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MINUTES OF THE SHAFTSBURY SELECT BOARD

OCTOBER 2, 2006

COLE HALL     

SHAFTSBURY, VERMONT

 

Board Present: Wynn Metcalfe, Chairman, Cinda Morse, Bill Pennebaker,

Jim Mead

Board Absent:  Karen Mellinger

Others Present: Mike Gleason (Bennington Banner), Aaron Chrostowsky, (Town Administrator), Susan Swasta (Recording Secretary)

 

1.         Call Meeting to Order:  

 

Chairman Wynn Metcalfe called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM. He asked if any board member had a conflict of interest with any of the issues on tonight’s agenda.  None did.

 

Chairman Metcalfe announced that Hazardous Waste Day will be held this Saturday, October 7, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Free Tire Day will also be held at that time, but will be open to Shaftsbury and Pownal residents only.

 

He announced that Free Metal Week will be next Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

 

2.         Warrants:

 

The following warrants were presented for approval:

 

·   PR#13  - $      8,151.31   payroll warrant

 

·   AP#19  -            $    27,123.15  (compost for landfill closure)

 

Cinda Morse made motion to pay warrants. Bill Pennebaker seconded. Motion to pay warrants carried 4-0-0.

 

 

3.         Minutes:

 

            September 25, 2006 Minutes:

 

Ms. Morse made motion to approve September 11 minutes. Jim Mead seconded.

Motion to approve September 25 minutes carried 4-0-0.

 

 

4.         Public Comments:

 

Aaron Chrostowsky welcomed two new town employees. Michelle Boardman now works at the transfer station and Tony Myers has joined the Highway Department.

 

5.         Landfill Update:

 

Mr. Pennebaker reported that he had talked to Buzz Surwillo about the Heindel and Noyes methane remediation bid, and that Mr. Surwillo had strongly suggested looking for less expensive remediation. Mr. Surwillo gave Mr. Chrostowsky four names of engineers to contact. Mr. Chrostowsky reported that two of the four, DuBois and King and Otter Creek, are eager to help and will send information. They are aware of the time constraints.

 

Mr. Mead noted that recent methane measurements had resulted in good news -- two wells were under the LED (lower explosive level) and two were over.  Today, only the well to the north was over the limit. He asked Mr. Chrostowsky if they should have someone come down to verify that these measurements are accurate. Mr. Chrostowsky stated that Heindel and Noyes had provided this service in the past.

 

Ms. Morse asked whether remediation will be less urgent if all wells test under the LED limit this week. Mr. Pennebaker replied that the town will still have to deal with the one that is over, and keep the state informed that things are clearing up. Chairman Metcalfe asked Mr. Chrostowsky to check with Mr. Surwillo to see if the urgency for remediation is now less urgent.

 

Mr. Mead reported that a motorcycle had driven across the capped landfill and left tracks. He had found the upper gate wide open, with no chain or lock, and had replaced the chain and lock and relocked it.

 

Mr. Chrostowsky reported that he had talked to Mr. Surwillo about a methane ventilation system for the Eastman property, and that Mr. Surwillo will look into it and get back to them. He also spoke to Reifenberg about methane remediation and they suggested two methods.

 

6.         Other Business:

 

Mr. Mead reported that he had met with a contractor concerning propane heating for the transfer station shed. A price will be sent to Mr. Chrostowsky. Mr. Mead priced insulation at Greenberg’s at $220. Mr. Chrostowsky stated that Joe has extra insulation in his building. Mr. Mead will check on this.

 

8.         Executive Session:

 

Ms. Morse motion to go into Executive Session. Mr. Pennebaker seconded. Motion carried 4-0-0. Board went into Executive Session at 7:16 PM.

 

Board came out of Executive Session at 7:45 PM.

 

Chairman Metcalfe asked the board about establishing a committee to pursue town use of the Grange Hall. After some discussion, it was agreed that the board would revisit this idea after a review and presentation of the Keefe & Wesner report on Cole Hall restoration done some years ago, consistent with historic preservation guidelines . If the town were to actively pursue this project, some relocation of offices during restoration might be in order.

 

The $7500 proposal from the UVM Center for Rural Studies to develop a follow-up survey to the Sewer Feasibility Study completed in August was discussed. The survey would go to all Shaftsbury property owners. It would provide additional information about potential problem areas in town and start to gauge public opinions on funding and supporting a range of sewer services.

 

The Economic Development Committee strongly supports the UVM proposal. Funding for the study would come from the remaining money in the Sewer Feasibility Study grant and from economic development funds, not from the general fund.

 

Ms. Morse made the motion to accept the UVM survey proposal. Mr. Mead seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Susan M. Swasta

 

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