Approved

Minutes of the Middlesex Select Board
Meeting of January 9, 2007

Present: Walter Kelley, Mary Just Skinner, Mary Alexander, June Lakin, Cindy Carlson, Kendall Dowen, Bill Callnan, Richard Alderman, John Lincoln, Duncan Nichols
Abe Lewis, Bill Yaccavoni, Helen Weed

Meeting called to order at 6:32

Middlesex Listers
The town has received the latest CLA from the State. In 2004 the town’s percentage was 103.38, 2005 it was 96.95% and 2006 it was 88.28%. The 2006 percentage is an 8.9% reduction. If the CLA percentage is below 80%, the State requires a reappraisal and allows the Town 2 years to start the reappraisal process. There is State funding available for appraisal services. The town received $8,500 in 2006 from the State for the reappraisal fund. The Listers estimate the town will have a fund balance of $40,000 by 2010, which should cover the cost of an update to the latest appraisal.   

The possibility of doing a 10% increase by category was also discussed instead of a complete reappraisal. The Listers are concerned about land values, as some parcels of land have sold at a higher than expected price. The Listers budget was discussed. 

John Lincoln, Zoning Administrator
An updated Zoning Permit Application, request for Certificate of Occupancy and Certificate of Occupancy prepared by John Lincoln was reviewed and approved.  The term “substantially complete” was discussed. John feels the definition means that the structure is enclosed and can be occupied. At that time he will consider the Certificate of Occupancy request. No permits were submitted during the change to the new Zoning By-Laws that would require issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.

The current fee schedule and a proposed rate schedule were reviewed.  John feels that passage of the new Zoning By-Laws will triple his time spent on the permit process. John researched fees in surrounding towns in developing his proposed fee schedule. The proposed fee schedule is as follows:
Residential, commercial or industrial project under $25,000 - $75.00
Residential project over $25,000 - $200
Commercial or industrial project over $25,000 - $325.00
Subdivision – each parcel created - $125.00
Home Industry - $125.00
Board of Adjustment Appeal - $75.00

Motion: Bill moves to adopt the above fee schedule. Mary Alexander seconds, motion carries. 

The zoning wages were discussed for the 07-08-budget period. The line item was increased to $3,500. It is expected that the income from the above fees will be approximately $6,000. 

June Lakin, Town Clerk
The General Government budget for 07-08 period was reviewed. 

Bill Yacavoni, Town Auditor
The Audit Report was reviewed for the period 07/01/05 – 07/01/06. The Auditor has submitted the following recommendations:

The Town Treasurer perform a reconciliation of the property taxes to verify the total property taxes billed agrees to the amount of property taxes collected and the amount of property taxes that are delinquent and abated.

To prevent a potential loss, all funds invested by the Town be covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or properly collateralized by the financial institution.

 
The Town currently accepts property tax payments by the “post mark” not “the date received”.  The NEMRC accounting program automatically marks payments that are not received by the due date as delinquent, no Grace Period is allowed.  A manual adjustment can be made to the accounting program, but it does allow for potential error.  It was decided after further discussion that an article would be placed on the Town Warning to have residents vote to change the due date of property taxes from “postmarked” to “date received”.

Other Business
Motion: Bill moves appoint Scott Gurley to the Middlesex Conservation Commission. Mary Alexander seconds, motion carries.

Motion: Bill moves to approve the minutes of 12/12/2006. Mary Alexander seconds, motion carries

Motion: Bill moves to approve Jason Merrill as the Town Forest Fire Warden for the period 7/1/2006 – 6/30/2011. Mary Alexander seconds, motion carries.

The Board received a letter from Mary Collins asking the Board to consider reducing the present 50 mph speed limit on the western end of US#2 to a maximum speed of 35mph.  The Board will hold a public meeting on 2/13/2007 to discuss further.

Motion: Bill moves approval of the First/Second Class Liquor License Application for SDP, Inc., Middlesex Auto Sales. Mary Just Skinner seconds, motion carries.

The Town of Moretown is updating flood maps near the Middlesex/Moretown Bridge and a revision had to be done which affected Middlesex Residents. Peter has signed the necessary documents. Middlesex residents have been notified.

Correspondence

Quinlan letter of introduction regarding assistance in locating grants

VLCT Municipal Policy Priorities

VLCT presents Municipal personnel Primer

Public Agency Training Council – Training Seminar Phase I Practical Kinesic Interview and Interrogation

VLCT News

Superior Court of Vermont – Washington County proposed budget for fiscal year 2007 – 2008

VT State Police contract summary for November 2006

VLCT present Local Water Quality Protection

VLCT Weekly Legislative Report

VLCT News

Letter from Sunwise Surveying concerning mapping completed for the town.

VT State Police contract summary for 10/06

Central VT Regional Planning Commission – Minutes of 12/12/06

Meeting adjourns at 9:30 pm.


Respectfully submitted,

Cindy Carlson
Assistant to the
Middlesex Select Board