Arlington Vermont

9.19.11 Selectboard Minutes

 Members Present:  Keith Squires, Daniel Harvey, Cynthia Browning, Reggie Jennings, Jr.  Norman Mattison

Also Present:  Mike Ferone-GNAT-TV

 The meeting was called to order at 7:04 pm by Chairman Keith Squires.

 Minutes Meeting September 7, 2011:  Mr. Jennings made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of September 7, 2011 as presented.  Seconded by Ms. Browning.  Motion carried.

 Highway Report:  Mr. Squires reported that the road crew is still working on road sections after the storm – getting roads passable – working on guard rails, making roads safer.  The Hawley Bridge has been restored to “good shape”.  The crew has been grading, and taking care of some trees that were across rivers and streams.  Most areas have been made safe for the upcoming winter conditions.  Ms. Browning reported that there needs to be more gravel put in at the Rte 313 West walking area of the St. James Cemetery wall as there is now a depression where the State put new signs in.  Mr. Squires will contact someone in the State on this issue.

Bridges:  Mr. Squires reported that he has received two (2) quotes on repair of the Covered Bridge and the Benedict Crossing Bridge.  He is looking for more bids on these at this time.  He stated that he is hoping we can get the Benedict Crossing Bridge repaired fairly soon.  He stated that he had a price for a ‘temporary fix’ at $4,000.00 and he felt this was high.  He noted that if there was a ‘temporary fix’ on the Benedict Crossing Bridge – when the bridge was to be finally repaired it would have to be shut down again – and we need to justify the cost of repairs.  There was discussion on this issue.  Ms. Browning and Mr. Harvey felt the Town should move ahead to fix the Benedict Crossing Bridge.  Mr. Squires stated that it would take about two weeks to fix the Benedict crossing bridge and a couple of months to repair the Covered Bridge.  Mr. Jennings was in favor of repairing the Benedict Crossing Bridge at this time.  Mr. Squires reported that the Vermont League of Cities & Towns (VLCT) sent an adjuster last week to look at the bridges – they are covered by insurance – we are not sure at this time how much the insurance will cover.  Mr. Squires stated that FEMA will cover a percentage of the costs.  Mr. Squires noted that if Board members felt this was an ‘emergency’ we could go ahead with the repairs (in lieu of getting the required 3 quotes per our Spending Policy).  Mr. Harvey made a motion to go ahead and contract with Bret Wright Construction out of Mt. Holly Vt. for repairs to the Benedict Crossing Bridge at a cost of $24,800.00.  Seconded by Ms. Browning.  Motion carried.  Mr. Squires will contact Wright Construction in the morning.  Mr. Squires will try to get more quotes on the Covered Bridge before the next meeting.

FEMA:  Mr. Squires reviewed the FEMA reimbursement project.  He reported that FEMA has work categorized into “small” projects and “large” projects.  Small projects are anything up to $63,900.00.  Mr. Squires noted that our repairs all fall into this category – with the exception of the Old Mill Road wall.  FEMA will come and look at sites, get figures, and the Town would get a lump sum for this.  Large projects must be completed and paid for first and then the town would get reimbursed.  Mr. Squires noted that FEMA pays 75%, with 12.5 from the State and 12.5 from the town.  Mr. Squires reported that he had completed all the necessary paperwork and submitted it to the State.  He noted that the State will pay another 2% (on top of the 12.5%) if we have “all our ducks in a row” and we do.

Emergency Watershed Protection Project:  Mr. Squires reported that there is another group that might provide some help for property owners – this is the ‘Emergency Watershed Protection Project’.  He noted that he filled out paperwork and applied as a town and the town would be the ‘sponsor’ and also would be responsible for 25% of the cost.  He stated that the Board would then have to vote on whether the cost (this 25%) would be passed on to the property owner as the Town does not have the funds to cover any projects like this.

 Old Business:  Finances:  Board members reviewed Treasurer’s figures:  Cash on hand after tonight’s orders have been deducted is $283,350.0, and outstanding Delinquent Taxes are $9083.26.

Church Street Sidewalk:  Ms. Browning reported that she will contact John LaBarge for an update on the right-of-way permit application.

Yellow Barn Farm:  Ms. Browning reported that there will be a site visit with a consultant who is working on the grant for work on the foundation on Monday September 26, 2011.  She noted that this is the first step in finalizing the grant agreement.  Ms. Browning reported that she has removed a lot of the mud from the floors, and moved the mud away from the doors – this is an ongoing process.

Computer(s) – Update:  Mr. Squires reported that we are still looking for options as to where to go next as we are running out of room for NEMRC files.  Mr. Harvey noted that this is a critical area and we should not look for the cheapest way out.  He noted that the price quoted from NEMRC was to replace the server and train users how to save files without filing things in the NEMRC file.  Mr. Squires suggested we get a quote from E-Enable as well as the NEMRC quote.  Mr. Harvey will contact Ron Hausthor of E-Enable for a quote.

Battenkill & River Habitat Work:  Ms. Browning reported that Ken Cox/Fish & Game and Dan MacKinley & Scott Wixsom/U.S. Forest Service, Green Mountain National Forest representatives had been down and inspected flooded areas, the rivers and streams and banks..  She noted that the Habitat areas had – for the most part – remained intact and there should be minimal impact(from the flooding) on fish/game.

 New Business:  Vendor’s Permit:  Mr. Harvey made a motion to approve the application for a Vendor’s Permit for the Arlington Garden Club to hold ‘Pumpkins on Parade’ on the stone wall of St. James Church and in the Church Street area on Sunday October 30, 2011 from 5 – 7pm, and to approve closing off Church Street for the duration of the event from 4:15 until 7:15pm.  Seconded by Mr. Jennings.  In discussion, Mary noted that we have received the vendor’s fee and proof of insurance and traffic control will be provided.  Motion carried.

Insurance:  Mr. Squires noted that the quarterly payments/salaries are on tonight’s payroll -for the Selectboard, the Firemen, and the quarterly stipends for the Town Clerk and the Selectboard Clerical health payments.  Town Clerk – Robin Wilcox has asked if it would be possible to receive both remaining quarters (3 & 4) of her stipend.  In discussion-Mr. Squires noting that the money is already budgeted for this item, and the Board had voted earlier in the year to provide the ‘whole year’s’ payment percentage to the Highway Department.  He noted that Treasurer Crosby has suggested paying both the Town Clerk and Selectboard Clerical – the two (2)remaining quarters at this time.  The Board was in favor of this – but did not want to make this a ‘routinely accepted practice’.

Highway Health Insurance:  Mr. Squires asked that Mary make a call to Vermont League of Cities and Towns and request that a representative attend one of the Selectboard meetings to bring us up to date on the status of the health care options.

Fire Truck:  Mr. Squires reported that they had missed the deadline for grant(s) for a new fire truck as Hurricane Irene ‘happened’ in the interim.

 Warrants & Orders:  Mr. Harvey made a motion to authorize payment of Warrant Order #19 dated 09/20/11 for the amount of $33,308.06.  Seconded by Mr. Jennings.  In discussion, Mr. Harvey noted that there were quarterly insurance payments, gravel payments,etc.  Mr. Squires reported that the payment for the new generator was included in this order – the Town’s share is $3410.11.  He noted that there is still a contract for electrical work to be paid.  The motion carried unanimously.

 All Other Business:  Special Hearing:  Mary announced that there will be a special hearing by the Planning Commission on Thursday September 22, 2011 at 7pm to consider amendments to the Arlington Zoning Ordinance and Flood Hazard Regulations.

 Mr. Mattison made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Jennings.   Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30pm.

 Respectfully submitted,

 Mary M. Henning, Recording Secretary

meeting video & audio taped

cc:  files, Town Clerk