Approved

May 8, 2007

Middlesex Select Board Minutes

Present: Walter Kelley, Mary Just Skinner, Bill Callnan, Peter Hood, Mary Alexander, Karen Greenwood, John Rahill, Cindy Carlson, John Lincoln, Bill Rossmassler, Gary Lamell, Don & Lise Wexler

Meeting called to order at 6:30 pm.

Municipal Facilities Report
The Rough Cost Projection section of the report was discussed. The Board feels that Scenario A which includes a new fire station, new town offices and meeting space, new historical society space and an added bay at the town garage is cost prohibitive. 

John Rahill highlighted the differences between scenario A, B and C. It is recommended that the fire station be replaced with a new building and not renovated. John states that a renovation project to the existing building would be similar to the cost of a new building. Renovations to the building would have to include raising the ceiling to increase the height of the bays. It was recommended that other options for a fire station be explored along with some of the smaller renovations to the town hall and to the school to accommodate town meeting.  The Town also has to consider renovations that will need to be done to the town garage to meet upcoming state regulations. The Board wants to keep in mind that continuing building costs such as increased utilities have to be considered with this project with this project.  

The Board would like to have a proposal and plan for a new fire station and the other renovations to the town hall and school to present at town meeting 2008.  John recommends that an RFP be prepared to provide an architecture design for the fire station. He expects the costs to hire an architect firm would be $10,000 - $20,000. The Conservation Commission would like the Board consider the use of part of the former Morse property as green space in conjunction with the fire department. A letter from Doug Lombard was read addressing his concerns regarding this project.

John Lincoln, Zoning Administrator
Scott & Catherine Merrill have submitted a permit to subdivide their property into 3 lots. Lot 1 and Lot 3 have adequate road frontage, however, lot 2 only has 50’ of road frontage. Under the zoning regulations, this is a miner subdivision.
Motion: Mary Just Skinner moves approval of the application minor subdivisions submitted by Scott & Catherine Merrill because the access to Portal Road exceeds the required 20’ right-of-way onto an existing public road. Bill seconds, motion carries. 


Other Business
Bill Rossmasser, Conservation Commission – The Department of Housing and Community Affairs have grants available for public education concerning conservation and how land use affects the town municipality.  The grants have a $800 maximum limit. The deadline for submission is 5/15/07, with a 90 day turn around for acceptance. Bill is willing to submit the grant application and to monitor the grant.  The Board is support of submitting the grant application.

Don & Lise Wexler, new owners of Camp Meade. Renovations will be made to the front of the building to re-open as a restaurant. Red Hen Bakery will occupy an addition that will be added to the building. As part of the process, a minor Act 250 permit application has to be submitted. A letter is needed from either the Fire Department or the Select Board stating there is no impact to the town if the addition is made to the building. The Board is excited about the changes being made to Camp Meade and the letter will be sent to the Wexlers.

The Town of Moretown has received funds under their by-ways grant application. A celebration of the program will be held May 20th. 

Summary of the Downtown and Village Center Tax Credits program was given to the Board.  This program provides tax credits for historic rehabilitation, façade improvements and code improvements. This will be discussed at a future meeting.

There is a hearing on the Flanagan/Austin case for Friday, May 11, 2007.

Gary Lamell, Road Commissioner
Gary submits a proposal for a new backhoe from Milton Cat in the amount of $101,000 with a trade in allowance of $33,000 leaving a balance of $68,000.  The trade in value is more than the Board was expecting. The price is part of the contract the State of Vermont has obtained for purchases that the towns can participate in. Gary gave the Board a summary of the highway budget, anticipated expenses and an explanation regarding a refund from the State. 

Motion: Bill moves to purchase the backhoe from Milton Cat as outlined in the proposal. Walter seconds, motion carries. 

The One Ton Truck is at Walkers having repairs made. The truck is 1200 miles over warranty. 

The highway work plan is discussed. Gary has not submitted a work plan, as he has not been able to firm up the projects.  The Board had decided to postpone approving a town policy until all the Board members are present. Gary has checked with other towns, and Moretown is the only town with a highway notice policy in place, which they are reviewing. Gary will put an updated work plan for June and July in the next issue of the Middlesex Occasional. 

The Financial Report was reviewed and discussed. The Board would like to have a plan in place at the next meeting regarding the town clerks return to work. The Board discusses the possibility of using retired town clerks if needed. 

All orders were signed

Correspondence
The town copy of the 2007 Certificate of Highway Mileage.

VLCT News

Letter from Timberline Events concerning the Green Mountain Relay scheduled for June 2nd – June 3rd.

Act 250 Notice for White Out, LLC public hearing scheduled for May 22, 2007

Copy of appointment of Assistant Town Treasurer, Joanne Hull, dated May 7, 2007.

Notice from VLCT regarding change in VLCT PACIF Staffing.

VLCT Weekly Legislative Report

VLCT notice of GovOffice Web Solutions

Overweight Permits
Motion: Mary Alexander moves to approve the following overweight permits: Steve Wilder, Wilder Trucking; Jeff Baker Trucking, Duane Wells Construction, inc.; Champlain Construction Co., Inc/Bear Dog, GT Hayward Trucking – Shawn Hayward, Thomas M. Wood Builders Inc., Robert E. Vize DBA Vize Mobile Home Transport, Paul C. Garcia.  Bill seconds, motion carries. 

Motion: Mary Alexander moves to approve the minutes of 2/27/07. Bill seconds, motion carries.

Motion: Mary Alexander moves to approve the minutes of 3/27/07. Mary Just Skinner seconds, motion carries.

Motion: Mary Just Skinner moves to approve the minutes of 4/10/07. Bill seconds, motion carries.

Motion: Bill moves to approve the minutes of 4/24/07. Walter seconds, motion carries.

Meeting adjourns at 8:45 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Carlson
Assistant to the Select Board