MINUTES OF THE SHAFTSBURY SELECT BOARD
JUNE 11, 2007
COLE HALL
SHAFTSBURY, VERMONT
Board Present: Wynn Metcalfe, Chairman, Bill Pennebaker, Cinda Morse, Karen Mellinger
Others Present: Mike Gleason (Bennington Banner), David Mance, Aaron Chrostowsky (Town Administrator), Susan Swasta (Recording Secretary)
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 him/herself from any matter on the agenda. Cinda Morse stated that she would recuse herself from discussion and decision on the Brownell Junkyard permit.
2. Minutes:
June 4, 2007 minutes
Ms. Morse made motion to approve the June 4, 2007 minutes. Bill Pennebaker seconded. Motion carried 4-0-0.
3. Warrants:
The following warrants were presented for approval:
PR #52 - $ 7,091.64 Payroll Warrant
Transfer Warrant - $ 23,833.40
Ms. Morse made motion to pay warrants. Karen Mellinger seconded. Motion carried 4-0-0.
4. Public Comments:
There were no public comments.
5. Town Administrator's Report:
Aaron Chrostowsky reported that the Church Street repairs had been completed last week, and that pipes did not have to be replaced, as had been expected. He said that the contractor put sodium chloride down this weekend and hopes to pave the road in early July.
Chairman Metcalfe asked Mr. Chrostowsky to make sure the contractor knows that he will need to keep the dust down with sodium chloride until paving is done. Ms. Mellinger asked about costs, and Mr. Chrostowsky replied that cost was the same as budgeted.
Mr. Chrostowsky reported that there was some minor landfill cap slumpage in two areas where the sand slid down. Mr. Pennebaker added that this is normal and the slumpage is slight. He stated that the contractor is responsible for fixing one area, but he is not sure about the other one. Mr. Chrostowsky said he has spoken to Reifenberg and to KAS, and they will have a look. They see no problem with fixing it.
Mr. Chrostowsky reported that the sidewalk survey is complete, and now ESPC is doing the technical drawings. They hope to finish at the end of this week. The drawings will then be sent to state agencies for approval as the first step of the permit process.
Mr. Chrostowsky stated that personnel evaluations will begin the week after next. He reported that there is still $11,000 in the budget. He expects $20,000 from Mert Snow, and there will also be $1000 from Pownal for Hazardous Waste Day, and money back from the state on the planning grant. He does not anticipate borrowing money.
6. Brownell Junkyard Permit:
Ms. Morse left the room for this discussion, from which she had earlier recused herself.
Chairman Metcalfe stated that the Brownell permit needs to be renewed. In the past it has been renewed every five years. He noted that the last time it had been renewed there had been a lawsuit leading to arbitration. Water sampling and screening had been major issues. After the arbitration Brownell had received a five year permit.
Chairman Metcalfe suggested that the Board have Zoning Administrator Tony Zazzaro make sure all the stipulations that had been set forth in the arbitration agreement are covered before signing the permit renewal.
There was a discussion of the water sampling requirement, and Mr. Chrostowsky said he will check on sampling results. The permit will be tabled until the next meeting.
Ms. Morse rejoined the meeting.
7. Bennett Hill Box Culvert Installation RFP:
Mr. Chrostowsky stated that box culvert installation is a two-step process. The bid for construction of the Bennett Hill box culvert had been awarded to CSI of New Hampshire. The second part of the process is now to seek bids for installation by a local contractor. Mr. Chrostowsky noted that 90% of the project was paid for by a state grant.
8. Unlicensed Dogs:
Chairman Metcalfe referred Board members to the list of unlicensed dogs whose owners had been contacted twice. He stated that procedure is now for the constables to call the owners. If they do not respond fines will be assessed.
Ms. Morse made motion to ask the constables to call owners of unlicensed dogs,as per the defined procedure. Ms. Mellinger seconded. Motion carried 4-0-0.
9. Town Transfer Station Contract:
Chairman Metcalfe asked for a motion to sign the Town transfer station contract with TAM, which had been approved at the last meeting.
Ms. Morse made motion to sign the Town transfer station contract with TAM. Ms. Mellinger seconded. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Mr. Chrostowsky noted the change to section 2F, making the Town responsible for disposal of waste oil. Section 3 was also changed, to make holidays when the transfer station is closed more clear.
10. Other Business:
Mr. Pennebaker reported that he had attended the Flag Day ceremony at the Bennington Elks Club, and that they had done a wonderful job. He received a flag at the event.
Mr. Pennebaker stated that he had talked to Buzz Surwillo on the methane remediation plan. Mr. Pennebaker has been working on modeling of systems, and wants to talk to the state to see if they are on board with a system he has developed.
Ms. Morse stated that it should be on record that after the Board came out of Executive Session last week she had made motion, and Mr. Pennebaker seconded, to approve the transfer station contract. Motion had passed, and the meeting then adjourned at 9:45PM.
Chairman Metcalfe announced that Mr. Chrostowsky will be on vacation for a week beginning this Friday.
Mr. Chrostowsky stated that he has tentatively scheduled a Bennington County Regional Commission (BCRC) presentation on Ancient Roads for June 25. Ms. Morse said she will be away then, so it will be rescheduled for July. David Mance would also like to attend.
The meeting with the Facilities and Recreation Committees, scheduled for June 25, will also be postponed until July.
Ms. Mellinger made motion to go into Executive Session (Personnel). Mr. Pennebaker seconded. Motion carried 4-0-0. Board went into Executive Session at 7:30 PM.
The board returned to regular session at 8:15 PM.
Ms. Morse made motion nominating Phylis Porio to fill the Select Board vacancy. Chairman Metcalfe seconded. Motion was defeated 2-1-1.
Mr. Pennebaker made motion nominating Lon McClintock to fill the Select Board vacancy. Ms. Mellinger seconded. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Swasta