attend.
Public Comment:
None was presented at this time
OLD BUSINESS
Review and Consider Recreation Area Fees:
Recreation Director Randy Adams was present to discuss the proposal from the Recreation Committee to leave the rate schedule as it was in 2017 for use of the Recreation Area. Motion by D. Trombley and seconded by A. Malay to adopt the fees as proposed. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
The Recreation Committee proposes that Rob Ketcham remain as Chair and Kathy Shortsleeves remain as Vice Chair. Motion by T. Pelkey and seconded by A. Malay to approve these re-appointments. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
Update on Efforts to Sell or Trade Unused Snowplow:
J. Haverstock stated that the local offer was “still on the table” at $5,000, however, the individual is agreeable to allow the Town to offer the plow at public auction. The consensus of the Select Board was to put out to auction with a $6,000 reserve.
NEW BUSINESS
Legislative Wrap Up Remarks (C. Shaw):
Rep. Shaw was present to update the Select Board on the Legislature’s activities. Highlights included: the State budget has not been passed, which needs to be done by July 1 to avoid State shut down; 250 bills were passed, mainly minor items; the Fireworks Bill passed the House unanimously and the bill died after being sent back from the Senate; the Right to Forest Bill passed; there were Gun Safety and School Safety Bills passed – every school in the State has been inspected; the Transportation Bill was approved; Water quality was a highly discussed topic; there are proposed renovations at the Police/Fire Academy; OMYA is the #2 electricity user in the state and a bill was passed allowing them to redirect its own funds toward energy efficiency.
Remarks on Rutland Regional Planning Commission’s Activities (D. Mills):
Dave Mills was present to discuss the Rutland Regional Planning Commission’s last meeting that involved a hearing about which neither the Select Board or Town Manager received notice, as per State statute. The statute states that the notice should be sent via certified letter with return receipt. The wildlife map information was inserted in the Regional Plan and Mr. Mills stated that this map was not discussed at the meetings of the RRPC Board. Mr. Mills stated that the map should have been discussed at the meetings. The members of the Select Board are not in favor of the corridor as proposed.
Following discussion on the wildlife and energy sections of the Plans, the Select Board instructed the Town Manager to invite Ed Bove to attend a future meeting to discuss its practices.
Dave Mills and Rick Conway exited at 7:25 PM.
Discussion of Proposal for Pittsford Police Patrols in Chittenden:
Kim Kinville, Chair of the Chittenden Select Board, was present to discuss the possibility of Pittsford Police patrolling in Chittenden. Currently, the Rutland County Sheriff’s Department does patrols and the State Police respond to calls for service. Chittenden is not looking for Pittsford to be the primary police cover, just to provide high-visibility patrols.
J. Haverstock inquired the amount of time per week. Ms. Kinville stated that there is no commitment yet and would be discussed in the future. Chief Warfle stated that such an arrangement would operate in a similar manner as the OMYA Truck Detail.
There are many details that need to be worked out and the remaining discussion was deferred to Executive Session as this falls into Contracts.
Tammy Hitchcock and Kim Kinville exited at 7:37 PM.
Consider Signing Notice of Intent to Proceed with Grant-In-Aid Application for Best Management Practices Highway Projects Related to Water Quality:
J. Haverstock explained the application and purpose for the proposed project for culvert replacement on the southern end of West Creek Road. The local match for this grant would be in-kind Town labor. The Select Board unanimously signed this application.
Review Fuel Bids:
J. Haverstock reports that the current suppliers have submitted the lowest bids. Proctor Gas proposes propane at $1.299/gallon; Champlain Valley proposes 8₵ over rack pricing for #2 heating oil; 10₵ over rack for on road and off road diesel. Motion by J. Gagnon and seconded by D. Trombley to accept these bids. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
T. Pelkey made the motion and seconded by D. Trombley to go into Executive Session for contractual and 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 contractual and personnel at 7:45 PM. Town Manager Haverstock and Chief Warfle were invited to remain for Executive Session.
Chief Warfle exited Executive Session at 8:22 PM.
The Select Board exited Executive Session at 8:28 PM.
Motion by D. Trombley and seconded by A. Malay to enter into a one-year trial program where Pittsford police officers will provide patrols within the Town of Chittenden at an hourly rate of $42.50, for a total weekly coverage no greater than 10 hours per week, with it being understood that Pittsford and its residents will remain the top priority of the Pittsford Police Department. Motion passed 4 – 1(Gagnon opposed).
The meeting was adjourned at 8:31 PM.
The next regular meeting of the Select Board will be held on June 20, 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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Alicia Malay, Selectman
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W. Joseph Gagnon, Selectman
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David Trombley, Selectman