MINUTES OF THE SHAFTSBURY SELECT BOARD

APRIL 7, 2008

COLE HALL

SHAFTSBURY, VERMONT

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

Others Present: Henrietta Billow (Town Treasurer), Mitchell Race, Mike Gleason (Bennington Banner), Aaron Chrostowsky (Town Administrator)

1.         Call Meeting to Order:

Chairman Lon McClintock called the meeting to order at 7:00 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:

Under item 15 (Other Business), in second paragraph, first sentence should be:

Mr. Pennebaker stated that methane measurements at the Eastman residence

were again 0.00%, so he thinks methane is not a problem there.

Ms. Morse made motion to approve the March 24^th, 2008 Selectboard Meeting Minutes with changes. Ms. Mellinger seconded. Motion carried 5-0-0.

3.         Warrants:

The following warrants were presented for approval:

                           Accounts Payable #43:             $23,150.45

                        Accounts Payable #42:             $25,789.43

                        Payroll Warrant #39:                $5,609.01

                        Transfer Warrant:                     $23,492.71

Ms. Morse made motion to approve the above warrants. Ms. Mellinger seconded. Motion carried 5-0-0.

4.         Public Comments:

Mitchell Race stated that the last several meetings were not notice in the Banner. Mr. Chrostowsky apologized and will follow-up on the Banner notices.

5.         Treasurer’s Report.

Henrietta Billow, Town Treasurer gave a current report on the status of the cash flow. There was a brief discussion the grant booking problem and its impact on the end of the year budget. The Treasurer and the Town Administrator will come back to the board with a better understanding of the problem and resolution in the weeks to come. She requested that the board authorize her to get a line of credit for $150,000.

Ms. Morse made motion to authorize a line of credit in the amount of $150,000. Ms. Mellinger seconded. Motion carried 5-0-0.

6.         Budget Status & Strategy Report.

Mr. Chrostowsky, Town Administrator prepared a brief report on the revenues, expenses and projected year end. He explained that if no spending freeze occurs and no program cuts we will likely experience a budget deficit. He recommended that we use the Highway Emergency Reserve Fund in the amount of $6,600 as additional source of revenue. Also, the following potential program reductions. Cole Hall – Salaries and Wages, Selectboard – Meeting Recording Clerk, Sheriff, and Landfill (change summer hrs. back to winter hrs.) were recommended program cuts that the board decided against. The board agreed to provide the following services: Landfill - Hazardous Waste, Landfill - Tire Removal, and Landfill - Brush-pile in June 2008.

The Selectboard requested that the Town Administrator prepare regular budget updates until the end of the fiscal year.



7.         Sidewalk Update.

Mr. Chrostowsky gave a brief update on the status of the sidewalk project. The sidewalk reimbursement has been received from the State in $14,263.70. The Catergorical Exclusion “CE” and Stormwater Discharge Permit have been submitted to the state and we are awaiting state comments. An updated project timeline has been prepared by ESPC and we are still on track for construction this summer. A Flagger Training Course has been scheduled for Tuesday April 22, 2008 at the Buck Hill Road Fire Station for all those who might be interested in assisting us with the sidewalk project.

8.         Selectboard Goals “Work Session”

Chairman McClintock explained that he would like the Selectboard to develop a list of goals for 2008-2009. Board members identified the following goals for the 2008-2009 year.



            * Long Range Financial Planning Committee

            * Capital Campaign for Howard Park Fund

* Identify ancient roads,

            * Complete methane gas remediation,

            * Complete South Shaftsbury Sidewalk project,

            * Complete Shaftsbury Village Center designation,

            * Continue to work on a Trail to Lake Paran,

            * Develop a plan for Cole Hall Restoration,

            * Develop a Reappraisal Plan,

            * Update Town Plan,

            * Update Zoning Bylaw for Municipal Projects,

            * Update Conflict of Interest Policy,

            * Update Personnel Policy,

            * Complete SWAP Shed,

            * Study broadband technology expansion throughout Town,

            * Study Alternative energy uses on Town properties,

            * Create and update all Town Traffic Ordinances (Speed, Parking &

Overweight Vehicles),

            * Town-wide Tree Plan (inventory), Ordinance, and Committee,

            * Continue work on water system improvements,

            * Study corrections work camp

9. Town Administrator's Update:

Mr. Chrostowsky gave a brief update. He explained that the VCOMM Grant Proposal was accepted; this will offset the fire department’s communication budget line item. Many thanks go to Jerry Mattison and Joe Vadakin for their assistance.

The Town re-submitted the Vermont DWSRF Priority List Application for water system improvements in the village. We were not recipients last year but we will move up the list this year. Mr. Chrostowsky told the board about BCRC Transportation Advisory Committee – April 8^th, 2008 12 Noon, SVSU CDC Sophomore Career Summit – April 9^th, 2008 and BCIC Annual Stockholders Meeting – April 30^th, 2008 at 12 Noon.

10.       Other Business:

Chairman McClintock asked if there was other business.

Ms. Mellinger would request to have a discussion over the highway work hours and the development review board’s size.

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Aaron Chrostowsky