Jan
19
1/19/2009
Town of Johnson
Selectboard Meeting
Monday, January 19, 2009
Upstairs, Johnson Municipal Building
APPROVED
Selectboard Members present: Eric Osgood- chair, Howard Romero, Brad Reed.
Others present: Duncan Hastings; Administrator, Rosemary Audibert; Town Clerk, Steve Smith; Road Foreman, Lois Frey, James Tomlinson from Public Access Television, Rita Pitkin; Interim Director of LHP, Mary Craus.
Eric called the meeting to order at 7:06pm.
Board approved October & January Work session minutes.
Treasurer’s Report:
Rosemary passed out the budget status report. Overall we’re just a little over expenses at 52%. Duncan added that all of the appropriations are included in that. Our revenues are up. Rosemary ordered a new emergency lap top as the old one died. Delinquent taxes are at $42,644, we’re turning those over to Sharon Green for tax sale. Interest rates on reserve funds are down to ½ a percent. Rosemary asked the Board if they wanted her to look at short term CDs. The Board agreed that CDs less than a year would be best. Rosemary has started work on the Town Report and she’d like all reports in by January 28th. Rosemary mentioned that the auditors would like Eric to do the dedication this year. Eric agreed to do so.
Rosemary has the note for purchase of the new truck. The interest rate is 3.3%.
Brad made a motion to approve and sign the note for $130,000. Howard seconded. All in favor. Motion approved.
Duncan went over the Annual Meeting Warning. Most of it is self-explanatory. One article is requesting money for Teen Challenge. Another request tax exemption for the Mason building for five years. Article 16 authorizes the Town to sell the Talc Mill Property that is jointly owned by the Town & Village. Brad asked if there was a map for the residents to look at during Town Meeting. Duncan agreed that it would be a great idea to have that map ready.
Howard made a motion to approve the concept for the sale of the Talc Mill property. Brad seconded. All in favor. Motion passed.
Road Foreman’s Report:
Since the last meeting we’ve had 60 inches of snow. The Highway Department has plowed 20 times and sanded 26 times. We had very hard icy roads from the 24th to the 28th of December. The biggest snowfall was on the 8th of January. Steve received a Thank You card from a resident and passed it around to the Board. Steve passed around some copies of the extended warranty plan for the new truck. The overtime budget is on track so far. In the past 12 weeks the men were averaging 8.5 hours per week or 102 hours per man. As the Board asked, when the weather permits we are going home after the 8 hour day is complete. The two part time men have 59 hours so far.
Eric asked where the money would come from for the extended warranty. Duncan stated that based on the estimated year-end surplus it could cover it. The Board agreed that Steve and Duncan would get clarification from Clark’s truck Center on the extended Warranty figures and they’d defer until next month to decided whether or not to get the extended warranty.
Eric asked about putting something in the Town Report for residents to fill out if they have special needs. For example if they’re on oxygen, handicapped, etc. If there’s some kind of disaster the Town can address the situation accordingly. Eric thought it would be best if we put a rip out form in the Town Report so residents can let us know their specific needs. The Board agreed that this was a fantastic idea. Duncan cautioned that we let the residents know that this was only for natural disasters or other life threatening situations. The Board asked Jessica if she would come up with a form they could put in the Town Report.
Administrator’s Report:
Duncan mentioned speaking with a real estate appraiser today about the Abestos issue And how it might negatively affect Johnson property values. This is the first feedback he’s heard on the issue thus far.
VSC tax appeal- the VSC has filed for an extension of time.
#10- The request for the waiver on re-appraisal was denied.
#12- The Hess health order- Duncan suggested an executive session at the end of the meeting.
#13- Municipal Building settling problem- There is no insurance coverage for the building settling damage. However, Duncan has included the building in the VLCT’s list for the stimulus package.
Masonic Hall- Brad stated he had a meeting with Steve Engel and the Historical Society. The general consensus of the people at the meeting was that the Town should have the building. Brad spoke with Floyd Nease and Susan Bartlett about finding grant money to preserve the building. Brad said the Masons would give the Town the building. Howard mentioned that the Town would still have out of pocket expenses. Eric estimated that amount would be about $3,000. Lois Frey mentioned that the Historical Society would like the building. Brad emphasized preserving the building for the Town.
Duncan brought up that in addition to the immediate costs, there would be substantial costs for upkeep.
Interim Director of Lamoille Housing Project Rita Pitkin:
Rita brought the board up to speed on the co-op project. LHP does have a small home ownership program and might be worth discussing sometime in the future. This program wouldn’t involve the Board much, the LHP would just market the program. LHP could help about 3 or 4 families buy homes in Johnson. They did this program for Stowe and it was very successful. LHP recently signed an option agreement with the Co-op. They’re in the process of completing a purchase & sale agreement. LHP would spend about $800,000 total which includes the cleanup of the site. Deep Root Organics is still interested in purchasing a small area.
Duncan stated that he’d recommend that LHP offer the home ownership program to Johnson. It’s a great program that gets working Vermonters into their own homes. Rita thanked the Board and left.
Mary Craus from Hyde Park:
Mary asked if the Board had seen and taken a stance on the State’s report on the Asbestos issue. The Board replied that they’ve seen it, but not yet taken a position. She asked if the Health Department had notified the Town before releasing their document to the public. Duncan replied that the Health Dept. had not notified him but he did receive an e-mail saying something was to be released soon and if residents had questions to contact the State. Mary asked if there might be anyone in Johnson who would be interested in being in a community group to work together on this with the other towns in the radius. Howard mentioned that he thought the Board should be involved in this in some way. Eric agreed that it would be wise for the Town to take a position on this. Mary thanked the Board and promised to keep the Board apprised of happenings.
Administrator’s Report continued:
Duncan handed out the Town Budget and gave an overview.
Brad made a motion to approve the budget as presented with the understanding that minor mistakes can be changed without a special meeting. All in favor. Motion passed.
Duncan mentioned that local legislature day was coming up and it might be a good thing for Jessica to go to. Anyone else want to go? Duncan, Jessica, and Eric will go.
#4 Pearl Street Bridge. Duncan said that he should be receiving the Finance and maintenance agreement with Vtrans which will get us the 5% cost share instead of the 10%. Duncan asked for permission to sign the paperwork on behalf of the Board.
Brad made a motion for Duncan to sign the paperwork for the Pearl Street Bridge project. All in favor. Motion approved.
The Board received a letter from Andre Nadeau regarding zoning. The Board authorized Duncan to draft a reply and have the Board review it.
#8- We received a letter from Vtrans RE: highway mileage.
Howard made a motion to accept certificate of highway mileage. Brad seconded. All in favor. Motion passed.
#16- We received a request from the Morristown select board to meet with other boards in the area to see about cost savings. They’re soliciting interest regarding purchasing services and really anything that we provide as municipalities to work together and save money.
Howard made a motion to adjourn the meeting to go into executive session. Brad seconded. All in favor. Motion passed.
The meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m.
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