Approved

Middlesex Select Board
Meeting of January 30, 2007

Present: Walter Kelley, Bill Callanan, Mary Just Skinner, Cindy Carlson, Gary Lamell, Mary Alexander, Abe Lewis, Kendal Dowen, Bill Rossmassler, Dave Shepard, Scott Gurley, Peter Bluhm, Thea Schwartz

Meeting called to order at 6:30 pm.

Gary Lamell, Road Commissioner
Gary Lamell reports that loggers have abused the 3-Mile Bridge lately, so the bridge has been posted for a 16,000 lbs weight limit.  The Board requests that when the overweight permits are approved language be added stating the 3-Mile Bridge and Wood Road Bridge have weight limits.

The Board received a letter from Senator Patrick Leahy thanking the Road Crew for quickly responding by sanding and plowing during a recent storm.

The States Certificate of Highway Mileage was signed. The Board clarifies that 770’ of Town Highway-29 was reclassified from a Legal Trail to Class 3 Road on Zdon Road.

Susan Clark, Town Meeting Solutions Committee
There are approximately 90 new registered voters. The Town Meeting Solutions Committee will send a letter to all new voters welcoming them to town meeting.

Last year pie charts were developed outlining the town’s expenses between general government, school budgets and special articles for Town Meeting. A spreadsheet was developed showing how the budget might affect a family’s tax rate using property valuations as an example. It was decided to include the pie chart in these years Town Report. There will be a hand out with the spreadsheet showing “What each item means for your taxes” and a display will be at Town Meeting of both the pie chart and the spreadsheet.

The Board discussed the article on the warning seeking that all financial issues be voted on by Australian Ballot. The Board feels that Town Meeting gives residents the opportunity to voice their opinion.  The Board is concerned that if this article passes it has been the town’s history has been to approve all financial requests brought before the voters. There is evidence that shows voting financial matters by ballot, does not bring out more voters.

Special Articles – The Town Meeting Solutions Committee suggests that the Board form a committee to review the special articles and make a recommendation at Town Meeting.  The Town Meeting Solutions Committee will make recommendations at Town Meeting. 

It was recommended that the Select Board make a verbal report at Town Meeting.

Kendal Dowen
On 12/13/2006, Kendall received a letter from the Planning Commission advising him of a meeting concerning the Henry Niles Project. This project is on property located adjacent to him and is accessed by a right-of-way across his property. Kendall tried to obtain information at the meeting concerning what the plans were to improve this right-of-way. Both the Planning Commission and the Zoning Administrator advised him that there was not information available concerning the right-of-way. He was also advised that the meeting was to review the permits not the right-of-way. 

The Board reviewed documents Kendall provided concerning the permits approved by the Planning Commission. The permits were approved based on additional information be provided concerning the right-of-way.  Kendall was advised that the right-of-way is described in his deed and that he should consult with an attorney to represent him in this matter.  It may be that this permit application was filed under the old zoning regulations, but was approved under the new regulations. Kendall was advised to write a letter to the Planning Commission pointing out the discrepancy in reference to the zoning regulations.

Kendall feels that the Planning Commission did not treat him respectfully. He also feels it was pre-mature to approve the permit without knowing what will happen to his right-of-way.  Kendall states that he has a right to know how his property will be affected by this project prior to any activity taken place on his property. 

Conservation Commission
The Conservation Commission asked the Board about the intent of the $5,000 Ancient Roads Grant. Paul Gillies stated that he would teach volunteers to help in the research. Interested volunteers have approached the Conservation Commission. The Board and the Commission decided a notice should be placed in the paper asking for interested volunteers.  The Board prefers to use volunteers rather than paying for consultants.  A summary will be put together for the Town Meeting and the Conservation Commission will present a scope of the project to the Board at the 3/13/07 meeting for review. 
 
Correspondence
Vermont Coalition of Municipalities invitation to become a member of their coalition.

Letter from National Flood concerning the revision to the Flood Insurance Rate Maps.

VLCT – Local Government Day in the Legislature 2/14/2007

Opinions News Letter

Advanced Zoning and Land Use in Vermont seminar 3/29/07

Weekly Legislative Report


June Lakin, Town Clerk
A proposed budget for 2007 – 2008 was reviewed and discussed.  All salaries and debt services were reviewed and discussed, June pointed out several corrections she made. The Budget Committee recommends that the Select Board increase their rate of pay.

Motion: Bill moves to increase the Road Crew Salary budget by $7,000, add a new line item for a truck purchase $11,000, increase the discretionary fund by $500, increase the Town Hall Maintenance by $4,000 to $5,000, increase Legal Fees from $6000 to $7000, increase other salaries and related expenses by $1,523 and Select Board salaries be increased $100 ($600 for members) $150 to the chair ($750) for a new total budget of $795,666 before special articles. Mary Alexander seconds, motion carries. 

Motion: Bill moves approval of the 2007 – 2008 proposed budget as amended to $795,666. Walter seconds, motion carries.

It is noted that the total increase in the proposed budget for the General Government including special articles is slightly less than 4% over the 2006-2007 budget. 

The Special Articles for Town Meeting were reviewed. 

Motion: Bill moves to approve the warning for Special Articles as presented with the addition of the VT Trails and Greenways in the amount of $30.00.  Mary Alexander seconds.  Motion carries.

Motion: Bill moves approval of the 9/26/06 minutes. Mary Alexander seconds, Motion carries.

Meeting adjourns 9:12 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Cindy Carlson
Assistant to the
Middlesex Select Board