Town of Johnson
Select board Meeting
Monday, July 20, 2009
Upstairs, Johnson Municipal Building
APPROVED
Select board Members present: Eric Osgood- chair, Howard Romero, Rocky Hooper, Margo Warden, Doug Molde.
Others present: Duncan Hastings; Administrator, Rosemary Audibert; Town Clerk, Steve Smith; Road Foreman, Jim Tomlinson from Public Access television, Jessica Flores; AR Clerk, Lois Frey.
Eric called the meeting to order at 7:02pm.
The first order of business was to review and approve meeting minutes from July 6, June 15, and September 15, 2008. The minutes from September were not ever presented to the Board for approval.
Rocky moved to approve the minutes for June 16 & July 6, 2009. Howard seconded. Unanimous in favor. Motion approved.
Rocky moved to approve the meeting minutes from September 15, 2008. Howard seconded. Rocky, Howard, Margo, and Eric voted in favor. Doug did not vote as he was not on the Board at that time. Motion approved
Rosemary handed out the budget status report. Duncan handed out a spreadsheet with the budget figures and yearend figures. The budget was discussed. Duncan asked the Board how they wanted to allocate the year-end surplus. The spreadsheet showed the budgeted allocations and Duncan & Rosemary’s suggestions for actual allocations. Rosemary suggested transferring to the anticipated tax reserve fund.
Howard made a motion to transfer the surplus as shown on the spreadsheet less the conservation committee’s $1500 to the anticipated tax reserve fund. Rocky seconded. Unanimous in favor. Motion Approved.
Those included: amount to reduce taxes, highway reserve fund, dust control & culvert, audit expense, and misc. grants.
Rosemary asked the Board if the office could purchase Access database software used for elections and a new desktop. This would be paid for by a Federal IT grant for Towns. This would be at no cost to the Town.
Howard moved to have Eric sign the IT grant application. Rocky seconded. Unanimous in favor. Motion approved.
Rosemary handed out the delinquent tax list. Rosemary states that the Town hasn’t collected much on delinquent taxes. About half of the people on the list have made payment agreements and will be paid off by December of this year. Duncan suggested formatting the delinquent letters to show how much interest is accruing on those delinquent balances. The Board agreed that would be a great idea. Rosemary stated that there is $168,000 in delinquent taxes at this time. She went on to say that usually at this time there is about $100,000 in delinquent taxes.
The Town will receive $233,000 from the State for PILOT money and the Town had budgeted for receiving only $143,000. The current use money will come in at $77,000. the Town only budgeted for receiving $45,000.
The house passed new legislation for recording fees in preparation for the digitalization of recording documents. As a result, the fees went up by $2.00 from 8 to 10. Rosemary suggested putting the extra two dollars in a special reserve fund for the software and training that will occur a few years down the road when the computerization of land records is implemented. The Board agreed that was a good idea to put the money aside for the new technology.
Foreman’s Report:
Since last meeting there was 8.3 inches of rain. All the bridges have been washed thanks to the Johnson Fire Department pumper with Daryl at the controls. All chloride has been applied this year. The Highway department replaced a 30 inch culvert on West Settlement Road. Wescom, Prospect, and West Settlement Roads have been graveled. They started roadside mowing today. The single axle truck is at Fairfield Equipment for the new body and should be done this week. Steve and the Highway Dept. saved $2,000 by painting it themselves and Steve sold the old one for $1500 which was $1000 more than the dealer was going to pay.
They got the material for replacing the bridge on Reservoir Road. That should take place during the second week of August. Steve bought the concrete blocks from Carroll Concrete for half the price by having the road crew load them. He also picked up a few extras for future use. Steve mentioned there have been complaints of increased vehicle usage on Mine Road up toward the Mines. VT statutes and public safety were discussed extensively. The Board directed Duncan to write a letter to the owner of the mine property to notify them of the increased usage of the road.
Robert Schulz, Lea Kilkyadova, Yvonne Martine and Greg Stefanski arrived at 7:45pm.
Library Trustees:
Robert Schulz addressed the Board regarding the future of the Town Library. The Library has been fortunate enough to receive a large donation from the Jones family. He asked the Board to appoint an Ad Hoc Committee to study /plan the library’s future. The Library Trustees feel that a larger space is needed. The building is much too small for current needs.
Doug moved to advertise the need for volunteers for the Ad Hoc Committee in the local newspaper. Margo seconded. Unanimous in favor. Motion approved.
Robert also mentioned that the parking lots are in need of maintenance. Robert asked Steve if the Highway department could expand the front lot by three feet and lay down stay mat in the back lot. Steve said that was no problem.
Margo moved to have the Highway Department fix the Library’s front and back parking lots. Howard seconded. Unanimous in favor. Motion approved.
8:05pm- Eric opened the Public Hearing for LYFS Community Development Block Grant application.
Greg Stefanski discussed the goals for LYFS. The grant is for $200,000. supporting the public facilities and transition to the new location.
No questions were asked of Greg. The hearing closed at 8:07pm.
Eric called the regular meeting back to order at 8:10.
Administrator’s Report:
The Better back Roads grant for Gould Hill was discussed. Duncan asked the Board if they wanted to hire a sub contractor or have our guys do the culvert work. The Board agreed that it would be a better idea to rent an excavator and have the road crew do the culvert work, due to the Federal Highway requirements if he hired a sub contractor.
8:17pm Public Hearing for Talc Mill Grant application
Lea explained that this application is to study the Talc Mill property for future light industrial and residential uses. A feasibility study would tell us what the best course of action is for the property. Examples include extending the water/sewer service area to include the property, testing soils, etc. The grant application is for $15,000. Doug asked Lea why the study didn’t include the possibility of recreational use. Yvonne asked about the flood plain. Lea said the study would show the best location for buildings on the property. Yvonne also inquired about what would happen to the dirt road. Lea stated that at this point the planning is in the preliminary stages so she’s not sure what would happen to the road. The Hearing was closed at 8:30.
Eric called the regular meeting back to order at 8:30pm.
Administrator’s report continued:
#1) Highway department wages. Duncan discussed the median wages for towns similar in size. The Foreman’s wage is at 106% of the median, the rest of the crew is at 117% of the median. Steve stated that the point is that other employees got a 2% raise while the HW department only got 1%. Eric stated that everyone’s wages will be examined in the Fall budget planning season. He also stated that while it was correct that Highway got a 1% raise this year, their wages were increased significantly last year when we switched to a 40hr week and employees were advised then that raises would be reviewed with regard to comparisons of other towns.
Rocky made a motion to approve a 2% wage increase for the highway department. Margo seconded. Rocky and Margo voted for. Eric, Doug, and Howard voted against. Motion did not pass.
Howard moved to approve a 1% raise for the Highway Department. Doug seconded. Doug, Howard, and Eric voted in favor. Margo and Rocky against. Motion passed.
#8) Town Highway #60. River Road West. David Butler is doing a small subdivision. His surveyor has questioned if the road was properly laid out. There is a Class II portion that David would like to discontinue. Duncan stated that the burden of proof to show the road was not laid out is on the landowner. If it is on the Highway map it is presumed to be a public highway. Board discussed not giving up the road as they’re public assets. The Board decided to wait until they get a formal request.
Lea’s Work plan and contract:
Her proposed work plan was discussed. It was previously adopted by the Planning Commission and the Trustees on July 13th, 2009. The Board commended Lea on another great sculpture show.
Doug made a motion to approve Lea’s work plan and to have her work with the Board to assess where the town is on meeting the Council on Rural Development priorities. Howard seconded. Unanimous in favor. Motion approved.
Howard moved to approve 2 grant applications with Lea as the direct contact and giving Duncan authority to sign on behalf of the Board. Doug seconded. Unanimous in favor. Motion approved.
Lea also asked the board is she may complete a letter of intent to reapply for the Rail Trail planning grant. The Board directed Lea to do so.
#7) The LRSWMD contract draft will be tabled until the Board gets a chance to look at it in detail. They will resume discussion next meeting.
#3) Ad Hoc Zoning Committee- Alex Nadeau’s recommendation was discussed.
Doug moved to appoint Alex Nadeau to the committee. Margo seconded. Unanimous in favor. Motion approved.
#4) Recommendations for Municipal Person of the Year- Duncan asked the Board for names. They will get back to Duncan if they have recommendations.
#5) The listers need their Tax Department software licensed.
Howard moved to have Eric sign on behalf of the Board for the new software. Doug seconded. Unanimous in favor. Motion approved.
#6) Voting delegate for VLCT Annual meeting- Eric has been the delegate in the past.
Howard moved to appoint Eric as delegate again this year. Margo seconded. Unanimous in favor. Motion approved.
#9) There has been a complaint about the garbage outside the “Hotel apartments” owned by Gilles Lehouillier.
#10) The Powerhouse bridge is now closed for sewer line work. It’ll re-open in approximately 30 days.
#11) The Hess motion for contempt has been withdrawn.
#12) The LCPC is doing an inventory of our roads at no cost to us.
#14) Proclamation for the Jones family. The selectboard will hold a reception for the Joneses on July 28th for their outstanding community service and continued contributions to the Town.
Doug moved to proclaim the week of July 27th as Jones Family week. Margo seconded. Unanimous in favor. Motion passed.
#15) The Board agreed to recognize a member of the community for her long standing service to the Town.
#18) Town sewer service area- Laraway School and Nichols property- The board decided to take this into executive session after the regular meeting.
#19) The dirt bike track issue seems to be resolved. The parties have come to an agreed schedule.
#21) There are some residents in Hardwick who have submitted a motion of reconsideration for the Rail Trail. It is The Act 250 Commission’s opinion is that the Rail Trail is not subject to Act 250.
Selectboard issues: Margo asked what happens to trees that have been cut down by the Town/Village. Duncan stated that the normal course of action is to leave the logs for the landowner to utilize. Eric mentioned that he sat in on the Joint Fiscal Committee and the economic news is dire.
Howard moved to go into executive session at 9:30. Margo seconded. Unanimous in favor. Motion approved.
Doug recused himself as he is working as the Village attorney on the issue.
Margo moved to come out of executive session at 9:40. Seconded by Howard. Unanimous in favor. Motion approved.
Meeting adjourned at 9:41pm.
Respectfully submitted by,
Jessica D. Flores