Richford VT

SELECTBOARD MEETING
RICHFORD, VERMONT

JUNE 16, 2008

Vice-chairman
Linda Collins called the regular meeting to order at 7:08 PM with
members Robert St. Pierre and Norris Tillotson present. Mary Mankin
arrived at 7:15 PM.  Also present were Laura Ovitt, Albert Perry, Greg
Campbell, Nancy Campbell and James Clawson.

Albert Perry
discussed property at 22 Hamilton Place, saying there is a large pile
of household goods outside that is now probably trash. Laura was
directed to send a letter to the owner directing them to clear the
debris within two weeks of receipt of the letter.
Albert discussed
the proposed development off Dewey Street and North Avenue, saying the
zoning administrator had told him there are no local permits in place
for the project. The board had determined in December 2007 that the
zoning administrator should send a letter to Mr. Gendron, and that if
there was no response, the zoning administrator should send the issue
to the attorney. Laura was directed to advise the zoning administrator
to follow the directions given in December 2007.

Greg and Nancy
Campbell stated they want to have a small greenhouse at their Hamilton
Place Extension property for shrubs, annuals, perennials, and nursery
trees. Some of the plants would be for their own use. Some would be for
use in Greg’s landscaping business. The board advised that the project
would need zoning approval, and that the board would be involved only
in the event of an appeal of the zoning decision.

James Clawson
discussed his water bill, which was more than double the usual usage.
He said a leak has been repaired. Jim was advised to follow the
procedure to have his meter checked, and that Mary Mankin will look at
the meter to determine whether it is set for 100 or 1000.

Motion
made by Robert St. Pierre, seconded by Mary Mankin, to approve the
minutes of the June 2 regular meeting. The motion carried unanimously.

Robert St. Pierre reported he has been offered $2000 for an old mower that has been storage. The board agreed to sell the mower.
Robert
discussed the high school generator, asking if it was for the wood chip
plant. The generator is for the main building to be used in the event
of an emergency evacuation. A rural development grant pays 55% of the
cost. Laura will get the numbers for the board.
Robert advised that
a new radio has been requested for the backhoe. The board discussed
whether the existing radio can be reprogrammed. Robert will check with
John Nutting.
Robert advised that the highway crew has been tied up
with water/sewer projects for the past couple of weeks. The cost to the
town for the “big hole” on Main Street was $5400. The crew will be
working on McAllister Road this week.
The board directed Laura to
send a letter to Blow and Cote requesting a refund of $100 per hour for
use of the hammer. She is to advise that town work was put on hold to
concentrate on the project, and that the going rate would have been
$200/hr. if the town had rented the equipment.
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
June 16, 2008
Page 2

Robert reported that Steve Combs will have knee replacement surgery on June 20.

Norris Tillotson reported that, now that ball games are finished, there will be fewer mowings at the playground.

Linda Collins reported the quote for the library chimney and liner is $6725.
Linda reported that she has checked with several fuel suppliers, and that Blouins Bros. has the best price.
The board agreed that efforts need to be made to reduce heat costs at the town and village garages.

The public safety commissioner reported that the Border Patrol will not enforce a curfew.

Linda
Collins read a bid submitted by Bruce Wetherby for trash collection in
the special services district. Bruce is requesting an increase of
10-cents per bag and 10-cents per extra sticker for the next three
years, effective in July 2008. Linda will prepare a letter to
rate-payers to be included in the next bill.

Mary Mankin reported she needs to make an appointment to work with Gary Snider on the water /sewer rate restructuring.
Mary
reported on a plugged sewer line on North Avenue on June 13. She said
there were paper towels in the line, and that the owner is responsible
for costs up to the main line. She said, after discussion with Eric
Collins, that the owner should be charged for 18 man-hours and the
backhoe. Norris Tillotson said the local standard for years has been
the owner is responsible to the town’s right-of-way. He said the road
had sagged, and that it had happened in the past. He said there were a
number of issues, including the repair was done incorrectly. The board
determined to have Dmitri Hudak attend the next meeting.

Motion
made by Robert St. Pierre, seconded by Norris Tillotson, to enter
executive session at 8:32 PM to discuss personnel. The motion carried,
with Mary Mankin voting no.

Motion made by Robert St. Pierre,
seconded by Mary Mankin, to leave executive session at 8:56 PM. The
motion carried unanimously.  As a result of executive session, the
board determined hard hats should be worn by men working in ditches.

Carl
Wetherby has requested that the water line for his father’s property on
Eastern Avenue be disconnected. The board agreed, subject to the $10
disconnect fee. The owner will need to pay for the excavation of the
line. If the town does the excavation, the owner will pay actual cost
to the town.

Selectboard Meeting Minutes
June 16, 2008
Page 3

The
board discussed a letter from Borderlands Economic Development Corp.
Laura was directed to send a letter stating that the board had answered
their questions to the best of their ability. They should send specific
questions, and the board will try to respond.

Laura reported a complaint about pigeon dung on Elm Street.

Laura
brought an issue from the zoning administrator regarding Michael Gross,
who had been given an extension to correct a zoning violation but who
had not complied with the agreed time frame. Laura was advised to send
a letter to the zoning administrator, directing him to send a letter to
the attorney by June 25 regarding the zoning violation.

Laura
presented a draft letter to business park property owners asking them
to determine how they want pump station problems handled. The board
approved the letter.

Laura requested leave time from June 27 through July 6. The board approved.

Motion made by Robert St. Pierre, seconded by Mary Mankin, to adjourn at 9:23 PM.  The motion carried.

Laura Ovitt
Administrative Assistant