SELECT BOARD APRIL 14, 2015

SELECT BOARD

APRIL 14, 2015

The meeting was called to order at 7:31pm by Ted Crawford, chair. Ray Tarbell and Tim Martin were present. All stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
:
1. Additions/Deletions to the Agenda: There was one addition to the Agenda, under OherA notice of Regional Concerns meeting regarding US RT 4 Bridge replacement in Killington.
2. Minutes:
 The minutes of the regular meeting of March 10 and the special meeting of March 24 were sent out before the meeting for review. Rhonda noted a correction to the March 10 minutes, to add ‘tax sale items’ to the Authorization for Orders for the treasurer. Upon motion made and seconded it was
VOTED: To approve the March 10 minutes, as amended. (3-0)
 Ted requested that the March 24 minutes reflect his statement that the ATV proposal would need to be voted on at a Selectboard meeting, if it gets that far. Upon motion made and seconded it was
VOTED: To approve the March 24 minutes, as amended. (3-0)
3. Star Lake Dam Reconstruction Project – Ron Unterman
Ron Unterman presented the results of the bid opening meeting on April 9 and the subsequent review and recommendation by Dubois & King. There were four bids, 3 in the range off $610-650,000, one at $484,000. Those at the meeting expressed concern that the low bid was complete and reasonable, and that the firm had the capacity to complete the project.
After review, D&K recommended the bid be Casella, which was the low bid. The variances between the other bids and Casella’s were lower pricing on the earth moving (which Casella did a lot of for the airport project), the coffer dam design (ditching rather than pumping) and the design of the drop inlet (round vs. square). The Casella bid is actually more in line with the Engineer’s Estimate than the other bids. The Mount Holly Conservation Trust and FOSL agreed with D&K, and presented the Notice of Award for the Selectboard’s consideration. The Board approved and signed the Notice of Award to Casella.
Regarding funding, FOSL has $549,000 in the bank. There are still funds needed for contingencies and for dredging, but there is more than enough for the contract and to proceed with the project.
4. ATV Discussion
Ted asked the Board what they wished to do on this topic. Upon motion made and seconded, it was
VOTED: To drop the ordinance issue and disband the committee for now. (3-0)
5. Highways
 Jeff reported that the old chipper was sold for $2800.
 The Town will put in a Paving Grant application for $42,000 as of tomorrow.
 FEMA was in town and reviewed the damage from the December storm and the total will be a sizeable sum. Jeff proposed the town hire a bucket truck and crew in order to do the trimming of broken limbs and clean up all over town. The work must be completed by June 7 in order to receive the money and the town crew will be busy with the normal road grading work (getting a late start with the late spring). The Board agreed to the proposed plan..
 The Town received notice of grants available for hazard mitigation/ road related erosion problems from Better Backroads. The Town does not have a need that qualifies at this time.
 The Town received the Project Completion and Certification Report for FEMA event 4022-DR-VT (Irene).
6. Report of Treasurer
 David Johnson presented an income and expense statement dated March 31, 2015 showing cash balances of $1,874,136. Property taxes still outstanding are about 67,000, which is a little high for this time of year. David noted that an additional notice was sent April 1 for delinquent owners to get on a payment plan or face a tax sale. Solid Waste revenue (label sales) is slightly under budget. Under highway expenses, David noted that propane expenses were high, mostly due to the initial fill of the new tank. Electric costs are also running higher than at the old garage.
7. Transfer Station - No report this month.
8. Planning Commission
 The annual appointments for the Rutland Regional Planning Commission and Transportation Council representatives are due June 30. The Board agreed to post a notice for Letters of Interest in the ChitChat and in the post offices.
 RR Transportation Council report – David Hoeh reported that he and Don Richardson (current representatives for the town) continue to bring up issues regarding road conditions on Rte 140 and Rte 155 as well as bridges. The Bowlsville Bridge (B64) is on the State’s priority list, but is not scheduled until 2017. Meanwhile, the East Wallingford Bridge (B15) by Mac’s is arguably in worse condition and could create a larger problem. If Route103 is shutdown, that bridge would be the only bypass for semi’s and all traffic. It was also noted by Don that the two washouts on Route 140, especially the upper one, appear less stable in the last week or so.
9. Local Emergency Operations Plan (LEOP)
 The Town must annually approve and update the LEOP after Annual Meeting and before May 1st. The town’s plan is in place, and just needs updating of several names and contact info. The LEOP must be signed by a selectman with certification at specified level of the Incident Command System. Ted noted that the basic requirement can be taken as on online course. The Board agreed that Ted would take the course and sign the LEOP.
 Emergency Management Coordinator: Paul Faenza has been the EMC and he has requested that the Town seek another volunteer for this position. The Board agreed to post notice of the position in the ChitChat and at the post offices. Paul will continue to act as the EMC until someone is found and will update the LEOP for Ted to sign.
10. Cell Phone and Internet Access
Ted Crawford gave an update on his conversations with state officials. The State was expecting VTel to provide the broadband and phone access in this area, but one would need a VTel phone (apparently phones with a SIMS card will work, but not Verizon phones). Vtel is concentrating on data, not phone coverage at this time. The State is out of the picture; it is up to towns to convince carriers that it would be economically viable for them to provide coverage. This is a Catch 22: you need the coverage to grow/encourage businesses, but you need the business base to create the viability.
11. Other Business
 School Mowing: The Town received one bid, from Chris Devereux for $990. The Board approved the bid.
 License renewal – The Board reviewed license renewals for the Brooklyn Pub, one for liquor an one for outside consumption. The Board approved and signed the forms.
 Russellville Road pole project: GMP called Ted and stated they were going ahead with the project from the Velco line to Shunpike as soon as road conditions allow. They intend to finalize the project this summer.
 The Board discussed the letter from the Rutland Town Selectboard which had been tabled last month. VLCT confirmed that a Resolution is simply a motion that has been voted on. A motion was made to approve the Resolution. During discussion, it was noted that this is directed at commercial, not residential applications. The large projects seem to focus on prime agricultural land, as it is already open. A 150kW system takes one acre and powers 30-40 homes. Upon motion made and seconded it was:
VOTED: To approve the Resolution to urge legislators to require the PSB to consider more input from municipalities on solar project siting. (3-0)
A copy of the Resolution will be attached to the minutes.
12. The Board reviewed and signed the March orders for payment.
13. Executive Session
At 8:18 pm, upon motion made and seconded, it was
VOTED: To enter Executive Session to review an employee grievance, under 1 VSA §313(a) (1) and 1 VSA §313(a) (4)
At 8:26 pm the Board returned from Executive Session and upon motion made and seconded,
VOTED: To return to the regular meeting.
The Board announced that the grievance was taken into consideration and no further action is made at this time.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by motion made, seconded and approved, at 8:27 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Rhonda Rivers
Minutes are DRAFT until approved at a Select Board meeting. Approved on: ______________