MINUTES OF THE SHAFTSBURY SELECT BOARD
JULY 7, 2008
COLE HALL
SHAFTSBURY, VERMONT
Board Present: Lon McClintock (Chairman), Karen Mellinger, Cinda Morse, Bill Pennebaker, Wynn Metcalfe
Others Present: Larry Johnson, Mike Gleason (Bennington Banner), Art Whitman (Economic Development Committee), Aaron Chrostowsky (Town Administrator), Susan Swasta (Recording Secretary)
1. Call Meeting to Order:
Chairman Lon McClintock called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
2. Announcements:
Aaron Chrostowsky announced that the new Tuesday transfer station hours are now in effect. Tuesday hours are 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM year-round.
3. Conflict of Interest Statement:
Chairman McClintock asked if any Board member has a conflict of interest with any topic on tonight's agenda. None did.
4. Meeting Minutes:
June 30, 2008 Select Board minutes
Cinda Morse made motion to approve June 30, 2008 minutes. Karen Mellinger seconded.
The following corrections to the June 30 minutes were requested:
On page 3, in Section 8 (Authorize BCRC to Hire SWIP Coordinator): "VSM Environmental" is changed to " DSM Environmental."
On page 4, in Section 10 (Other Business), in fourth paragraph, second sentence: "The will monitor..." is changed to "He will monitor..."
On page 4, in Section 12 (Review and Discuss TAM Host Town Agreement): [ADD CORRECTION]
Motion to approve June 30 minutes as amended carried 5-0-0.
5. Warrants:
The following warrant was presented for approval:
General Warrant AP #W-1: $62,513.56 (Bennington County tax, sidewalk design, water system study, diesel fuel, health insurance, sign posts, Vermont League of Cities and Towns membership)
Ms. Morse made motion to pay AP Warrant #W-1. Bill Pennebaker seconded. Motion carried 5-0-0.
6. Public Comments:
There were no public comments.
7. Village Center Designation:
Economic Development Committee (EDC) Chairman Art Whitman came to the table for the discussion. He distributed a handout describing the Village Center Designation (VCD). Mr. Whitman explained that the VCD is an attempt to revitalize Vermont's traditional village centers. The focus is on commercial properties, which are eligible for tax credits.
The EDC first considered Center Shaftsbury, South Shaftsbury, and Brick Row near North Bennington for inclusion in the VCD, but decided that Brick Row does not qualify. For the Center and South Shaftsbury areas, they initially drew large boundaries. The Center Shaftsbury area extended from the old Stanley Tool property to the fire house, and from the Saab garage down to Harrington's. Preliminary feedback from the state resulted in exclusion of the Stanley property because it is industrial, and exclusion of Cleveland Avenue because it is residential. The EDC has now refined and color-coded the map to include commercial, home occupation, and apartment properties. An apartment building qualifies if it is not occupied by the landlord.
The South Shaftsbury area extends from the former West Mountain Animal Hospital down to Wynn Metcalfe's along Rte. 7A. Polymeadow Farms will probably not be included. Mr. Whitman said that the EDC will be working with the Planning Commission to survey and refine the two centers. They need Select Board approval to submit the VCD to the state committee. EDC member Cinda Morse noted that as the Town Plan is revised they should make sure language supports commercial activity in the village centers.
Mr. Chrostowsky asked why certain properties were not included. Ms. Morse replied that this would have resulted in long stretches without commercial properties. Mr. Whitman said that they have asked the Planning Commission to consider zoning that allows homes to be converted to apartments and home occupations, in order to create more density. Mr. Whitman discussed the need for a sewer system to permit increased density, and said that even though residents rejected a sewer system, there is still a need. Something may come up to bring it to the forefront again.
There was discussion of properties that are not now included in the two centers. Ms. Morse reiterated that they needed to avoid long stretches without commercial properties. She said that the centers could be expanded in the future. Board members expressed support for pursuing the VCD. Ms. Morse will represent the Select Board at the state meeting on this in August.
8. Open and Discuss Box Culvert Installation Bids:
Mr. Chrostowsky opened five bids for the LeClair Road box culvert installation. These were from Ken Harrington ($15,155), Frank Whitcomb ($133,476), Weaver ($28,600), Burgess Bros. ($23,280), and Woodard ($29,000). Mr. Chrostowsky noted that all five bidders had met with Road Foreman Ron Daniels prior to bidding. There was discussion of the cost of the project. Chairman McClintock said he would like Mr. Daniels to confirm that the amounts of materials included in the bids are realistic. Ms. Morse and Ms. Mellinger asked that Mr. Chrostowsky get a figure for the total cost of the project, including guardrails. The box culvert bids will be taken up at the next meeting.
9. Budget (Work Session):
Chairman McClintock stated that they do not have a final budget report from Treasurer Henri Billow yet. Mr. Pennebaker said that before they get into the budget discussion he would like to report on methane remediation results, because this may have bearing on the budget. He reported that the methane pumping results are very encouraging. Mr. Pennebaker distributed handouts of the methane readings. He said that if all the wells respond in the same way, there may be substantial savings on the landfill loan fund.
Mr. Chrostowsky stated that when he looked at how to address the $60,000 budget deficit, he considered chloride, paving, and the landfill fund as the biggest items for cuts. Ms. Mellinger noted that this just addresses the current deficit, and that they must also consider that they are grossly underfunded for fuel next year. Mr. Pennebaker and Mr. Metcalfe pointed out that last year's budget also overspent on sand, gravel, and salt. Ms. Mellinger asked about diesel fuel, and Mr. Chrostowsky replied that he is not comfortable estimating the amount used and could get her that information tomorrow.
Chairman McClintock stated that he does not think they should just do away with any one budget category, or use all of the landfill fund money. He suggested using $15,000 from the landfill fund, $15,000 from the chloride budget, $10,000 from paving, and revisit using $10,000 from the firetruck sale. Mr. Chrostowsky recommended using the $6600 in the Highway Emergency Fund. Chairman McClintock recommended cutting the subcontractor budget from $20,000 to $15,000.
Ms. Morse stated that they have been told that Mr. Daniels has a proposal to address road crew overtime on plowing, but they have not heard it yet. There was discussion of the need to allocate resources for road projects as well as maintenance and emergencies. Chairman McClintock noted that the Town is behind in doing needed repairs, so it is not just a matter of maintenance.
Ms. Mellinger pointed out that the Highway Department overages were not in administration, but in construction and maintenance. There was discussion of the difficulty in planning and predicting these costs. Ms. Morse stated that they need to go through past construction and maintenance figures in order to estimate future costs. They also need figures on fuel use. Mr. Chrostowsky said he can get figures if they let him know what is needed.
Mr. Metcalfe recommended adding $5000 from the listers reappraisal fund to the amount to be applied to the budget deficit. Ms. Mellinger will speak to Angie Abbatello about where they are with reappraisal.
Ms. Mellinger reported that the Solid Waste Committee recommends that the Town charge for brush. They came up with figures of $10 per pickup truck load and $20 per one ton truck load to cover brush disposal costs. The Committee also recommends an access sticker fee of at least $10 to cover the increased costs of the transfer station maintenance contract, but no increase in the pay as you throw fee. Chairman McClintock asked that they flesh out the details and put it in writing for the Board.
Ms. Mellinger raised the possibility of selling the Town property on Holy Smoke Road, which had been discussed in the past. Mr. Pennebaker said the key issue is whether the land is developable. Mr. Chrostowsky said there would be complications because it was acquired in a tax sale. Ms. Mellinger said she would be interested in getting an opinion.
Shaftsbury resident Larry Johnson stated that he has not heard the Board discuss how they got to this budget situation. He said that if they do not know how they got there, the same mistakes will be made again. Ms. Morse said they have looked at bringing in a financial consultant from VLCT to help with financial recording. Mr. Johnson asked if that would happen in time to help address matters now. It seems that things do not reach resolution.
Chairman McClintock said that they need to look at things in November in order to control costs, not wait until spring, when it is too late. Mr. Metcalfe pointed out the problems that will arise if sanding and salting are cut back He said that people are traveling more, and the Town is not budgeting for that. It may mean increased taxes.
Chairman McClintock stated that Mr. Daniels is on vacation, but will give them the information on a plowing schedule when he gets back. Ms. Mellinger and Mr. Pennebaker will work up information on the solid waste fee schedule and administration..
10. Town Administrator Update:
Mr. Chrostowsky stated that he had sent the Board a list of Town Administrator projects that he wants them to prioritize. Ms. Morse noted that some of these may be more Committee responsibilities, She will meet with Mr. Chrostowsky to discuss the list.
11. Other Business:
Mr. Pennebaker reported that he had received a call from Brent Peacock, who was disturbed about the lack of quorum for the last DRB meeting. He wants people to be notified in advance if a meeting is canceled. Ms. Mellinger also received a call from Mr. Peacock about this.
Mr. Pennebaker stated that landfill mowing should be scheduled soon because weeds are growing tall, and that the brush pile still needs to be moved.
Mr. Metcalfe recommended that they get a fan for the meeting room that is not so loud.
Ms. Morse made motion to adjourn. Mr. Pennebaker seconded.
There was discussion of whether the Board should meet next week, given that some of the information they need to address the budget will not be available yet.
Mr. Metcalfe amended the original motion to adjourn, moving not to meet next week, and so to adjourn until July 21. Ms. Morse seconded.
Motion to adjourn until July 21, not meeting July 14, carried 5-0-0.
The meeting adjourned at 9:10 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Swasta