Apr 20

4/20/2009

Town of Johnson
Selectboard Meeting
Monday, April 20, 2009
Upstairs, Johnson Municipal Building

APPROVED
Selectboard Members present: Eric Osgood- chair, Howard Romero, Doug Molde, Rocky Hooper, Margo Warden.

Others present: Duncan Hastings; Administrator, Rosemary Audibert; Town Clerk, Steve Smith; Road Foreman, Jim Tomlinson from Public Access television, Greg Stefanski, Charlie Granier, Lois Frey, Robert Hoag, Brad Reed, Linda Jones, Steve Reber, Lea Kilyadova.

Eric called the meeting to order at 7:04pm.

Howard made a motion to approve meeting minutes of March 16, 2009. Rocky seconded. All in favor. Motion approved.

Treasurer’s Report:

Rosemary stated that the budget looks good. Eric asked about the last payment from the state. Rosemary said we have yet to receive payment. Duncan mentioned that the Town did budget for a 25% reduction from the state. Rosemary handed out a listing of accounts that are going up for tax sale. Rosemary stated that out of the list a dozen will probably actually be sold at tax sale; most of them are trailers. Jan and Rosemary are going to a Treasurer’s meeting on the 1st and 2nd of June at St. Mike’s.

Lois Frey came in at 7:10, Robert Hoag arrived a little bit after.

Foreman’s Report:

Since last meeting there have been roughly 11 inches of snow. The Town plowed once and sanded once using 3000 yards of sand and 180 tons of salt. Steve has been working with the Morrisville Highway department regarding purchasing a plow blade for next winter. By collaborating with Morrisville the Town can save $240.00 per plow. The mud hasn’t been as bad as past years, it’s just about dried up. The Highway department used a finer stone this year to clear the mud, which will help prevent flat tires. Due to the dry weather in the past couple weeks we have been using the york rake and Beaver has been operating the grader well into the evening hours. The dry weather has been a blessing and we have our roads in very good shape at this time. The Highway department is about half done moving the rail trail away from the shop. All of the equipment survived the winter with no breakdowns and is in excellent shape.

Margo asked if the finer stone is more expensive. Steve responded that no, it’s a dollar a ton cheaper. Eric stated that Steve’s right on track with the overtime hours. Duncan stated that it would be beneficial for Doug to visit the Highway Department garage and see the equipment used; Margo said she would also like a tour. The equipment is in excellent condition. The state of the equipment speaks volumes for the highway department. Steve left the meeting.

Eric reminded everyone of the Lamoille County Sheriff’s advisory board meeting tomorrow night. Thursday night is the Lamoille County select board collaboration at Green Mountain Tech Center.

Howard mentioned that the Johnson State College Rugby team is looking to volunteer for the Town somehow. Howard talked to Amy Langlois about cleaning up the recreation fields and it’s in the works as we speak. Also, in June there are two events at the Skate Park which would require noise ordinance waivers. Eric suggested that Howard submit the applications and they’ll handle those in May.

Eric stated that the select board will have a work session meeting on the second Monday in May.

There were members of the public who attended who were not on the agenda. Eric granted them a couple minutes to speak.

Steve Reber came in the spread the word about the Johnson Elementary School principal search. The principal search committee has received 25 applications so far. There will be a Community Input forum next Monday at the Elementary school. The hiring process will be over about June 14th. Steve left the meeting.

Bob Hoag came in to talk about a regional police force and if the Board had any thoughts. He stated that we have to pay for services anyway. Bob also asked if there are openings on the Johnson Planning Commission; he’d like to be considered. Eric stated that he’d look into it to see about openings, Bob should contact Jim MacDowell the chair of the planning commission. Eric invited Bob to attend their meetings. Bob Hoag also mentioned logging the Gomo and Prindle lots. The Board indicated they would consider logging Prindle and maybe some firewood on Gomo. Bob talked about use of the Talc Mill property site to develop as commercial/industrial land. He was against the approval for selling the Talc Mill property because he believes it’s a great asset right now and the Town should look into other options.

Administrator’s Report:

Duncan spoke briefly about Laraway Youth & Family Services’ purchase and sale agreement on the Nichols property. Doug stated that he would have to, as a selectman, recuse himself during any discussion regarding that issue because of his involvement with the village as the village attorney. Doug stated that he would like the Board to take formal action on his recusal and indicate whether they had any objections to him acting as village attorney. He wishes to remain ethical in every way.

Howard made a motion to accept Doug’s decision to recuse himself as a selectman and support his decision to represent the Village as their attorney. All in favor. Motion passed. Doug abstained.

Rocky mentioned the sewer line and the Laraway property. His concern was that the new Laraway property would be taken right off the Town tax rolls and the burden would fall to the taxpayers. He wondered why the Village/Town would approve an extension of service for an entity that would take money away from the Town. Duncan replied that they would be purchasing about 40 acres but also selling the existing Laraway property.

Hess property: Linda Jones will be in later to talk about the Hess Property as the court ordered Charles Hess Jr. to clean up the mess. The property has yet to be cleaned up.

Rocky made a motion for the Town attorney, Dave Barra, to file a motion for Contempt of Court in the Hess Health Order. Margo seconded. All in favor. The motion passed.

Doug mentioned that in his hometown there is an ordinance that allows the Town to clean up properties that are in disrepair. The costs of clean up of the lot would become a lien on the property.

Duncan went through the old business items on his report. Lea is interested in finding out if the Selectboard & Trustees are interested in filing a CDBG grant (to help get funding for sewer and water lines) application for Talc Mill. The select board agreed in concept. Lea can bring in an application with the proposal.

Lea spoke about the Main Street Project and the Park Street bridge.

Howard made a motion to submit a request to Vtrans to swap 15’ of sidewalk due to conflict with the Main Street project. Margo seconded. The board agreed as long as there are no additional costs. If there are more costs, then come back to the Board.

Lea asked about the permanent easement for Main Street Project in front of the Municipal Building. The Board agreed with the plans.

Greg Stefanski and Charles Granier appeared to talk about the Laraway School move to Nichols property. Looking for agreement in concept to extend the sewer and water lines to the Nichols land. The Board would have to sign a letter stating as much. The school is also interested in a Community Development Block Grant application. Would the Town be the applicant? The Board asked that Greg come back with a proposal. It was noted that an application by Laraway would not prevent the Town from filing one also as they were different programs.

Howard made a motion to sign the letter for Laraway. Margo seconded. Doug abstained as he has recused. All others in favor. Motion passed.

Brad Reed reported on NEMS. Brad met with Damian Turner and Lea about the Masonic Hall. Turner, an architect, is impressed with the building and submitted a report on the architectural status of the building at no cost to the Town. The Board asked Duncan to send a thank you letter. Brad reported on a proposal from Clegg’s memorial for repairs for the cemeteries.

Howard made a motion to authorize cemetery work at Evergreen ledge in this fiscal year not to exceed $1500 and for Whiting Hill in next fiscal year, not to exceed $1535. Rocky seconded. Discussion ensued. Duncan suggested it might be prudent to withhold authorization on Whiting cemetery until the end of the fiscal year to check finances. The Board agreed to go ahead with Whiting cemetery pending year-end.

Howard amended his motion for approval for Evergreen only at this time. Rocky approved amended motion. All in favor. Motion passed.

Linda Jones appeared before board about Hess property. She is very discouraged that nothing has been done about the health offense. Eric stated that the Board had voted to ask the attorney to file motion for contempt of court. Linda raised a concern about her taxes, as she was late. She asked why she had to pay her taxes when such a mess was allowed to happen. She’s unhappy about a late payment penalty. The Board asked Duncan to ask Dave Barra to wrap up the case as fast as possible.

A letter from The Johnson Planning Commission was received regarding Nadeau’s concerns over zoning.

Doug made a motion to advise the Planning Commission that the selectboard is willing to appoint an Ad Hoc Committee to look at zoning and would be interested in getting names from them. Howard seconded. All in Favor. Motion passed.

The Board wants to place ad in paper soliciting interest in the Committee. The Nadeau name was mentioned.

The Liquor license applications were all approved. Discussion ensued about The Hub because of the noise. No conditions were attached to application

Red Flag rules were discussed. At this time it’s unclear if the Town needs one. The Board asked Duncan to research this.

Howard made a motion to have Eric sign the Red Flag rules if needed. Doug seconded. All in favor. Motion passed.

Howard made a motion to approve the VSC noise waiver. Rocky seconded. Doug recused as he is the VSC’s attorney. Motion approved.

Mowing bids were reviewed. Village selected Robert & Son as they were well satisfied with work.

Howard made a motion to accept Robert & Son’s Mowing bid. Margo seconded. All in favor. Motion approved.

Howard made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Margo seconded. All in favor. Motion approved.

Meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by,

Duncan Hastings

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