MINUTES OF THE SHAFTSBURY SELECT BOARD
JUNE 25, 2007
COLE HALL
SHAFTSBURY, VERMONT
Board Present: Wynn Metcalfe, Chairman, Bill Pennebaker, Karen Mellinger, Lon McClintock
Board Absent: Cinda Morse
Others Present: Mike Gleason (Bennington Banner), Dave Woodward (Alarms Unlimited), Joe Vadakin (Fire Chief), Susan Swasta (Recording Secretary)
1. Call Meeting to Order:
Chairman Wynn Metcalfe called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM. He asked if any board member needed to recuse him/herself from any matter on the agenda. None did.
2. Minutes:
June 18, 2007 minutes
Lon McClintock made motion to approve the June 18, 2007 minutes. Bill Pennebaker seconded. Motion carried 3-0-1. (Karen Mellinger abstained because she had not attended the meeting.)
3. Warrants:
The following warrants were presented for approval:
AP #53 - $ 6,024.11 General Warrant
AP #54 - $ 5,563.50 General Warrant
Ms. Mellinger made motion to pay warrants. Mr. McClintock seconded. Motion carried 4-0-0.
4. Public Comments:
There were no public comments.
5. Open Bids for Bennett Hill Box Culvert, Fuel Oil, Propane, and Diesel Fuel
Aaron Chrostowsky opened two bids for the Bennett Hill box culvert: one from Weaver Landscaping for $23,611 and one from Burgess Bros. for $31,250. He said that $35,000 of the $66,000 grant-funded budget for this project has been spent, so there is still enough to cover it with the Weaver bid. Chairman Metcalfe noted that Weaver had installed the last box culvert and had done a good job.
Mr. Pennebaker made motion to award the box culvert bid to Weaver Landscaping. Ms. Mellinger seconded. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Mr. Chrostowsky opened two bids for fuel oil: one from Robert Green for $2.40 per gallon and one from Irving Oil for $2.51 per gallon. He noted that the Green price would be the same whether it is prebuy or not.
Mr. Chrostowsky opened four bids for propane gas: one from Irving for $1.99, one from Osterman for $1.74, one from HA George for $2.19, and one from Haskins for $1.89.
Mr. Chrostowsky opened one bid for diesel fuel; from Irving Oil for $2.79 per gallon. He noted that the current supplier, Suburban, charges market price, so it changes all the time. Irving's would be a set price. They would provide a free storage tank, as does the current supplier, but the tanks would have to be switched.
Chairman Metcalfe said that switching would be a lot of work. He asked Mr. Chrostowsky to get an average price for diesel from the current provider and report back next week.
Ms. Mellinger made motion to approve the contract with Green for fuel oil. Mr. Pennebaker seconded. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Mr. Pennebaker made motion to approve the contract with Osterman for propane. Ms. Mellinger seconded. Motion carried 4-0-0.
6. Fire Station Alarm System:
Fire Chief Joe Vadakin came forward to report on problems with the alarm system at the north fire station. He said that it was 20-25 years old. They are concerned about the amount being paid to Tyco for annual service and inspections, which totals almost $2000 a year.
There have been problems with Tyco sending bills for unknown reasons and not responding to inquiries. In addition, Tyco has been making 2:00 or 3:00 AM calls con-cerning the North Station alarm every night for weeks. They refuse to call during the day and do not respond to calls about any of these issues. Chief Vadakin recommended shopping around for a new supplier, since the alarm system is old and Tyco is not responsive.
Dave Woodard of Alarms Unlimited, a Shaftsbury resident, came forward to address the Board. He stated that he had worked for Tyco but left because of its poor service, and is setting up his own business. He offered to provide new communicators at both fire stations at no charge and to provide service and inspections at a much lower price. Mr. Woodard passed out pricing information.
He stated that he would not call during the night unless it were an emergency, but would wait to call in the morning. Mr. McClintock asked for references, and Mr. Woodard replied that he provides alarm service for the Town school, the Bennington Elks and American Legion, West Mountain Animal Hospital, and the arts center.
Ms. Mellinger made motion to contract with Alarms Unlimited to take over monitoring of the fire department alarm systems. Mr. Pennebaker seconded.
Mr. McClintock amended the motion to include having Mr. Chrostowsky check Mr. Woodard's references and discuss them with Chief Vadakin before awarding the contract. Motion carried 4-0-0.
7. Sidewalk Update:
Mr. Chrostowsky stated that they have received the sidewalk design from ESPC, and that Road Foreman Ron Daniels has commented on it. He showed the plans to Board members. Mr. Chrostowsky noted that tax map data, culverts, and catch basins will be added to the plans. ESPC also needs to know the maximum size of truck that will be using Cleveland Avenue, so they can calculate a turning radius to accommodate.
There was discussion about a Cleveland Avenue culvert that is on one side of the road but not the other. Mr. Daniels does not think it needs to be replaced. Chairman Metcalfe suggested contacting local residents to ask if there are drainage problems there.
Mr. Chrostowsky passed out the updated project timeline. Ms. Mellinger said she thought there had been more meetings scheduled and asked him to check on that. She asked if anyone other than the Sidewalk Committee needs to review it. The Board decided that other boards and committees will be sent notices when the Sidewalk Committee meets.
Another sidewalk grant application will be submitted before the August deadline for fencing, benches, and bike racks. They will need to get pricing on these items.
8. Work Camp:
Chairman Metcalfe stated that Bob Carter and Rick Gauthier will serve on a work camp committee. He asked for suggestions for others to serve.
Mr. Chrostowsky has heard from Dave Peebles from the Department of Corrections about setting up a visit to the St. Johnsbury work camp. Mr. Peebles suggested meeting with the camp superintendent and with the Swanton Town Manager. Swanton had voted against the camp and would provide an alternate viewpoint. Mr. Peebles recommended thinking about prospective sites and benefits. Mr. McClintock suggested contacting the state police barracks near the camp to hear their views on impacts.
9. Brownell Junkyard Permit:
Chairman Metcalfe reported that Zoning Administrator Tony Zazzaro had made sure Brownell was in compliance with all requirements, and had submitted a letter to that effect. Mr. McClintock asked to see the letter and it was given to him. He noted that there are times when material is visible over the top of the fence.
Chairman Metcalfe stated that Brownell has acquired a crusher since the last contract, and that occasionally things pile up awaiting the crusher. He said that things change on a day to day basis there. There have been no complaints or violations.
Ms. Mellinger made motion to approve the Brownell Junkyard permit, with the same stipulations as last time. Mr. Pennebaker seconded. Motion carried 3-0-1. (Mr. McClintock abstained.)
Chairman Metcalfe asked that it be noted for the record that Cinda Morse would have recused herself from the Brownell discussion and decision if she had been present.
10. Other Business:
Mr. Pennebaker reported that he has discussed his modeling for methane remediation with Buzz Surwillo, who seems enthusiastic about the plan. Mr. Pennebaker recommends actively pumped horizontal wells, using the current methane vent for a well. He noted that Heindel and Noyes still owes the Town on its contract, and could be asked to hook up pumps to the vent to fulfill the contract. Mr. Pennebaker and Chairman Metcalfe will meet with Mr. Surwillo at the Heindel and Noyes office.
Mr. Pennebaker said that he would like to respond to recent criticism in the newspapers about the Board decision to add a new member. Chairman Metcalfe asked that this discussion be postponed until next week, when all Board members will be present.
Ms. Mellinger noted that the June 18 minutes state that a motion must be made to approve a retirement plan switch before July 1.
Mr. McClintock made motion to amend the insurance plan so that employees may roll over funds into the current plan. Ms. Mellinger seconded. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Ms. McClintock mentioned local participation in the recent Relay for Life.
Mr. Chrostowsky reported that he will be meeting with an Eagle Scout about a possible Howard Park project. He listed some ideas and asked for other suggestions.
There was discussion about the school's problems with the Wild Thing playground.
Mr. Chrostowsky stated that he has been in contact with Reifenberg and KAS about landfill slumpage and hopes to hear back from them shortly.
Mr. Chrostowsky confirmed that the Board had decided to keep current landfill access stickers for another year.
Mr. Chrostowsky stated that Bennington County Regional Commission (BCRC) has informed him that they have $10,000 to devote to a Shaftsbury traffic study for the Airport Road area. They will come back with a proposal.
Meeting adjourned at 8:28 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Swasta