Town of Johnson
Select board Meeting
Monday, November 16, 2009
Upstairs, Johnson Municipal Building
APPROVED
Select board members present: Eric Osgood- Chair, Franklin Hooper, Doug Molde. Select board members absent: Margo Warden, Howard Romero.
Others present: Rosemary Audibert; Town Clerk, Duncan Hastings; Town Administrator, Tad Stone; Aramark, Bob Selby; Don Foote, Renate and Glen Callahan; Johnson Works, Steve Smith; Road Foreman, Joan St. Pierre.
Eric called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Eric moved to approve meeting minutes of October 19, 2009. Franklin seconded. All in favor. Motion approved.
Treasurer’s Report:
Rosemary stated that the pilot money had been received in the amount of $233,620. Current use received $71,000. Collected approximately $10,000 in delinquent taxes. Current taxes not collected – first installment, 6.91% - second installment, 12% . These figures are in the same range as the past two years. Cash flow is fine. Information sheets were handed out.
Ann is taking a tax collector class. Jan and Rosemary are taking a payroll class.
The cost to convert records to the internet is $300 per month (using own equipment) and $900 per month (using the company’s equipment). What is the likelihood of the state mandating all records be moved to the internet? Rosemary felt that it would be very expensive for small towns to convert. Land records book is being refurbished. Remaining amount after paying the refurbishing will be $1,500 which will be enough money to pay for approximately 20 books to be microfilmed. Three to four books per year can be done. Each book is close to 200 pages. Money to pay for the microfilming will come out of Records Preservation money. This needs to be approved by the first of the year. Board will put this on hold for the time being.
Road Foreman Report:
Steve Smith stated that we received 3 inches of rain and no snow since the last meeting. All of the trucks are ready for winter. On October 24
th and October 31st there were high winds and some trees down. The Highway Department constructed a barrier between the shop and the rail trail. Alan Robertson of VAST was very pleased with this work.
Planning Commission Report:
Bob Selby stated the Planning Commission has four active members (Ken, Bruce, Jim, Bob) attending their meetings; need more members. Approved number should be five. Joe Salerno seems to have lost interest in participating on the Commission any longer. Duncan will write a letter to Joe asking him if he wants to continue on Planning Commission or if he would like to resign. Duncan reminded the Board that Bob Hoag had expressed strong interest in being appointed to the Planning Commission. Suggestion was made to reappoint members of the Commission in March; maybe have staggered appointments. Members of the Commission should have set terms; whether it is for a year, two years, etc. Duncan will check with VLCT to find out whether the Select board can remove members from the Commission and also appoint members. Franklin thought standards should be set for members; example: three missed meetings will result in being removed from the Commission. Duncan asked if Joe turns in his resignation, should the position be advertised or did the Board want to just appoint Bob Hoag. Should Bob be appointed with the understanding it will only be until March, then it will open up and all vacancies will be advertised? The board felt it was not necessary to advertise now and could wait to hear what Duncan reports at the next meeting.
Bob Selby wanted to know more about the Adhoc Committee. Duncan stated the Adhoc committee members had been notified of their appointments but felt it would be appropriate for the Planning Commission to contact them and set up a meeting to discuss how to proceed with drafting a revised zoning regulation. Eric stated this would be discussed under Action Items.
Bob felt that it would be beneficial for the Planning Commission to meet with the Select board and Village Trustees to discuss Johnson’s future and tasks the Planning Commission should be working on. Gordy and Eric will work on setting up a joint meeting with the Select board, Trustees and Planning Commission.
Administrator’s Report:
#1 Duncan recommended Joan St. Pierre to be appointed secretary for the Select board.
Doug moved to approve the appointment of Joan as secretary. Franklin seconded. All in favor. Motion passed.
#2 Jollie Parker, Lynn Lehouillier and Alex Nadeau are the three members of the Adhoc Committee. Their job will be to present recommendations to the Planning Commission. Their role would be more like consultants. The Planning Commission will guide this committee. Bob will invite the members of the Adhoc committee to attend the next Planning Commission meeting. Duncan has expertise in this area and could help getting the documents ready for the public. Duncan will make comments, forward comments to Bob and Planning Commission as the first step.
Franklin made a motion to approve role of Adhoc Committee. Doug seconded. All in favor. Motion passed.
#3 Discussions on joint meetings with the Trustees.
1. Trustees have agreed to meet with Select board before the Select board’s December 21
2. Select board, Trustees and Planning Commission meet to discuss Johnson’s future and related issues. A tentative schedule will be: Select board and Planning Commission meet with Trustees at 6:30 p.m. on December 14
Duncan handed out a spreadsheet regarding health insurance rates. The savings between offering a high deductible plan and paying a portion of the deductible and the current plans offered is not substantial. One benefit of a health savings account (this would be like an IRA) is that the account can be taken with the employee when they left or retired from their job. The Town of Northfield pools their money and has not had to have an increase in four years. Suggestions would be to ask the employees what their preference is. No one will be forced to make a change.
#4 Emergency Operations Plan needs to be approved in order to get Federal funding. EOP is now approximately 30 pages.
st meeting at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the joint budget issues and related items. Select board agreed to this meeting time and date.th which is the Trustees regular scheduled meeting for discussions about Johnson’s future. Duncan will check with the Trustees to see if they agree with the proposed joint meeting times.
Doug moved to approve the Emergency Operations Plan. Franklin seconded. All in favor. Motion passed.
#5 Tower and municipal building – Lea looking into grants and loans through USDA. Need a structural engineer. Need to give a proposal. A request was sent to Tim Heinlein for possible contractors to design the stabilization work for the municipal building. Peter Cross, P.E. analyzed the soil data. Should we consider hiring Peter or someone else? Serious problem: no soil borings. Duncan will get several cost proposals. Need more information so put on hold for the time being. Agenda item for Joint Board meeting.
#6 David Butler’s attorney would like to see the town highway discontinued before his client(s) signs the recreational trail easement. Duncan advised him that this had already been discussed and the Board wants a signed copy of the easement to be held in escrow before starting the highway discontinuance process.
Eric made a motion to have Duncan advise David Butler’s attorney that their position has not changed in this matter. Doug seconded. All in favor. Motion passed.
#7 Liquor license violations – Two employees of Aramark had let their training certifications expire. Tad Stone was present and spoke to the Board about the violations. At present, all employees have taken the class and are certified. Aramark was given a fine which is paid and a one day suspension which does not amount to anything because they only serve alcohol four to five times per year. Everything is all set with David Jacobs who is the liquor inspector. The Board advised Mr. Stone that they took license violations very seriously and that they had the authority to impose additional penalties if necessary. They wanted him to be sure to comply with the regulations going forward.
Doug made a motion to take no further action. Franklin seconded. All in favor. Motion passed.
#8 Liquor license violation at the Long Trail Tavern – It is alleged that liquor was provided to a customer who was already intoxicated. This is the new owner’s first offense. This Board feels that this is a serious violation due to past history. A letter should be sent to the State Liquor Control Board expressing that this Board is taking this violation seriously and would like to request a minimum of a one day suspension in addition to what their decision is.
Eric made a motion to have a letter sent to State. Franklin seconded. All in favor. Motion passed.
#9 Lou Lertola from the Veterans group requested an increase in property tax exemption from $20,000 to $40,000. The State does not make up the difference on the state wide education tax for the increase. This discussion also took place last year. Bob Sweetser looked into this last year but nothing came of it. How many disabled vets are there in Johnson - about half a dozen. Duncan will send a response letter similar to last year.
Eric made a motion to do exactly as last year. Franklin seconded. All in favor. Motion passed.
#10 Hess’ trailer is apparently being rented. Electricity and water have been shut off by the Village for past due amounts, a stove pipe coming out of a window but no chimney, and a generator running constantly which neighbors are complaining about the noise.
Mr. Hess states he intends to sell the mobile home. Somebody needs to go check out the situation at this trailer but who has the authority? Health officers cannot go into home without permission from the tenant. The Town will need to send a complaint to the State in order for them to go inspect this trailer. Did Mr. Hess ever pay attorney fees owed to the Town? Duncan will check with Rosemary on this issue.
Eric made a motion to send the State a letter of complaint and ask them to investigate. Doug seconded. All in favor. Motion passed.
Don Foote and Renate Callahan from Johnson Works requested $500 for advertising for their second annual holiday festival.
Franklin made a motion to give $500 to Johnson Works. Doug seconded. All in favor. Motion passed.
At 9:05 the Board went into Executive Session to discuss Rock Art Brewery’s interest in locating in Johnson. The Board came out of executive session at approximately 9:30 p.m.
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by,
Joan St. Pierre
All the culverts where checked. Several culverts will need to be replaced next year. These are located on Upper French Hill and by the old Hooper sugar place. Cable is up. Cable was also put on ball field. The grader is still going whenever possible.