Richford VT

SELECTBOARD MEETING
RICHFORD, VERMONT

FEBRUARY 7, 2008

Acting
Chair Eric Collins called the recessed regular meeting to order at 6:00
PM with members Linda Collins, Mary Mankin and Larry Stephens present.
Also present were Clerk Gary Snider, Laura Ovitt, Norris Tillotson,
Marion Paul, and Dan Newton.

Gary Snider presented a current
expense note for the water and wastewater departments to cover the
deficits that had been being carried by the general fund. He said this
is a one year note at 3.75% interest in the amount of $67,000 for the
water department and $15,000 for the wastewater department. Motion made
by Larry Stephens, seconded by Mary Mankin, to borrow funds to bring
water and sewer expenses up to date. The motion carried unanimously.
Gary left the meeting.

Motion made by Larry Stephens, seconded
by Linda Collins, to enter executive session at 6:05 PM to discuss
personnel. The motion carried, with Mary Mankin abstaining. All
visitors left the meeting.

Motion made by Linda Collins,
seconded by Larry Stephens, to leave executive session at 7:01. The
motion carried. Laura Ovitt, Norris Tillotson, Marion Paul, Courtney
Tillotson, Dan Newton, Melissa Wells and Josh Aldrich joined the
meeting.

As a result of executive session, motion made by Larry
Stephens, seconded by Linda Collins, to hire Jeff Royea full time for
the highway department. Larry read a letter from Shawn Machia, thanking
the board for the opportunity to work for and learn from the town, and
stating he had accepted another job. His last day is Feb. 8, 2008. The
motion carried unanimously.

As a result of executive session,
the board determined that Mary Mankin and Larry Stephens will work with
department heads to develop a policy for water/sewer and highway
employees.

As a result of executive session, Eric explained that
an issue had been raised by Linda Collins, and that Mary Mankin had
left the session feeling the issue should be discussed in open session.
Linda read a letter to the board stating her displeasure with actions
of Mary at the January 10 budget meeting, saying she felt the behavior
was inappropriate. Linda asked that the letter be kept on file. Mary
agreed that there was inappropriate behavior by one member of the board
and that if that member cared to apologize to her she would graciously
accept. Linda read a response from the Secretary of State, suggesting
that the board establish rules of conduct for meetings and stating the
chair could ask the constable to remove a board member for disrupting
the meeting by not following these rules. Eric said there is no policy
currently in place. The board has one more meeting before town meeting
and should try to be civil to each other. Perhaps the new board will
start with a policy of conduct for meetings.

Courtney Tillotson
said his neighbor pushes snow directly across the road onto his
property. Eric said that violates state statute, and asked Laura to
send a letter to the neighbor.

Melissa Wells reported on the
recent Regional Planning Commission meeting. She said the new
transportation plan includes the beginning of a rotary system for I-89
Exit 20, with one rotary

Selectboard Meeting Minutes
February 7, 2008
Page 2

before
the exit and one after. She reported on the Safe Routes to Schools
program, saying the Image and Communication task force is considering a
project.

Motion made by Linda Collins, seconded by Larry
Stephens to approve the minutes of the January 21 public hearing, and
the January 21, 22, and 24 Selectboard meetings. The motion carried
with 3 yes and Mary Mankin abstaining.

Eric read a letter from
Frank von Turkovich, a developer who is preparing a package for
consideration by the Border Patrol, thanking the Board for their letter
of support for the project. Eric said the board supported the proposal
because, as the property is north of the river, it offers increased
protection in the event of a natural disaster.

Eric read a
letter from Joanne Daigneault stating that she is resigning from the
Revolving Loan Fund committee. Laura was directed to advertise the
position.

Larry Stephens stated he had a complaint about plow
trucks following each other. He said the trucks do so in the village
because the streets are wide enough that one pass will not clear the
lane. Tim Green asked where the sidewalk plow goes, and asked if it
needed to go by his house. Larry said he may need to cut back on
sidewalk plowing.

Eric said that fire and ambulance personnel
have been allowed to wash personal vehicles at the station. However, he
felt that leaving an ambulance idling outside while washing personal
vehicles is not a good use of fuel, and asked that the practice be
stopped.

Eric reported that the market study planning grant
application requested by Tim Camisa had been pulled from the current
grant round and would be considered in another round. He said that a
neighbor of Mr. Camisa’s employee had called saying that Mr. Camisa has
been making derogatory and defaming statements about the town and
elected officials, and that the board may want to reconsider submitting
the application.

The board discussed the town employee who was
hired for half-time highway and half-time water and sewer. Mary Mankin
said the employee and department head had agreed that the employee
would work Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning for highway, and
Wednesday afternoon, Thursday and Friday for water/sewer, except in the
case of an emergency in either department. The employee will be asked
to attend the next meeting.

Laura reported that a resident was
recently bitten by a dog. The incident is being followed up by the
health officer and animal control officer.

The next regular meeting falls on a holiday. The board determined to meet on Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 7:00 PM.

The
board discussed where to display the Preserve America sign, and
determined that it will be placed on the Town Hall when the weather is
warmer.

Selectboard Meeting Minutes
February 7, 2008
Page 3

Laura presented a letter for signature that authorizes Preserve America to use any of the
application materials in promotional publications.

Laura
advised that two board members needed to be authorized to sign
documents for the municipal planning grant. The board determined to
authorize Eric Collins and Mary Mankin.

Laura presented a copy
of the letter sent to Chris Pattullo regarding zoning violations at his
East Richford property. Tim Green explained that Mr. Pattullo has
responded to the letter, saying he is being released from incarceration
on April 18, and requested an extension until May 15. He said the
town’s attorney agreed that the extension is a reasonable time frame.
Tim was directed to write to Lawrence Paquette to bring him up to date.
Motion made by Linda Collins, seconded by Mary Mankin, to allow Mr.
Pattulo until May 15, 2008 to clear the violation. The motion carried
unanimously.
Laura reported that the health officer has contacted Mr. Paquette about the other problem property.

Tim
Green reported that Ken Fiske had been in and is frustrated that he has
heard nothing about his Green Ave. project. Tim said he would send a
letter to Mr. Fiske, with a copy to the board, recapturing the comments
from the meeting. Tim said the reworked zoning map has been reworked
changing Conservation II to Conservation I, and asked if the
Selectboard could approve the map as part of the previously approved
Town Plan. Laura said that the board had voted to adopt the Town Plan
on Dec. 11, 2006 with the old map. Larry Stephens said that nothing has
been brought to the board to take to the voters, and that the voters
would have to vote to change the map. Laura was directed to send a
clear letter to Mr. Fiske.

Larry Stephens said that he is hearing from people that will be bidding on the Main Street bridge.

Melissa Wells said that the public transit bus is full every day, and that a larger bus is being assigned to the town.

Motion made by Mary Mankin, seconded by Linda Collins, to adjourn at 8:40 PM.

Laura Ovitt
Administrative Assistant