Approved

Minutes of the Middlesex Select Board

December 12, 2006

Present: Walter Kelley, Bill Callnan, Cindy Carlson, June Lakin, Peter Hood, Mary Alexander, Abe Lewis, Mary Just Skinner, Mark Tillinghast, Elisabeth Fortman, Jeff Koonz, Jeremy Goff, Kate Scott, Zach Tallinghast

Meeting called to order at: 6:40 pm

The Ancient Roads Grant that the town applied for has been approved in the amount of $5000

Budget 2007-2008
The Conservation Commission submitted a proposed budget in the amount of $1,000. They have requested that funds be set aside this year for the Tree Warden due the possibility of potential tree related projects in town in the amount of $1,000. They have also requested a special article amount for the conservation fund in the amount of $5,000.

The Middlesex Recreation Field submitted a proposal in the amount of $2,400. The tennis court needs to be re-sealed this year and the proposal includes projected increased costs for the resealing.

The Planning Commission submitted a proposed budget in the amount of $2,075. 

The Middlesex Fire Department submitted a proposed budget in the amount of $32,000. The Fire Department will start fund raising for a new pumper truck in 2010. Engine #2 will need to be replaced. The current pumper is a 1981 model. The issue of Dry Hydrants was discussed; there have been reports that residents have contacted the Fire Department with no response. The Fire Department is asked to coordinate installation of these hydrants. There is discussion of accelerating the current payment of the fire truck debt, as the Town cannot afford debt service on two trucks at the same time. The Board would like a report showing how many calls the Fire Department has responded to and a purchase schedule for future trucks/equipment. The Fire Department is in the process of doing research on billing for fire department service charges. 

Health Insurance
A comparison of current Blue Cross rates was made to the proposed Cigna, MVP and AIVIS Blue Cross Blue Shield rates. After discussing these plans, it was decided to proceed with a proposal from L. Samuel Miller, AVIS for Blue Cross/Blue Shield VT Freedom plan with an increase in the deductible to $500. 

There was discussion of the current town policy for vacation and sick days. The current plan gives 1 day per month earned for both sick and vacation with a 20-day cap on vacation and no cap on sick days. This will be reviewed again after the budget is finalized.

The Board decided not to meet again until 1/9/2007. 

The Zoning Administrator is working on new zoning applications and will present them to the Board on 1/9/2007. A new fee schedule will be developed as well. There was discussion of issuing a certificate of occupancy on permits that were approved prior to the adoption of the new zoning by-laws.  This will be discussed further at the 1/9/2007 meeting. 

Motion: Mary Just Skinner moves to approve the minutes of 11/14/2006. Walter seconds; motion carries.

Motion: Mary Just Skinner moves to approve the minutes of 10/10/2006. Mary Alexander seconds; motion carries.

All orders signed

Motion: Mary Alexander moves to approve the Certificate of Highway Mileage for year ending February 10, 2007 as completed and recommended by Gary Lamell, Road Commissioner.  Bill seconds; motion carries.

Correspondence
Opinions Newsletter

NESEC News

Notification of Regional Hurricane Tabletop Exercise 1/20/2007

The Seedling Newsletter

Letter from Middlesex Conservation Commission regarding vacancies on the Commission

Barre Town Newsletter

Superior Court of Vermont – notice of pre-budget meeting

George D Aiken RC&D notice

Letter from James Colby concerning Zoning Regulations and town highway #34




Other Business

Motion: Mary Alexander moves to appoint Cindy Carlson, as Assistant Zoning Administrator. Bill seconds, motion carries.

The Town Meeting Solutions Committee feel there may not be broad enough participation in the town budget process at the Town Meeting. The Committee suggested holding some meetings to promote the process in smaller groups. There was discussion of the possibility of holding a public hearing as part of the budget process. 

Meeting adjourns at 8:40 pm.

Respectfully submitted,



Cindy Carlson
Assistant to the
Middlesex Select Board