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MINUTES OF THE SHAFTSBURY SELECT BOARD
MARCH 27, 2006
COLE HALL     
SHAFTSBURY, VERMONT
 
Board Present: Wynn Metcalfe, Chairman, Karen Mellinger, Cinda Morse, Jim Mead
Board Absent: Bill Pennebaker
Others Present:   Michael Biddy, Harvey Rutheiser, Audrey Rutheiser, Aaron Chrostowsky, Susan Swasta
 
 
1.         Call Meeting to Order:  
 
Chairman Wynn Metcalfe called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM. He asked if any board member needed to recuse himself or herself from discussion of any agenda topic scheduled for tonight. None did.
 
 
2.         Minutes:       
 
            March 13, 2006 Minutes:
 
Jim Mead made motion to approve minutes. Cinda Morse seconded. The motion to approve minutes carried 3-0-1. (Karen Mellinger abstained because she had not attended the March 13 meeting.)
 
            March 20, 2006 Minutes:
 
Mr. Mead made motion to approve minutes. Ms. Mellinger seconded. The motion to approve minutes carried 3-0-1. (Ms. Morse abstained because she had not attended the March 20 meeting.)
 
3.         Warrants:
 
The following warrants were presented for approval:
 
·  PR#38 –                       $   5,428.35  Payroll Warrant
·  AP#42 –                       $ 63,372.30  General Warrant (Includes Blue Cross/Blue Shield, new truck, gravel and sand)
 
Ms. Morse made motion to pay warrants. Ms. Mellinger seconded. Motion carried 4-0-0.
 
4.         Public Comments:
 
Audrey Rutheiser asked about the town’s landfill violation, and Chairman Metcalfe explained that the violation was imposed because the town had exceeded its approved tonnage when it permitted TAM to add waste to fill in the hole in the landfill. She asked if this would cost the town money, and was told that the town has not yet been informed as to the amount of the fine, but that hopefully it will be offset by the money made by allowing TAM to add to the landfill.
 
5.         Road Report:
 
Mr. Mead reported that the highway crew has begun work with the rented grader and are working their way out into the Hollow. The town’s grader will be ready for use as soon as the new tires arrive and are put on.
 
6.         Town Administrator’s Report:
 
Mr. Chrostowsky stated that he has two highway grant applications ready for Board approval. The first application is to the Highway Class Two Paving Program for $251,000 for the paving of Buck Hill Road. This would require 10% matching funds from the town. The second application is to the Town Highway Structures Program for $74,000 for a Bennett Hill Road box culvert, and would also require a 10% match.
 
Ms. Mellinger asked why the paving grant request was limited to Buck Hill Road when the town had identified several paving projects and had set aside matching money specifically for paving. Mr. Chrostowsky replied that Highway Foreman Ron Daniels thought that limiting the grant to Buck Hill Road made for a stronger application. The Board decided that since matching funds were available it made sense to request funding for all three paving projects, but to itemize the projects in case only partial funding is available.
 
7.         Landfill Update:
 
Chairman Metcalfe reported that Bill Pennebaker has collected and sent soil samples out for testing. Board members met with a contractor this afternoon to discuss landfill closure, but soil test results are needed before proceeding any further. This information will be provided to the other three contractors as well.
 
Mr. Chrostowsky was informed by KAS that the closure plans have received an engineer’s stamp and will be sent out today. In a meeting with Board members this morning, Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) representative Buzz Surwillo indicated that the state will be quick to advise the town as to whether it may proceed with the closure. It appears that state standards would not be as strict for materials to be used with a geosynthetic liner as they would for clay.
 
Mr. Chrostowsky stated that Casella has advised the town to submit their (Casella’s) comments on the closure plan to KAS to see if KAS is willing to work with them on modifying the plan in order to save money. Casella advises finding someone else to work with if KAS is unwilling. The company that is doing the soil testing, Vermont Testing, may be a possibility. It was decided to both contact KAS for their reaction to refining the plan and to set up a meeting with Vermont Testing.
 
Jeff Bourdeau of the ANR advised the town to do the transfer station recertification in house. He will send forms and information to help with this.
 
8.         Update Liaison List:
 
Chairman Metcalfe stated that he wants to postpone updating the liaison list once again until all Board members are present. Ms. Morse asked if in the meantime members are keeping the same liaisons, with Mr. Pennebaker taking over Skip Fagerholm’s liaison duties. Chairman Metcalfe confirmed that this is the case.
 
9.         Other Business:
 
Chairman Metcalfe reported that the Old Cemeteries Association is willing to repair stones in the old town cemetery, doing about $4000 worth of work for $1200. He asked for Board approval for this work and expense.
 
Ms. Mellinger made motion to have the Old Cemeteries Association repair stones. Ms. Morse seconded. Motion carried 4-0-0.
 
Mr. Mead stated that the highway department would like to purchase a heavy duty weed-eater with a brush cutting implement and a broom attachment for $700. The money is available.
 
Ms. Morse made motion to approve the purchase of a weed-eater. Mr. Mead seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
 
Ms. Morse made motion to go into Executive Session (Contract) at 7:41PM. Mr. Mead seconded. Motion carried 4-0-0.
 
Meeting adjourned at 8:40 PM.
 
 
Respectfully Submitted,
 
Susan M. Swasta
                                                                                                                                   

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