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MINUTES OF THE SHAFTSBURY SELECT BOARD
DECEMBER 4, 2006
COLE HALL
SHAFTSBURY, VERMONT
Board Present:
Wynn Metcalfe, Chairman, Cinda Morse, Bill Pennebaker, Karen Mellinger, Jim
Mead
Others Present: Mike Gleason (Bennington
Banner), Eric Pero (Bennington Banner),
Susan Swasta (Recording Secretary)
1. Call Meeting to Order:
Chairman Wynn Metcalfe called the meeting
to order at 7:00 PM.
2. Conflict of Interest:
Chairman Metcalfe asked if any Board member
had a conflict of interest with any of the issues on tonight’s agenda. None
did.
3. Announcements:
Karen Mellinger reported on the town
tree-lighting event. She recognized Audrey Jones, Ken Coonradt, the Garden
Club, the Girl Scouts, and the band for making this a terrific event. Cole
Hall was packed, with many children there to see Santa. She thanked everyone
involved.
4. Warrants:
The following warrants were presented for
approval:
·
PR#22
- $ 7,714.89 Payroll Warrant
·
Transfer Warrant#
- $ 138,000.00 To reserve fund
·
AP#26
- $ 34,331.81 General Warrant (transfer
station, Thompson’s Garage, Blue Cross/Blue Shield)
Cinda Morse made motion to pay warrants.
Ms. Mellinger seconded. Motion carried 5-0-0.
5. Minutes:
November 27, 2006 Budget
Committee Minutes:
Ms. Morse made motion to approve minutes.
Ms. Mellinger seconded. Motion carried 4-0-0. (Jim Mead abstained because he
had not attended that meeting.)
November 27, 2006 Minutes:
Ms. Morse made motion to approve minutes.
Bill Pennebaker seconded. Motion carried 4-0-0. (Jim Mead abstained because he
had not attended that meeting.)
November 20, 2006 Minutes:
Ms. Morse made motion to approve minutes.
Ms. Mellinger seconded. Motion carried 5-0-0.
6. Public Comments:
There were no public comments.
7. Agency of Natural Resources (ANR)
Enforcement Project:
Ms. Mellinger reported on the Solid Waste
Committee’s ideas for a project. She thought they had come up with some great
ideas, but noted that most of them were not well received by ANR. The
Committee had suggested a pathway project from North Bennington to Shaftsbury,
photovoltaic cells on the school roof, and a methane capturing system at the
landfill. The ANR representative had indicated that the project needs to be
connected to solid waste because it was a solid waste violation.
A swap shed at the transfer station may be
a possibility, but will require a detailed plan and must be done through a 501
organization. Ms. Mellinger said that the ANR representative will get together
with others at the agency to discuss ideas. ANR prefers projects with a
statewide focus, such as training solid waste operators, but Ms. Mellinger
prefers to push projects that will benefit this area. She stated that there is
no time pressure as yet because the court has not prepared a final agreement.
The next step is to hear from ANR on their ideas and on the time frame.
Ms. Morse asked if a swap shed could be
regional, noting that it might be more attractive to ANR if it were expanded.
Ms. Mellinger said she will pursue the swap shed idea a little more.
8. Landfill Gas Remediation Project
Bid Opening:
Chairman Metcalfe opened the single bid on
the gas remediation project, from Burgess Brothers. The bid totaled $42,000
for equipment, materials, and labor. Because this is so high, Board members
decided to hold off on a decision until next week. In the meantime, Aaron
Chrostowsky and Highway Foreman Ron Daniels will discuss the project.
Mr. Pennebaker noted that there will have
to be some adjustments to the design. Ms. Mellinger questioned Burgess
Brothers’ equipment costs, and Chairman Metcalfe replied that an excavator
might cost $130 an hour, and there would also be trucking and bulldozer costs.
9. Health Insurance Plan
Conversion:
Chairman Metcalfe stated that Dave Newell,
the regional Blue Cross/Blue Shield (BC/BS) representative, is working up
figures on coverage. Ms. Mellinger reported that she and Mr. Chrostowsky had
attended the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT) regional workshop, and
that CIGNA representatives had been there. She said that if the town were to
maintain CIGNA coverage similar to the present plan, costs would increase
about 14%. Other less expensive plans would involve differences in co-pays and
other areas. So far only Bennington has decided to switch to BC/BS.
Ms. Mellinger stated that a VLCT
representative will be here on Friday to go over the CIGNA plan with
employees. She thinks it makes sense to stick with VLCT because Shaftsbury
employees don’t have a close relationship with the BC/BS representatives and
would not be negatively affected by a switch to CIGNA. If the town drops VLCT
coverage, it must stay out for two years. Chairman Metcalfe supported staying
with VLCT, saying that they have been super to the town.
10. Other Business:
Chairman Metcalfe stated that there are
people who still need to come in to talk about the budget. He suggested
scheduling meetings with them for next Monday, and sending notes to them
saying that if they don’t attend they will be level-funded for next year.
Others agreed. They will meet next Monday, and then decide on a separate night
to start putting the budget together.
Ms. Mellinger put in a plug for the Grange,
noting that Mert Snow is selling raffle tickets to support the Grange. People
can contact him to buy tickets.
Ms. Morse reported that the sewer survey
has been sent to all property owners. She asked that all complete and return
it.
Mr. Mead advised residents to call the
state police if trees are down and in contact with power or telephone lines.
The road crew won’t touch trees that are in contact with lines. Ms. Mellinger
thanked the road crew for putting out warning cones for downed trees during
the last storm.
11. Executive Session
Ms. Morse made motion to go into Executive
Session (Personnel). Ms. Mellinger seconded. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Board went into Executive Session
(Personnel) at 7:32 PM.
The meeting adjourned at 9PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan M. Swasta
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