MINUTES OF THE SHAFTSBURY SELECT BOARD
JANUARY 14, 2008
COLE HALL
SHAFTSBURY, VERMONT
Board Present: Wynn Metcalfe, Bill Pennebaker, Lon McClintock, Karen Mellinger
Board Absent: Cinda Morse
Others Present: Alice Miller (State Rep.), Henri Billow (Treasurer), Phil Young, Lew Levin, Mitchell Race, Mike Gleason (Bennington Banner), Aaron Chrostowsky (Town Administrator), 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 himself or herself from discussion of any topic on tonight's agenda. None did.
2. Minutes:
January 7, 2007 Select Board minutes
It was decided to postpone approval of the January 7 minutes until next week in order to determine the wording of Cinda Morse's motion on Hazardous Waste Days, to which a correction had been requested.
3. Warrants:
The following warrants were presented for approval:
Payroll Warrant #28: $ 7,675.24
AP Warrant #32: $21,991.22 (includes road salt)
Retirement Warrant #31R: $ 4,760.90
Lon McClintock made motion to pay warrants. Karen Mellinger seconded. Motion carried 4-0-0.
4. Public Comments:
State Rep. Alice Miller said that she had read about the Board's discussion of hazardous waste days for this year. She commented on her poor experience at the Arlington event last year. She said that after waiting in line for an hour she had finally had to leave, and had given her television to the man in front of her, who had agreed to dispose of it.
Rep. Miller said that as a Shaftsbury taxpayer she is willing to pay taxes for certain services that are very helpful. She suggested that the Board consider doing something with Pownal to save money on a local hazardous waste day, because the Arlington experience was unbearable.
Rep. Miller stated that Aaron Chrostowsky had informed her that Shaftsbury's Ancient Roads grant application had been denied. She said that eleven towns had been denied grants, and that she is looking into this to see if money can be found. She will keep the Select Board posted on this.
Rep. Miller stated that St. Johnsbury will be voting on an expansion of its work camp by up to 100 beds. She thinks this may be very appealing to both St. Johnsbury voters and to the Department of Corrections. Rep. Miller advised Board members to get the work camp issue on the Shaftsbury ballot and hear what townspeople think if they are still eager to pursue a work camp.
5. Walter Hooke Memorial Fund:
Chairman Metcalfe stated that the Board will postpone action on this until next week because Jim Meskun is sick and could not attend tonight.
6. Veterans Tax Exemption:
Mr. McClintock made motion to place an increase in the veterans tax exemption from $20,000 to $40,000 for over 50% disability on the 2008 Town ballot. Ms. Mellinger seconded.
Ms. Mellinger stated that they will be very clear at Town Meeting on what the impact on the budget would be.
Motion to place an increase in the veterans tax exemption on the ballot carried 4-0-0.
7. BCRC Hazardous Waste Days:
Chairman Metcalfe stated that, based on the reaction he has heard, they are looking more at having hazardous waste collection remain in Shaftsbury, rather than taking part in the BCRC Hazardous Waste Days in Arlington.
Ms. Mellinger stated that the Pownal Select Board thinks it makes sense to host an event in Pownal to make it convenient for their residents. That would mean that Shaftsbury could host one event and Pownal another. Shaftsbury would do a spring event, and maybe Pownal would do a fall one. Stamford also wants to participate and would contribute.
Ms. Mellinger said that right now Pownal pays Shaftsbury $1000 per event. They are willing to contribute $1500 to take part in a Shaftsbury event, and to help with labor and equipment. Shaftsbury would pay for the disposal.
If Shaftsbury hosts two events with Pownal and Stamford contributing, that would mean the Town should budget $12000 and look for $6000 reimbursement from Pownal and Stamford. If Shaftsbury and Pownal each host an event the split set-up fee would be $900 per event, and they would pay proportionately for disposal costs.
Mr. McClintock asked what drew most people to the Arlington hazardous waste day last year, and Ms. Mellinger replied that it was bulky goods and electronics. Mr. McClintock noted that Pownal residents are permitted one free pick-up load of bulky goods per year.
Ms. Mellinger raised the possibility of including electronics in a local hazardous waste day, noting that Lissa Stark of BCRC had applied for a $3500 grant for Shaftsbury and Pownal.
Mr. Pennebaker asked if there is a way to figure out what to charge Stamford based on the number of people. Chairman Metcalfe noted that Pownal had sent only 4 people last year and still paid the full contribution. It was decided to ask Stamford for $1500, but if they can only pay $1000 this can be brought back to the Board for discussion.
8. Liquor License:
Ms. Mellinger made motion to approve the Thyme Tables liquor license for 2008. Mr. McClintock seconded. Motion carried 4-0-0.
9. Other Business:
Mr. Pennebaker stated that he will wait until next week to make an update on Heindel and Noyes and methane remediation.
Ms. Mellinger stated that she had talked to Peggi Price of the Ancient Roads Committee. Ms. Price is disappointed that no one is coming to Ancient Roads meetings, and was dismayed that we did not get a grant. Ms. Mellinger asked if they should put another notice in the paper.
Chairman Metcalfe said he thinks people may be intimidated by the scope of the work to be done. Mitchell Race asked what Ancient Roads is, and the Board explained the purpose of the legislation and the process involved. Mr. McClintock said that town roads that no longer show up on maps are still legally town roads, and this can affect people's ownership of property. In some cases recreational groups claim rights to use these roads.
The state has created a schedule to identify ancient roads and go through a public hearing process to put them back on the map. if they are not classified and mapped, they will no longer be town roads. If citizens feel there are old roads that they want to preserve as rights of way they need to act or will lose this use if a property owner decides to post the property. Mr. Pennebaker noted that many old houses are built right on these old roads, so if they are opened up to public use it is a major privacy issue.
It was decided to put something in the paper again about Ancient Roads, and to inform Peggi Price that she may find people to serve on the Committee.
Mr. McClintock stated that he, Mr. Chrostowsky, and Ms. Mellinger had talked to Road Foreman Ron Daniels about the vision plan. Road crew employees will respond tomorrow morning.
Mr. McClintock said that the road plan is done and will be presented at one of the next two meetings. Chairman Metcalfe asked that a draft be sent to Board members so they can begin to look at it.
Chairman Metcalfe said he had received an email from Buzz Surwilo of the Agency of Natural Resources. Mr. Chrostowsky has contacted Jon Endres to see if he is willing to do the work involved in this matter.
10. Budget Work Session:
Chairman Metcalfe asked if it is necessary for minutes to be taken of the budget work session. Board members agreed that it is not necessary. The recording secretary left the meeting at this time.
The meeting adjourned at 9:50 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Swasta