Mar
16
3/16/2009
Town of Johnson
Selectboard Meeting
Monday, March 16, 2009
Upstairs, Johnson Municipal Building
UNAPPROVED DRAFT
Selectboard Members present: Eric Osgood- chair, Howard Romero, Doug Molde, Rocky Hooper.
Others present: Rosemary Audibert; Town Clerk,Steve Smith; Road Foreman, Jessica Flores; AR Clerk, Dave Yacavone; Morristown selectperson, Jim Tomlinson from Public Access television.
Eric called the meeting to order at 7:04pm.
Howard made a motion to approve meeting minutes of January 19, January 26, and February 16, 2009. Rocky seconded. All in favor. Motion approved.
Treasurer’s Report:
Rosemary stated that three quarters of the year has gone by and we’re only at 67% of the budget. Delinquent taxes go to tax sale on June 4th. Right now delinquent taxes are at $37,800. Jan and Rosemary are going to a Treasurer’s workshop on March 26th in Milton.
Rosemary passed out the applications received for liquor and tobacco licenses. Tobacco applications were from: RL Vallee, Jolleys, VT Plus Life, & Grand Union. Liquor licenses from: Grand Union, RL Vallee, Aramark, Jolleys, & VT Plus Life.
Howard made a motion to approve licenses for both liquor and tobacco and send the customary letter of compliance along with the approval letter. Margo seconded. All in favor. Motion approved.
Eric mentioned the picture of Steve Smith in the VLCT News magazine for the culvert project. Eric commended the Highway Department on a job well done.
Foreman’s Report:
Since the last meeting there has been 27 inches of snow. The Highway Department has plowed 15 times and sanded 18 times. We had our first taste of mud on March 7th. They’ve hauled a few loads of stone, been taking care of most of the mud with the grader, spent most of last week grading ruts, ditches are all open where we’ve been known to have water problems. They’ve thawed three frozen culverts so far. Steve mentioned that Duncan submitted an article to the VT Local Roads newsletter about the grated culvert in Codding Hollow. This article appears on page 9 and gives a description of some of the work the Highway department completed.
Discussion ensued regarding issues raised by the residents at Town Meeting. Steve stated that he’s kept the overtime and sand usage down as per the Select Board’s direction. The total overtime should come in way under budget as directed. Steve stated that Beaver has taken more than 90 truckloads of sand to Ober Hill Road over the course of the Winter.
Doug mentioned that he remembered reading in the newspaper about the select board’s cutbacks to the Highway Department. Rosemary asked Rocky if he wanted to handle the overweight permits the way they have in the past. Rocky answered yes, that’ll be fine.
Thursday, the 19th, Eric will be at the statehouse to find out about the State Aid to Highways. Steve thanked the Board and left.
Eric mentioned the Select Board Institute that will be held on April 4th in Montpelier if anyone wants to go. He also reminded everyone of Doug’s daughter’s Art Show in Montpelier.
Local citizens:
Brad Reed gave the Board an update on the Masonic Building status. Steve Engel is ready to hand the building over to the Town, he’s just finding out the appropriate procedure and seeking legal counsel on behalf of the Masons. Brad reports that everyone is on board for giving the Town the historic building. The only stipulation that Steve Engel mentioned was that if the Town were to decide it no longer wants the building that the Masons would get it back. Brad also mentioned that there will be an Open House at the building later in the Spring. It’ll be open to the public to enjoy and experience the building, he’ll be giving tours of the tower. Brad also stated that there are a couple of posts broken up at the cemetery. The Board decided that the Town guys will fix those when the snow melts.
Dave Yacavone from the Morristown Select Board:
Dave stated that the Morristown Select Board wants to collaborate with the other Boards in Lamoille County in hopes that by working together we can come up with a more cost efficient way of purchasing large commodities and the like. He stated that it would be much cheaper to work as a community of one. He’d like the members of the Boards to meet around April 20th to brainstorm ideas for these tight economic times. He stated that using the wisdom of our individual walks of life would be a win-win for all of Lamoille County. He pointed out that Morristown would like to solicit ideas, and that they do not have an agenda.
Eric stated that this was a good idea and if any county in Vermont could do something like this it would be Lamoille because the Towns work so well together. Eric suggested the that the various Town Clerks and Administrators attend as well as they’re the ones who would be most affected. Howard suggested that Bonnie from the Lamoille county Planning Commission be there as well.
Mickey Smith asked about the money for Route 15 improvements. Eric stated that the money is for the storm drains along Route 15.
Since the Administrator is recovering from surgery the Board reviewed the Administrator’s Report individually.
- A letter from Andre Nadeau was passed to each member of the Board. Doug stated that it would be a good idea for the Planning Commission to see Andre’s correspondence as the issues in the letter pertain to the planning commission. Eric and Howard agreed that it was a good idea.
Eric made a motion to have Duncan (Jessica in Duncan’s stead) direct all correspondence from Andre Nadeau to the Planning Commission and to send Andre a letter to inform him of this and thank him for his concerns. Howard seconded. All in favor. Motion approved.
Howard made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Rocky seconded. All in favor. Motion approved.
Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by,
Jessica D. Flores
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