Town of Shaftsbury, VT

Annual Report of the Selectboard

Period Ending 6/30/06

 This last year was a busy and productive one for the Selectboard and our Town. Among the major projects we have been engaged in this year are the capping of the landfill, the first stages of sidewalk construction in the Village, start of pay-as-you-throw at the transfer station, initial work on remediation of excessive methane at the landfill, adoption of Development Review Board administration of zoning bylaws, and, on a lighter note, organization of our first “Sock Hop” street dance.

The capping of the landfill was far more difficult and expensive than we anticipated. As many of you know, the cost of this project rapidly escalated from a first estimate of $224,000 in 2004 to a final worst-case estimate of $857,000.  Since we had only $330,000 in our reserve fund at the start of 2006, the cost barrier initially appeared insurmountable.  However, thanks to our legislative delegation and $337,000 in state aid they obtained for us, approval by voters to borrow up to $150,000 and digging deep in other areas, we were able to close the gap.  If you haven't admired the large green hill at the landfill, you should – it was very expensive!  

The one problem at the landfill that we must still resolve is excessive methane in the soil to the west of the cap.  We are in the process of evaluating a proposal by our consultants, Heindel & Noyes, and have every expectation that their innovative approach to the problem will provide a cost-effective solution.

 As in past years, we held household hazardous waste days in April and October, each with a free tire day and a free metal week.  We also co-sponsored Green-Up Day with the elementary school and Shaftsbury Citizens for Responsible Growth.

 Last year the Town purchased two new fire trucks that should serve the Town's needs for the next two decades.  At the suggestion of the fire department, the Selectboard implemented a new fire reimbursement ordinance that will allow us to bill insurance companies for operational costs incurred when responding to certain calls.  Under the direction of the Town's new Emergency Management Director, Gerry Mattison, we have updated our Rapid Response Plan, completed training programs for key Town personnel, and adopted the All County Hazardous Mitigation Plan.  At various times over the past year the Select Board has worked with our constables, our Animal Control Officer, game wardens, and the Sheriff's Department as events dictated.

This year we received a $250,000 Federal Transportation Enhancement Grant for the construction of sidewalks in the Village of South Shaftsbury.  The Town hired Hartgen Associates for the federally mandated archeology study along the proposed sidewalk route.  To no one's surprise, they have determined that there are no culturally sensitive areas along this route, and we have now hired the engineering firm, ESPC, to design and facilitate the sidewalk construction.

One of our major ongoing tasks is oversight of the more than 70 miles of road in the town.  The two new trucks (and a used pickup truck we purchased to reduce usage of the large trucks for light jobs) have reduced maintenance costs and increased the efficiency of our crew.  This year we hired a contractor to do the roadside mowing, and we also rented an additional grader for a week to speed up the spring grading work.  This has allowed the highway crew to work on other badly needed jobs, including removal of brush and trees at numerous locations in addition to projects described in the next paragraph. We also bartered services with the Town of Bennington, using their street sweeper on 19 miles of our paved roads while lending our chloride truck for a job in their town.

Numerous road projects were completed this year.  New guardrails have been installed on Saw Mill Road, Lower East Road and Myers Road.  A new concrete box culvert was installed on Myers Road, paid for with a grant from the State Agency of Transportation.  Major road reconstruction including ditching, road widening and fabric installation was completed on Shaftsbury Hollow Road.  Buck Hill Road and the Daniel’s Road apron were paved with the assistance of State grant money, and Saw Mill Road and Clement Greene turnarounds were reconstructed to improve safety.

This year two employees, Bob Dubeck and Gary Gore, left the highway department and were replaced by two new employees, Steve Washburn and Tony Myers.  We wish Bob and Gary well in their future endeavors and we welcome the new additions to our highway crew.  We also welcome Michelle “Shelly” Boardman, our new Transfer Station Attendant.

As part of an ongoing effort to bring more structure and “business like” policies to our employment practices, we implemented a merit pay system. Each full-time employee received a performance evaluation last summer and the raises awarded were commensurate with that evaluation. Employees for the first time began to contribute 5% of the full cost of their health premiums.

One problem that we will have to address by 2008 is a town-wide reappraisal.  Our Common Level of Appraisal has dropped below 80%, and when that happens the State requires a reappraisal.  The listers have been actively involved in this issue and will guide the Town through the process.

Finally, this year we organized what we hope will be an annual event each summer – a street dance.  The theme this year was a 50's “Sock Hop”, complete with costumed competitions and lots of fun events.

As we look towards the future, the Selectboard invites any interested citizens, particularly those with architectural or building background, to join a soon to be established Facilities Committee. This committee will consider such issues as municipal space needs, the Town garage facility and Cole Hall restoration.

Perhaps most importantly, the Selectboard thanks all those folks who so generously volunteer their time and expertise on behalf of our Town. They are truly the “unsung heroes” who make Shaftsbury a vital, caring small-town community. We all owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude.

 The Selectboard continues to post our home phone numbers in the book and on our web site, www.shaftsbury.net.  Call us if you need to, and visit the web site or call Cole Hall if you are looking for information about ongoing events in the Town.

 Wynn Metcalfe, Chair               Karen Mellinger

Cinda Morse, Vice-Chair         Bill Pennebaker

Jim Mead