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Members
present: Blaine Delisle, Brad Reed, Howard Romero, Selectmen;
Steve Smith, Road Forman; Duncan Hastings, Administrator,
Delvin Gallagher, Michael Patch, Ben Hogwood, Rosemary
Audibert, Clerk.
Blaine called meeting to order.
Board viewed and signed orders.
Board reviewed meeting minutes
from December 20, 2002 and January 6, 2003. Howard moved
to accept meeting minutes, Brad seconded, so voted.
Steve stated that have had 36 inches
of snow since the last meeting and have plowed 14 times
and sanded 24 times. Had a ice storm from December 31,
2002 to January 2, 2003, used 250 yards of sand for
that storm. Sand pile is about ½ gone, should have enough
sand to last the winter.
Steve stated that Ray Gilcris worked
setting up a wash bay to wash salt off the trucks. Ray
is very talented.
Steve stated that have attented
more safety classes on electrical, etc.
Blaine stated that a dump body
needs to be replaced, body has been patched. Truck is
mid way though the 12 year cycle for a the truck. This
should be the only major expense for trucks this year.
Money to come out of the equipment fund. Estimate is
between $8,000.00 to $9,000.00.
Duncan stated that have received
applications for the class two paving grant and structures
grant. Received a large paving grant last year may not
received anything this year. Blaine, Steve and Duncan
to work on applications. Applications are due March
13, 2003. Was suggested that should apply for a structures
grant for Codding Hollow culvert.
Duncan stated that have to fill
out a special weights and limits on Town Highway and
Bridges that are different than the State minimums.
Power house bridge is at 3000 pounds. Duncan and Steve
to work on.
Howard stated that he has received
a flood application from Green Mountain Club for the
bridge that they want to build across the Lamoille River.
Howard stated that the flood commission would have to
hold a hearing on this.
Duncan stated that regarding the
ambulance service contract the Attorney for Hyde Park
is working on behalf of the other 4 towns, looking at
can towns enter into multi year contacts or can only
do a one year contract. Cannot bind other selectboard
or vote. Attorney feels that this is a contract between
the five municipalities and Newport Amublance which
makes it a intermunicipal contract. Duncan stated that
this is not a contract with other municipalities. If
the deal should go south all the towns would receive
that ambulance and equipment to recoup their investment,
which ties the communities together. Secretary of State
does not feel this is a inter-municipal agreement, each
town is entering their own contract with Newport Ambulance.
If one community decides not to fulfill the contract
for 5 years they forfeit their share of the equipment
or it can be prorated on the amount of time. Still working
out the details. Attorney wanted a article in the warning
about the inter-municipal agreement. Secetary of State
and the League of Cities and Town agreed not to include
in warning. Spoke with other Selectboard members and
they are not going to put the article in the warning.
Board agreed to delete the article from the warning
and to have a report in the Town report explaining the
item in the budget.
Duncan stated that Eric would like
to hold a public meeting explaining the changes in the
budget, ambulance and sheriff department. Board decided
on February 24, 2003 to hold a public meeting.
Duncan stated that have a letter
of interest from Frank Manchester regarding the Solid
Waste Supervisor. Brad moved to appoint Frank Manchester
as Solid Waste Supervisor, until Town Meeting, Howard
seconded, so voted
Duncan stated that the Town Attorney
has spent a letter to Bob Hoag. Duncan received a call
from Bob. Waiting to see what their response will be
to the attorney.
Brad stated that received an invitation
to have supper with the board members from Newport Ambulance.
Met four board members and the supervisor all seemed
like nice people. Also met the administrator and the
day to day manager. To start with Copley Hospital transports
next week. To set up a meeting with Mike and Gordie
Smith in February. Have had many applications of employment,
to hire a new crew to come out the of the Johnson base.
Talking with John Sullivan from LCDC to see if can find
a location. Looking at properties and Route 100C and
Route 15. Tatro is asking for a very high rent. Tatro
Construction may move to Johnson if Cambridge buys their
complex. Newport has some concerns about coming down
Railroad Street. Village has an option on that land
which is up in April, no decision yet if they are going
to exercise the option.
Duncan stated that have worked
on the budget drafts have trimmed down the numbers.
Duncan recommends that the new budget format is the
one that should to be voted on. Both formats are to
be in the report. New budget format gives more detail
for budgets and expenses. The percentage in change is
4.18% with no growth in the grand list. Increase should
be slightly less with the new grand list. Board stated
that the cost of living is about 3%, did not know what
the inflation rate was. Trimmed money from Officers
Salaries, down to $94,000.00, also reduce labor for
winter and summer roads, county tax and sheriff department
budgets where slightly less. Blaine asked can a line
item be amended from the floor at the meeting. Duncan
stated yes by an amendment to the original motion.
Duncan stated that the Skatepark
as submitted a budget request for the selectmen for
an article or to be placed in the budget. Board decided
to place in the budget.
Duncan stated that petition articles
have to have a article in the warning, cannot be placed
in the selectmen's budget.
Brad moved to accept the proposed
budget for 2003-2004 tax year, Howard seconded, so voted.
Both budget formats in the report.
Mike Patch stated that he would
like to know the amount of uncommitted funds as of July
1, 2002. Not just a listing of accounts. Not to include
the amount for dedicated funds. Rosemary stated that
she would look into this.
Mike stated that need to take new
precautions regarding wetlands and erosion control,
need to adopt new federal guidelines which will make
the price of jobs go up. Contractors will be responsible
until municipalities adopts guidelines. Gravel pit doesn't
qualify because the town doesn't sell gravel.
Duncan stated that have a request
from Highland Heights to modify the time line to May
30,2003 to deed over the property to the Town. Have
had some construction issues and still have trailer
on the land. Cannot deed over property until trailers
are gone. Howard moved to authorize the Chairman to
sign, Bard seconded, so voted.
Duncan stated that the way budget
article has been written in the past ties you to raising
a specific sum of money on the grand list, in other
words, an amount to be raised by taxes. You don't know
at town meeting what your other non tax revenues are
going to be. By setting a specific sum of money, technically,
you have to raise that specific sum of money, not more
and not less. Therefore you can't raise or lower the
amount to adjust for greater or lesser amounts of non
tax revenues you might have at the time you want to
set the tax rate. You could be forced to raise more
than you needed to or not have enough to cover the budgeted
expenses. Duncan suggested article wording for budget.
To vote a budget to meet the expenses and liabilities
of the Town and have Selectman set a tax rate sufficient
to provide for such budget. Secretary of State approves
of this wording.
Article on Masonic Temple. Will
the voters of the Town vote to exempt the Masonic Temple
from the Municipal Town Taxes for a period of five years.
Voters cannot exempt educational tax.
Duncan suggested that to set up
a policy regarding articles for charitable organizations
with regards to petitions. Duncan to work on draft.
Howard moved to accept warning
with the following changes, delete article 14 on inter-municipal
contract for Newport Ambulance service and if articles
27-29 fulfill the requirements for petitions and any
other legal petitions that come in before the deadline
of January 23, 2003, Brad seconded, so voted.
Duncan stated that there are grants
available to reduce illegal burning of solid waste.
To assist municipalities with the process of adopting
ordinances prohibiting burn barrels and making available
educational material about chemicals and dioxins released
from burn barrels. Board feels this is a non issue in
Johnson.
Board signed grant reimbursement
for the Scribner Bridge repairs.
Board signed annul Certification
of Highway Mileage,
Board reviewed liquor licenses
from DJ's and CH Stearns. CH Stearns has a hearing scheduled
for January 29th before the State Liquor
Control board of suspension or revocation of their license.
Board decided to wait until after the hearing to make
their decision. DJ's have had their second offense in
December of underage sales. Board decided to wait until
next month for more board members to be present to make
any decision.
Duncan handed out copies of the
municipal compliance report. Talking with the fuel dealer
about the storage tank. If cannot come to an agreement
will have to go out to bid. Overall came out well with
the inspection, Steve is working towards getting into
compliance.
Duncan stated that the Village
is going to drill for water on the Osgood property for
a new water source. Would like to use the loader to
clean out the snow. Board stated that to send Steve
down with the loader to do the work.
Duncan stated that where the fire
department gets water from the old fire station is very
icy. Board stated that the this should be sanded.
Howard moved to adjourn, Brad seconded,
so voted.
Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted by
Rosemary
Audibert, Clerk |
