MINUTES OF THE SHAFTSBURY SELECT BOARD
JUNE 18, 2007
COLE HALL
SHAFTSBURY, VERMONT
Board Present: Wynn Metcalfe, Chairman, Bill Pennebaker, Cinda Morse, Lon McClintock
Board Absent: Karen Mellinger
Others Present: Mike Gleason (Bennington Banner), Art Whitman (Economic Development Committee), Susan Swasta (Recording Secretary)
1. Call Meeting to Order:
Chairman Wynn Metcalfe called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM. He welcomed new Select Board member Lon McClintock.
Chairman Metcalfe 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. Chairman Metcalfe said that the Brownell permit decision has been postponed, so her recusal will not be necessary.
2. Minutes:
June 11, 2007 minutes
Ms. Morse made motion to approve the June 11, 2007 minutes. Bill Pennebaker seconded. Motion carried 3-0-1. (New Board member Lon McClintock abstained.)
3. Warrants:
The following warrants were presented for approval:
PR #53 - $ 6,917.22 Payroll Warrant
AP #52 - $ 83.415 Postage
Ms. Morse made motion to pay warrants. Mr. Pennebaker seconded. Motion carried 4-0-0.
4. Public Comments:
There were no public comments.
Chairman Metcalfe reported that there had been a good turnout for the moustache contest. Ten men had come in to be photographed. Chairman Metcalfe thanked Travis Buttle and Phylis Porio for helping out with photos at the state police barracks.
5. Economic Development Committee (EDC) Presentation on Sewers
EDC Chairman Art Whitman came forward to report on the May 23 EDC sewer presentation. He distributed a summary update on how things now stand as to a sewer system for South Shaftsbury.
Mr. Whitman stated that the University of Vermont (UVM) Center for Rural Studies survey had failed to show support or willingness to pay for a sewer system among the majority of Shaftsbury landowners. He said that almost 100 people had attended the May 23 forum, where UVM representatives discussed the study. There had also been discussion of the new state sewer regulations at the forum.
Mr. Whitman noted that the UVM survey had had an excellent return rate and was considered to be 99% accurate. This survey had been done as a follow-up to the 2003 South Shaftsbury Economic Revitalization Plan and the 2005 sewer feasibility study.
The 2005 study, carried out by Stone Environmental and Phelps Engineering, had shown no environmental factors that would act as drivers for a sewer system. Mr. Whitman explained that because of the lack of environmental issues there would be little grant money available for a sewer system. The state is only concerned when sewage is entering the water system, which is not the case in Shaftsbury, as it was in Pownal.
The 2006/2007 UVM study showed that taxpayers would not support the costs of a sewer system. Neither impending changes in wastewater laws nor the potential for economic development were seen by taxpayers as sufficient drivers to pay for a system.
As a result of these conclusions, Mr. Whitman stated that the EDC recommends that the concept of a sewer system for Shaftsbury village be set aside at this time. The EDC still believes thats sewer system will be necessary for economic growth, as supported in the Town Plan and the 2003 survey, and urges the Select Board to be vigilant in monitoring economic drivers that would warrant a sewer system.
Mr. McClintock noted that if an economic opportunity requiring a sewer system came up, it would not be possible to act in time to take advantage of it. Mr. Whitman said that it is up to the Select Board, as “town fathers,” to decide whether to let it lie or to push forward and continue to gather information.
Ms. Morse, who serves on both the Select Board and the EDC, said that they had hoped there would be an environmental issue that would bring grant money and move things forward. She noted that they now have a lot of the basic information and won't have to spend two or three years gathering it. Ms. Morse said that it's a responsibility for Board and EDC members to be on the lookout for factors that might start the process.
Chairman Metcalfe thanked the EDC for their “Herculean effort," especially in carrying on their work despite lack of a positive end result.
6. Brownell Junkyard Permit:
Chairman Metcalfe stated that the Board is still waiting for information concerning the Brownell permit, so this matter will be postponed.
7. Access Stickers:
Chairman Metcalfe stated that Aaron Chrostowsky needs to order stickers if the Town is going to continue to issue them yearly. Ms. Morse said that her recollection had been that they were going to look at the entire landfill issue, including stickers, and this should be part of the whole discussion.
Chairman Metcalfe said that the issue is whether to ask people to come in for another sticker when they already have one on their cars. He noted the costs involved in buying and distributing new stickers. Mr. Pennebaker said that he does not think the income from stickers offsets the costs, and recommended continuing with the present stickers for at least one more year.
Mr. Pennebaker made motion to continue with the present stickers for at least one more year. Ms. Morse seconded. Motion carried 4-0-0.
8. Other Business:
Chairman Metcalfe reported that the Bennington County Regional Commission (BCRC) will do a presentation on Ancient Roads at the July 9 meeting. He stated that the training session with Town Attorney Rob Woolmington on deliberative session will be held Tuesday, August 21. He noted that next week's meeting will start at 6:00 PM with a Water Board meeting.
Mr. Pennebaker stated that he is trying to get in touch with Buzz Surwillo on the methane remediation plan. Mr. Pennebaker has developed modeling for a system that is working well and wants to convince the state that it is the proper solution. He thinks that the vertical well system of the original plan would not work well, and that an actively pumped horizontal well system would solve the problem.
Ms. Morse stated that the Board needs to make a formal motion before July 1 to approve allowing employees to switch retirement plans. She will email Mr. Chrostowsky on this.
Chairman Metcalfe reported that he had received a call from the fire chief concerning a deep hole in the parking lot. He will have the Harringtons look at it.
Chairman Metcalfe said that Planning Commission member Bob Carter, who is an expert in prison systems, would be glad to serve on a committee on work camps. Bennington police chief Gauthier has also agreed to serve.
Chairman Metcalfe asked Board members to consider meeting only twice in July. He then asked for a brief Executive Session (Personnel).
Ms. Morse 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.
Meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Swasta