Richford VT

SELECTBOARD MEETING
RICHFORD, VERMONT

March 17, 2008

Chair
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, Claude Coulomb,
Dmitri Hudak, Ken Fiske, Connie Burns, Marion Paul, Melissa Wells,
Carroll McAllister, Norman Fecteau, Wayne Hurtubise, Yvonne Combs,
Matthew Irons, Joey Randall, Joshua Aldrich, John Nutting, James
Backhaus, Jacques Desautels, Tammy Ryea, Hank Albarelli, Bill
McGroarty, Douglas Billado, Dan Newton, Bridget Guyman, Katie St.
Pierre, Christopher St. Pierre, Guy Charbonneau, and Jedd Kettler
(County Courier).

Eric Collins partially reviewed Selectboard Protocol as established by the Chair.

The
Selectboard discussed appointments to the zoning board of adjustment.
Members of the planning commission and others present were given the
opportunity to express their opinion. The Selectboard explained that
they had appointed people to the ZBA last year who were not on the
planning commission, and had said at that time that they wanted to
further separate the two boards.  Planning Commission members stated
they would not serve on the ZBA unless all except Tim Green were
appointed. Robert St. Pierre suggested appointing 5 members from the
planning commission and 4 at large.
Motion made by Linda Collins,
seconded by Eric Collins, to enter executive session at 7:34 PM to
consider appointments to the zoning board of adjustment from people
having expressed interest up to 9 available positions: Connie Burns,
Melissa Wells, Jeremy Noyes, Joan Cheeseman, Guy Charbonneau, Mary
Robinson, Karen Cangelosi, Jacques Desautels, Wayne Hurtubise, and
Norman Fecteau. The motion carried with 3 yes, Mary Mankin no, and Eric
Collins abstaining. All except Selectboard members left the room.
Motion made by Linda Collins, seconded by Robert St. Pierre, to leave executive session at 8:14 PM. The motion carried.
Laura
Ovitt, Joey Randall, Joshua Aldrich, Joanne Daigneault, James Backhaus,
Jacques Desautels, Douglas Billado, Jedd Kettler, Melissa Wells, Connie
Burns, Tammy Ryea, Hank Albarelli, John Nutting, Ken Fiske, Matthew
Irons, Wayne Hurtubise, Bill McGroarty, Carroll McAllister, Guy
Charbonneau, Norman Fecteau, Bridget Guyman, Marion Paul, Dan Newton,
Yvonne Combs and Dmitri Hudak rejoined the meeting.
Eric Collins
asked Marion Paul if the planning commission’s statement that they
would serve on zoning if 8 were appointed was final. She said that it
was.
Motion made by Robert St. Pierre, seconded by Norris Tillotson,
to appoint Melissa Wells, Mary Robinson, Guy Charbonneau, Connie Burns,
Karen Cangelosi, Joan Cheeseman, and Jacques Desautels (planning
commissioner) to the zoning board of adjustment. The motion carried
with 4 yes and Mary Mankin voting no. Laura was directed to send
letters to appointees.

Motion made by Linda Collins, seconded by
Mary Mankin to approve the minutes of meetings held in February. The
motion carried unanimously.

Selectboard Meeting Minutes
March 17, 2008
Page 2

Motion made by Mary Mankin, seconded by Linda Collins, to approve minutes of March 10 meetings. The motion carried unanimously.

Linda Collins reported for public buildings that she will need to meet with the previous commissioner.

Mary
Mankin reported for the water/sewer departments. She said she is in
contact with the state to determine how to restructure the rate
schedule. She said this is not her full-time job, and she wants to do
it right the first time.

Mary asked Dmitri Hudak to address the
status of the hydraulic study and water permit. Dmitri said there are
19 hydrants connected to 4” lines. He said he is working with the fire
department to flow test hydrants and do color coding. The long term
solution will be replacing the 4” lines.

Dmitri reported the replacement of the #11 manhole will be going to bid in a few weeks.

The
board considered the new sewage spill prevention plan, and discussed
different parts of the wastewater treatment that would have to fail to
result in a spill. The probability of a spill has been determined and a
plan is ready to adopt.
Motion made by Robert St. Pierre, seconded
by Linda Collins, to accept the report and forward same to the state.
The motion carried unanimously.

Mary reported a violation due to
testing for gross alpha later than scheduled. The test has been done,
and the violation was recorded as an administrative error.

Mary
reported that a public notice has been posted regarding a potential
wastewater overflow. The overflow would be most likely in the case of
high water due to spring thaws, or a major rain event. Matt Irons
suggested posting the notice outside the village and at the playground.

Motion
made by Mary Mankin, seconded by Linda Collins, to enter executive
session at 8:50 PM to discuss water and sewer personnel. The motion
carried unanimously. All guests except Dmitri Hudak and John Nutting
left the meeting.

Motion made by Norris Tillotson, seconded by
Mary Mankin, to leave executive session at 9:20 PM. The motion carried
unanimously.  Laura Ovitt, Douglas Billado, Joey Randall, Joshua
Aldrich, Marion Paul, James Backhaus, Bridget Guyman, Melissa Wells,
Dan Newton, Connie Burns, Tammy Ryea, Hank Albarelli, Matthew Irons,
Bill McGroarty, and Yvonne Combs rejoined the meeting.

As a result of executive session, the Selectboard will be rewriting sewer and water plant work sessions.

Selectboard Meeting Minutes
March 17, 2008
Page 3

Eric Collins asked that the Chairman issues be tabled until the next meeting.

The
Chair recognized Tammy Ryea of the Borderlands Economic Development
Corporation. Robert St. Pierre asked who is on the committee. Tammy
said she, Hank Albarelli, Bill McGroarty, Marion Paul, Joe Pollender,
Yvonne Combs and Heather Skilling are members. Eric Collins addressed
issues raised in a March 10 letter from BEDC. Eric explained the ballot
asked for approval for money to be escrowed for roads and bridges. He
said it may not be a dictionary term, but people have come to
understand the meaning. Tammy contended that the money has been spent
elsewhere.
Tammy also contended the money from the ambulance
equipment fund has been inappropriately spent. Eric said he was not
comfortable discussing these issues without the town clerk/treasurer
present.
Eric said the water and sewer commissioners, who are the
same as the Selectboard, took out a loan to cover the deficit in those
departments. The rate schedule was discussed.
Eric said Revolving Loan Fund details are not public information.
Tammy
said that BEDC is requesting a town audit. Eric said it could be put on
the warning for next year. Tammy asked if there was an opportunity to
vote before 2009. Eric said there is no money to pay for an audit, but
if it is petitioned the board cannot refuse.
Motion made by Linda
Collins, seconded by Norris Tillotson, to table the discussion until
Gary Snider is present. The motion carried unanimously.

Tim
Smith, Executive Director of the Franklin County Industrial Development
Corporation, arrived at 9:32 PM. He said that FCIDC’s current audit
cost more than $18,000. Tim said the new border patrol facility is
progressing. He said a distribution company is looking for a site, and
will provide 6-10 jobs. He said county-wide the economy is doing well.
Major employers are hiring but are having difficulty finding employees.
He said the situation will effect development for years to come –
employers will not locate in an area that does not have the workforce.
He said as many as 50% of the applicants cannot pass the drug screening
required by some employers. FCIDC is working with 5 high schools and
students not going to college to try to develop skills and internships
to fill workforce voids. Linda Collins suggested they should be working
with 12th grade teachers as well.

Motion made by Linda Collins,
seconded by Robert St. Pierre, to appoint Matthew Irons as animal
control officer. The motion carried unanimously. The position is
required to enforce the special district ordinances. The town will pay
for rabies and tetanus vaccinations.

Motion made by Linda
Collins, seconded by Mary Mankin, to accept the Firefighters
Association’s recommend to appoint Paul Martin as Fire Chief, Kenneth
Pigeon as 1st Assistant Chief, and Dale Pigeon as 2nd Assistant Chief.
The motion carried unanimously.

Selectboard Meeting Minutes
March 17, 2008
Page 4

Motion
made by Mary Mankin, seconded by Norris Tillotson, to appoint Alan
Fletcher to fill 2 years of an unexpired 3-year term on the Richford
Revolving Loan Fund Committee. The motion carried unanimously.

Robert
St. Pierre reported the town has applied for a $172,166 grant from the
Agency of Transportation for resurfacing South Richford Road. The town
also received a $7,000 grant from the Better Back Roads program for
ditching on that road.

Eric Collins discussed using employee-owned equipment on town projects. The board agreed that a policy needs to be developed.

Motion
made by Robert St. Pierre, seconded by Linda Collins, to approve a
driveway permit submitted by Jamie Rivers for a new home on Wightman
Hill Road. The motion carried unanimously.

Doug Billado
discussed opening class 3 and 4 town roads for ATV use. Eric Collins
suggested taking the statute to the voters as an ordinance, and maybe
having a public meeting on the issue.

Matthew Irons said he will
be building on Thomas Street and needs drainage for the project. The
nearest catch basin is on Home Street. He requested permission to
attach to the catch basin. He will do the work and pay for the cost.
Mary Mankin and Robert St. Pierre will look into the project and the
board will get back to Matt. The board recommended he get permission
from the affected property owners, even if he would be crossing in the
town right-of-way.

Motion made by Mary Mankin, seconded by Linda Collins, to adjourn at 10:55 PM. The motion carried unanimously.

Laura Ovitt
Administrative Assistant