Richford VT

SELECTBOARD MEETING
RICHFORD, VERMONT

November 3, 2008

AS CORRECTED NOVEMBER 17, 2008

Chairman 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, Tim Green, Marion Paul, Jacques Desautels, Wayne Hurtubise, Carolyn Gendron, Marcia Perry, Dmitri Hudak and Marianne Hall. Eric advised that the meeting was being recorded.

Marcia Perry requested Selectboard support for a Rural Development loan to NOTCH to relocate the dental office to Main Street Mill. She explained that the zoning board had given NOTCH conditional use approval in Nov. 2006 for office use of ½ of the 4th floor at the Mill. Motion made by Linda Collins, seconded by Mary Mankin, to approve Selectboard support for the project. The motion carried unanimously.

Tim Green was present at the meeting at Selectboard request to respond to complaints filed by the zoning board at the Oct. 27 special meeting. Eric Collins read a number of issues reported by the ZBA and Mr. Green responded.

Motion made by Linda Collins, seconded by Norris Tillotson, to approve the minutes of the Oct. 27 special meeting as corrected by Mary Mankin. The motion carried, with Robert St. Pierre abstaining.

Motion made by Robert St. Pierre, seconded by Linda Collins, to approve the minutes of the Oct. 20 regular meeting as presented. The motion carried.

Robert St. Pierre reported the highway crew is almost finished drawing sand for winter.
The crew will be fixing North Ave., River St. and Thomas St. that were excavated for sewer repairs.
Work has been being done on McAllister road.
Equipment is being made ready for winter.
The winter parking ban needs to be warned (Dec. 1 – Apr. 15).
Fuel for the “Village” garage has run $5000-$6000. The dept. will try to park elsewhere.
Tim Green asked if plowing was necessary during the last storm, saying his sign was nearly destroyed.
Carolyn Gendron asked why the road crew was moving a chair that had been dumped on town property.
Dmitri Hudak asked if blacktop for repair sites should be borne by the sewer dept. It will be paid by highway.

Norris Tillotson reported that parks and cemeteries are taken care of until spring.

Selectboard Meeting Minutes
Nov. 3, 2008
Page 2

Linda Collins said she would like to see the 2nd floor of the post office building made handicapped accessible. The CDBG program is available for handicap access.

Linda discussed the BEDC youth dances at the town hall. The young people are charged more to pay for police presence, but a non-police person was hired. She had parental complaints that the person did nothing. She also had reports from zoning board members that the young people were out of control. Several guests said they had not seen anything inappropriate. Robert St. Pierre said a certified law enforcement officer would need to be present and a one-way policy observed. Linda will contact BEDC.

Trash issues were discussed. Tim Green said there are three cans at the end of his driveway with old stickers on them. Laura was directed to contact Bruce Wetherby.
Robert St. Pierre reported a trash issues on Troy and Center Streets. The health officer will be contacted.
Laura reported an issue with a commercial property using the municipal trash pick-up. Laura was directed to send a letter.

Mary Mankin revisited, and the board discussed, the question of permitting compensatory time in lieu of overtime pay, referring to 29 C.F.R. 553.20. Eric Collins recommended attending the VLCT workshop and then revisiting the question.
The board discussed the proposed schedule for Frances Whitney, dividing time between highway and water/sewer. Robert St. Pierre said he is not in favor of the proposal, and neither are Frances or John Nutting. The board will revisit the scheduling.

Eric Collins reported he met with James Backhaus of the law enforcement task force, who said the task force wants to be a constructive part of making law enforcement more effective. Eric said he is opposed to having a separate article for the law enforcement budget because he believes it would be detrimental to the community, and suggested going to the new year with the same or greater budget to allow hiring an additional officer or a 2nd constable.
Linda Collins reported a “No Trespassing” sign will be posted at the town hall with a notice posted in the newspaper.

Laura reported that Our Lady of the Meadows has applied for an additional 2273 gallons per day sewer allocation for their addition. They have agreed to add special screening/settling tank for the sewer to cure the recurring problem at the pump station. The board will discuss further at the next meeting.
Laura reminded the board of the FCIDC annual meeting on Nov. 12.
Laura reported that the easement requested for access to the sewer line in the business park has not yet been prepared.
Laura requested time off on the afternoon of Nov. 6, and on Nov. 7 and Nov. 26. The board approved. She reminded the board that she will be out on Nov. 14 (birthday) and the offices are closed on Nov. 11, 27 and 28 for holidays.

Selectboard Meeting Minutes
Nov. 3, 2008
Page 3

Carolyn Gendron reported her complaint about Sheriff Robert Norris and his deputies. Eric Collins advised that the sheriff carries liability for the department and the complaint is a civil issue between the department and the citizen.

Tim Green discussed various zoning issues.
Tim said the violation letter for the Main St. property owned by Tim Camisa will be sent tomorrow. He said the bylaw states the property needs to be returned to grade. The board is concerned that compliance will compromise Main Street, and recommended “shore up lot and fill in.”
Tim reported an issue at the corner of River Street/North Ave. whereby drainage from the Methodist Church is running into the basement of a property.
Tim reported he will be meeting with Attorney Michael Gawne on Nov. 5 to discuss the Michael Gross violation. There will be a hearing on Nov. 12 before the environmental court.

Laura asked if there is any time frame on updating the bylaws. Marion Paul said there is no schedule.

Eric Collins called a 5 minute recess at 10:00 PM.
Eric reconvened the meeting at 10:05 PM.

The board continued review of the proposed water/sewer rate restructure. After much discussion the board determined that no decision would be made at this meeting, and that perhaps there would need to be a percentage increase for the spring billing with the restructure being adopted at a later time.

The board discussed the zoning administrator/zoning board conflict, determining the issue is largely one of communication.

Motion made by Robert St. Pierre, seconded by Linda Collins, to adjourn at 11:00 PM. The motion carried.

Laura Ovitt
Administrative Assistant