TOWN OF WILLIAMSTOWN
Board of Selectmen Meeting
February 2, 2009
7:00 PM
Williamstown Middle/High School

PRESENT: Francis Covey – Chair, Stan Corneille – Vice Chair, Larry Hebert, Chris Peloquin, Art Stone

VISITORS: Mike Sprano, Al Day, Rich Chalmers, Rodney Graham

Francis Covey at one minute to seven o’clock brought the meeting to order.

Fran asked for a motion to move into the Water & Sewer Commission, so moved by Chris. Second by Art. Motion passed by voice vote 5-0.

Water & Sewer Commission Meeting

Barre Town Sewer Charges:

Fran said the Board has had this discussion before about the charges and that Garrett has information to add. Garrett said the Town has brought the charges up to $1,000. to within to what we are being charged. He also spoke to Mark Simon from Simon’s Operation Services, Inc. and in April they are going to TV the line to see where the draining into the line is coming from. Fran asked for a motion to come out of Water & Sewer Commission, so moved by Chris. Second by Art and the motion passed by voice vote 5-0.

Selectboard Meeting

ANNOUNCEMENTS: No announcements

VISITORS COMMENTS: No comments

WARRANTS:

Chris moved to approve payroll warrants dated 1/17 and 1/24. Second by Larry. Motion approved by voice vote 5-0.

Chris moved to approve check warrants reports 40 & 41. Larry second. After a short discussion motion approved by a voice vote 5-0.

MINUTES:

Chris moved to approve the Selectboard minutes of January 19th. Second by Larry. Motion passed by voice vote 5-0.

MANAGER’S REPORT:

1. F550 truck advertised with VLCT and Craigslist.
2. Town Renovation underway
3. Tripp Rd- The Board agreed to plow and open it as it was in the past. Usually it is closed in mud season.
4. Larry Hebert talked to the Moose Club about conducting 2 fund raisers to help cover the cost of replacing the Town signz.
5. Energy Smart of VT bill was $1,400 as of 2/16.
6. Rob Hepburn – on agenda 2/16 Selectboard meeting.
7. Loader – bringing in Volvo representative to meet with us around February 19th.
8. Animal Control Officer – a miscommunication between Barre City and Barre Town which was why he could not be reached one weekend. Now there is a pager number for him and it is 240-1924.
9. Home share Program- they are asking Williamstown to be a Home share Leader in Orange County which would have the Selectboard endorsing grants they apply for. It is a program for living assistance so someone they may continue to stay in their home. By consensus the Board would support them.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

No unfinished business.

NEW BUSINESS:

Larry Hebert – Stimulus Package

Larry attended the Transportation Advisory Committee meeting and people were there from AOT talking about the Stimulus Package. What they learned from it and funds they expect to receive from it. They are looking for projects that are shovel ready, work that is ready in 120 to 180’s days. It is for sewer and water upgrades, roadway work, bridges, etc. Garrett has already submitted projects for the Town. Larry said they are still looking to add to the list. He asked them about the sidewalk project Stan is working on and they suggested adding it to the list with 100% funding. If funds are available for some project submitted then that could free funds for other projects that would not fall in the time line like the bridge on Falls Bridge Road. Garrett will contact the Agency of Transportation for programs that could help fund it. Osterberg Terrace is another project and a vote was taken. Stan motioned we allow the Town Manager to contact Chenette Engineering for design work on the Osterberg Terrace water line, second phase. Second by Chris. Motion passed by voice vote 5-0.

AROUND THE TABLE:

Chris:
Chris asked if the Town Manager was aware of the low water pressure for about ½ hour at the Mountain View area. Garret explained the 3 phase monitors that protect the pumps miss functioned and Simon’s was called in and corrected the issue.

Next he spoke about the Orange County’s Sheriff’s contract which was to have a designated officer serving the Town. Chris said the last 3-4 invoices showed a scatter of officers. Garrett will follow up with Sheriff Bohnyak to find out who will be the 40 hour per week dedicated officer.

Chris asked if we had posted the vacancy for the Planning Commission. It will be posted.

Chris said the Fire Department and Ambulance plowing should be part of a plan for plowing. Garrett is working with the Ambulance Director and the Fire Department on the problem.

Also is there a plan for clearing hydrants. Garrett said the road crew is clearing them and moving snow. Chris mentioned the snow banks are an unsafe environment in our village. The Board suggested the snow on businesses property be removed by the road crew in the Town’s Right Of Way at intersections.

STAN:
Stan said he is working on the Town Manager’s contract for Garrett and hopes to have a draft soon to send to them for review. Fran hoped it could be done before he leaves the Board.

Also a letter from Ed Farnham included in the Board packet disturbed him and it is part of the public record.

Stan said the information provided by Garrett on Class IV roads was very useful.

ART:
Art mentioned how important the sidewalk project is after seeing children walking in the road at night.

He would like to see Class IV roads be maintain to some degree as residents on them do pay taxes. Once we lose a Class IV road to the point where it’s thrown up then that road is gone forever.

Larry:
Larry mentioned an email from the school bus drivers who were thankful for the roads last Wednesday and Thursday due to the road crew.

Francis:
Nothing at this time.

VISITORS COMMENTS:

Mike Spano asked if guard rails could go on the Stimulus list. Fran said it needed to be specific but it could be looked into.

Fran asked for a motion to adjourn, so moved by Chris and second by Art. The motion passed by voice vote 5-0.

Approved with corrections.