MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

JULY 31, 2008

 

Selectboard Present:   Sheldon Sawyer, Whitney Aldrich, Jamie Teague

Mr. Sawyer called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM with four people present in the audience.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCE AUTHORITY – MEDC / Andrus Associates:  Matthew Suchodolski, Southwest Region Planning Commission, had forwarded the contract between the Town of Walpole and the Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) for the Selectboard to review.  The cost for the town attorney to look it over could be reimbursed through the administrative funding.

Mr. Aldrich moved to sign the CDFA contract pending the approval by Attorney Jeremy Hockensmith and to authorize Mr. Suchodolski to take it to the attorney.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

JIM TERRELL:  Jim Terrell reported that the paving on Elm Street will be done by the end of next week.  The sidewalk work will be eliminated for this year due to budget constraints.  The Northcott’s have a stock pile of stone and have offered to allow the Town to take the stone as needed and they will not bill until the first of next year.  The Selectboard approved this arrangement.  Mr. Terrell will keep a running total.  The drainage issue on Colonial Drive has been repaired and so far it has held up through the storms. 

Mr. Terrell explained that when the lease agreement with Hillsborough Ford for the Ford “450” truck was being signed it did not include the price for the plow frame.  This will not effect the payment for this year but the second and third payments will increase. 

Mr. Parrott, a property owner on Center Street, reported that his fence was damaged over the years by plowing and snow pick-ups.  The fence is down the middle of his property and the town’s right-of-way.  Mr. Parrott is willing to buy the material if the Town will put the fence up.

Mr. Aldrich moved to allow Mr. Terrell to replace a fence that will be one-foot off the property line with materials that Mr. Parrott has agreed to buy.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

A letter was received from Stewart Bailey on Wentworth Road regarding his concern about a few trees.  Mr. Terrell recommended that the Selectboard write Mr. Bailey a letter to advise that even if the trees are in the right-of-way they actually belong to the landowners.  Mrs. Teague suggested that the Selectboard take a look at the trees.

Mr. Aldrich moved to send a letter to Mr. Bailey telling him of the Town policy when trees are in the right-of-way.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  Motion passed unanimously. 

Vacation Time Roll-Over – Bruce Russell and Mike Symonds:  Mr. Terrell advised that Bruce Russell is requesting permission to roll-over one week of vacation time in accordance with the Personnel Rules.  Mike Symonds is also requesting permission to roll-over one week of vacation time. 

Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the one week of carry-over vacation time for both Bruce Russell and Mike Symonds.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

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Highway Department Budget:  Mr. Terrell discussed the Highway Department operating budget; after setting aside funds for salaries, benefits, etc. the remaining balance is approximately $55,000.  He asked for guidance from the Selectboard on their preference for projects.  The Selectboard approved having him obtain bids for the March Hill wash-out project but it will have to wait until next year.  Mr. Sawyer recommended that he keep the work as close to budget as he can.  In the meantime, Mrs. Teague will go over the actual budget figures to-date.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $462,505.83.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.    

The above amount includes a payment in the amount of $390,125.33 to the Fall Mountain Region School District.

Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the voided check register for check No. 052564.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the voided check register for check No. 052556.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

PAYROLL:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending July 26, 2008, for gross wages in the amount of $17,037.95 or net wages in the amount of $8,676.84.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $3,851.20.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

PUBLIC BUSINESS (Continued):

FIRE DISTRICT – Herb Hurlburt:  Mr. Hurlburt referenced Article 7 that was passed at the Town Fire District Meeting for $35,000 for a roof on the Fire Station.  Unfortunately the project will not be completed in 2008 but they would like to purchase the shingles before the price goes up.  Mr. Sawyer advised that the money can be carried-over if they have a signed contract.   

MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – July 24, 2008:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of July 24, 2008, as printed.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  With Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Sawyer in favor, the motion passed.  Mrs. Teague abstained as she was not present at this meeting.

Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the first Non-Public Selectboard meeting of July 24th, 2008, as printed.  These Minutes will not be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  With Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Sawyer in favor, the motion passed.  Mrs. Teague abstained as she was not present at this meeting.

Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Minutes of the second Non-Public Selectboard meeting of July 24th, 2008, as printed.  These Minutes will remain sealed as they contain information on personnel.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  With Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Sawyer in favor, the motion passed.  Mrs. Teague abstained as she was not present at this meeting.

Selectboard Meeting – July 31, 2008 – Page 3

Selectboard Meeting – July 17, 2008:  Mr. Sawyer noted that on page 3, under Jim Terrell – Time Off Request, the request for a Personal day should be changed from “August 2nd” to “August 7th”, 2008. 

Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the above amendment to the July 17, 2008, Selectboard meeting minutes as noted above.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard received and reviewed the minutes of the following meetings:  1) Cemetery Committee meeting – July 11, 2008; 2) Planning Board meeting – July 22, 2008; and 3) North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners meeting – July 29, 2008.

ABATEMENTS:

CARTER & MERRY LAKE FAMILY TRUST – Map 019-072-000 – Water/Sewer:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Abatement for the Carter & Merry Lake Family Trust for the following amounts:  Water $681.80 and Sewer $496.02.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.  

REFUNDS:

KENNETH & WENDY WHITON –PROPERTY TAX REFUND- 2007 – Map 001-015-005:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Refund for Kenneth & Wendy Whiton for their 2007 Property Taxes for the following amounts:  Principle $853.00 plus Interest $35.75.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

JOHN HOLLAR –PROPERTY TAX REFUND- 2007 – Map 001-015-001:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Refund for John Hollar for his 2007 Property Taxes for the following amounts:  Principle $1371.00 plus Interest $57.46.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS: 

TOWN HALL INCREASE:  The Selectboard reviewed the proposed Town Hall Rental Fee Increases to be effective July 11, 2008.  It was agreed to add that “Tables and chairs will not go out of the Town of Walpole”.

Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the Town Hall Rental Fee Increases as presented.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

FOREST FIRE WARDEN BILL:  Mrs. Teague moved to send this bill from the Forest Fire Warden to the North Walpole Fire Department c/o Fire Chief Ed Hasselman.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

ROUTE 12 APPLICATION FOR ACCESS TO FANNY MASON FOREST:  There was a consensus to pass over this agenda item.  Mr. Sawyer will discuss this with Mrs. Galloway, Chair of the Conservation Commission.

AUMANDS & SONS – REQUEST PROPERTY ASSESSMENT ADJUSTMENT OF MAP 028-002-000:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve the recommendation of the Town’s Assessor.  Seconded by Mr. Sawyer.  Motion passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

RICK COOPER – VACATION TIME:  The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of a memo from Rick Cooper noting that he has four weeks of vacation time so will start taking one-half or full

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days off beginning on August 11th as the job requirements and training time allows.  He will be available to Mr. Coburn by cell phone.

LEGAL OPINION:  Mrs. Teague moved that the Chairman and any representative he chooses should meet with the Town attorney to confirm the legality of a document.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCTS & SERVICES OF VT, INC. – Waste Removal:  During last weeks meeting Mark Houghton explained that this paperwork would be coming before the Selectboard.  The contract is in the amount of $1,351.00 – one-half will be paid from the Water account and one-half will be paid from the Emergency Management account.

Mr. Aldrich moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Hazardous Waste documents with Environmental Products & Services of VT, Inc.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Aldrich moved to recess this meeting.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.  The time was 9:46 PM.

The Selectboard entered into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees of Trust Fund.

HOOPER

TRUSTEES OF TRUST FUND MEETING

Mr. Sawyer called the meeting of the Hooper Trustees of Trust Fund to order at 9:48 PM.

HOOPER INSTITUTE – Lightning Strike:  The Trustees were advised that a tree had been struck by lightning.  They agreed to look at the tree.

HOOPER SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE:

Mervin Stevens- Resignation:  Mr. Sawyer moved to accept the resignation of Mervin Stevens from the Hooper Scholarship Committee.  A letter will be sent to thank him for his many years of service.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

Appointment:  Mrs. Teague moved to appoint Kim Lewis as the Chair of the Hooper Scholarship Committee.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  Motion passed unanimously.

Vacancy:  There was a consensus of the Trustees to post a notice to announce that there is a vacancy on the Hooper Scholarship Committee.  Letters of interest should be submitted to the Hooper Trustees of Trust Fund c/o the Selectboard Office. 

     Mr. Aldrich moved to adjourn this meeting of the Hooper Trustees.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.  The time was 9:54 PM.

The Selectboard resumed their regular meeting. 

SELECTBOARD MEETING (Continued)

Mr. Sawyer resumed the Selectboard meeting at 9:56 PM.

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NON-PUBLIC SESSION:  Mr. Aldrich moved to enter into a Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) Personnel.  Mrs. Teague seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion passed unanimously.  The time was 9:58 PM. 

The regular meeting resumed at 10:20 PM.

Personnel:  There was a consensus of the Selectboard to ask Paul Colburn to attend the next Selectboard meeting on Thursday, August 7th, 2008, at 7:00 PM.

Mr. Aldrich moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mrs. Teague.  Motion passed unanimously.  The time was 10:26 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary