Members Present – Thomas Hooker, Thomas “Hank” Pelkey, Alicia Malay, David Trombley, and W. Desabrais, Tharon Malay, Kevin Blow, Tammy Hitchcock, Bob Harnish, Rishi Connelly, Ted Gillen, Tyler Richardson, Brett Rakowski, Shawn Erickson (7:03 PM), Dave Soulia (7:04 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 Union contract negotiations (Contracts) and the Burditt Fund (Legal). Motion by T. Hooker and seconded by T. Pelkey to enter into Executive Session. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
J. Haverstock reported that there was a need to amend the agenda to include two requests for coin drop events. Motion by T. Pelkey and seconded by D. Trombley to adopt the agenda as amended.
Minutes:
The minutes of the June 20, 2018 regular Select Board meeting and the minutes of the June 20, 2018 Dog Hearing were signed, with no changes.
Orders:
The orders in the amount of $31,068.13 (FY’18); $186,870.68 (FY’19) and Payroll in the amount of $15,172.60 were signed, with no discussion.
Town Manger’s Report:
J. Haverstock reported the following:
- The Union met on June 26 and July 9 with a tentative agreement reached on July 9. The Union vote will be occurring before the agreement is brought to the Select Board for review.
- Bruce Babcock and Shawn Hendee have been working on items that were identified in the Project Worksafe inspections.
- The Village Center Board met on June 25. The Town Manager travelled to Montpelier with Steve Belcher and Baird Morgan. The map was edited to conform to the Board’s decision. There was discussion regarding why some parcels were removed and why some were included. There is an option for amending the map based on new facts regarding usage.
- The Zoning Board of Adjustment met on June 25 and July 9 and reached a decision regarding the Dollar General project. The decision has been sent to the attorney for review and will be released shortly.
- The Schedule of Events for Pittsford Day was included in the packets for review.
- The final permit has been received from the Army Corps of Engineers for the Fire Hill Road box culvert project. The project will close a section of the road for 2 weeks. The culvert has been paid for and reimbursement has already been received from VTrans.
- Wilk Paving has nearly completed the paving in town. The Highway Department has begun working on the shoulders and driveways. Line striping will be happening on some Class 3 roads.
- The Trustees of Public Funds have retained legal counsel with regard to a needed clarification of the Burditt Fund. This case will be going to Probate Court on July 27. The Route 7 sidewalk and curb restoration project is now on hold.
Public Comment:
Ted Gillen stated that he is discouraged with a lack of civility in meetings of Boards and Commissions. Mr. Gillen feels that differences of opinion could be handled in a different way instead of hollering and being overly contentious.
OLD BUSINESS
Update on Efforts to Sell or Trade Unused Snowplow:
J. Haverstock reported that the online auction of the used snowplow brought in a maximum bid of $2,850, which was below the minimum reserve price of $6,000. Rick Reed held to his original offer of $5,000. Motion by T. Pelkey and seconded by A. Malay to sell the used snowplow to Rick Reed for $5,000. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
Update on Proposal for Pittsford Police Patrols in Chittenden:
J. Haverstock stated that the Rutland County Sheriff’s Department has shown no interest in responding to animal complaints in Chittenden. Motion by T. Pelkey and seconded by D. Trombley to provide animal control services to Chittenden with a maximum effort totaling no more than $1,000 per year. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
Continued Discussion of Proposed Highway Winter Maintenance Policy Regarding Extended Storm Events:
This topic was tabled to a future meeting.
Update on Stump Grinding Options:
Shawn Erickson stated that he has been trying to contact the company that has bid on this project. There has been no return call. J. Gagnon recommended contacting Foster Brothers Farm in Middlebury regarding the stumps.
NEW BUSINESS
Remarks from New Executive Director of Rutland Economic Development Corporation:
Mr. Richardson was present to introduce himself and explain some marketing efforts that REDC is currently working on. Mr. Richardson stated that he would be attending Select Board meetings in member towns in the future to update them on various projects.
Consideration of Salt Shed Alternatives:
Mr. Rakowski from Otter Creek Engineering was present to update the Select Board on the Salt/Sand Shed project that is proposed for the Transfer Station.
Mr. Rakowski explained the various permits and guidelines that have been presented by the State for this project.
Mr. Rakowski discussed at great length the various options for the construction of the structure. The structure is proposed to be in an area that has wetlands around the perimeter. The Agency of Natural Resources has been involved in this project.
J. Gagnon inquired if there was a similar structure that could be viewed. J. Haverstock stated that there is one in West Rutland.
J. Haverstock inquired if there was any available cost analysis. Mr. Rakowski stated that, with regard to the wall, there is a verbal quote of $140,000 for the bunk silo style construction and approximately $30,000 for the “waste block” style construction. Other project element costs were also discussed in detail.
The Select Board consensus was to favor construction of manufactured concrete “waste block” walls atop an asphalt pad and with a fabric-covered steel roof system.
The Select Board members discussed the predictability of the ground, as this was an actual landfill in years past. S. Erickson stated that the current Transfer Station has not shifted.
Mr. Rakowski exited at 7:54 PM.
Proposal for Coin Drop Fund Raiser:
Bob Harnish had a request that was tabled to a future meeting.
Kayla Desabrais was present to request a Coin Drop Fund Raiser for Sarah’s Stories, which supplies children in town under the age of 5 with reading books on a monthly basis. Ms. Desabrais stated that the proposed date is September 15 from 9:00 AM – Noon in the area of the school, on Route 7.
The members of the Select Board expressed concerns over safety. J. Haverstock will discuss the availability of the Police Department to assist with this event.
Motion by T. Pelkey and seconded by A. Malay to approve the request. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
Discussion of Truck Route Intersection at Kendall Hill Road and West Creek Road:
Shawn Erickson was present to discuss the truck route intersection of the Kendall Hill Road and West Creek Road. The neighbors have been commenting that the trucks are running along lawns when reaching the intersection at the same time. Chief Warfle has been contacted and agrees that one or more stop signs would benefit the intersection.
There was discussion of other options, such as changing the markings where the yield sign is currently located, widening Kendall Hill Road near the solar panels and/or widening West Creek Road.
The Select Board would like OMYA to be invited to the discussion as their trucks and real estate may be affected.
This topic was tabled to a future meeting,
Set Tax Rates for FY 2018 – 2019:
J. Haverstock stated that the budgets were approved at Town Meeting in March. The State has now set the rate for education. The Town Clerk/Treasurers Office presented the following for the tax rate:
Motion by T. Pelkey and seconded by D. Trombley to accept the tax rates as presented by the Town Clerk/Treasurer’s Office. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
Consider Adjustment(s) to July Meeting Schedule:
Due to the July 4 holiday being on a regularly scheduled meeting night, that meeting was postponed to July 11. Motion by D. Trombley and seconded by T. Pelkey to amend the meeting schedule to hold 1 meeting in July (July 11) and the next meeting will be held on August 1. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
Consider Making Appointment of a New E911 Coordinator:
J. Haverstock stated that the Zoning Administrator, Jeff Biasuzzi, is currently performing E911 Coordinator tasks in West Rutland and is willing to assume this role in Pittsford. Motion by T. Pelkey and seconded by D. Trombley to appoint Jeff Biasuzzi as the Town’s E911 Coordinator. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
Consider Resident Request to “Hire” Town Highway Crew:
Resident Dave Soulia has contacted the Town Manager to inquire about moving the compost/leaf clippings piles from the Transfer Station to his property. Following discussion, the Select Board felt this was a project that would set a bad precedent and that it would create a potential liability. The Select Board reached a consensus that the Highway Department personnel and equipment are not for hire.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
T. Hooker made the motion and seconded by D. Trombley to go into Executive Session for contracts 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 contracts and legal at 8:30 PM. Town Manager Haverstock was invited to remain for Executive Session.
The Select Board exited Executive Session at 8:52 PM, with no action taken.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:52 PM.
The next regular meeting of the Select Board will be held on August 1, 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