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MINUTES OF THE SHAFTSBURY SELECT BOARD
APRIL 17, 2006
COLE HALL
SHAFTSBURY, VERMONT
Board Present: Wynn Metcalfe, Chairman, Karen Mellinger, Cinda Morse,
Jim Mead, Bill
Pennebaker
Others Present: Michael Biddy, Alice Miller (State Representative),
Andy Newell, Dave Newell, Matt Tuthill (Bennington Banner), Aaron Chrostowsky,
Susan Swasta
1. Call Meeting to Order:
Chairman Wynn Metcalfe called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. He asked if any
Board member needed to recuse himself or herself from discussion of any agenda
topic scheduled for tonight. None did.
Aaron Chrostowsky announced special collection dates at the landfill:
hazardous waste and free tire day on Saturday, April 29 from 9:00AM to 1:00PM
and free metal week on April 25, 27, and 29 during regular hours.
Karen Mellinger announced that Green Up Day will take place on Saturday, May
6. There will be notices specifying locations to acquire trash bags and sites
to leave full bags. Shaftsbury Elementary School Student Council will be
helping sponsor the event. Families are encouraged to work together on a road
or neighborhood, and Ms. Mellinger may be contacted at 447-1950 by groups who
wish to adopt an area. Anyone who finds ladybugs may bring them to the school
and will be eligible to win prizes. Refreshments will be available at the
school from 8:30 to 3:00. Ms. Mellinger encouraged other Select Board members
to join her in cleaning up Airport Road. A time will be agreed upon.
Cinda Morse reported on the special event held by Shaftsbury firemen this past
Saturday. Charlie and Marian Becker, who have over fifty years of volunteer
service to the fire department between the two of them, were honored. The fire
house was dedicated to them, with a new plaque and sign to be put up. Ms.
Morse said that it was a lovely event, with the community coming together to
honor people who have given so much.
2. Andy Newell Recognition:
Chairman Metcalfe introduced Shaftsbury resident and Olympics cross-country
skier Andy Newell, and read a proclamation honoring him. Mr. Newell was
presented with the Olympic flag that had flown at Cole Hall and the sign that
had been displayed on Rte. 7A. Mr. Newell thanked everyone in the community
for their support, adding that he is proud to be a Vermonter and to be from
this area.
3. Minutes:
April 10, 2006 Minutes:
Ms. Morse made motion to approve minutes. Ms. Mellinger seconded. Motion
carried unanimously.
4. Warrants:
The following warrant was presented for approval:
·
PR#41 – $ 5,969.09 Payroll Warrant
Ms. Morse made motion to pay warrant. Ms. Mellinger seconded. Motion
carried 5-0-0.
5. Public Comments:
There were no public comments.
Chairman Metcalfe stated that he would like to take announced agenda items out
of order, dealing with the transfer station agreement last.
6. Curb Cut Application:
Chairman Metcalfe stated that a curb cut application has been received from
Kevin Green, for access to a new storage shed off of East Road. Highway
Foreman Ran Daniels has given suggestions regarding a culvert, zoning
administrator Tony Zazzaro has checked off on the application, and pictures
and a diagram are included.
Ms. Morse made motion to approve the Kevin Green curb cut application. Mr.
Mead seconded. Motion carried 5-0-0.
7. Landfill Update:
Chairman Metcalfe reported that he, Bill Pennebaker, and Aaron Chrostowsky met
last week to discuss landfill closure. Mr. Pennebaker generated some new
questions, which Chairman Metcalfe relayed to Buzz Surwillo. Mr. Chrostowsky
spoke with Mike Pitonyak of Capital Earthmoving and confirmed that Capital is
still part of the discussion on landfill closure. Mr. Surwillo has OK’ed the
use of a Bentomat liner, and there has been good news on a possible capping
material.
8. Other Business:
Mr. Mead reported that the highway department is getting close to using up the
funds allotted for grader rental, so the town will be back to one grader by
the end of the week. He believes that most roads have been graded at least
once at this point. Chairman Metcalfe stated that he had found Shaftsbury
Hollow Road to be very passable; he noted three wet spots in areas that are
targeted for work.
Chairman Metcalfe reported that a new town bulletin board has been put up.
Some employees who work upstairs think it has made the hallway darker, so it
may be necessary to increase lighting in the hall. Ms. Mellinger asked if
removing a window for the new board has created an emergency egress issue,
since the window can no longer be smashed for exit. There was discussion of
the fact that the existing door swings the wrong way, and Chairman Metcalfe
asked Mr. Chrostowsky to check on the price of putting in a door where the
window had been.
Chairman Metcalfe read a letter from Art Carlucci, a thirty-year Shaftsbury
resident and building contractor, applying for a seat on the Planning
Commission.
Ms. Morse made motion to appoint Art Carlucci to the Planning Commission. Ms.
Mellinger seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Pennebaker brought up the pending Ancient Roads legislation, stating that
any possible loss of access to roads should be referred to the Planning
Commission. Representative Alice Miller said that she would check on the
status of the legislation and send information. Mr. Chrostowsky will send a
letter with this information to the Planning Commission.
Mr. Pennebaker stated that legislation now under consideration may cut off
restraints to expanded shooting range activity in the state, and that the town
might want to express an opinion to the legislature about this. Rep. Miller
provided details on the legislation, stating that there may not be time to get
it through the Senate Judiciary Committee. The House bill that has passed
would place burden of proof on residents if a club is established when they
move into an area. The complaints of longtime residents could not be stopped,
however.
Ms. Mellinger reported that the Solid Waste Committee will meet tomorrow at
7:30. She apologized for lack of a notice in the paper on the meeting.
Ms. Morse stated that the sewer feasibility study presentation will take place
on April 26 at 7:00 at Cole Hall. Notices will go out.
9. Transfer Station Agreement:
Chairman Metcalfe asked Board members for changes, additions, or deletions to
the transfer station draft agreement they had reviewed.
Mr. Pennebaker asked why plowing and sanding of the facility was not made part
of the regular North Road plowing route, and was told that this gave more
flexibility to the town road crew.
Mr. Pennebaker stated that the town may be in the middle of landfill closure
when this happens, and might want to make this a provision of the agreement.
Mr. Pennebaker noted that the agreement has no mention of pay as you throw (PAYT),
which will be another factor. There was a discussion of stickers for PAYT. Ms.
Morse had brought up the possibility of a machine to give out stickers. Mr.
Pennebaker said that the Solid Waste Committee had estimated about $12,000 a
year for a part time position if an employee were to be added.
Mr. Pennebaker brought up the issue of single stream recycling, and there was
discussion as to whether it is better to for the contractor or the town to get
recycling revenue, and how other towns handle this. Chairman Metcalfe stated
that if the contractor does not get the income from recyclables, it will
probably increase management fees. The Board discussed the difficulties of the
town taking on managing and marketing of recyclables. Chairman Metcalfe stated
that this had been a problem in the past and he would rather not deal with it
again. It was decided that this should be included as an option in the bid.
Ms. Mellinger asked, regarding section G, why the town should be responsible
for costs and liabilities for the recycling center, since it is not now in
existence like the landfill. Chairman Metcalfe said this could be taken out.
Ms. Mellinger stated that she thought section F wording should be changed from
“shall support” to “may support” or “will consider supporting” in reference to
redesign, retrofitting and developing of buildings and property sought by the
contractor. The wording will be changed.
Ms. Mellinger wanted to change section H to permit the contractor to co-mingle
recyclables off site; it may not occur on site. This was agreed to.The Board
discussed PAYT in reference to the transfer station agreement, and decided to
hold a working session with the Solid Waste Committee at the next Board
meeting in order to discuss and come to decisions on PAYT issues. The working
session was scheduled for 7:45PM next Monday. Ms. Mellinger and Chairman
Metcalfe will meet to put together a list of questions to be answered.
Ms. Morse made motion to go into Executive Session (contract) at 8:00PM. Mr.
Mead seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan M. Swasta
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