Arlington Vermont

Minutes Arlington Selectboard July 26, 2010

Members Present: Keith Squires, Cynthia Browning, Daniel Harvey, Reggie Jennings Jr., Lawrence Molloy
Also Present: Gary Weller-highway Dept., Dean Darling-GNAT-TV, Keith Whitcomb-Bennington Banner

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

Minutes of Meeting of July 12, 2010: Mr. Harvey made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of July 12, 2010 as submitted.  Seconded by Ms. Browning.  Motion carried.

Highway Report: Gary reported that one man is out on vacation – they are doing small things – some weed-eating, mowing, maintenance, and preparing for the project on Sandgate Road.  The trees were taken down on Ice Pond Road (last week).  Mr. Squires reported that there is a bill in tonight’s Warrant Order for repair on the CAT for over $1500.00.

• Bowen Property 3995 River Road: Board members reviewed a draft letter to Barbara Bowen regarding the action proposed by the Selectboard.  Board members were in favor of adding to the letter -the fact that this work would be done in the fall, as well as citing the statutes that determine this work can be done.   The letter will be ‘amended’ to include these items.

• Weeds on Route 7A: Mr. Harvey reported that the weeds on Route 7A across from Cutleaf Maples Motel are encroaching into the travel lane.  Gary noted that the State did manage to take care of some of these – but there are still some that hang out over the road.  Mr. Squires will take a look at this area and make a call to the State regarding this issue if necessary.

Old Business:

• Policies & Procedures: Mr. Squires reported that we have found out that the Highway crew is not officially enrolled in the Wellness Program.  Mr. Squires proposed that all health insured employees be enrolled and participate in the Wellness Program.  He noted that this benefits both employee and Town as well.  It would maintain and improve the health of the employees which would decrease health costs, the employees would receive monetary rewards for participation, and the Town would get a reduction in premium.  There was also discussion regarding cutting back on overtime hours in the winter – “unnecessary overtime”.  Mr. Squires stated that the Highway Foreman would be given the authority to determine when/if this was necessary.  Mr. Squires noted that this cutback would lower overtime costs to the Town.  The Board was in agreement that these ideas sounded better than some of the other alternatives that have been discussed at previous meetings.  Ms. Browning felt that it was a “useful compromise”.  The Board was in favor of trying these ideas out to see how they work. Gary stated that he felt this was “fair”.  Mr. Squires will write a draft for the policy and will have it for review at the next meeting.

• Town Hall Repairs & Services: Mr. Harvey reported that the windows had come in – he has not picked them up yet and -in the near future – will coordinate when these will be installed.  Mr. Squires reported that he has a call in to one of the carpet cleaning companies but has not heard back from them.  Jack Gunther has volunteered to do some pressure washing of the outside of Town Hall in the next few weeks.
• Church Street Sidewalk: Ms. Browning reported that the Church Street Sidewalk Project has made it through the ‘Categorical Exclusion’ review process and is now in the ‘Right-of-Way’ review process.  She noted that Mr. Johnson of VTRANS is asking us to extend the sidewalk beyond the stonewall (cemetery wall) – which would put us into the Route 313 West right-of way.  She also noted that she has some reservations regarding some of the curbing involved.  Mr. Squires reported that he had spoken with engineer Erik Sandblom (of ESPC) this morning.  Mr. Squires noted that Erik did not seem to think this was an ‘issue’.  Mr. Squires stated that he will try to get in touch with Nelson Blanchard to see if the review process can be expedited.
• Highway Mower: Mr. Squires reported that the Town received three (3) quotes on a ‘sickle-bar mower’:  1- Henry Martinka = $4000.00;  2-Capital Tractor in Greenwich, NY = $4276.00; and  3-Salem Farm Supply = $4276.00.  Mr. Squires noted that we budget $2500.00 per year to rent this type of mower – this year we will not do this.  Mr. Squires stated that we will pay for this purchase from the ‘Equipment purchase/lease’ (line #12-7-60-740.00) – which will overspend this line – but this over-expenditure will be covered by three other lines ( hot/cold patch, oil removal, and the mower rental lines).  Mr. Harvey made a motion to approve the purchase of a sickle bar mower from Henry Martinka of Shaftsbury for a price of $4000.00 – and to authorize over-expenditure of the ‘Equipment purchase/lease line #12-7-60-740.00 with three other lines to cover this over-expenditure.  Seconded by Ms. Browning.  Motion carried.
• Town Material(s)/Equipment Auction: Mr. Squires reported that the Municipal towns group is looking at the prospect of holding an auction for all towns involved (the auction would include equipment, materials, etc that might be of use to other towns)– this would probably take place at the landfill in Bennington.
• Andrews Lane Dog-Bite Issue: Mr. Squires reported that Mary had contacted Animal control Officer regarding holding a hearing on the Andrew Lane dog bit issue – noting that the officer was a bit hesitant to move forward at this point in time – but has set aside the proposed August 9th date for a hearing.  Mr. Squires spoke with Town Attorney Joe O’Dea who informed that the Town has to give the dog owners the opportunity to be heard.  Mr. Squires stated that we will try to get this set up – hopeful for the next Board meeting.  The Town would be responsible for getting an interpreter as the dog owner is deaf.  Ms. Browning questioned whether all the residents of Andrews Lane needed letters informing of the ‘hearing’/meeting.  The Board was in consensus that the regularly warned agenda and posting of notices should be sufficient – with a certified letter going to the dog owner.

New Business:

• Tax Rate2010: Board members reviewed and discussed the 2010 tax figures as prepared by the Town Treasurer. Ms. Browning made a motion to set the Total Municipal Tax Rate at $00.2800, and to set the Homestead Education Tax Rate at $1.4872, and to set the Non-Residential Tax Rate at $1.4580.  Seconded by Mr. Harvey.  Motion carried with all Board members voting in favor of the motion.  Mr. Harvey noted that this was a about a three (3) cent increase.

• Petition-Pole & Wire Locations: Mr. Harvey made a motion to approve signature of the ‘Petition and Order for Pole and Wire Locations’:  “Order 226576-File 10-271, Tel RT 4-3 & 4-3-2, Warm Brook Road Arlington, Vermont – to place, replace, and maintain poles and associated wires, cables, anchor/guys and trimming/cutting rightsSeconded by Mr. Molloy.  Motion carried.

Warrants & Orders: Mr. Harvey made a motion to authorize payment of $410.00 to Keith Squires for work as Interim Supervisor for the period 07/11/2010 through 07/24/2010 as noted on Payroll Order #30B dated July 26, 2010.  Seconded by Mr. Molloy.  Motion carried with Mr. Harvey, Mr. Molloy, Ms. Browning, and Mr. Jennings voting in favor of the motion.  Mr. Squires abstained from the vote.  Mr. Harvey made a motion to authorize payment of Warrant Order # 14 dated 7/27/10 for the amount of $13,287.25.  Seconded by Mr. Molloy.    In discussion, Mr. Squires noted that there was an invoice from Giddings that billed for culvert that would be used for the Sandgate Road Project.  Motion carried.

All Other Business:

• Interim Supervisor Position: Ms. Browning noted that the board was supposed to be receiving recommendations regarding the Interim Supervisor’s position – from Kevin Dailey and Don Umlauf.  To date no data has been received.
• Yellow Barn Farm – Update: Ms. Browning reported that the Yellow Barn Farm sketch plan was approved at the Planning Commission meeting of July 22, 2010 – with two (2) conditions:  1- the condition that if the proposed footbridge across the Batten Kill was ever installed – the Town had to come back before the Planning Commission for approval of the footbridge; and 2 – the condition that  ‘policies & procedures’ had to be in place (regarding use of the property, events, etc.).  Ms. Browning stated that she has worked on a draft of policies and procedures and gave copies to all Board members for them to review prior to the next meeting.  Ms. Browning also reported that when the Battenkill Watershed Alliance (BKWA) does their habitat restoration work in September – there will be an “exchange”.  She described this – noting that trees will be cleared from the area where the Town proposes to put a parking lot in, and the BKWA will use the trees for the river restoration – thus the Alliance gets the trees and the Town gets the trees removed = “exchange”.
• Park & Recreation: Mr. Squires gave all Board members copies of the latest financial statement for the Park & Rec.  He reported that members of the Park Board will be in to the next Selectboard meeting for discussion of financial issues.  Mr. Squires asked that board members review these financial statements prior to the August 9th meeting.
• Upcoming Meetings: Mary noted that there is a meeting of the ‘Scenic By-Ways’ run by BCRC Tuesday July 27th at noon here in the Town Hall.  There is a TAC Meeting on Tuesday August 10, 2010 at noon here in Town Hall.

Mr. Molloy made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Harvey.  Motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:40pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary M. Henning, Recording Secretary
meeting video & audio taped
cc:  files, T. Clerk