WILLIAMSTOWN SELECTBOARD
January 5, 2009
7:00 PM
Williamstown Middle/High School Library
MINUTES
PRESENT: Francis Covey - Chair, Stan Corneille - Vice Chair, Larry Hebert, Chris Peloquin,
Absent: Art Stone
VISITORS: Mike Sprano, Horace Duke, Jr., Al Day, Paige Emory, John Perkins, Rich Chalmers, Ron Hepburn
Francis Covey called to order at 6:59 pm the Selectboard meeting.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Garrett - Town Caucus on January 21, 2009 at 7 pm at the Fire Station Meeting Room.
VISITORS COMMENTS:
Al Day asked if the Board was now a 4 member Board now. Fran explained Arts Stones absent.
WARRANTS:
Chris moved to approve payroll warrants 12/13, 12/16 and 12/20. Second by Larry. The motion passed by voice vote of 4-0 without a discussion. Chris moved to approve payroll 12/27. Second by Stan and the motion passed by a voice vote of 4-0.
Chris moved to approve check warrant report #36. Second by Stan. After a short discussion the motion passed by voice vote 4-0.
MINUTES:
Stan moved to approve Selectboard minutes of December 15, 2008. Second by Chris. The motion passed by a voice vote of 4-0.
MANAGER'S REPORT:
Billtown Bulletin - December meeting cancelled, new date January Meeting 1/28/09
Volvo Loader - Meeting with CR Woods - 1/6/09 - 10:30 am
DuBois & King - Water Issues, Meeting with Jeff Tucker & Steve McKenzie 1/13/09 at 7:30 am
Renovation to Town Hall bids due 1/14/09
Old F550 Truck bids due 1/9/2009
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
None at this time.
NEW BUSINESS:
FairPoint Communications - Petition Order for Pole & Wire Locations
Chris moved to accept the December 10th order presented to us. Second by Larry. Following a discussion the motion pass by a voice vote of 4-0.
Resignation, Art Kramer - Planning Commission and Flood Plain Zoning Admin.
Chris moved to accept Art Kramer's resignation dated December 23, 2008, effective the date he was resigning from all Selectboard positions. Second by Larry. A discussion followed and the motion passed by voice vote 4-0.
Paige Emory - Planning Commission
Paige presented the Board with questions regarding leadership and the continuing updating to the Town Plan. Fran suggested in regards to leadership at their next meeting to make that decision with the remaining three members. A suggestion was made to elect a temporary person to lead until you have five members. Fran said this is a perfect time for someone to step forward with a desire to serve. At this time 2 positions are available and will be posted around Town. The Board members have been mentioning the available positions around Town.
Paige spoke about Chris Walsh, from the Regional Planning Commission, who has attended the Planning Commission meetings and has done a phenomenal job with our old Town Plan, getting rid of the fluff and getting down to the bare bones to get what needs to be in the plan.
Paige emphasized the need for the Selectboard and the Planning Commission to work together having a positive relationship. We need to support each other. Fran felt that Paige attending the Selectboard meeting, just being there, is a step in the right direction, when there is communication there is more hope and he is sure the Planning Commission and the Board both feel that way.
Paige noted that since Stan has been attending the Planning Commission meeting there has been a much better dialogue and would like that to continue. Stan agreed and asked what would build a better relationship between the two. Suggestions were involvement of the Selectboard and the Planning Commission to attend each other meetings.
Ron Hepburn - Permit to Work-In-Town-right-Of-Way
Ron asked the Board for approval to relocate his sewer line and request electrical service under a road. The Board reviewed the plan submitted and thought more time was needed for the Board to see if alternative routes would be more feasible. Chris moved to table Mr. Hepburn request till the next Board meeting. Second by Stan. Motion passed by voice vote 4-0.
Vermont Trails & Greenways -2009 Appropriation
Garrett explained the Town Clerk and the Treasurer said that in some incidences small requests were not put on the Town Report and just approved by the Selectboard. Chris cautioned the Board in deciding to approve as it could start requesting a lot of small dollar request. Chris was in favor of putting the request on the Town Meeting agenda. After a discussion Larry motioned to give them the $30 dollars they requested. Second by Stan. Motion passed by voice vote 3-1.
Stan Corneille - Criteria Crosswalks
Stan had a resident, Irvin Stephenson, request information on crosswalks downtown. He presented information and definitions of crosswalks which will require an engineering study. He reviewed the 7 criteria listed and Stan felt the Town met them all for the installation of crosswalks.
AROUND THE TABLE:
CHRIS:
Chris asked about the Revisions to the Right of Way Plan from Dubois & King which they billed on. Stan explained the cost was for Dubois & King work for revising plans after receiving State comments.
Chris explained at a budget meeting the Board members discussed the opportunity to see if the Selectboard could actually take the first time slot on Town Meeting Day to discuss our smaller budget as compared to the school's larger budget. Attendance is greater in the morning and since the School Board is asking for a larger sum of money he thought it could be something to explore to see if the School Board could step up to the early morning to have a full attended crowd. He spoke to the Secretary of State's office and there is no schedule of Selectboard or School Board meetings on Town Meeting Day as long as they are both on Town Meeting Day. Fran will follow through on it.
Chris brought up a discussion about who schedules Board meetings. He said the Board schedules Board meetings.
Chris noted the Mack is lacking an inspection sticker.
Stan:
Stan mentioned the Board meeting on the 19th as we have a lot to deal with the Transportation Committee budget recommendations and the Town Warning. An additional article may need to be added if we get awarded monies for the sidewalks.
Larry:
Larry wanted to commend the road crew for the good job removing snow on Beckett and Depot Streets. He has heard a lot of good comments on the work they did.
Larry reported that after reading the warnings for the Town Meeting some suggestions for changes in Article 10 and Article 12. The Board agreed.
Chris asked about a sink hole on Rood Pond Road and if we could put some sand in it. Garrett has spoken to the road crew about it.
Francis:
Nothing at this time.
VISITORS COMMENTS:
Mike Sprano asked if the meeting with DuBois & King was open to the public. Chris said it is not a close door meeting but it is intended for Selectboard members and the Town Manager but you may come and listen.
Al Day asked if Art Kramer's resignation involved the Flood Plain Commissioner position as Al has an on going issue, who would be the interim person as Al is looking for a final resolution. Al is scheduled to be on the next Selectboard agenda.
John Perkins said the Transportation Committee was looking for the policy on whether you were going to work on the Class 4 roads to go out to all of the people in the Town rather than just the people at the Town Meeting. If you don't do it that way then it would need to go on Austrian ballot. Fran read from the Secretary of State's Opinions Vol.11, #1 about discussions on budget items while voting by Australian ballot. Larry suggested doing something in the Town Report explaining the reason for putting it on the ballot.
Garrett asked for an Executive Session to discuss a legal issue.
Chris motion to adjourn this portion of the meeting and take a brief recess and then go into Executive Session. Second by Larry. Motion passed by voice vote 4-0.
Entered Executive Session at 8:50 pm and came out at 9:07 pm.
Motion made by Larry and second by Chris to pay Langevin $300.00. Motion passed by voice vote 4-0.
Motion made by Chris and second by Larry to adjourn the Selectboard meeting at 9:10 pm.
Approved 1/20/2009 as written