Members present: School Board, Terri O'Hear, Diana Osborn, Steve Reber.

Selectmen, Blaine Delisle, Howard Romero, Eric Osgood, Brad Reed, Franklin Hooper

Trustees, Chris Parker George Pearlman, Judy Schulz, School Business Manager, Principal Brigid Scheffert, Gary Clark, Peter Moynihan, Duncan Hastings, Administrator, Rosemary Audibert, Clerk.

Eric welcomed all the boards. Introductions were made around the table.

Duncan stated that Vt. Studio Center would have to go though the listers to determine there tax status. Appeal would be made to the superior court. VSA 3802 list exempt properties as state land, schools and public pious and charitable use properties are automatic exempt. Studio Center have to provide information to the listers to exempt them from the grand list.

George stated that this would only be buildings owned by the Vermont Studio Center. Art program started 11 years ago with one day per week. Now each student has an art class one day per week, takes up to three day per week; this is getting to many days to volunteer. No tax dollars are funding this. Would sign a contract to pay the local share and municipal taxes. Don't want to pay the State portion of the tax. Would make a payment in lieu of taxes. This would not create more tax burden on taxpayers. Vt. Studio Center to make no money on this. Can't relay on grant funding. Willing to provide a contract until the tax laws change. Blaine asked with Act 60 could you do this? Eric stated that the State could put them back on the education grand list. Brad asked why is the school not asking the voters to fund this program. Howard stated that the school is not going to ask the voters for additional funding. George stated that the School has never asked for an adjustment in their taxes, he feel properties are over appraised. George stated that this as a volunteer program was not asked by the school to provide. If the State doesn't allow, won't be able to provide the art program. Gray Clark stated that this is fund raising that the art school won't have to do, would be nice to fund the program in a different fashion,

Judy handed out a worksheet on School Budget and Tax overview. If the grand list goes down, Johnson becomes a poor town the tax rate would be about the same. School would be able to hire a art teaching assistant, needs to become a on going program, need to have a permanent person. Now have no dedicated art room, this change would make the program much stronger. Tax rate is based on what is spent above the block grant spending.

Duncan stated that when the Town files the 411 form that is when the State is notified of exempt properties. Property Valuation and Review could place them back on for the education grand list, which would have less came out of the State education fund. Blaine stated that this would be good benefit to the kids if it can be worked out. The worse case is if the State puts the properties back on the grand list kids would be without an art program.

Judy stated that is would show like the school is getting a grant. Expenses would match revenue. Grand list for 2004 the State looks a Grand list for August 2002. Need to look into the timing of the grand list.

George would like to see have a contract until the tax procedures change. Eric stated that he would like to see this like the pilot program. George stated that would like to go forward with the tax exempt status for the State portion of the property taxes. Chris stated that he would be willing to defend this to the voters. Buildings are kept up to look nice.

Peter Moynihan stated that he is concerned about the amount of property that VSC owns in the Village. People can't buy the property. Concerned about them buying more buildings. Community is changing. Not a real community people only stay for four weeks. George stated that most of the buildings that the school brought were not on the tax roles, only brought 2 homes, the others where commercial properties.

Eric stated that he remembers Jon Gregg telling the voters that they would not take any properties off the tax roles. George stated that taxes would not go up. VSC is not making any money on this. Kids would have an art program.

First step is to go to the Listers with the information for VSA 3802. Vt. Studio School should be prepared to discuss this at Town Meeting.

Pearl Street Bridge - There is a safety factor on the guardrails on the upside of the rivers. Can apply to the State to do some repairs to the bridge. Rocky stated that this would be a temporary fix, could put on concrete on the rails, no need to shut down the bridge. Eric stated that he testified about bridges at Local Government day in Montpelier. This has a serious impact on schools and on the fire department. Covered bridge is posted for no truck traffic.

State says the Railroad Street Bridge is in much worst condition than Pearl Street. Blaine stated that the State inspects the bridge each year, and if the bridge where in worst condition would be notified to close the bridge. Duncan stated that Railroad Street Bridge is ready for construction in 2004. Pearl Street Bridge is still in the final design stage. State does have money for repairs available. Will asked Randy Reed to do an inspection and if it is in serious condition will ask for more money.

Eric stated that TAC wants to rate the bridges for Senator Susan Bartlett in Lamoille County, hard for them to do because each town has two or three bridges that need repairs. Steve offered that the School send a letter when the decision is made to what bridge to push for funding. Duncan stated that need letters of support for repairs too.

Chris stated that he would like to go for funding for the Railroad Street Bridge and repairs for the Pearl Street Bridge.

Tatro property Village option expires on March 31, 2003. Price is $300,000.00 for building and 181 acres. Building with 3 acres is $175,000.00. Town needs a building for cold storage. Town option.1. Go with the Village and buy the whole property. 2. Buy out the Village share for $175,000.00 to have whole ownership in office building, garage and 15 acres. 3. Go with the Village the buy building with 3 acres of land. Town does need some land for a building for salt and sand. 4. Do nothing. George stated that may be able to get some money back if sell off lots in the back of the property. Boards are working well together now. These are the options that the Village discussed. Village needs to make their decision on what to do. Have to hold a meeting before April. George stated that Trustees to meet again before the Selectmen meeting on Monday. Selectboard would like to look at owning the whole property. Need to have $60,000.00 down and the balance over 4 years. Village should know within a couple of weeks if going to use the Osgood site for a water source. George stated that it is a clearer deal to separate the properties. Eric stated that the best case is to buy the whole property, possible to get some money back when sell off the property that is not needed.

Brad presented to the Board a new clock for the meeting room that he made with the Town emblem.

Eric moved to go into executive session at 8:50 p.m. for a legal matter, Rocky seconded, so voted

Board came out of executive session at 9:05 p.m.

Meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by

Rosemary Audibert, Clerk