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Approved 2/10/2004
Middlesex Selectboard Minutes
of January 27, 2004
Present: Walter Kelley, Mary Just Skinner, Mary Alexander, Peter Hood, June Lakin, Cindy Carlson, Mike Morissette, Gary Lamell, Emily Kamansky, Abe Lewis, Shawn Fielder
Meeting called to order at 7:04 p.m.
Mike Morissette, VT Department of Transportation
Vermont controls its own Storm Water Regulation and is a little bit behind with the implementation process. One of the areas to be amended is the Construction Permit. Currently you are required to apply for this permit if you are altering 5 acres or more for large construction projects such as new pavement, multi-family units, etc. The new regulation has decreased the acreage to 1. An example of how this permit may affect the town would be if pavement were going to be extended, not replaced. Even if the extension of pavement is going to be done in increments you have to look at the entire project and the new regulation would apply.
All towns are going to be affected by the Multi-Sector General Permit, which was anticipated to be in place last year, but it may be another year before towns have to comply. Town Garages and Sand and Gravel Extractions would fall under this category. A plan for Storm Water Prevention has to be in place and it is suggested a monthly checklist be completed. There is a training element, which the Transportation Department would conduct with the Towns. Mike gave the Board a guideline on how the State will be replacing culverts in the future.
The EPA has given preliminary approval of some of the sections of the permit requirement. The EPA has give both the towns and the Agency of Transportation a 5-year grace period to have their “charged” sand piles covered. “Charged” meaning sand mixed with salt. Liquid Chloride Storage Tanks will have to be contained. There is now Double Walled Polyethylene Tanks available and the State is starting to use cement encasements to hold these tanks. Floor Drains can go to a daylight drain if there is no mechanical work being done or storage of hazardous materials being done in that bay. If you wash vehicles, the water has to go to an oil water separator.
Mike will keep Gary and the Board informed of the process and will send some additional information.
Emily Kaminsky – CT VT Revolving Loan Fund
The name of the program has been changed to Community Capital of Central Vermont. There was discussion of how to promote the program to Middlesex residents – direct mail flyers will be sent out, information to be kept in the Town Hall and use of the Middlesex Occasional.
There is a small part of the agreement which needs to be changed, Attachment, A, page 2, paragraph 5 – which refers to paragraph G3 should refer to paragraph G4. There are sub-grant agreement forms that also need to be reviewed and signed. Paul Giuliani has looked at Grant and the Sub-Grant agreements and submitted a letter to the Board with his approval.
Motion: Mary Just Skinner moves approval of the Community Capital of Central Vermont formally known as Central Vermont Revolving Loan Fund, Grant Agreement with the Town of Middlesex and authorizes Peter Hood to act on behalf of the Board. Mary Alexander seconds. Motion carries.
Gary Lamell, Road Commissioner
Notice has been received from the US Department of Transportation regarding regulations that must be followed when hiring new employees or giving information on previous employees concerning drug and alcohol testing.
Gary submits to the board two Grant Application/Agreements for review and signature. One is for re-pavement on the Three Mile Bridge Road and the second for installation of a box culvert on the Three Mile Bridge Road.
Motion: Mary Just Skinner moves approval of the grant applications for repaving a section of the Three Mile Bridge Road and installation of a Box Culvert on the Three Mile Bridge Road. The town share is $13, 043 for the Box Culvert and $16,020 for the pavement. Mary Alexander seconds; motion carries.
Certificate of Highway Mileage outlining the number of road miles within town; the number is the same as last year.
Motion: Mary Alexander moves to accept the Certificate of Highway Mileage presented by Gary Lamell. Mary Just Skinner seconds; motion carries.
Gary has reviewed and recommends approval of the application from Washington Electric for the power line extension on the Center Road.
Motion: Mary Alexander moves to accept the Permit Application from Washington Electric for the extension of the power line on the Center Road. Mary Just Skinner seconds; motion carries.
Gary has reviewed and recommends approval of the application from Green Mountain Power for power line relocation on Shady Rill.
Motion: Mary Just Skinner move to approve the power line relocation on Shady Rill Road by Green Mountain Power. Mary Alexander seconds; motion carries.
Budget Discussion
The revised proposed budget was reviewed and discussed. It was decided that the line item under the Fire Department for stipends would be deleted and Insurance for the Fire Department would be put back into their proposed budget. There was discussion of starting a fund for future building projects. There was discussion of the Bridge and Culvert Fund; reimbursement for grants received for this line item is not reflected in the budget. The full cost of the projects is shown as an expense, so keeping this in mind there is approximately $29,000 in the proposed budget that could be allocated to another line item.
There was discussion of purchasing a couple of ballot booths as June expects a larger number of voters this year. The cost for 3 would be approximately $500.00, 2 would be $375.00. June also recommends that the vote for Zoning Regulations not be held in November due to the number of anticipated voters.
There was discussion of taking over the North Branch Cemetery, There is almost $100,000 of funds in accounts, they will be present at the next meeting, and will be asking the town if they can take over the cemetery.
The contract from the Humane Society will be amended to a two-year period instead of one at the cost of $700.00. This has been paid under the 18-month budget so for the 2004 – 2005 proposed budget the line item can be zero. The Humane Society received 18 animals from the Town of Middlesex in 2003 and if the contract were pay as you go, the cost would have been $100 per animal regardless of who brings in the animal. The town will receive notification of change in the contract.
The total of the special articles is $21,740 with an additional $150,000 for the Fire Departments request for a fire truck.
There was discussion of who holds the title to the fire trucks the town or the fire department and June has requested that the titles of the trucks be stored in the Town Hall. A letter will be written to the Fire Department requiring them to store the titles to the Fire Trucks in the Town Hall.
Expenditures for the last calendar to budgeted expenditures are virtually level. If there were $25,000 added to the budget for the establishment of a building fund, and $29,000 taken from the bridge & culvert fund would the result would be a $4,000 reduction in the tax rate. The board knows it will be facing substantial building costs in the future. It was decided to place $25,000 request for a building fund as a special article instead of including it into the budget.
Gary asks when the small truck is replaced this spring, whether the note and interest will go into the proposed budget. The truck will be ordered for delivery after 7/01/04, so the note will go into the 2005 – 2006 budget.
Motion: Mary Alexander moves the budget of $691,591 with a separate article for $25,000 for the establishment of a building fund. Walter seconds. There was further discussion of how the $25,000 fund could be used for future building projects such as addition of a bay to the town garage, or for the study for new town facilities. Motion passes.
Other Business
There was discussion of how much sand should be ordered for the balance of this winter. Gary recommends 500 yards, which would be the minimum that will carry him through the rest of the season. The price is higher now that it would be in the spring, but it will be needed before the end of the winter. A typical year would use approximate 5500 – 6000 yards per winter.
All orders were signed.
There was discussion of the special article for the discount on real taxes and if the discount should be changed. The article states 1.5% or a lesser amount. It is the feeling of the board that the discount should not be any more than interest paid on a savings account
Renewal notes in the amount of $24,400 for the 1997 Caterpillar Backhoe and $35,000 on the Grader were reviewed.
Motion: Mary Just Skinner moves to renew these notes. Walter seconds, motion carries.
The grader has a balance of $45,000, the backhoe approximately $30000.
Overweight permit for Cardinal Freight.
The certificate of Insurance was not acceptable and the permit was not accepted.
Motion: Mary Just Skinner moves approval of the warning for the March 2, 2004 Town Meeting. Walter seconds; motion carries.
There was discussion of the use of the town hall and if the town’s insurance covers host liquor liability, which means the town is giving away the liquor, and if the town gets sued, the policy provides coverage. The town can not sell liqueur but it is the believe of the Board that if someone wants to rent the town hall and serve liqueur, the town should request a certificate of insurance from the renter.
Motion: Mary Just Skinner moves the minutes of 1/13/04, Mary Alexander seconds; motion carries.
Update from Traffic Court: $1,681.50 in fines; the town should receive this amount within the next couple of weeks.
Correspondence
Traffic Summary from 12/1/03 – 12/31/03 $173.00
VLCT News
A Letter from Black River Design outlining an action plan for a feasibility study for a new town facilities. The proposal calls for a total of 91 hours of work $8,645 offering the service for $5600. Discuss will be held at the next meeting.
Regional Planning Commission meeting 1/13/04 Agenda and minutes of 12/9/03
Meeting adjourns at 10:20 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Carlson
Executive Assistant to
The Middlesex Selectboard
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