TOWN OF WILLIAMSTOWN Present: Francis Covey-Chair, Chris Peloquin, Stan Corneille, Morris Lasell Absent: Art Stone
No announcements were made.
No visitor’s comments.
The Board reviewed the payroll warrants of November 3, and November 10, 2007. Chris moved to approve the payroll warrants. Seconded by Morris. After a short discussion the motion passed by voice vote 4-0.
The minutes of the October 16, 2007 Selectboard Board Hearing were not approved as a majority was not present of those Selectboard members that were in attendance for the hearing. They will be brought to the next meeting.
page 2: Managers Report: Ferno Road, add: class 4 roads (in winter). page 2: Unfinished Business: Steve McKenzie-DuBois & King change the word values to valve throughout paragraph. page 3: Ted Stachulski – Dog Bite: vote corrected to 3-0, 1 opposed. Page 4: Around the Table: Chris – last sentence correct work be to (work been). Page 4 Around the table – Fran and in Visitor’s comments change the word personnel to personal. Motion passed by voice vote 4-0. Road Cut Report- Brent Slayton requested the Board for a permit to cut across Hebert Rd. to install a water line to his house. Chris moved to have Ed Magee, the Town Manager grant a permit and it was seconded by Stan. Motion passed by voice vote 4-0. Winter Road Closures: The Town of Washington will be discussing closing their end of Washington Road (Ron Mercier’s request) at their next Board meeting, December 4th and will advise us of their decision. Also a comparable request from the Hulstrunks for a short portion of the Cass IV section of Ferno Rd. Are there any other roads that need to be considered? This will be put on the next agenda. Vacation: A question came up at the last meeting regarding an employee who took a weeks pay in lieu of time off. The Personnel Policy states Board approval for this. FEMA: The final exit interview has been completed. Taxes: There is an outstanding balance of $300,000. in delinquent taxes. Getz Road Lawsuit: An mediation meeting will be held on Tuesday. Executive Session: Ed asked for an Executive Session and the Board approved. Dubois & King: Ed presented to the Board the letter he composed with questions and concerns to Ross Valve which Dubois & King will forward to them.
The Board of Listers: Presented to the Board a list of errors and omissions. Chris moved to accept the errors and omissions as presented dated October 31, 2007. Seconded by Morris. After a short discussion the motion passed by voice vote 4-0. Rama Schneider: Will be on the agenda December 3rd with a 20 minute presentation followed by 10-15 minutes of questions and answers about fiber optics and broadband. Conrad Beattie: Conrad presented to the Board a packet that contained a letter requesting the Selectboard to: The members of Summit Lodge#104 F. &A.M. of Williamstown request
that a mathematical error in the calculation of our taxes due be corrected,
and that the additional extra taxes we have paid under protest for the
year 2007 in the amount of approximately $1,529.52 be refunded to us.
It was discussed and Chris’s question to Conrad was that he was not convinced the Selectboard has any authority whatsoever over this matter. Conrad said the Selectboard accepts Error and Omissions from the Listers. Chris said this is not presented for Errors and Omissions by the Listers. So you do not have anything that would convince me that the Selectboard does in fact, other than you been told that we should be asked. Conrad said the same packet has been presented to the Listers and he has had no response from them. A discussion followed about the appraisal and the Town Report. Stan didn’t think it was appropriate for the Board to grant this request without it going back to the voters. Chris moved to pass over this for the reason that the Board is not sure they have the legal ability to make this decision. Morris seconded. After more discussions the Motion passed by voice vote 4-0.
Stan: Asked Ed about when the gas vents will be completed and Ed told him Larry Hebert said by November 30th. Chris: Asked about the signs for Mountain View Rd and Ed said they have been ordered. He asked if there was any news on the Teen Center. Ed said the Kid’s Care program is still checking on the space the state allows for each child. Chris said the Teen Center isn’t going to keep waiting for a decision. By consensus the Board agreed to allow the Teen Center to liquidate their things in the space. After a discussion of different interests Chris made the Motion he was not in favor of postponing this for another 2 weeks and to grant permission to the Town’s Ambulance especially since the money is there and its not getting any warmer (heat needed in empty bay), if it was important to these people, if you had an opportunity to use a building for free would you wait and wait, (none of us would) for that reason we should grant permission to the ambulance this evening. Morris seconded. After a discussion the motion passed by voice vote 4-0. Chris asked Ed about the Erosion Grant and was told it has been submitted. Fran: Nothing to report Visitor’s Comments: Steve Stephenson asked about painting the flag pole and will volunteer to do it for another year. Ed said the problem is the pole is angled to miss the Town Hall but we would have to trim ½ of the tree for clearance. Ed said Larry Hebert had suggested he may be able to turn it so when lowered it would lie across the lawn and not the street. Ed will look into this. Al Day: Suggested the man lift the painter used that painted the Historical Society building could be used for the flag pole. Al said Tripp Rd. has a lot of pedestrians using it in winter so you may want to think about that if you decide to close it. Al also asked how the Board goes about selling a piece of town property. Fran said transactions take quite awhile and we have to let the Town know. Chris moved to adjourn, postpone briefly and enter Executive Session to discuss contracts, employee reviews and evaluations. Morris Seconded. Motion passed by voice vote 4-0. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Rumph Approved with corrections December 17, 2007
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