Approved

Middlesex Selectboard
Minutes of the December 20, 2005


Present: Walter Kelly, Bill Callnan, Mary Just Skinner, Peter Hood, Mary Alexander, June Lakin, Cindy Carlson, Martin Hahn, Wayne Whitelock, Mary Hood, Don Welch, Abe Lewis, Sandy Levine

Meeting called to order at 6:35 pm

Kellogg Hubbard Library – Martin Hahn, Mary Hood
The Board was presented a library report for review. The library is making a request in the amount of $165,000 for all taxpayers and $13,166 for the Town of Middlesex. Middlesex residents have borrowed over 13,000 items from the library over the past year. The Kellogg-Hubbard Library is second only to Burlington in terms of size of their circulation and their circulation is 54% higher than the next most active library. A federal grant and private funding with no local taxpayers dollars have funded the bookmobile. They are in the process of applying for another federal grant as the current grant has expired. The book mobile has an average annual cost of $70,000. 

The library has lost interest income from their endowment and has had to tap into the principal to cover expenses. The Library Board is aggressively seeking to grow the endowment fund and is committed to raise the revenues to keep the taxpayer support at a minimal. Many cutbacks have been made and at this time they feel the only way to additionally reduce expenses would be to cut back on the hours opened. They have asked all organizations that use the meeting rooms for support, but many have no budget.  They are not looking to expand any programs, which would increase expenses.  There are state standards with penalties, which have to be meet if they charge fees for services such as use of the internet and rental of videos. It was suggested by the Board, that federal guidelines may be outdated and should be reviewed and possible recommendations made to update these guidelines. The Town of Berlin has been advised that a local taxpayer contribution must be made this year or they will not have free use of the library. The Berlin residents would have to pay for a library card if this contribution is not made. 

State Police Community Advisory Board – Don Welch, Wayne Whitelock
The goal of this Board is to facilitate communications between towns, residents and the State Police.  They operate such programs as START, which helps notify parents of the possibility of youths serving alcohol at parties, Neighborhood Watch programs, incident reporting forms, education presentations and literature and a public safety survey. The Board is asked to include in the town report a summary of their program. They would like the Board to appoint someone to represent the town in this advisory board. There are 15 active towns participating. They have made available to the town a Family Emergency Preparedness Workbook that can be left in the town clerks offices. 

There are minimal operating costs associated with this advisory board. They are requesting a fee of $100 from each town to be included in the town’s budget. 

June Lakin, Town Clerk
A proposed budget of $789,000 was reviewed and discussed. The budget will be finalized at the next Board meeting.

Sandy Levine, Planning Commission
A Board received a copy of the proposed draft for the Land Use and Development Regulations, which will be presented by the Planning Commission at their public hearing January 11, 2006. The document has been simplified from last year’s proposal. They may also make minor miner modifications to the current zoning map.  Once the document is officially presented to the Board a public hearing will need to be held if the Board accepts the draft. The Board will schedule a public hearing 1/24/2006 in anticipation of receiving the official document from the Planning Commission. This was agreed upon so proper notice can be give in the event it will be voted on by the public at Town Meeting 2006.

Other Business
All orders were signed.

The Board received a letter concerning a delinquent tax notice and penalty.  The property tax payment was made, however, the check was returned for NSF funds. The resident called the town clerk and explained that the check was going to be returned, and that funds had been transferred but were not available at the time the check was deposited. The resident did not want to issue a replacement check at that time due to the amount of the check. A replacement check was not received by the deadline and the Tax Collector was notified.  They are asking that the town waive the penalties accessed, as they had been in communication with the Town Clerk. The issue has to be handed by the Board of Civil Authority, a meeting will be scheduled prior to the next Board meeting.   

The Board discusses the towns process of notify residents of returned checks. 
Correspondence:
VLCT Professional Services announcement

VLCT News

VLCT notification of The Leader: Helping Control Health Care Costs at VLCT

VLCT Tow meeting Tune-up Workshop 1/11/2006

Opinions Newsletter

CV Economic Development – survey for top three economic development priorities

Northeast municipal forum

VLCT Weekly Legislative Report

VLCT Local Government Day in the Legislature 2/15/2006

Minutes of 11/9/2005 Middlesex Planning Commission Meeting

Insurance Alert from Massamont Insurance Agency, Inc.

Notice from VLCT concerning their prior reinsure NLC Mutual insurance rating.

Letter from Robert M. Fisher concerning the town equipment

Verizon New England, Inc. petition and order for pole and wire location request to place, replace, and maintain poles and associated wires, cables, anchor/guys and trimming/cutting rights at Tel RTE 6-4, Culver Hill Road. Gary has reviewed and recommends approval.

Motion: Bill moves approval of the Verizon New England Inc., petition for Tel RTE 6-4, Culver Hill Road. Mary Just Skinner seconds, motion carries.

Overweight Permit
Paul I. Stone Jr. Trucking

Motion: Mary Alexander moves approval of the overweight permit for Paul I. Stone Jr. Trucking.  Bill   seconds, motion carries.

The Board discusses the possibility of putting on a warning for town meeting granting authority to the Select Board to appoint cemetery commissioners instead of having it an elected position.

Meeting adjourns at 9:15 pm