MINUTES OF THE SHAFTSBURY SELECT BOARD
APRIL 16, 2007
COLE HALL
SHAFTSBURY, VERMONT
Board Present: Wynn Metcalfe, Chairman, Bill Pennebaker, Cinda Morse
Board Absent: Karen Mellinger, Jim Mead
Others Present: Mike Gleason (Bennington Banner), Steve Trubitt, Aaron Chrostowsky (Town Administrator), Susan Swasta (Recording Secretary)
1. Call Meeting to Order:
Chairman Wynn Metcalfe called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM. He thanked Cinda Morse, Angie Abatello, Tony Zazzaro, and Karen Mellinger for helping to rearrange the Cole Hall upstairs space.
Chairman Metcalfe announced upcoming Hazardous Waste, Free Tire, and Free Metal days at the town transfer station. He noted that the transfer station is now operating on summer hours.
2. Minutes:
April 9, 2007 minutes
Cinda Morse made motion to approve the April 9, 2007 minutes. Bill Pennebaker seconded.
One correction to the April 9 minutes was requested:
On page 2, section 6 (Strategic Planning):
Motion to approve April 9 minutes as amended carried 3-0-0.
3. Warrants:
The following warrants were presented for approval:
PR #41 - $ 6,875.86 Payroll Warrant
AP #?? - $ 4,585.33 General Warrant
Warrant#43R - $ 3,850.09 Retirement Warrant
Ms. Morse made motion to pay warrants. Mr. Pennebaker seconded. Motion carried 3-0-0.
4. Economic Development Committee Response to the Planning Commission Solid Waste Bylaw::
Committee Chairman Art Whitman stated that the Planning Board is doing an excellent job, and is hard-working and dedicated. However, the Committee is concerned that the biases of six people will influence a bylaw that present residents and future generations have to do business by. He recommends that two documents be used as guidelines for the bylaw: the 2003 “Future History of Shaftsbury” survey, and the Town Plan. The Committee believes that the situation is now polarized, and a middle ground must be found.
Ms. Morse replied that the Committee letter and public comments at the bylaw hearing will be taken into account when the revision comes back to the Select Board, to see how this input has been incorporated. She asked Mr. Pennebaker, who also serves on the Planning Board, when the revised bylaw will be ready. He replied that he cannot give a definite date, but that it will be done in a timely fashion.
There was a discussion of what is being included in the bylaw revision. Mr. Pennebaker stated that Chapter 17 issues and solid waste are being addressed, along with minor changes, but not new zoning issues that have come up. Matters like a noise ordinance and kennels require more study. Chairman Metcalfe stated that the Select Board will provide leadership to make sure the new bylaw is for everyone. Mr. Whitman said that the Committee is willing to help in any way possible.
5. Open Box Culvert Bids:
Aaron Chrostowsky opened two bids for a box culvert. He noted that there are no bids from Peckham because they are no longer doing box culverts. The bids are from CSI, for $35,586.00, and from Calco, for $38,996.00. There was a discussion of project financing, which is on budget.
Mr. Pennebaker made motion to award the box culvert bid to CSI. Ms. Morse seconded. Motion carried 3-0-0.
6. Transfer Station/Pay As You Throw (PAYT) Update:
Mr. Pennebaker reported that PAYT revenue is where we would expect it to be. PAYT is not generating quite enough to cover expenses, but is paying for itself, with a little extra. There was a discussion of bag weights. Mr. Chrostowsky said that bags are not being weighed because the attendant has a good eye and the weighing equipment is antiquated. He would like to get a better scale so that bags can be spot checked and records can be kept.
Board members agreed that it is a good idea to look into acquiring a scale if one can be found that is easy and quick to use and does not cost too much. There was a discussion of transfer station costs. Utility costs are higher than expected, probably because of heat for the shed, but other operating costs are lower than budgeted. The management fee is over the budgeted amount because it was increased by $10,000.
7. Howard Park Issues:
Chairman Metcalfe stated that he and Mr. Chrostowsky are still working on Howard Park issues, so the Board will revisit this topic. He would also like to see if Board members have been successful at getting people to serve on committees.
8. Traffic Study:
Mr. Chrostowsky reported that he had spoken with several people concerning a traffic study as related to TAM transfer station issues. There had been discussion of lowering the speed on Airport Road and of making North Road one way. He stated that it would cost $3000 to $5000 for a study that would do traffic counts and analysis on the two roads, seek public input from residents and major actors, and study accident history and safety issues.
Mr. Chrostowsky said that he had talked to Amy Gamble in Montpelier concerning having the state do a study of lowering the speed limit on Rte. 7A in the area of those intersections. He also reported that he had found some accident data, and there have not been many accidents on North and Airport roads. Chairman Metcalfe suggested putting together a bid for a traffic study.
Mr. Pennebaker stated that Trevor Mance told him that TAM trucks have no problem making the turn from Airport Road, so this is more an issue of general safety. He suggested looking at speed reduction heading north on 7A.
Chairman Metcalfe said that it would do no harm to get bids; if the price were around $3,000, it would be affordable. Ms. Morse recommended having the state do its speed study first, so it would not have to be included in the bid. She also suggested having them look at other problem intersections at the same time. Mr. Chrostowsky will put together a bid.
9. Other Business:
Chairman Metcalfe reported that the state road commissioner has still not gotten back to them concerning the poor condition of Lake Shaftsbury Road, which was made worse by heavy equipment used by the state for work on the dam. Mr. Chrostowsky called him once again and he promised to respond.
Chairman Metcalfe stated that he thinks it would be a good idea for Town Board Chairmen to get together regularly to enhance communication between the Boards. Others agreed that this is a good idea. Ms. Morse said that meeting once a quarter might be more realistic than once a month.
Cross Hill Road resident Steven Trubitt spoke to the Board concerning permission to run a power line under the road. Mr. Chrostowsky said that Mr. Trubitt had already met with Road Foreman Ron Daniels, who would like directional boring to be used to run the line. Mr. Trubitt is waiting for a price from contractors, but thinks the expense may be too high.
Chairman Metcalfe advised that Mr. Trubitt should get the estimates, then contact Mr. Chrostowsky, who will set up a site visit with Mr. Daniels. Ms. Morse asked if the property owner pays for digging up and replacement of the road, and Chairman Metcalfe replied that the property owner pays both for excavation and for ditch maintenance for a year.
Mr. Pennebaker requested a brief Executive Session on personnel.
Mr. Pennebaker made motion to go into Executive Session. Ms. Morse seconded. Motion carried 3-0-0.
Board went into Executive Session at 8:00 PM.
The meeting adjourned at P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan M. Swasta