WILLIAMSTOWN SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES PRESENT: Larry Hebert - Chair, Rodney Graham- Vice Chair, Francis Covey Absent: Art Stone, Bill Ashe Town Manager: Garrett Earls
VISITORS: Kathleen Lott – The Northfield News, Mike Sprano, Irvin Stephenson, Deb Palmer – Town Clerk, Donald and Jennie Brown, Dave Bailey Larry called the June 21, 2010 Williamstown Selectboard Meeting to order. He asked for a motion to enter the Board of Water & Sewer Commissioners. So moved by Rodney and seconded by Francis. Motion passed by voice vote of 3-0. WATER & SEWER COMMISSIONERS Results of Water & Sewer Committee: Garrett explained the meeting consisted of identifying properties that
would be a single property with multiple meters that would be receiving
multiple flat charges. The committee decided that one service connection
per property so there should be one meter per property. Francis made the
motion we adopt the findings of the Water & Sewer Committee, one meter
per lot. Rodney seconded. A discussion that the Town will bear the cost
of making adjustments to correct the problem. Motion passed by voice vote
3-0. Al was not in attendance and his issue will be tabled. Ray Duff – Irrevocable Letter of Credit. Larry spoke that Ray Duff hired his company to do the work for him and felt this was a conflict of interest. With only three Board members in attendance this will be tabled until the next meeting. Francis made the motion to come out of Water & Sewer Commission and go into regular Selectboard meeting. Seconded by Rodney and the motion passed by voice vote 3-0.
Announcements: Citizen of the Year Larry spoke of choosing an annual person or persons who have contributed a lot to our community and we looked through a lot of names. This couple kept coming up to the top and deservedly so with all the different things they did over the years to help the community in rolls of Selectboard, School members, Listers, etc. The most noticeable things in recent years is the work they have done with Senior meals. With great pleasure that Donald & Jennie Brown receives the Citizen of the Year Award for Williamstown. Visitor’s Comments: Irvin Stephenson asked what the Selectboard has done getting some crosswalks in the village. Larry explained that it is the state that decides sidewalks crossing state highways but the Board would look into it. Irvin then asked when the sidewalk project would start. Garrett said it should start early August. Mike Sprano asked about the sidewalk project. Garrett explained the sidewalk contract is being signed Friday. Review and Approval of Warrants: Rodney made the motion to approve warrant SB54 and SB55. Seconded by Francis and after a discussion the motion passed by voice vote 3-0. Approval of Minutes: Rodney made the motion to accept the minutes of June 7. Seconded by Francis and the motion passed by voice 3-0. Manager’s Report: Congratulations to the Class of 2010. A decision about the single axle truck financing. Rodney motioned to take $128,500 for the single axle truck fully equip out of equipment reserve fund after July 1st. Seconded by Francis and the motion passed by voice vote 3-0. The 4th of July is on a Sunday and will be celebrated on Monday the 5th with the closing of the Town Offices. The Selectboard meeting is scheduled for the 5th and the Board agreed to have the Selectboard meeting on Tuesday, July 6th. The bids results, we have a $96 thousand dollar Hazard Mitigation project that is financed by FEMA and it is a pre cast concrete box culvert. We solicited 3 bids. A discussion followed about the road closing and work using grant money. Garrett reported winter sand is completed and the highway is building ditches. Garrett asked the Board to think about a waste oil furnace at the town
garage. They told Garrett to look at it some more and they will look at
it at some later meeting. Further Review of Purchasing Policy: Tabled till next meeting. New Business: Bill Ashe- Draft Fraud Prevention Policy & Draft Capitol program and Budget Policy Tabled till next meeting. Terry Knight – Listers Close the 2009/2010 Grand List Francis made the motion to sign the certificate of no appeal or suits pending for 2009/2010 grand list. Seconded by Rodney. Motion passed by voice vote 3-0. Fair Point Communication – Petition & Order – Flint Rd & George Road. Tabled till next meeting. Town Clerk – Dog Delinquent Letters. Deb Palmer - Town Clerk asked the Board to sign the letter so she can send it to residents that have not licensed their dogs and also include a $25.00 fine per dog. Rodney authorized the Town Clerk to send to all dog owners that are currently delinquent this letter. Seconded by Francis and the motion passed by voice vote 3-0. Orange County Sheriff’s Contract: Garrett explained this is a renewal. After a discussion Francis motion to accept this agreement on this date June 21st and in Section 1 Services to be Provided, commencing July 1st and Section 2 commencing on July 1st, the total sum of this contract will not exceed $50, 000. Seconded by Rodney and the motion passed by voice vote 3-0. Manager’s Contract: Larry explained the Manager’s contract expired February 28th. We have the same exact contract as last year, the same exact salary. Change the dates to follow the fiscal year, July 1st to July 1st. The only discussion Larry had with the Manager was about a vehicle or reimbursement a set amount for use of his vehicle. The idea of keeping track of his mileage every day for short runs around town is very time consuming. We have in the budget allocated $2,000 for mileage reimbursement. Larry feelings are that is pretty light. We talked about raising it to $3,000, which would be $250.00 per month. Larry said he heard from Art Stone and he is in favor of supplying the Manager with a vehicle. Bill Ashe was in favor of the $3,000. Francis was in favor of either way but a vehicle would be available for use of the Town Hall so staff would not have to use their vehicles. A discussion followed and Francis motion we accept this employment agreement with Garrett with the obvious date changes and with the employer shall provide the employee with a vehicle or reimburse the employee with a sum of $3,000. per year or use of a personal vehicle. Rodney seconded. Motion passed by voice vote 3-0. Also there is a balance in the manager’s mileage account because he only turned in one month mileage from the $2,000 budgeted. The balance is $1,888. Larry asked for a motion to reimburse him that money. Francis made the motion we pay Garrett the $1,888. left for mileage reimbursement. Rodney seconded the motion and it passed by voice vote 3-0. Scanner Recommendations: Deb Palmer, Town Clerk spoke to the Board about money that was approved
to buy a scanner that was part of the budget. There has been nothing done
with it. A salesperson from Magee Office Supplies showed us a scanner.
We would get rid of the copier we have now and put in a smaller copier
for lawyers and everyone else. There is enough money in this fund to purchase
both. Garrett said Magee now leases the copier we have now which is pretty
reasonable but pretty old. The second copier would be purchased outright,
with a yearly cost for service and toner or leased. Francis made a motion
to purchase the Savin 9228SP and also a used copier and all the appropriate
maintenance fees and licensing fees for the sum of $8500. Rodney seconded
for discussion. A discussion followed if the new copier could be paid
from the scanner reserve. Mike Sprano brought up that the money put away
for the scanner was just for the scanner, nothing else. Kathleen Lott
from the Northfield, said and correct her if she was wrong, if the voters
set aside the money your restricted in your statute what you can spend
it on. No one was sure who voted it in, the Board or the voters. Rodney
said if voted by the Town, in the scanner reserve, the only possible part
of this would be in violation of this would be the second copier. Fran
was willing to change his motion to take out the second copier and related
cost of the second copier out of his motion, cost involved with the scanner
$7500. just include scanner and related cost. Rodney seconded. Motion
passed by 3-0. Francis made the motion to buy the used copier, that is
$1,000 with the service contract and take that money out of the Clerk/Treasurer
office equipment budget. Seconded by Rodney and the motion passed by voice
vote 3-0. Irvin Stephenson spoke about a Security Company that he looked into. The company he called said he didn’t qualify because your State Police are your primary law enforcement. He called the Public Safety Commission and there has been a study on it. He suggested the Board contact the Public Safety Commission to be aware of the problem. Around the Table: Francis: Rodney: Larry: Larry reiterated what Garrett said, Congratulating the Graduating Class, they were pretty excited after winning the state championship, it was a very exciting class and they accomplished a lot. He wished everyone a Happy Fourth of July. Irvin asked to say he can’t hear the Selectboard, can’t you find a system you can use so everyone can hear you. Motion made to end the Selectboard meeting by Francis, seconded by Rodney and the motion passed by voice vote 3-0. APPROVED – July 7, 2010
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