Approved

Minutes of January 31, 2006
Middlesex Selectboard

Present: Walter Kelley, Abe Lewis, Cindy Carlson, June Lakin, Mary Just Skinner, Mary Alexander

Meeting called to order at 6:40 pm

The Boards adds to the agenda Zoning By-Laws and approval of the warning. 

June presented an amended proposed budget for the period 7/1/06 – 6/31/07. The Health Insurance line item has been reduced because she received revised rates.  A correction has been made to the Payroll Tax and Retirement line items for the Highway Department, which reduced the total budget to $759,427. The Board discusses the possibility to increasing the Town Clerk’s hours by having the office open on Fridays from 8:30 to 12:00.  The additional cost to have the office open would be $3750 per year. June agreed to this recommendation; her salary would increase 3% instead of the recommended 4% for other town employees. It is understood that if there is not enough work to justify the additional time and residents are not taken advantage of the office being open, at any time during the budget period the workweek would be reduced to 4 days. With approval of this adjustment, the total proposed budget is 763,177 or a 5% increase. 


Motion: Mary Alexander moves the proposed budget in the amount of $763,177. Walter seconds, motion carries.

Town Meeting Warning – The Board discusses the possibility of increasing the discount for early payment of property tax from the current 1.5% to2% and increasing the interest from .5% to .7% per month if property taxes are paid late. It was noted that interest rates have increased over the past year. These proposals were adopted.

After discussion the Board decides not place in the warning the League’s request to include the following: Shall the voters instruct the Governor and our State Representatives and Senators to oppose: any use of the State Education Fund for purposes that are outside the law’s original intent to “make payments to school districts and supervisory unions for the support of education, the shifting of existing state general fund expense obligations to the education fund and the reduction of any existing state general fund revenue support to the education fund. “

The Cemetery Commissioners positions are discussed. The Board referred to the state statutes to determine the responsibilities and duties of the Commission.  There is discussion of the possibility of changing these positions from elected to Board appointed. Also discussed whether to include a proposed budget to be included in the town budget and voted on by residents. It was noted that Commissioners are not paid a salary for their services. The Board decided to refer to the League for a recommendation on the elected versus appointed Cemetery Commissioners question.  The Board will meet on February 2, 2006 to discuss this matter further.

Motion: Mary Just Skinner moves approval of the 2006 Town Meeting Warning as presented subject to a special meeting on February 2, 2006 concerning the possibility of adding an additional article concerning the election or appointment of Cemetery Commissioners. Mary Alexander seconds, motion carries.

Zoning Discussion – Sandy Levine’s letter concerning the proposed Zoning By-Laws presented by the Planning Commission was reviewed and discussed. The Planning Commission is divided 3 to 2 on the proposal; the main concern is the issue of density. At the public hearings held by the Planning Commission, residents expressed concern that the proposal was too restrictive for Middlesex. The Selectboard heard the same concerns at its public hearing. Residents are concerned with the permitted uses and feel the building sizes should be increased to accommodate businesses. If any substantial change is made to the Planning Commission’s proposal there is not enough time to warn revised Zoning By-Laws for vote at Town Meeting. A vote would not take place until fall at the general election. There is discussion about adopting as interim zoning some of the agreeable items until a finished draft can be prepared. The Board feels that a proposal should represent the wishes of majority of the town and would like large participation in the vote.  There has been a lot of good work done by the Planning Commission to the proposal presented last fall, but the Board feels some additional adjustments need to be made. They also feel if the proposal is presented as is, the voters would defeat it. 
 
Motion: Mary Alexander moves to accept the draft regulation for the proposed Zoning By-Laws from the Planning Commission but Board will modify the proposal and hold further public hearings for a Town vote at the general election. Walter seconds, motion carries. Mary Just Skinner abstains.

A tax sale is scheduled for 2/8/2005 at the Towns Clerk’s office. The Board discusses the possibility of bidding on three properties: Alan Goldman $4754.23, Denis Nolan $2,767.40, John & Betty Cossett $2,667.95.
Motion: Walter moves to give June Lakin, Town Clerk, authority to place a bid on behalf of the Town Of Middlesex on the above properties. Mary Alexander seconds, motion carries.  

Other Business
An outline for the Board’s report for the Annual Report is reviewed. The Board will meet February 8, 2006 to write the Annual Report.

The proposed Memorandum of Understanding for Emergency Medical Service from the City of Montpelier for FY 2007 & FY 2008 is discussed. 

Motion: Mary Alexander moves to accept the Memorandum of Understanding for Emergency Medical Service in the amount of $30,479.50 for the year 7/15/06 – 07 and $32,425 for FY 08. Mary Just Skinner seconds, motion carries.

Motion: Mary Alexander moves approval of the Chittenden Bank Capital Equipment Refunding Note in the amount of $15,826 for the 1997 Caterpillar Grader and Capital Equipment Refunding Note in the amount of $12,200 for the 1997 Caterpillar Wheel Loader Backhoe. Walter seconds, motion carries.

The cost of adding a phone line for the Fire Department to the Unicel contract is $19.00 monthly. 

Motion: Walter moves approval of overweight permits for McCullough Crushing, Inc and Allen Lumber Company, Inc. Mary Alexander seconds, motion carries.

Motion: Mary Alexander moves approval of the January 10, 2006 minutes. Walter seconds, motion carries. 

Correspondence 

State of Vermont AOT – calendar year 2005 Bridge Inspection Reports

VLCT News

McKee, Giulliani & Cleveland notice of Fred Cleveland’s retirement

Request from Green Mountain Relay event June 10 – 11, 2006 – The Board agrees to grant approval for this event. 

State of Vermont Judicial Bureau report of collections in the amount of $96.00

2006 Annual Report – Division of Property Valuation and Review

VLCT Weekly Legislative Report

VLCT Local Government Day in the Legislature

Revised building replacement limits were received from the League of Cities and Towns. The limits were discussed. It was decided to request the League increase the value of the Town Garage #2 to $100,915 due to the improvements recently made to the building. 

Motion: Mary Just Skinner moves to accept the recommended building replacement value from the League of Cities and Towns with the adjustment to the Town Garage #2 to $100,915. Walter seconds, motion carries.

Meeting adjourns at 9:15 pm.

Respectfully submitted,


Cindy Carlson
Assistant to the Selectboard