Back

MINUTES OF THE SHAFTSBURY SELECT BOARD

APRIL 10, 2006

COLE HALL     

SHAFTSBURY, VERMONT

 

Board Present: Wynn Metcalfe, Chairman, Karen Mellinger, Cinda Morse, Jim Mead, Bill

Pennebaker

Others Present:   Michael Biddy, Aaron Chrostowsky, Susan Swasta

 

1.         Call Meeting to Order:  

 

Chairman Wynn Metcalfe called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

 

2.         Minutes:        

 

            April 3, 2006 Minutes:

 

Cinda Morse made motion to approve minutes. Jim Mead seconded.

 

The following changes to the April 3 minutes were requested by Karen Mellinger:

 

Page 3, Section 8 (TAM Transfer Station Contract), second paragraph, second sentence changed to:

 

He was informed that the Town would receive more information on the landfill certification process.

 

Page 3, Section 8 (Fire Department Reimbursement Ordinance), heading changed to:

 

            9.         Fire Department Reimbursement Ordinance and Interim Zoning Bylaw:

 

Page 3, Section 11 (TAM Host Town Agreement), last paragraph, second sentence changed to:

 

            Mr. Chrostowsky proposed specific changes in wording that had been made today.

 

Page 4, Section 11 (TAM Host Town Agreement), third paragraph, first sentence changed to:

 

            Ms. Mellinger stated that she wants to reduce the town’s expenses for any impact of the               facility, and does not want the town to bear any impact costs for recycling brought in                from elsewhere.

 

Page 4, Section 11 (TAM Host Town Agreement), fifth paragraph, second sentence changed to:

           

Chairman Metcalfe replied that discussion on Airport Road is not complete, and that this issue will be taken under advisement.

 

The motion to approve amended minutes carried 4-0-1.

Bill Pennebaker abstained because he had not attended the April 3 meeting.

 

 

 

3.         Warrants:

 

The following warrants were presented for approval:

 

·   PR#40 –                        $   5,264.90     Payroll Warrant

·   AP#44 –                        $  20,396.30    General Warrant

·   Retirement Warrant –   $    4,034.30   

 

Ms. Morse made motion to pay warrants. Ms. Mellinger seconded. Motion carried 5-0-0.

 

4.         Public Comments:

 

There were no public comments.

 

Chairman Metcalfe reminded Board members of the upcoming Vermont League of Cities and Towns Select Board Institute, to be held April 22 and May 6. The deadline to enroll is April 17. Chairman Metcalfe will attend the May 6 session.

 

5.         Transfer Station Agreement:

 

Mr. Chrostowsky discussed the issue of arbitration with Rob Woolmington, who advised allowing arbitration for anything related to monetary expenses, but not for health and safety matters, or anything affecting the general welfare of the town. Mr. Woolmington will help with the specific wording on arbitration.

 

Mr. Chrostowsky stated that the town’s insurance agent, Dave Newell, thinks the amount of coverage is fine, but that motor vehicle and unemployment coverage should be added. It is standard practice for the contractor to provide this coverage under his insurance. Mr. Newell felt that the claim amounts of up to $2 million aggregate, $1 million per single incident, were fine.

 

Chairman Metcalfe asked Board members to look over the agreement and email any changes, additions, or deletions to Mr. Chrostowsky before Monday.

 

Mr. Mead asked if the Solid Waste Committee had thought about the brush pile. At present, there is no limit to the amount contractors can dump at no charge. Ms. Mellinger staid that the Committee has not looked at that issue yet, but does have lots of examples of how other towns deal with their brush piles.

 

Mr. Chrostowsky also noted that hours of operation, recycling, and tipping fees need to be resolved. Ms. Morse asked if the Solid Waste Committee could put together the information it already has so that the Board can consider options. Ms. Mellinger replied that the Committee can try, but that it is important for the Board to start doing some of this.

 

There was a discussion of recycling, with Mr. Pennebaker stating that the revenue derived depends on the quality of recyclables, and that there will need to be a decision on how carefully we expect people to prepare and separate recycling. Board members discussed potential recycling revenues and how to determine how much goes to the town and how much to the contractor.

 

Chairman Metcalfe stated that he did not want the town have the responsibility of managing brush, tires, and metal. Mr. Mead said that he thought there should be a person hired to monitor the transfer station, and Ms. Mellinger agreed, stating that it could be treated as a part-time position with no benefits to be filled by someone invested in working for the town.

 

Chairman Metcalfe asked that the Solid Waste Committee pass along its concerns to the Select Board to be considered next week.

 

Mr. Chrostowsky asked if the contractor should be responsible for moving the brush pile. There was discussion of the brush pile and Board members concluded that the contractor should be responsible for moving it.

 

6.         Town Administrator’s Priority List:

 

Chairman Metcalfe stated that a couple of weeks ago he had asked Board members to come up with things they wanted Mr. Chrostowsky to work on. Referring to a list given to him by Mr. Chrostowsky, he asked about the sign for Cole Hall. Mr. Chrostowsky replied that he was getting estimates for a sign for out front. Chairman Metcalfe asked him to put together a proposal and solicit estimates from everyone in Shaftsbury who might be interested in the job.

 

Ms. Mellinger had two things to add to the priority list. One is to begin to think about resources for grant money for the Cole Hall work, and the second is to follow up with Gerry Mattison concerning emergency training to be conducted for town officials and personnel by the state police.

 

Mr. Mead asked if Mr. Chrostowsky had sent a letter to a Shaftsbury Hollow resident concerning the upcoming road project. Mr. Chrostowsky replied that he had not, but would do so.

 

Ms. Morse added the continuation of the sewer feasibility project. The Economic Development Committee is considering another municipal planning grant.

 

Mr. Pennebaker asked Mr. Chrostowsky to get an update on Chris Williams’ grant-funded work on town gravel pits.

 

7.         Update Liaison List:

 

Working from a current liaison list, Board members discussed changes. Chairman Metcalfe stated that he would like to be fire department liaison. He will also serve as liaison to the constable and state police, village issues, and fire warden.

 

Chairman Metcalfe asked Ms. Morse if she would be animal control liaison, since she had expressed ideas for changes in this area, and she agreed. Ms. Morse will also serve as liaison to the Development Review Board and the Planning Commission.

 

Chairman Metcalfe said that, since Mr. Pennebaker had been heavily involved in landfill issues, it makes sense for him to be landfill liaison. Mr. Pennebaker agreed, and Mr. Mead stated that he is willing to share the position with him. Mr. Pennebaker will also be solid waste liaison and veterans liaison. Ms. Mellinger offered to share solid waste liaison responsibilities.

 

Ms. Mellinger will also serve as liaison to the rescue squad, emergency management officer, and take on the position of water board vice chairman.

 

Mr. Mead, in addition to sharing landfill liaison duties, will serve as liaison to the department of transportation and the tree warden, and fill the position of water board chairman.

 

Ms. Morse made motion to approve Jim Mead as Water Board Chairman. Ms. Mellinger seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Mr. mead made motion to approve Karen Mellinger as Water Board Vice Chairman. Ms. Morse seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

 

An updated liaison list will be prepared and distributed.

 

8.         Other Business:

 

Ms. Morse announced that the Economic Development Committee has scheduled a public presentation on the sewer advisability study for April 26 at 7:00PM. She hopes Board members will read the final report and attend. Ms. Morse stated that there are still unanswered questions after the first study, so the town should apply for another municipal planning grant. Mr. Chrostowsky and the Committee will put together a flyer and a newspaper notice to advertise the upcoming presentation.

 

Ms. Morse discussed the planned reconfiguration of the upstairs of Cole Hall, to make it more functional as office and meeting space. She suggests using filing cabinets and room dividers to separate offices and meeting area, cleaning things up in general, and doing something with the stage. Ms. Morse would like to schedule a time to get together and do the work. Ms. Mellinger stated that this should be a group effort involving the people who work upstairs as well, and Ms. Morse said that they know about the planned changes. Ms. Mellinger will work on getting the whole group involved.

 

Mr. Mead discussed testing of the four landfill methane wells. Three out of four were OK, but the fourth had a reading over 100. The tester took samples back with him for further testing to determine what is causing the elevated reading. Mr. Mead said that does other testing in the area, including at Casella sites, so the town may want to consider hiring them for future testing.

 

Mr. Mead reported that he had contacted Brian Lentz of Peckham Industries about the materials price list from Casella. Mr. Lentz stated that Peckham is capable of making any material required for landfill capping, but it would be a specialty item. Mr. Pennebaker cautioned that a crushed gravel based product might have sharp edges which would not work with a geo-synthetic membrane.

 

Mr. Chrostowsky stated that he has test results from KAS on the Harrington material, and that it looks good. Mr. Mead said that Harrington is interested, and that there should be no problem putting a road through to the material source. Harrington also has a tandem, so could possibly transport loads of the material.

 

Ms. Morse asked if we are contracting with someone to manage the landfill closure, and Mr. Pennebaker replied that we are not at that point yet. He stated that Vermont Testing is capable of monitoring and testing, but we don’t know how much it would cost. He advised having someone in charge to make sure the work is done properly.

 

Ms. Mellinger reported that the Town of Thetford has had good luck with their liner, which has been in place for six or seven years. Mr. Chrostowsky discussed liners recommended by KAS, and stated that he has revised information from KAS for the Board to look at.

 

Chairman Metcalfe and Mr. Pennebaker will get together to map out landfill closure scenarios.

 

Chairman Metcalfe announced the fire department recognition dinner this Saturday. Mr. Chrostowsky is putting together a letter from the Board recognizing the renaming of the firehouse for Charles and Marion Becker Fire Facility. Board members should come in and sign the letter, and attend the event if possible.

 

Chairman Metcalfe stated that Shaftsbury Olympic athlete Andy Newell will attend the next Board meeting. He reported that the Development Review Board has held its first meeting, and all had gone well.  Owners of Shaftsbury Country Store are thinking about a street dance, and  Chairman Metcalfe will ask them to come in to discuss this idea.

 

Ms. Mellinger stated that she thought it would be fun for the Board to kick off Green Up Day by getting together before the event to clean up an area. Ms. Morse said that this would have to be the weekend before Green Up Day, and Mr. Metcalfe said that it could be done on an evening.

 

Mr. Pennebaker made motion to adjourn. Ms. Mellinger seconded. Motion carried 5-0-0.

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:30PM.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Susan M. Swasta

       

  Back