TOWN OF WILLIAMSTOWN
Board of Selectmen Meeting
July 16, 2007
7:00 PM
Williamstown Elementary School
Present: Francis Covey-Chair, Chris Peloquin, Stan Corneille,
Art Stone, Morris Lasell
Town Manager - Ed Magee
Visitors: Janet Poeton, Michael Ducey, Irvin Stephenson, Horace Duke, Jr., Mike Sprano, Steve Mckenzie, Al Day, Larry Hebert, John Milne
Water and Sewer Commission:
Chris made a motion to convene the Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners
Second by Morris. Motion passed by voice vote 5-0.
Janet and John Poeton presented to the Board a letter requesting abatement for a portion of their water and sewer bill dated June 10, 2007. From an electrical power failure the water and heating pipes burst. Water flowed and caused extensive water damage and the house has been uninhabitable due to severe damage and mold. The Board discussed the request and roughly averaged the bill. Chris made a motion for a $700 abatement for the water and sewer bill. Fran seconded. Motion passed by voice vote 3-0. Art and Stan abstained.
Ed asked the Board if they would be willing to meet with a resident in private about an issue. They feel in public it would be an extreme embarrassment to them. Fran said they could meet with 1 - 3 of the Selectmen in private to discuss the issue. Chris asked Ed when this information was presented to him and Ed said it was brought to his attention on Friday afternoon. Chris said it should be brought up at the next Select Board meeting since they did not meet the deadline to be included on the Agenda for this meeting. Chris said they may be able to meet at 6:30pm in an Executive Session before a Select Board meeting. Chris also felt the information needed to be reviewed and be put into the next packet so the Board can decide how to proceed.
Art spoke of the damage to Robert Hood's place. He has connected ¾ inch water connection so he could have water to his place. His water connection was washed away from the rain. Allen should get a meter hooked up as soon as possible but Robert has water now.
Motion made by Morris. Seconded by Stan to adjourn the Water & Sewer Commission at 7:26 pm. Motion passed by voice vote 5-0.
Announcements:
Ed said he would be meeting with FEMA and District 6 at 9am Tuesday in
Williamstown. The State has determined that Williamstown suffered the most damage in Orange County. He hopes FEMA will look for some help for personal property such as low interest loans. Fran wanted to know if FEMA would be looking at personal property. Ed didn't know what criteria they would be following. Chris asked if there would be potential fund deadlines and Ed should look into it. Ed said District 6 and VT Emergency Services said pictures should be taken and repairs done in extreme cases. Fran said this was not the best way, FEMA should check it out first. Chris said Barre Town is already making repairs to roads. Larry Hebert said FEMA checks out the culverts and decides what size culverts are in the best interest of the Town. Fran said the rough estimate is well over a million. Morris said we can't wait for months for FEMA.
John Milne from Lotus Lake Camp said the lower part of Winchester Road washed out. The water ran through a horse ring and vegetable garden. He had to have a berm put in to divert the water. He knows it is a Class 4 road but is wondering what the Town's responsibility would be. Stan said to be sure FEMA checks it out. Fran said the Town would follow the Class 4 road policy.
Mike Ducey presented the Board with pictures of water coming down Pleasant Street into his yard. He said the road was crowned and should have been banked. The water is not flowing to the side of the road, but into his driveway. Fran said this was an overwhelming amount of information to look at. Chris said it should be put on the agenda for the next meeting.
Welcome to Visitors and Comments: No visitors comments
Approval of Warrants:
The Board reviewed accounts payable Warrant # 34, #36 and #37. After a short discussion a motion was made by Fran and seconded by Chris to approve the Warrants. The motion passed by voice vote 5-0.
The Board reviewed payroll Warrants dated 6/30/07 and 7/7/07 and 6/29/2007 (Amb/Lib). After a short discussion a motion was made by Fran and seconded by Chris to approve the Warrants. Motion passed by voice vote 5-0.
Approval of Minutes:
The minutes of the 7/2/07 Water and Sewer Commission meeting were read. Fran made a motion to approve the minutes and seconded by Chris with any and all revisions. Motion passed by voice vote 5-0.
Revisions:
Harry Henderson's name in two places on page 1, should read Harry Hinrichsen.
Page2, under Announcements, at the Town Hall because of a mistake on the Agenda, should read at the Town Hall because the school was not open.
Page 2, paragraph 1, Dan was at Junior York's house, should read Dan was at Junior York son's house
The minutes of the Select Board meeting revisions:
Under new business, first paragraph, line 4, one Officer in peculiar, should read one Officer in particular.
Around The Table: first paragraph Land Operations should read Simon Operations
Managers Report:
The Music Club is selling to the Moose Lodge from Barre. The closing is set for August 20th.
Don Gero is moving his trash collection site to the Highway Department on August 12.
Steve Pratt is moving his trash collection to Lacillade Lumber on Saturday mornings.
Unfinished Business:
Steve Mckenzie from Dubois and King went over the Water Project Status report #3. His goal is to have testing completed, with conclusions by August 6th for the Select Board meeting.
New Business:
Chris mentioned he talked about Al Foster's interest in purchasing Town land near the Water Treatment Plant. Chris wanted to know if the Board is interested in voting on it. Fran wanted to know how much of a buffer zone would be needed around the water tank and he is not opposed to the sale. Art said this item needs to be voted on at the Town Meeting. Stan went to the Town Clerk to find out how big a parcel it is and it is 65.5 acres. How much land does Al want? Art said he doesn't see anything wrong with selling it. Morris wanted to know how much land should be held out for around the tank and the land should be sold with restrictions. Chris said Al wanted to purchase the land to increase his hunting property. Chris said it should be checked with other Towns, what they did in similar situations. Chris said to put the land purchase under unfinished business at the next meeting.
Around the Table:
Francis: nothing to report.
Stan: Stan has some volunteers to paint the flag pole in front of the Town Hall Building. Chris said on Sunday the fire department could help lower it across RT 14 then swing it out of the road. The following Sunday it could be set back up.
Morris: nothing to report.
Chris: Chris asked Ed if Simon's took care of the warped boards on Rte 14. Ed said they had not. Chris let the Board know he did the work on Winchester Road. He cut the road.
Art: Art wanted to know if truck number 5 is functional and why did it go to Green Mountain Diesel when it was still under warranty. Ed said the truck needed to be inspected. Art would like to see the truck and look over the bill from J&B. Chris made a motion to hold the check till Art looked the bill over. Seconded by Morris. Motion passed by voice vote 5-0.
Visitors Comments:
Mike Sprano wanted to know the Town's policy on burning in barrels. Stan said we follow State Policy and try to enforce it.
Al Day wanted to update the Board about the rocks his neighbor put into the stream between his property and the neighbors as a divider between properties. The neighbor now has 50 ft more land. The State Law says you need a permit to move a stream in a flood way. Al invited the Board to meet with Rebecca Pfeiffer, State Representative at his house on the 20th at 1 pm. She will be here to make sure the Town is following State Law. Morris wanted to know how it falls to the Town. Ed asked Al if he has proof the stream has been moved. Al said Rebecca has aerial proof.
Irvin Stephenson reported water damage to his barn and antique cars from a landslide next to his garage. He would like a little help from the Town for the damages. Chris said if it is storm related then be sure to get on the list at the Town Manager's Office.
A motion was made by Chris at 9:29 pm and seconded by Morris to adjourn with a short recess and then go into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters and policy issues. Motion passed by voice vote 5-0.
A motion made by Chris, seconded by Morris to enter Executive Session at 9:42 pm and came out at 10:50 pm.
A motion made by Chris, seconded by Art to adjourn the Board of Selectman at 10:52 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia Rumph,