TOWN OF WILLIAMSTOWN Present: Francis Covey-Chair, Chris Peloquin, Stan Corneille, Morris Lasell Absent: Art Stone Town Manager – Ed Magee Visitors: Mike Spano, Newton Blaisdell- Animal Control
Officer, Roger Gabree, Horace Duke, Jr., Larry Hebert, Bill Ashe, Roger
Gabree, Sr., Evan Hughes-Vt Sportsmen’s Clubs, Arthur Kramer, Allen
Chouinard, Loretta Perusse, Ted Stachulski, Noah Stachulski, Al Day, David
Delcor- The Times Argus, Connie Covey, Joel Carminati, Thomas Hood, Elaine
Craig, Lynette Whitney – DuBois & King, Steve Mckenzie- DuBois
& King, Rhonda Carrier, Yvan Leblanc, Rose Cusson, Chuck Goodling-
DuBois & King, Paul Anderson, Ed Farnham, Bryan Palmer, Deputy Chief
Andy Marceau. At 7:20 pm Fran announced the beginning of the Selectboard meeting; Announcements: No announcements were made. Visitor’s Comments: Al Day suggested to the Board to entertain the idea of a moratorium on giving property away at least until some protocol can be established. Elaine Craig had pictures of Melody Harvey’s dog running loose.
Rose Cusson had copies from Barre Animal Hospital. Ed said Melody has
been issued 1 fine and 2 tickets. They felt the Town is not doing what
they needed to do to control the dog. Fran said the information needed
to be reviewed and brought to the next Board meeting with signed affidavits.
Review and Approval of Warrants: The Board reviewed the payroll warrants of October 13, October 20, and October 27, 2007. Stan moved to approve the payroll warrants. Seconded by Chris. After a discussion the motion passed by voice vote 4-0. The Board reviewed the A/P Warrant # 45 for November 5, 2007. Chris made the motion to approval the A/P Warrant #45. Seconded by Stan. After a clarification there was a voice vote of 4-0. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the October 16th Selectboard Hearing were not approved
as a majority was not present of those Selectboard members that were in
attendance for that hearing. They will be brought to the next meeting.
The minutes of the October 15, 2007 Board meeting were read. Stan made a motion to approve the minutes. Seconded by Chris. A discussion followed and the following correction made; page 1- Visitors – Vicki Watson changed to Becky Watson. Motion passed by voice vote 4-0. Managers Report: Graniteville Road: water and paving projects will be completed this week. Casella Waste: Canceling the contract and using Don Giroux for trash removal will save the Town money. Chris moved to terminate services with Casella and use Don Giroux to collect on a weekly basis. Second by Morris. After a short discussion the motion passed by voice vote 4-0. Teen Center: If we are unsuccessful in renting the building the ambulance service is interested in moving to the space. The Board wanted more information as to the move and to see if Kid’s Care is still interested. Morris heard that transportation is an issue with Kids Care and will check on that. Fran said to bring this up at the next Board meeting VT Teen Leadership Safety Program: requesting authorization for a coin drop near the Randolph National Bank on Route 14. Art Kramer said Route 14 is a State Highway and a state permit will be needed and the minimum age of the children participating. Grandview Road: Request from Ron Collins for authorization to remove rocks in roadway and fill holes on Class IV section for snowmobile grooming. The Board instructed Ed to meet with him and issue a permit. Ferno Rd: A letter from Jane Hulstrunk regarding work stoppage on Ferno Rd. Fran was concern about signs for closing class 4 roads. in winter. Washington Road: The Transportation Committee studying Ron Mercier request to widen a portion of the road. Maloney Road: The Transportation Committee has recommended 35mph speed limit for Maloney Road. The Board requested to start process. Morris moved to go through steps for signage of 35 mph on Maloney Road. Seconded by Chris. Motion passed by voice vote 4-0. Soucy Lane: Larry has asked his attorney to draft a Warranty Deed to the Town for recording. Following up with Board acceptance. Getz Road Lawsuit: An arbitration meeting will be held on November 27th. Planning Commission: Discussion and vote to ask Selectboard to reduce the size of membership from 5 to 7 members. Chris moved to change back to 5 members. Morris seconded. Motion passed by voice vote 4-0. FEMA: A update on FEMA reimbursement was given. Unfinished Business: Steve Mckenzie – DuBois & King: Steve gave the Board an update on the workings of the valves that allow water flow. He feels they have hit their objectives the Board had requested at the last meetings. He is satisfied. Al Chouinard questioned the way the 2” valves are working. After a discussion about the issues with the valves the Board felt the system is not working as it should. Steve suggested the Board write a letter to Ross Valves stating their opinions and questions on the valves. Steve will send it on to Ross Valves and see if they can come up here to address the issue. Fran was happy with what Steve proposed. Stan said he would like a second opinion with another engineer and Ross Valves. Art Kramer- Shooting Range Ordinance: A representative from Barre City Police Department came to the meeting to update the Board about the Shooting Range. Deputy Chief Andy Marceau said they had no plans right off and they have had no talks with an engineer. The Chief mentioned selling the land. We did contact the Fish and Game division that helps design ranges and the commissioner has agreed to allow a gentleman to help us, but we have not made contact with him yet. Stan asked if Barre City would sell the land and someone mention it is listed. Stan asked as far as you know, there are no plans at this time to develop a shooting range on your property. Andy said Barre City would need to speak to townspeople, have concerns about lead and direction. Stan asked then you are planning one. Andy said yes at some point. Stan noted the letter from Larry Hebert about the Town Plan it not being very specific in certain areas. Art Kramer, Chair of the Planning Committee gave the definition of zoning. Fran said in the best interest of the Town this should be brought to the Town Meeting and a discussion followed on the use of land, the shooting range and zoning. Ed Magee- Pet Ordinance: Using a model of VLTC and a copy of the Barre Town Dog Ordinance he modified the Towns current dog ordinance. Stan had a few suggestions: page 2 Section 3 NUISANCES: first line - after attack any person, (add –pet) page 2 Section 3 NUISANCES: second line –after animals unless such (add - person, pet or other animal) is trespassing page 3 Section 8 – ANIMAL BITE: change the word shall to may page 3 Section 8 – ANIMAL BITE: last line- attack shall result in the animal being disposed of in a humane way. Add being removed of or disposed Morris did not agree with the wording, removed, being added because we just heard tonight about someone being afraid that a dog that was a nuisance in this community being moved to another community. He would not be in favor of that happening at all. Fran felt the way Morris did, if a dog is a problem here in this community he will be a problem in another community, Chris agreed they shouldn’t promote removing it, if someone really cares about the dog, it could disappear or be relocated before the Town can get their hands on it. A discussion followed about relocating dogs, seizing dogs, problem dogs and following up with licensing and rabies. Morris said we accept with changes that Stan has outlined except for the one that puts dogs out of Town. Chris seconded. Motion passed by voice vote 3 -1. 1 opposed. Ted Stachulski – Dog Bite: Ted said the Quintin’s didn’t
show up for the hearing, and the Board could not reach an agreement except
to muzzle the dog when he was out of the house. Then Stan reported the
dog has been taken to Barre City. Fran was very disappointed in that.
Morris said if a dog bites a person and he has not had rabies shots, it
should be euthanized and tested. He didn’t believe a parent should
have to wait to see if shots are needed. Chris said the dog is gone and
notification is due. He called for the question. Fran asked for a motion.
Morris moved to notify Barre City that the dog has been moved to Barre
City, he felt we are spinning our wheels by trying to get that dog, he
would like to see that happen but he didn’t think we can do all
the necessary work that would be required to get that dog back and put
down. Seconded by Chris with that we use Mr. Quintin’s help to get
the person’s name. Fran was not happy with the motion because they
have not said if the dog comes back into Town it should be destroyed,
would you put that into the motion. Chris and Morris were not comfortable
with that. Motion passed 3-0. 1 opposed. Ted said he was very disappointed
with the Selectboard. NEW BUSINESS: Dennis & Paula Lefebure – Road Acceptance: The Lefebure’s were not present. They are in the process of dividing property into 4 lots, and like Soucy Lane for the Town to take it over. Chris said the Board needs to see the survey. He moved to table this to the next Board meeting and to invite the Lefebure’s to the next meeting. Seconded by Stan. Motion passed by voice vote 4-0. Lorrie Farnham – Burning Violation: Chris said this is an alleged harassment by Town employees and officials and should be on the Agenda as such. Lorrie told the Board she is accused of burning flooring and her driveway has been plowed in. Ed had pictures showing hay and flooring burnt in the pit. Stan as Health Officer spoke to Lorrie and saw no violation but did not walk down to the pit. Fran said he has smelt something other than wood burning, and Lorrie said it was rotting hay. Bryan Palmer the Fire Warden investigated and told Lorrie that she needed 200’ around the pit and when Lorrie asked him to leave he did. Fran said the plowing in of her driveway has been discussed before. Chris said if there are violations then let’s do something about it. No violations were noted. Bryan will get information and mail it to her about bon fires and camp fires and what can or can’t be burned. Verizon – Permit Request: Chris moved to accept the request as presented. Seconded by Stan. No discussion and the motion passed by voice vote 4-0. Board of Listers – Errors and Omissions: Chris moved to accept the errors and omissions as presented. Seconded by Morris. Motion passed by voice vote 4-0. Around the Table: Morris: nothing Stan: Stan understood we have hired Larry Hebert to install the gas vents at the land fill. Once they are reinstalled then we can write off engineering and get our certification. Stan had a question from the ambulance report about being available for transport. He felt a letter should be sent to Dr Brown about the ambulance availability. Chris: Chris thought Ed should speak to Gordon Murray the DMS Director before writing a letter to Dr. Brown about Williamstown availability for transport. He mentioned the ditch on Hebert Road has not been taken care of and Ed said the highway department was working there today. Chris said if the ditch was not taken care of then cones or signs should be put up. Also the Board voted on a sign for Mountain View Road to warn about children and it is not been put up. Ed will look into it. Fran: Fran called for executive session to discuss personnel issues. Visitor’s Comments: Roger Gabree a member of the Green Mountain Transportation Committee asked if the Town had any issues on transportation for elders to let him know by letter so he can take them to the committee. Art Kramer questioned Fran’s request for executive session. Personnel reasons is not listed under Open Meeting Law as a reason for an executive section. Fran said is about possible changes in personnel. Art said that Ed read a Statute and Bryan indicated about burning. Now it’s not quite the same in the sense that I didn’t hear it read about the difference between camp fire and bon fire. Talks about burning. The way it was left, Chris made the point that he made the decision she didn’t need a permit. If there is a law it’s a law. If you don’t like it, change it but to interrupt it on your own I can’t see it. Chris moved to adjourn the meeting and recess very briefly and enter Executive Session. Morris seconded. Motion passed 4-0. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Rumph Approved with corrections September 19, 2007
|