Richford VT

SELECTBOARD MEETING
RICHFORD, VERMONT

APRIL 21, 2008

Chairman
Eric Collins called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 PM with
members Linda Collins, Mary Mankin, Robert St. Pierre, and Norris
Tillotson present. Also present were Laura Ovitt, Marion Paul, Carroll
McAllister, Norman Fecteau, Neal Lovelette, Gloria Spencer, Dmitri
Hudak, Frances Whitney, Marianne Hall, Maurice Hall, Tim Green, Mary
Robinson, Brian Corwell (7:25), Melissa Wells (7:25).

Guest Joan Cheeseman, Zoning Chair, was not present.

Motion
made by Robert St. Pierre, seconded by Norris Tillotson, to approve the
minutes of April 7. The motion carried with 4 yes, and Mary Mankin
abstaining (absent from that meeting).

Eric Collins reported
that Jim Tomlinson has served on review committee for the housing rehab
loan fund since its inception. He now wishes to step down. The position
will not be filled. Richford will be represented by St. Albans
representatives Jane Kiser and Judy Smith. Jim would also like to
resign as the Solid Waste District representative, but will serve until
a volunteer is found. The Board will advertise for a replacement.

The
Board received a request from Andrew Pond asking permission to set off
July 4 fireworks at the water plant. Proper precautions will be in
place. The Board granted permission by consensus.

The Board
discussed the Main Street traffic light. It is not working, and the
town is billed the base rate each month. Norris Tillotson will look
into having it repaired.

Laura explained that she has been
trying to get a maintenance contract from Milton Cat for the town-owned
generators with no success. Dmitri Hudak is working on getting a quote
from another company.

Eric reported the generator at the fire
station appears to be too small to accommodate all that needs to be
supported. Arrangements will be made to conduct a load test.

The
Board updated credit information for Vermont Surplus Property. Persons
authorized to charge are the highway foreman, water/sewer foreman, and
town clerk.

KAS Environmental and Geological Consulting has
requested permission to do soil borings in the town right-of-way at the
Main Street Sunoco station. The Board granted permission by consensus.

The
Board agreed by consensus to adopt a policy that employee accidents
resulting in entrapment and/or perceived injury require 911 assistance.
Eric will draft a policy.

Selectboard Meeting Minutes
April 21, 2008
Page 2

The
Board agreed by consensus to adopt a bereavement leave policy allowing
full-time employees three (3) paid days leave  in the event of the
death of a spouse, parent, sibling, child or grandchild. The Board will
review draft language on May 5.

Norris Tillotson reported the parks and cemeteries work is shaping up well.

Linda Collins reported she will get a contractors estimate for repair of the town hall pillars.
She further reported the historical society building will need to have chimney repair done.

Robert
St. Pierre reported the retaining wall behind the post office is
failing. Rebar and drainage is needed. He and Norris Tillotson are
working on a repair plan.

Eric Collins reported that according
to Sheriff statistics Richford has had the lowest crime rate in
Franklin County for the past three months.

Eric asked Laura to contact Marcia Perry regarding Ambulance operating policies for paid personnel.

Laura was directed to advertise for bids for rubbish removal. The contract will be up for renewal in August.

Mary
Mankin reported she will have an initial proposal for water rate
restructure for the May 5 meeting. If accepted, notification can be
sent with the next bill.

Eric discussed the history of water billing vs. the water ordinance.

Mary Mankin will contact Waterbury regarding the billing address for the water system contact person.

The
survey for burial lots for the Richford Center Cemetery has been
received. Motion made by Mary Mankin, seconded by Norris Tillotson, to
accept the new plots in the Richford Center Cemetery as laid out in
survey map number 0803. The motion carried unanimously.

Robert
St. Pierre reported that Keith Smith is willing to renew his contract
for sand at the same price. Motion made by Linda Collins, seconded by
Robert St. Pierre, to accept the renewal of the contract. The motion
carried unanimously.

Robert reported that chloride was budgeted
at $6500, but now will cost $7200. He will look into sharing a load
with another town.

Robert reported that a supplier has been found for new brooms for the Kubota at about half of the original cost.
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
April 21, 2008
Page 3

Robert reported that the highway crew is now grading roads and cleaning up village streets.
The Board discussed pick-up of yard debris, and considered limiting pick-up dates.

Mary
Mankin and Dmitri Hudak reported on the wastewater plant erosion
abatement project plan, reviewing estimated time frame and cost, with
work to be done as soon as manpower and equipment is available from the
highway department. Motion made by Linda Collins, seconded by Robert
St. Pierre, to approve the proposal. The motion carried unanimously.

Dmitri
discussed cleaning #4 filter at the water plant. He would like to use
the sand washing equipment when the work is done. Robert St. Pierre
will speak with the highway foreman about needed manpower.

Norris
Tillotson noted that the reservoir has been drawn down considerably.
Dmitri explained he has not adjusted the valve because of the large
deposit of silt that would result. He does have a plan for replenishing
the reservoir.

Dmitri reported that he will be reading water
meters soon. He will try to repair meters during the process.
Transmitters purchased for the auto-read meters are not compatible with
the meter reading equipment. He is working with the supplier to get the
appropriate transmitters.

Neal Lovelette offered to clean the fountain before the water is turned on if he can borrow a ladder.

Brian
Corwell said that his trash bill is currently delinquent and he is not
receiving stickers. He buys individual stickers each week. He would
like to get back on the system, but cannot afford the past due bill.
Laura stated that, in the past, the Board has allowed property owners
to pay for the last stickers they received and the current bill, and
the Board has forgiven the balance. Motion made by Linda Collins,
seconded by Mary Mankin, to return Mr. Corwell to the system when the
last stickers and the current bill are paid. The motion carried
unanimously.

Melissa Wells reported on a low-impact development
class she attended recently, sponsored in part by the Northern New
England LID Conference. She has a CD and written materials if anyone is
interested.

Carroll McAllister reported for the Planning
Commission on the Fiske property at the top of Green Avenue. The
Commission is recommending a 200’ buffer above the reservoir fence
where no soil disturbance would be allowed.

Carroll discussed
the proposed zoning map, asking if the Selectboard would accept the map
as part of the Town Plan. Eric said the map needs to be topographical.
Laura suggested that normally action on the Town Plan requires public
hearings by the Planning Commission and the Selectboard. Motion made by
Mary Mankin, seconded by Robert St. Pierre, to table the issue
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
April 21, 2008
Page 4

until the overlay map is prepared and brought back to the Selectboard. The motion carried unanimously.

Motion
made by Robert St. Pierre, seconded by Mary Mankin, to enter executive
session at 9:05 PM to discuss highway personnel. The motion carried
unanimously.

Motion made by Linda Collins, seconded by Robert
St. Pierre, to leave executive session at 9:25 PM. The motion carried
unanimously.

As a result of executive session, motion made by
Robert St. Pierre, seconded by Mary Mankin, to accept the conditions of
the agreement made in executive session regarding an employee’s salary
effective immediately. The motion carried unanimously.

Eric Collins stated the Borderlands Economic Development request to relocate Selectboard meetings is tabled.

Motion made by Linda Collins, seconded by Mary Mankin, to adjourn at 9:32 PM. The motion carried unanimously.

Laura Ovitt
Administrative Assistant