TOWN OF WILLIAMSTOWN MINUTES PRESENT: Larry Hebert - Vice Chair, Chris Peloquin, Rodney Graham, Art Stone, Bill Ashe Town Manager: Garrett Earls
VISITORS: Mike Sprano, Charles Kunkle, Ann S. Kunkel, David Delcor – The Times Argus, Kathleen Lott – The Northfield News. James Hebert, Jim Plouffe, Arthur Kramer, Deborah Palmer – Town Clerk, Al Day Larry stated it was 6 P.M. and they were going to start the March 1, 2010 Selectboard meeting for the Town of Williamstown. SELECTBOARD MEETING Announcements: Town Manager, Garrett Earls left the meeting to attend his sons basketball game and returned at the end of the meeting. Visitor’s Comments: Mike Sprano asked about the Petition to change the Town Manager to a Town Administrator. Larry explained it is on the Agenda and will be discussed then. Larry said if it seemed like he was hurrying it’s because there is a meeting starting at seven p.m. here.
Review and Approval of Warrants: Rodney made a motion to approve SB34, SB38, SB39, SB35, SB36, and SB37. Art Second. A discussion followed and the motion passed by voice vote 5-0. Approval of Minutes: Rodney motioned to approve the minutes of February 15th and seconded by Art. After a short discussion the motion passed by voice vote 5-0. Manager’s Report: Manager’s report given by Larry Hebert: Manager asked for a representative to attend the tax sale on March 10th at 2 P.M. to represent the Town. Chris said beside being a representative you need the Boards permission to bid the owed amount of money on these properties. They needed the Boards permission to spend that money; you start the bidding at that dollar amount. Rodney made the motion to have Larry represent the Board at the March 10th tax sale and allow him to bid for the Town as necessary. Seconded by Chris. Motion passed by voice vote 5-0. Unfinished Business: No unfinished business. New Business: Petition for Special Town Meeting – Chapter 27 Title 24 of the Vermont Statutes Not to Authorize the Selectmen to Employ a Town Manager Larry asked the Town Clerk for information: Debbie said she received a petition with the required number of signatures asking for a Town vote on exactly as worded there. You have 15 days from when she received the petition to set a date, not sooner then 30 days, no later than 40 days. Then she would put out the warning. Rodney asked if its 15 days from when you receive it or when we receive it as the Selectboard is only allowed to act on it. Deb always took it as 15 days from when she received it and you needed to act on it within 15 days. Rodney asked what if the next Selectboard meeting was 14 days later. Rodney suggested going 40 days since Town Meeting is tomorrow and there may be other issues that will need a vote. Larry said it was unfortunate the makers of this petition didn’t get it in sooner so it could have been included at the Town meeting as this will be an added expense to the Town anywhere from a minimum between $800 to $900 dollars. Sending information could bring the cost up to $1,500. Rodney made the motion to warn a Special Town Meeting April 6th from 10 am to 7 pm for this Article 1- to see if the Town will reject the provisions of Chapter 27 of Title 24 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated and not authorize the Selectmen to employ a Town Manager to be voted by Australian ballot. Seconded by Bill. A discussion followed and Rodney revised his motion to change the date to April 10th, a Saturday. Bill seconded the 10th. Motion passed by voice vote of 5-0. Around the Table: Chris: Chris asked about the animal cruelty case had the Town fees been added to it. The case has been dropped. Talking to the auditors today regarding an email you sent, Larry, asking Bob to provide information that they have been looking for since Feb 11th. They are unaware of any information that they have been asked to provide them since February 11th. Larry explained it wasn’t something the auditors were looking for, Bob had given end of year balances different from what the auditors came up with and the auditor’s said they should match. Rodney was at that meeting with the auditor’s and they asked if they heard from Bob and they hadn’t. Chris then followed up on that question with a call to the auditor’s and they were in agreement with the information the treasurer submitted. Then Chris followed up on a letter to the editor, an S. Bridge, who does not seem to exist. It makes a claim that there are thousands of dollars unspoken for and the auditors are unaware of such claims. Rodney said a letter to editor is beyond our control. Chris said he is just stating facts. Mike Sprano said he called the auditors and they referred him to the Town for information. Art: nothing at this time Bill: nothing at this time Rodney: Rodney asked Mike Sprano did he have a specific question he wanted answered. Mike just wanted to know if they had any idea of any money missing and they would not answer my question. Rodney said he did not think anyone has accused anybody of stealing any money and governmental accounting is a little bit different than what someone may do at home. Sometimes stuff ends up someplace that you would not think it would. Doesn’t mean its wrong. But, not knowing any different, we might asked a question not intending that someone stole the money. We just don’t know how it’s done, unfortunate the treasurer has not been easy to contact. So it’s kind of hard to get answers to some of these questions and that is probably why some of these rumors are flying around. Larry: Then Larry addressed Chris as this was his last Selectboard meeting after 5 years of service. Larry said he knows how much time it takes and knows the town has appreciated his time. Chris thanked those for their support. Rodney said it is a hard job and sometime there are disagreement and issues, he had to give his respect to someone who would give his time for it.
Visitor’s Comments: Mike Sprano asked that it’s time for the manager to sign a new contract and with this Article coming in for a vote are you planning on signing a contract or until this is done. Larry assumed the Board would wait. Rodney said if this vote is rejected in hiring a town manager, we have 30 days before the town manager would be done. We would have 30 days to come up with a plan. Art Kramer asked that on the auditors report on the back page that they indicate that even though paid for with public funds, it’s a public document. They put the statement in there that it’s intended solely for the use of management, Selectboard and others within the organization, etc. His concern is why a private corporation would get paid to do a job and insert something like that which indicates that it’s not something the public should see. Larry said he didn’t know the answer but they have included that in the last three audits. Mike asked who does the Town Manager’s contract. Larry said the Selectboard. Rodney explained that when you are negotiating a contract its privilege information until you have settled and then it become public information. Garrett joined the Selectboard meeting. Al Day asked the last he knew the Board was directing the ACO to reevaluate
his issue. What was the outcome. Larry asked if the Town had heard from
the person and the Town has not. Chris read from the last minutes as he
asked that question. After reading the minutes it was apparent that Garrett
thought it would end up on the Board’s table. The Board added $75.00
fine to the veterinary bill with a letter from Garrett and sending it
certified mail. If not paid in 15 days forwarding it to the Judicial Bureau.
Larry asked for a motion to adjourn. So moved by Chris and seconded by
Rodney. The motion passed by voice mail 5-0. |