Feb 16

2/16/2009

Town of Johnson
Selectboard Meeting
Monday, February 16, 2009
Upstairs, Johnson Municipal Building

APPROVED
Selectboard Members present: Eric Osgood- chair, Howard Romero, Brad Reed, Rocky Hooper.

Others present: Duncan Hastings; Administrator, Steve Smith; Road Foreman, filming crew from Public Access television.

Eric called the meeting to order at 7:05pm.

There were no minutes to approve.

The Treasurer was not present so the Board reviewed the written report. Steve gave his Foreman’s report. We’ve had 28 inches of snow since the last meeting. The Town has plowed 6 times and sanded 18 times. The other day Steve spoke with Duncan and Eric about the trouble with getting a hold of Lamoille Dispatch. That same day Steve received a call from Gary Underwood who has dispatched for a number of years. Gary said that the other towns use the same radio console as we do and whenever another town is talking Johnson can’t get through. Steve said it would seem to him that the other Towns do a lot of talking since this happens quite often. Gary said that the Town should keep trying to get through. Steve explained that this lack of communication was very frustrating at times.

The Board asked Duncan to write a letter to Lamoille County Sheriff’s Department asking Roger to communicate to all dispatch users to keep communication traffic to a minimum. The Board authorized Duncan and Steve to prepare and submit AOT grant applications.

The Town has accrued very little overtime since our last meeting due to the lack of snow.

The Town gentlemen have been designing toolboxes to mount on trucks so they can carry chain saws with them, as they aren’t allowed to have them in their truck cabs.

As far as salt usage goes, last year at this time the Town had used 15 loads. This year to date they’ve used 7 loads, unless we get dumped on in the next six weeks, we should be well under budget. Steve thanked the Board and left.

Brad asked the Board if it was okay to bring the Masonic Temple up at Town Meeting, The board agreed that it was premature to get estimates on the Masonic Temple. Brad mentioned that there was a window out in the Masonic Temple and he thought someone had been in and moved around the building. No damage or theft appears to have occurred.

Margo made a motion to approve Duncan signing a contract with VT Appraisal Company. Brad seconded with a caveat that we could get out of the contract if the State exempts us from having to re-appraise vis a vis the asbestos mine issue. All in favor. Motion approved.

Victor Elly, Dana Sweet, Frank Manchester, & Tom Spence from LRSWMD Board entered the meeting. Victor handed a letter to the Selectboard. Letter indicated a reduction in hours to the transfer station. Closing on Thursdays as of April 1st and construction and demolition debris collection will be discontinued. Tom Spence stated that last year they collected 850 tons of trash, recyclables, etc at the Johnson transfer station. They are losing money because they don’t have scales and are not disposing at the right cost. They want to put in three trash compactors; that’d cost them $60,000 and they’d pay back over 5 years. They’re looking for a 5 yr commitment from Johnson. Tom estimates 400 tons of construction and demolition debris per year; they would need a scale to establish that, however. Tom indicated that the issues identified in the Town letter can all be addressed. Various discussions ensued. The Board told District they would agree in concept to a 5-year agreement. The District will re-work the agreement and get it back to the Town. The District member left the meeting at 8:30p.m.

Greg Stefanski addressed the Board about Laraway School. Board agreed in concept to change the TSSA area with a caveat that the allocation would not come out of the Town’s allocation. Howard asked if that was okay with the Village; Duncan stated it was his recollection that it was. The Board agreed to send a letter of support through Duncan.

The Board discussed the Tatro property and the need for Perc tests. The Board decided to defer until after Town & Village votes.

Howard moved to adopt the resolution on the Board’s meetings and dates. Margo seconded. All in favor. Motion approved.

Howard moved to approve the agreement for Fire Services from Johnson Fire Department. Rocky seconded. All in favor. Motion passed.

Howard moved to approve the Noise Ordinance Waiver for Lindsay Reynolds and Matt Levasseur.

The Board asked Duncan to send a letter to DJ’s regarding the liquor violation.

The Board will make Town Service Officer appointment after Town Meeting.

The Board agreed that work sessions would be considered after April.

The Board asked Duncan to request reconsideration of PV&R denial of COD & LLA request.

Margo moved to adjourn meeting. Howard seconded. All in favor. Motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Duncan Hastings

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