Richford VT

SELECTBOARD MEETING
RICHFORD, VT

APRIL 7, 2008

Chairman
Eric Collins called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 PM with
members Linda Collins, Robert St. Pierre, and Norris Tillotson present.
Also present were Clerk Gary Snider, Laura Ovitt, Yvonne Combs, Connie
Burns, Melissa Wells, Daton Fleury, Raymond Bergeron, Bill McGroarty,
Jim Backhaus, Karen Cangelosi, Joan Cheeseman, Tim Green, Marion Paul,
Norman Fecteau, Wayne Hurtubise, Jacques Desautels, Carroll McAllister,
Hank Albarelli, Tammy Ryea, and Suzanne Lavalla.

Eric Collins
reviewed basic rules of conduct for Selectboard meetings. Guests on the
agenda will be given 10 minutes per subject. Guests not on the agenda
will be given opportunity to speak at the end of the meeting. People
not members of the sitting board are not to speak unless recognized by
the chair, please.

Motion made by Linda Collins, seconded by
Norris Tillotson, to approve the minutes of the March 17 regular
meeting. The motion carried unanimously.

Daton Fleury of the
Franklin County Conservation District was recognized. A party has
approached the District for a conservation easement on the Fournier
property. The town has a waterline easement on the property, and
therefore has an interest. EPA has agreed to swap the land for
properties that were developed improperly (wetlands, etc.) provided
they never farm the property again. The District is asking what the
town will do. If the town decides to do nothing, the District will
continue to work with the party. After discussion, the board agreed by
consensus that the District should take the easement and to make sure
there is a cover crop every year to prevent brush from growing.

Eric Collins reminded the board of upcoming workshops. The board will let Laura know if they plan to attend.

Eric
Collins addressed the Borderlands Economic Development questions about
the 2007 budget. Town Treasurer Gary Snider presented a flow chart
explaining cash to fund balance. Eric said the bridge repair fund and
the ambulance fund were not expensed – they were escrowed. He said the
Secretary of State has advised that, as long as money is set aside at
the end of the year, the town cannot be forced to use a third party for
escrow funds. Eric said the water and sewer departments showed a
deficit in cash on hand. The water/sewer commissioners – the
Selectboard – took out a loan for the departments which users will
repay. Eric said there is no statement that would show the cash on hand
for the departments as of 12/31/07. He said the Revolving Loan Fund
committee brings requests for loans to the Selectboard, and that the
rest of borrower’s information is confidential. Tammy Ryea explained
why the group had asked the questions. Gary Snider was excused at 7:35
PM.

Marianne and Maurice Hall joined the meeting at 7:30 PM.

Selectboard Meeting Minutes
April 7, 2008
Page 2

The
board discussed a policy for reporting on-the-job accidents and/or
injuries, with suggested language: “Keeping with Workman’ Comp
regulations, all on-the-job accidents and/or injuries are to be
reported immediately to the supervisor or covering supervisor and
within 72 hours complete and submit the Workman’s Comp paperwork.”  The
board agreed by consensus to adopt the policy. Employees will be
reminded to use appropriate eye/head gear when using chain saws. Robert
St. Pierre suggested that 911 be called when there is an accident – the
board will discuss this at the next meeting.

The board discussed
a policy regarding use of employee-owned equipment, with suggested
wording stating “Equipment requiring an operator and owned by an
employee, appointee, or elected official of Richford, shall not be let,
leased, rented, nor paid for by the town to engage in the town’s
business, nor shall same equipment be transported by town equipment or
personnel.”
Robert St. Pierre suggested setting a uniform price for
equipment, then if the operators don’t want to work there is no
problem. Norris Tillotson suggested getting 3 bids. The board agreed by
consensus that the road foreman should not use his own equipment as
normal operating procedure. Emergency use may be allowed. The foreman
will prepare a list of operators and letters will be sent.

The board discussed a policy regarding bereavement leave, which was tabled.

The
board discussed a policy regarding requiring a job application to be on
file for all town employees. Suggested language: Because some part-time
employees are not in direct control of the Selectboard due to their
position being appointed or elected, this policy is suggested: In the
personnel jackets of those who will be considered for promotions, pay
increases, or bonuses, place a notation of the number of years of
formal education.” The board agreed by consensus to adopt the policy
for hired persons. Jeff Royea will need to complete a job application.

Robert
St. Pierre reported that the town was awarded a Better Back Roads grant
of $9700 for ditching and culverts on South Richford Road. The town’s
crew and equipment will cover the required match. The town has applied
for a state paving grant of $172,066 to reclaim pavement and pave on
South Richford Road.

Robert discussed the $5,000 Ancient Roads
grant the town was awarded. Laura explained the suggested process is to
advertise for volunteers to assist with research to document the roads
and to advertise for a surveyor to be paid to train the volunteers to
do the research. Money is included in the grant to pay for publishing
when the town has public meetings on the findings of the research.
Laura will advertise for volunteers to serve on this committee.

Norris
Tillotson reported there is a great deal of dog feces in the parks. The
animal control officer will be asked to ticket the offending owners.
Signs need to be ordered.

Selectboard Meeting Minutes
April 7, 2008
Page 3

Norris
said he will be meeting with Dennis Kent to review issues with the
playground. He said there is minor damage to be repaired. Evan Mercy
will continue to serve on the playground committee. Linda Collins said
she will assist with collecting for the advertising signs at the
playground. Wayne Hurtubise questioned whether the gates to the island
will be replaced; Norris said they will.

Eric Collins reported
on public buildings. The town hall curtain grant closes out June 30;
the motor for the main drape should be installed in May.

Eric said the library will hopefully be painted before July 4.

Eric
and Linda Collins will work on ordering shades for the post office, as
well as installing the water fountain and repairing the cast iron
awning.

Eric reported on vandalism at the town hall. Linda said
she has contacts for repair estimates. Robert St. Pierre suggested
using synthetic replacements. Norris Tillotson suggested have the base
parts reproduced locally.

Linda said she will be meeting with
Marcia Perry to work on a schedule for cleaning at the emergency
services building. The elevator needs to be repaired – it does not meet
life/safety specifications.

The ambulance service operating policies for paid personnel were tabled.

The board received ATV ordinances from two towns. They will get more information and hold a public meeting later.

Linda Collins reported the rubbish contract is due in August. Bid packages need to be prepared.

Mary
Mankin was not present to discuss water and sewer issues. Matt Irons
request from March 17 to run drainage from 40 Thomas Street may not be
needed.
Yvonne Combs asked Norris Tillotson why the ordinance
adopted in 1993 was never followed. She said there are no amendments
and no documentation to allow the Town Clerk to bill differently. Eric
said that the past is past, and that the board needs to move forward.

Eric apologized to visitors for making them wait through old business.

Melissa
Wells reported on the recent Regional Planning Commission (RPC)
meeting. She said that the RPC has received a grant to conduct erosion
hazard assessments for towns. All that is required is a letter asking
to be put on the list. Wayne Hurtubise said the Soil Conservation
Service has mapped agricultural land. The board agreed by consensus to
request the assessment.

Selectboard Meeting Minutes
April 7, 2008
Page 4

Melissa
said that Tim Smith of the Franklin County Industrial Development Corp.
is working with the RPC on broad bank in Franklin County, and is
looking into other sources of energy.

Marion Paul presented an
updated land use map on behalf of the Planning Commission. Tim Green
explained the changes. The major change is changing the conservation II
district around the reservoir to conservation I. The Planning
Commission intends to have a buffer around the reservoir. The language
for the buffer is in their meeting minutes, not in the ordinance. Tim
was asked to prepare a list of changes. Carroll McAllister and Norris
Tillotson will walk the area around the reservoir. The map will be
discussed at the next meeting.

Marion Paul requested use of
Davis Park from the 2nd Saturday in June until the last Saturday in
September for the Farmers Market. The board agreed by consensus to
grant permission. Marion will complete a use form.

Linda Collins reported she is working on a use permit for the Town Hall.

Raymond
Bergeron discussed injuries he received on July 20, 2007 when he
tripped on the post office steps and then tore the hand rail down. Mr.
Bergeron is requesting reimbursement of $75,000 for medical bills and
loss of business, as well as a public apology from the town and the
Border Patrol. He said he would wait two weeks for an answer; after
that he will turn the information over to the press. He said the
insurance company had refused his request for $17,000 for work lost
while he was incarcerated. Laura was directed to send a copy of the
information and the request to the insurance company.

Joan Cheeseman requested that the zoning board be on the agenda for the next meeting.

Laura
reported the dry hydrant grant application has been received, and will
be due April 30. The board will consider whether there are appropriate
sites available.

Laura presented the inspection report for the
Main Street bridge. Motion made by Linda Collins, seconded by Robert
St. Pierre, to accept and sign the report. The motion carried
unanimously.

Robert St. Pierre reported that the McAllister road
will be upgraded this summer. He reported that a street sweeper and a
storm drain cleaner have been rented for the 2nd week in May. Tim Green
requested that the board revisit the storm drain on River Street. Eric
requested the two storm drains on the south side of the town hall in
the Hebert’s driveway be cleaned as well to keep water out of the town
hall.

Linda Collins reported she will be reviewing repair work needed for the loading dock at the post office.

Selectboard Meeting Minutes
April 7, 2008
Page 5

Linda
requested that the Sheriff be asked to monitor the town hall during
dances. The board agreed by consensus that the bulk of the 7 PM to 10
PM window on Friday, April 25 be spent watching over the town hall
during the dance.

Eric Collins reported that Mary Mankin has
changed the Administrative Contact for the water system from Garry
Shover to herself and has given her address. He recommended the address
be changed back to the town hall post office box, even if still in her
name, for the purpose of timely correspondence in all matters water.

Motion made by Linda Collins, seconded by Robert St. Pierre, to adjourn at 10:10 PM. The motion carried unanimously.

Laura Ovitt
Administrative Assistant