MINUTES OF THE SHAFTSBURY SELECT BOARD

FEBRUARY 18, 2008

COLE HALL

SHAFTSBURY, VERMONT

Board Present: Wynn Metcalfe. Bill Pennebaker, Lon McClintock, Karen Mellinger, Cinda Morse

Others Present: Mitchell Race, Mike Gleason (Bennington Banner), Deena Ruege

(Recreation Committee), Helen Olney (RC), 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.

Chairman Metcalfe announced that the March 13-15 music festival at Mount Anthony High School still needs 200 beds for student participants. Anyone interested in hosting a student may call him at home for more information.

2.     Minutes:

February 11, 2008 Select Board minutes

Karen Mellinger made motion to approve minutes. Bill Pennebaker seconded. Motion carried 5-0-0.

February 4, 2008 Select Board minutes

Ms. Mellinger made motion to approve minutes. Mr. Pennebaker seconded. Motion carried 3-0-2. (Chairman Metcalfe and Cinda Morse abstained because they had not attended the meeting.)

3.       Warrants:

The following warrants were presented for approval:

          AP Warrant #37:      $ 65,039.31 (includes sand and gravel, water department)

          Payroll Warrant #33:         $   8,637.06

Lon McClintock made motion to pay warrants. Ms. Mellinger seconded. Motion carried 5-0-0.

4.       Public Comments:

There were no public comments.

5.       Recreation Committee Update:

Deena Ruege and Helen Olney came to the table for the update. Ms. Ruege, the Recreation Committee Recording secretary, stated that Committee Chair Tracy Galle could not attend because of illness. She reported that the Committee has been extremely active and has nine committed, dedicated members who work well together.

Ms. Ruege stated that the Howard Park survey indicated that residents want more trails, more benches, and more signs in the park. She said that the Committee has planned its first activity, the Shaftsbury Snowflake Festival, to bring families to the park. She distributed a draft flyer for the event. It will be March 9 from 2 to 6 PM. A minimal fee will be charged, and proceeds will go to revitalize the park.

Ms. Ruege noted that the Committee does not want to ask the community for funds directly if they don't need to. The event is intended to get people out to see the park and it’s potential.

Helen Olney stated that there will be more upcoming events for families. The Committee hopes people will begin to use the park for activities beyond team sports. They have lots of low-budget ideas that will charge minimal fees. She said the Committee is investigating sources for benches.

Chairman Metcalfe said it would be great if someone could talk about the upcoming event at Town Meeting. He noted that Dailey's made cement benches for the Town at one point, and they might want to check with them.

Ms. Mellinger asked whether the Howard Park survey had been helpful, and whether it had given a sense that people use the park. Ms. Ruege replied that the survey had shown that lots of people walk there and would like distance markers. They would also like a health walk with exercise stations. There was also feedback from people who want to snowshoe and ski, and lots of interest in horseshoes. Ms. Mellinger suggested they contact Gale Green about horseshoes.

The Board thanked the Recreation Committee for their work.

6.       Vermont Center for Rural Development Community Visit Program:

Aaron Chrostowsky stated that he had talked to the man who runs the VCRD community visit program, and that he had spoken highly of the program. Pownal just finished participating. Mr. Chrostowsky said this is a nonprofit, nonpartisan partnership of state, federal, and private resources to bring communities together around common goals. He thinks Shaftsbury has been divided on issues and would benefit from this, It could help create a game plan for the future. He would like to write a letter to let them know we're interested.

Ms. Mellinger asked if this is the same program they were interviewed for a few years ago, and Mr.  Chrostowsky replied that it is. He said that at the time they had never formally sent a letter expressing interest. The Board agreed that he should write a letter to the VCRD.

7.       Glebe Land:

Mr. Chrostowsky stated that this concerns conveyance of the Town interest in glebe land to (Gessner). Ed Colvin is the front person for Mr. Gessner, who wants to sell tracts to the Forest Service. Mr. McClintock asked how much he is selling the land for, noting that the Town should get its costs covered.

Mr. McClintock made motion to approve relinquishing of glebe rights to (Gessner) provided that he reimburses the Town for costs. Ms. Morse seconded. Motion carried 5-0-0.

The Board will not sign the quit claim deed until Mr. Chrostowsky follows through on this and reports back next week.

8.       Town Meeting Preparation:

Board members went through the new draft of the Town Meeting presentation. Mr. Pennebaker stated that he would like to have three separate headings for the main sections. He also said that the General Overview should be specific about what year is being referred to.

Under Finance and Administration, Mr. McClintock stated that the amounts of year end surplus and VLCT Leader program rebate should be given. Ms. Morse said that savings strategies from last year should be specified. Ms. Mellinger said that Town-wide Reappraisal in 2008/2009 should be deleted.

Under Grants, it was noted that grants for the gravel pit study and for paving should be added. Under Community and Economic Development Ms. Morse asked that more specific information be included on the hiking trail. Chairman Metcalfe asked that the amount raised for Cleveland Park be added to the street dance. Mr. McClintock stated that the completed sewer project survey should be included.

Under Solid Waste some changes in wording and the inclusion of numbers of hazardous waste days was suggested. Mr. Pennebaker asked that Shelly Boardman be given credit for the "Shaftsbury Free Library," and Board members asked that the swap shed reference be deleted.

Under Highways, Mr. McClintock suggested that Road Priority List be changed to Road Improvement Plan, and that the Murphy Hill Road work not be described as completed. Under Park and Cemetery, Board members asked that the Howard Park Eagle Scout projects include the names of the scouts and describe the work done.

Under Ancient Roads Committee, Mr. McClintock stated that he has language for this section that he will email to Mr. Chrostowsky. There was an extended discussion of the section on Long Range Plans, and Board members agreed that there is too much detail. They want residents to see the big picture without being confused by too many numbers and details.

Chairman Metcalfe, Mr. Chrostowsky, and Ms. Morse will work on the Long Range Plan section for next week. Rock Kobik and Peter Olney from the Facilities Committee have agreed to speak at Town Meeting about Cole Hall and other facilities.

Under Goals for 2008-2009. Mr. McClintock asked that capital improvement planning be placed first on the list. In the Budget section, Mr. McClintock noted that something on Veterans Tax Exemption was to have been included. Mr. Chrostowsky will prepare a slide to go under ballot articles.

9.       Other Business:

Mr. McClintock asked if Board members are interested in distributing a questionnaire to residents at Town Meeting. He passed out a draft for a questionnaire, saying that this is just to give them a sense of what it would be like. He will put in more work on it if they are interested. Board members thought it was a good idea, so Mr. McClintock will email them a new draft for discussion next week.

Ms. Mellinger asked for comment on her letter to the editor on the Veteran's Tax Exemption. Board members suggested that the first paragraph be omitted and that the sentence on taxpayer costs be changed. She agreed to make the changes.

Ms. Mellinger stated that she, Mr. Pennebaker, and Mr. McClintock had visited the water facility on Buck Hill Road, and that it is very impressive. She noted that it receives accolades as one of the best operated systems in the state and that the two employees were named water operators of the year.

10.     Executive Session:

Ms. Morse made motion to go into Executive Session (contract). Mr. Pennebaker seconded. Motion carried 5-0-0.

Board went into executive Session at 8:40 PM.

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Susan Swasta