Approved

Middlesex Select Board
Meeting of 2/27/2007

Present: Walter Kelley, Bill Callnan, Peter Hood, Cindy Carlson, Gary Lamell, Mary Alexander, Mary Just Skinner, Peter Bluhm, Greg Fabor, Bill Rossmassler, Dave Sheppard

Meeting called to order at 7:05 pm

Gary Lamell, Road Commissioner
Gary reports that the Town’s insurance company has completed an inspection of the Town Garage. The inspector has requested the air compressor be moved out of the oil room and put into the shop. The furnace in the garage has not been running properly.  The oil company has suggested that a new tank be installed as the furnace is drawing sediment from the tank. Gary will review the options to replace the tank and to replace the furnace with a propane burner. Gary will post the roads as soon as they start to thaw. 

Peter Bluhm addresses the Board concerning ditch erosion in town. He feels that additional seeding needs to be done when ditches are dug to help protect the soil. Peter provides photos that were taken this fall showing erosion of several ditches along town roads. Peter states that he realizes the road crew has taken steps to plant grass and that some volunteers have assisted in the past, but feels additional planting needs to be done. Peter has reviewed the state guideline for ditches created by the State and feels the Town should follow this policy. 

Gary advises the Board the Town has adopted the State Guidelines.  Ditching that has been completed within the past several years have had seed planted but older ditches have not, nor has the road crew gone back and planted along these areas.  There are some areas ditched last fall that will be planted this spring. Gary states he is trying to implement the plan the best he can, as it is difficult to have grass grow along these areas since it is easily washed out. If matting and additional visits to the ditched area were done until the grass grew, there would be additional costs associated for both materials and labor.  Gary states that less ditching would be done in town, as the matting is very expensive.  It has also been difficult to obtain mulch hay in previous years. Peter Bluhm states that it may prevent having to re-ditch the same areas. 

Gary feels that the road crew may be able to go back and update some of the older erosion areas this year. Peter Bluhm provides the Board with a draft policy on ditching and erosion control.  There is discussion of renting a hydro-seeder, which plants the seed and mulch at the same town. 

Motion: Mary Alexander moves to adopt the following Implementation Policy: 

During construction of new ditches, all ditch construction areas will be seeded and mulched as soon as reasonably possible. Mulch and seeding will be inspected and repaired on a regular basis until grass is established to serve as a permanent and effective erosion control. 

Mary Just Skinner seconds, motion carries.

Peter Bluhm addresses his concerns about a policy on notice given to landowners when projects are completed within the town right-of-ways. He feels it is courteous to town’s people. Peter does not feel all the work completed in the town right-of-way is routine. A draft policy on Notice is given to the Board for future review.

Ancient Road Policy, Bill Rossmassler, Dave Sheppard
A proposal was given to the Board for an announcement to be made at Town Meeting, with the same notice placed in the Middlesex Occasional concerning the Ancient Road Study. The Board is in support of the announcement.

Discussion of the town obtaining a GPS unit, the highway department will need to purchase one in the near future. 

Lydia Menenez, Central VT Solid Waste Management District
There are 22 member towns and the district helps the towns implement waste management. The State approved a plan in December 2006 requesting that illegal burning of household trash be further addressed. The Solid Waste Management has obtained a grant to educate towns on the policy and advocate the towns to adopt a policy. 

The town can do any of the following:
1. The Town can choose not to enforce and leave it up to the Solid Waste Management District.
2. Town Enforcement of the state statute. 
3. See what other towns have done – there is a link on their website to other towns and model ordinances.
4. Adopt a town policy.

Central Vermont Solid Waste is recommending that a town policy be adopted to address privately owned burn barrels.  The Board has concerns about enforcement with this type of town ordinances.  If there is a complaint received within town, the Town Health Officer, Town Constable or Fire Warden can enforce the state statute. 

Lydia will be invited back to give a summary of the Central VT Solid Waste Management benefits to the Town and to discuss this in further. 

Other Business
Motion:  Mary Just Skinner moves to approve overweight permits for: Mclure Moving & Storage DBA Excel Transport Inc., A. Withers Trucking, Thomson Timber Harvesting & Trucking LLC, Newport Sand & Gravel, Inc./Carroll Concrete Co., Inc., Griswold. 
Bill seconds; motion carries

Motion: Bill moves approval of the minutes of 1/9, and 1/30/2007. Mary Alexander    seconds: motion carries.

Motion: Mary Alexander moves approval of the minutes of 2/13/07. Mary Just Skinner seconds; motion carries. Bill abstains.

Notice from the Planning Commission of a public hearing on a proposed update to the Middlesex Town Plan along with copies of the proposal for the Board

Meeting adjourns at 9: 15 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Cindy Carlson
Assistant to the Middlesex Select Board