Richford VT

SELECTBOARD MEETING
RICHFORD, VERMONT

JANUARY 21, 2008

Chairman
Dale Guertin called the regular meeting to order at 7:20 PM with
members Eric Collins, Linda Collins and Larry Stephens present.
Also
present were Laura Ovitt, Kenneth Lavalla, Tim Green, Marion Paul, Dan
Newton, Hank Albarelli, Tammy Ryea, Marianne Hall, Larry Paquette,
Joshua Aldrich, Steve Sheperd, and Jedd Kettler (County Courier).

Tammy
Ryea spoke on behalf of the public safety task force, requesting an
article on the Town Meeting warning for a 2nd constable with law
enforcement authority to be appointed by the Selectboard. She said the
recommendation was to cancel the Sheriff contract and use the funds to
pay the 2nd constable. She said the task force will develop a figure
for consideration. The Board advised that such a change could not take
place until the following year because it would have to be approved by
legislature, and they would have to look into the 1st and 2nd constable
issue. Hank Albarelli asked if a town police officer would require
legislature approval. The Board said no. Hank suggested it would be
worth looking into. Eric Collins said a police officer would have to be
a police chief. Larry Stephens said the suggestion started with a 2nd
constable and has now moved to a police chief. The concept is not well
thought out. Linda Collins suggested a non-binding resolution. The
Board recommended conducting a survey at Town Meeting. The task force
will bring a draft to the Board before March. Tammy Ryea, Hank
Albarelli, Marion Paul and Dan Newton left.

Motion made by Linda
Collins, seconded by Eric Collins, to approve the minutes of the
meetings held on January 7, 14, 16, and 17, 2008.  The motion carried
unanimously.

The Board recognized visitors.
Lawrence Paquette
spoke about the properties on either side of his mother’s property. One
is a pile of rubble and is rat infested. The other has an open sewer.
Water from the property is running into his mother’s property and her
garage is now failing. Tim Green, Zoning Administrator, said he had
visited the sites and taken pictures, and was waiting for guidance from
the Selectboard.  The Selectboard directed Tim to send the violations
to the attorney. The Board directed Laura to contact the Health Officer
and ask that she visit the site.  Lawrence Paquette and Steve Sheperd
left.

Dale Guertin addressed Tim Green, stating the Board’s
displeasure that Tim had said Planning Commission members had not been
paid when they actually had been paid in December. Dale advised Tim to
do better research.

Eric Collins reported that he has hired an arborist to trim the trees on Main Street, at the Post Office and in the parks.

Selectboard Meeting Minutes
January 21, 2008
Page 2

Linda
Collins reported that she had been verbally attacked by another Board
member at the Jan. 17 budget meeting. She said she will not tolerate
such behavior again, and that she will continue to ask questions about
issues. The matter will be addressed at the next regular meeting.

Linda
reported on her research about the Library budget. The librarian did
not do the approved 50/50 raffle last year, and the program director
did no advertising for the mystery dinner, which had to be canceled.
She said the Library had asked permission to have a booth in the Town
Hall lobby at Town Meeting to sell books and 50/50 tickets. Laura was
directed to call the Secretary of State about the legality of a raffle
at Town Meeting.
Linda reported on the Library’s investment of
funds. She said when Banknorth merged, they sent a check for $17,000.
The Library put the money in a CD rather than going to a broker. Linda
had a letter from the Secretary of State, citing 22 VSA 105, stating
the Library could do whatever they want with their funds.
Linda said that the Library assets are always listed in the Town Report, but not on their appropriation request.
Linda
reported that the Library is trying to get a person placed through the
over-55 program, and to get a high school community service person.
Linda
said that the Library is mandated to spend $1.05 per capita to meet
state standards. Berkshire does not contribute enough to meet that
cost. Berkshire will be asked to increase their contribution. If they
do not, they will not receive free use of the Library.

Dale
Guertin read a letter from Library Director Chair Jeanne Backhaus
regarding reports to the Selectboard that the Library endowment was not
properly established and that they mishandled funds. Laura was directed
to include in the minutes that the Library is capable of handling their
funds.

Larry Stephens said he was concerned about the behavior
of a Board member at the previous meeting. He felt issues should be
discussed on a one-on-one basis, and not in a meeting. The matter will
be discussed at the Feb. 4 meeting.

Laura presented the
certificate of highway mileage on behalf of the Town Clerk. Motion made
by Larry Stephens, seconded by Eric Collins to accept the certificate
of highway mileage. The motion carried unanimously.

The Board
discussed the CDBG Planning Grant for a housing market study. The
master plan for Main Street was discussed; Laura asked if a timeline
could be presented at the Feb. 4 meeting.
Motion made by Eric
Collins, seconded by Linda Collins, to withdraw the market study
project from the current round and work to apply in a future round.
Larry Stephens said it is a step back to deny the current effort to
improve Main Street because there might be something better down the
road. The motion carried unanimously.

Selectboard Meeting Minutes
January 21, 2008
Page 3

Linda Collins asked if Task Force meetings are continuing. The Image/Communication group continues to meet.

Dale
Guertin asked the Board to consider the two applicants for the Regional
Planning Commissioner seat. Eric Collins left the room. Interest has
been expressed by Hank Albarelli and Kim Collins. Motion made by Larry
Stephens, seconded by Linda Collins, to appoint Kim Collins to the
vacancy. The motion carried unanimously. Laura was directed to send
letters to each applicant.  Eric Collins rejoined the meeting.

Laura
reported that, while the Board had applied for Municipal Planning Grant
for $9170 to update the zoning bylaws, they were awarded $1811. Laura
had brought the grant agreement and the contract with the Regional
Planning Commission. Motion made by Larry Stephens, seconded by Linda
Collins, to execute the grant agreement and the contract.  The motion
carried unanimously.

Laura reported that the grant agreement for
the Ancient Roads grant had been received. She needed to have two
people authorized by the Board to sign requisitions, and she had the
first requisition to be completed.  Motion made by Larry Stephens,
seconded by Dale Guertin, to designate the ancient members – Eric
Collins and Linda Collins – as authorized signers. The motion carried
unanimously.

The meeting adjourned at 9:19 PM.

Laura Ovitt
Administrative Assistant