Richford VT

SELECTBOARD MEETING
RICHFORD, VERMONT

September 24, 2008

Chairman
Eric Collins called the special meeting to order at 7:00 PM with
members Linda Collins, Mary Mankin, and Norris Tillotson present. Law
enforcement present were Sheriff Robert Norris and Sgt. Lynch, and VT
State Police Troopers Jim Bose and Trooper Smith.
Also present were
Laura Ovitt, Connie Burns, Betty Clawson, Joshua Aldrich, Marion Paul,
Jackie Meunier, Carolyn Gendron, Brian Broe, Joe Pollender, Alfred
Gendron, Steve Sheperd, James Backhaus, Hank Albarelli, Pam Royea, Tim
Green, Yvonne Combs, Cedric Cote, Albert Perry, Matthew Irons, Justin
Randall, Lisa Smith, Jeremy Noyes, Ricky Mason Jr., and students
Anthony Burns, Donny Bessette, TJ Aldrich, Mason Farrar, Dylan
Charbonneau, and Levi Carpenter.

Eric Collins initiated the
Selectboard discussion with law enforcement personnel. Sheriff Norris
explained that department dispatch is on duty Monday – Friday 8:00 AM –
4:00 PM and 5:30 PM – 3:00 AM. He said during other times people should
call the State Police as they always know the sheriff’s schedule.
Sheriff Norris recommended working on the town’s bicycle ordinance.
The
board approved permission for young people to ride their bikes on the
pile of dirt behind the village garage until the dirt is needed for
road repair. He said the board will work on a more permanent solution
for spring.
Carolyn Gendron offered information about the Tony Hawk
Foundation, which will assist communities to organize and build
skateparks. Laura was directed to get more information.

Eric
Collins opened the discussion to the visitors present with Connie Burns
moderating. The students present said they would like a place where
they can hang out and ride their bikes. They are willing to help build
a park and to raise money. They said in the winter they would use the
space to snowboard.
Jim Backhaus spoke on behalf of the law
enforcement task force, formed as a result of the community visit
conducted by the Vermont Council on Rural Development in 2007. He
invited people to work with them and said they want to work with the
Selectboard to find a solution. People may contact him, Tammy Ryea or
Albert Perry.
Law enforcement personnel advised residents to contact
the State Police first. Sgt. Bose said many calls are only documented
due to manpower and budget constraints.
Pam Royea suggested that the
Selectboard warn the sheriff’s contract as a separate article at town
meeting instead of including it in the general fund budget.
Sheriff Norris distributed statistics for his department in Richford from January 1 – August 31, 2008.

Motion made by Mary Mankin, seconded by Linda Collins, to adjourn at 8:28 PM.

Laura Ovitt, Administrative Assistant