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MINUTES OF THE SHAFTSBURY SELECT BOARD
JANUARY 30, 2006
COLE HALL
SHAFTSBURY, VERMONT
 
Board Present: Wynn Metcalfe, Chairman, Karen Mellinger, Cinda Morse, Skip Fagerholm, Jim Mead
Others Present:   Bill Pennebaker, John Tiffany, Clover Whitham (Bennington Banner),
Oliver Durand, Jack Rifenburg, Denise Rifenburg, Aaron Chrostowsky, Susan Swasta
 
1.         Call Meeting to Order:  
 
Chairman Wynne Metcalfe called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM.
 
2.         Landfill Closure Bid:
 
Chairman Metcalfe reported that the board had opened the only landfill closure bid received by the town, from Rifenburg Construction for $680,000. He informed the Rifenburgs that the town could not accept the bid because there is not that much money available for the project. He thanked them for bidding and for attending.
 
3.         Minutes:        
 
January 16, 2006 Minutes:
 
Approval of January 16 minutes was postponed until the next meeting because board members had not had a chance to review the minutes.
 
4.         Warrants:
 
The following warrants were presented for approval:
 
·  PR#29 –                        $        6,387.98            Payroll Warrant
·  PR#30 –                        $      10,440.29            Payroll Warrant
·  AP#34 –                        $        3,454.69            Retirement Warrant
·  AP#35 –                        $      25,440.89            General Warrant (includes winter services, Stone Environmental)
·  AP#36 –                        $      13,094.98            General Warrant (includes fuel oil,  gravel, sand)                             
 
Cinda Morse made motion to pay the warrants. Karen Mellinger seconded.  The motion to pay warrants carried 5-0-0.
5.         Public Comments:
 
John Tiffany asked if there has been any explanation from the state as to why prospective landfill closure costs are so much higher than state officials had estimated. Chairman Metcalfe replied that the state had not provided an answer, but that he believes that bidders and prospective bidders are put off by liability issues. Chairman Metcalfe said that he has been discussing the project once again with Capital Earthmoving, an earlier bidder, and feels it may be possible to move closer to an acceptable cost with that company.
 
6.         Town Administrator’s Report:
 
Referring to the financial statement he had distributed to board members, Aaron Chrostowsky reported that the town has used about 75% of its budget and is basically on track. Some caution is in order due to prospective sand and gravel expenses.
 
7.         Road Report:
 
Jim Mead reported that the new truck that is on order should be delivered in February. He stated that Ron Daniels hopes do some work on the grader. It would cost about $10,000 for a new blade, adjustments, and new recapped tires. The current blade has lasted for twenty years, and Mr. Daniels feels this would be money well spent.
 
Ms. Morse made motion to allocate $10,000 for grader expenses. Mr. Mead seconded.
 
Skip Fagerholm asked where the money would come from and was told it would be from the emergency reserve fund. Mr. Fagerholm and Mr. Tiffany felt that the expense should have been covered by line item grader funds. Mr. Tiffany said that he thinks the grader should be replaced because too much money has been put into it. Mr. Mead replied that the town cannot afford to replace it.
 
Motion to allocate $10,000 for grader expenses passed 4-0-1.
 
8.         Open Roadside Mowing Bids:
 
Mr. Chrostowsky opened a roadside mowing bid from David Hosley, who would charge $8,400 for one complete summer mowing, $16,800 for two mowings. It was noted that Mr. Hosley had done work for the state and for Sunderland. The board discussed mowing expenses. Ms. Morse stated that she thought it would be good to have an outside contractor do mowing once to see if it frees up town employees for other needed work.
 
Chairman Metcalfe said that it was not necessary to reach a decision tonight, and the board agreed to ask Mr. Daniels to come in to discuss the matter before deciding.
9.         Open Box Culvert Bids:
 
Mr. Chrostowsky opened three bids for the Myers Road box culvert. He noted that the culvert will be paid for with grant funds. The bidders were:
           
            1. Dailey’s        $40,900.92
            2. Fort Miller Co.         $19,400 (exclusive of some walls)
            3. Concrete Systems (CSI)       $28,262
 
Mr. Chrostowsky stated that the Fort Miller bid does not meet specifications. The CSI bid includes technical information that he prefers to have Mr. Daniels go over. The board agreed to ask Mr. Daniels to review the two qualified bids and report back.
 
10.       Budget Meeting Discussion:
 
Chairman Metcalfe reported that two changes had been made to draft seven of the budget: the cemetery amount was changed to $4000, and $12000 was added for landfill closure.
 
Overall, the budget represents a 3.8%  increase. Chairman Metcalfe highlighted three new areas of expenditure:
 
            1. Cole Hall improvements
            2. 5% payment to health plan
            3. reserve funds of $40,000 for fire equipment, $25,000 for highways, $10,000 for Cole
            Hall, $10,000 for the grader, and $15,000 for paving
 
Mr. Fagerholm wanted to be sure that residents are aware that $72,000 was taken out of the budget in anticipation of Pay-As-You-Throw funds. Ms. Mellinger stated that the board needs to make it clear that the 3.8% increase is to be raised through taxes. Board members agreed that there should be a budget presentation for the public scheduled for February.
 
Mr. Tiffany asked how the transfer station savings had been applied, and was told that this money had been used to fund both old and new reserve funds. He repeated that he believes the grader repair should be funded by the grader line item funds.
 
Ms. Morse made motion to adopt the budget. Ms. Mellinger seconded.  Motion carried 5-0-0.
 
11.       Approve Town Meeting Warning:
 
Mr. Chrostowsky stated that the town meeting warning would be changed to include the $12000 landfill closure addition.
 
Ms. Morse made motion to approve the town meeting warning with stated corrections. Ms. Mellinger seconded.  Motion carried 5-0-0.
 
12.       Other Business:
 
Ms. Mellinger brought up two possible articles to be added to town meeting. The first was a resolution in support of the Vermont National Guard and their families, formally recognizing their service and thanking them.
 
Ms. Mellinger made motion to add the resolution in support of the Vermont Guard to town meeting. Mr. Fagerholm seconded. Motion carried 5-0-0.
 
The second resolution, from the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT), concerns two changes in the use of education funds proposed by Governor Douglas. The resolution requests state representatives to oppose any use of state educational funds outside of original intent.
 
Ms. Morse made motion to add the VLCT resolution concerning use of education funds to town meeting. Ms. Mellinger seconded. 
 
Ms. Mellinger noted that 73 towns have signed on to the resolution. Mr. Fagerholm said that he was reluctant to support the resolution without hearing the other side of the argument. Ms. Morse stated that including the resolution does not require supporting it, but just adds it to the ballot for vote.
 
Motion to add the VLCT resolution carried 5-0-0.
 
Mr. Fagerholm made motion to adjourn. Ms. Mellinger seconded. Motion carried 4-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:43 PM.
 
 
Respectfully Submitted,
 
Susan M. Swasta
                                                                                                                                   

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