Member Present: Franklin Hooper, Brad Reed, Eric Osgood, Blaine Delisle, Howard Romero, Selectman, Duncan Hastings, Administrator; P. Stephen Smith, Road Foreman; Delvin Gallagher, Ben Hogwood, Floyd Nease, Ed Wisell, Rene Davis, Brian Wells, Ben Hogwood, Greg Stefanski, Rosemary Audibert, Clerk.

Eric called meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

Howard moved to accept meeting minutes from February 13, 17 and March 5, 2003, Blaine seconded, so voted.

Steve stated that have plowed 6 times and sanded 16 times since the last meeting.

Steve stated that have the road crew has taken and passed a CPR class on February 20, 2003.

Steve stated that have cut the trees at the Nelson Duba Field on March 12, 2003.

Steve stated that have had problems with culverts freezing. This is a costly process to hire a contractor to thaw with a steam jenny. Crew is building a thawing machine that will unfreeze the culverts.

Steve stated that have received two bids for a dump body from Vt. Municipal Truck, and Howard Fairfield.

Steve stated that could trade in the York rake for $3,500.00, which is a left side rack.

Steve stated that mud season has started, working on removing snow banks from the side of roads.

Steve stated that Bruce does not wear the uniform that is provided by the town. The uniforms that were made for him are very uncomfortable and they don't fit correctly. So Bruce doesn't get the same benefit the other guys received, and would like to be compensated for it. Eric stated that a precedent was set with health care benefits, if don't use health care there is no extra compensation. Howard stated that would like to see the money used towards a uniform instead of overalls. Duncan stated that could have a clothing allowance that would not be considered part of compensation. Blaine moved to approve an equal amount for a clothing allowance for Bruce White, Rocky seconded, so voted.

Eric stated that would have emergency management training in Johnson. Would simulate a disaster like flooding would be a good training opportunity. This could happen sometime this spring or summer.

Rocky stated that Barry Coohen is very unhappy about the concrete by Scriber Bridge. Barry suggested building a swale, to make a low center spot for the water to flow. Board would like to know the cost of building a swale would be.

Duncan stated that Ed Buttolph has put in a driveway application. To make a curb cut off Lendway Lane. Buttolph does have rights of way from Gerald Tatro. Need to have this for the Act 250 application.

Duncan stated that had the annual highway meeting to day. Added more cost to winter roads because all the benefits were under General Selectman, not highway. Submitted a paving grant application for 1 mile on Hogback road for 4 inches of asphalt. Not liking to get funding this year. There is a remote possibility if there is any statewide money available could get funding.

Duncan stated the employees should be receiving information on the DC retirement plan.

Brad stated that Newport Ambulance will be holding interviews on March 26, 2003 at the Town Offices. Have hired one of Hoag paramedics to help get this set up. Newport does have a license to do Copley Transports, have taken an ambulance to Copley to show the staff. Newport still needs to locate a building. Tatro wanted $2,400.00 per month. Going back to Ken Harvey to see what can be done. Brad told Mike about the College forum.

Duncan stated that the Village has drilled a well on the Osgood property well is estimated at about 140 gallons minute on a 6 inch well with no screen. When pump test the well may have between 175-200 gallons per minute. May be able to sink other well. Well may have manganese, need to know the cost to treat the water and what the cost will be to bring the water to the distribution system. Need to replace the 4 inch line on Main Street to an 8 or 12 inch line to Railroad Street. Trustees have a concern about taking on the whole property. Greg has made an offer to sell the building with a few acres of land. Eric to set up a meeting with Chris before next Tuesday to discuss.

Eric stated that Tatro rent was twice that was budgeted. Bank is doubtful that the Bradley's property will be ready for July 1, 2003 start date. Suggested that the town/village could lease out the third building to the ambulance service temporary.

Duncan stated that David Barra has written another letter to Bob Hoag. Haven't heard anything.

Brad stated that need to have more strict rules on liquor licenses. Duncan stated that should have local ordinances to assess fines. Can't be stricter than the State rules. Duncan to do research. Board took no action on liquor licenses.

Howard moved that the Chairman sign the fire contract with the Village of Johnson, Brad seconded, so voted.

Board signed annual highway plan.

Eric stated that the Town has done its obligation to notify the landowners of the possibility of graves on there property. Brian from VAST stated that the Bill is out of the House transportation committee and has gone to the appropriation committee and Susan Bartlett will take care of the bill. Bill is to pull out the rails from St. Jay to Swanton. Cost is 7.5 million to make the rail to trail. Posing the question to landowners to work with VAST and the Legislators to see if there is any funding, do not want to jeopardize what VAST is doing. Brain stated that can't adjust the elevation for the trail, State may want to use as a railroad someday. Eric stated that the cemetery was a 4-acre lot that was sub divided into 2 acres for the Railroad. There may two at least two graves on that site, have no records that have been moved. Have located 8 stones on the other lots and have located 12 graves, there maybe as many as 30 graves. UVM archeology has the equipment to see if there are grave there. Rene Davis stated that need to put a new roof on there house or they won't be able to renew there homeowners insurance. Need to know within the next month. Is the Town going to buy their house? Duncan stated that is very unlikely that the Town would buy the house. Rene stated that have found several stones there, don't want a cemetery on there land. Don't want people on there land, concern about the amount of traffic on the road. Put in a new electric line from the house to the garage it was all sand. Ed Wisell ask why have to do anything, why disturb the graves all resting in peace. He is happy the way it is. Floyd asked what is the homeowner's liability. Duncan stated that there are fine and penalties if knowing disturb a grave. Advantages to having UVM come in to locate spots where a grave might be. To have a map so that can avoid the graves. Rene asked why are we paying property tax on land that we can't use. Ed asked who stands the financial burden too move the grave. Duncan stated that this time it is the landowners. Go back though the chain of title. Town hasn't owned the land since 1963. Is there a possibility to get federal funds? Would need to work with the Town, Landowners, Leahy, Jeffords, and Sanders. Need to know what the needs are and to make a plan. Howard stated that have an ultra sound machine to locate possible gravesite, but can it tell if the bodies have been removed? Duncan stated that the equipment that UVM has can tell if the body have been moved. Brian stated that need to know the facts first before he can go his board. Town will pay for the cost of the UVM study; there is some grant money available through the Old Cemetery Association. There may be some money available to remove a few bodies if there are close the buildings. Landowners don't have to allow UVM on there property, but if they dig and find a grave they could be assessed fines by the State. Floyd asked what is the value of a house whether or not there is a grave there. Need to know information if there is a loss there. UVM as agreed to meet with landowners regarding the study. Study can be done this spring or summer. Agreement would with the town or each landowner with UVM. Ed asked what happens if find a body, fine to leave where it is, does it become a cemetery. Only need to document where the grave is, cannot remove stones. If post a notice asking for relatives to come forward to maintain the grave and nobody does than it is the town's responsibility to maintain.

Greg Stefanski here regarding the contract with Lamoureux & Dickinson for the main street feasibility study. They would like to start in April. Using the Main Street Committee as a sounding board for Lameoureux & Dickinson. Duncan would like to make some changes to the contract. 1. to add a hold harness liability insurance 2. add that a minimum of 2 sets of report to the Town and 2 sets of report to the Village. This is that second phase of the main street study. This is to find out what things will work and what thing will not work. Need to know what is feasible. This is a 6 to 8 month project to get the numbers to do the research. The main street committee to make a presentation of the report to the boards. Howard moved to authorize Eric Osgood to sign contract with Lamoureux and Dickinson, Brad seconded, so voted. Greg stated that the March 27, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. is the last public meeting for the pathways project. To connect the downtown to the college, schools, ballfields, skate park. LCPC will highlight the areas and the sites for easy connections.

Policy for Inclusion of Budget appropriation line items from organizations and submission of articles by petition table to a work meeting.

Howard stated that Casey to working on a grant application for recreation funds, may need Duncan's help to get data to fill out application.

Duncan stated that the Northern Vt. Resource Conservation and Development Council has put in a request for funds in the amount of $50.00. The town has received grant money from this organization in the past. Howard moved to pay $50.00 to Northern Vt. Resource Conservation and Development Council, Brad seconded, so voted.

Board reviewed the feasibility study on the Buttolph development road. Highway budget is 33% of the total budget. Has an impact of 2/10 on the town tax rate. Board gave ok to send to David Ring.

Duncan stated that need to offer another mine safety course. Had excellent attendance by the road crew for the safety training done by VLCT/PACIF.

Duncan stated that have a letter from Economic Development Council of Northern Vermont requesting identification of Community Priority Projects for inclusion on their list. Board stated to submit the main street calming project.

Duncan stated that have put in a grant application for $25,000.00 for repairs to the Waterman Bridge.

Eric stated that Homeland Security may have money available for radios, laptop computers, upgrade the radio base, and need to have more information.

Howard stated he has spoken with Ken Schwarm regarding public access TV. Concerned about Adelphia bankruptcy. People have been paying this on their bills for sometime now and were to be been up into special account. State mandated the amount to the fund to have the ability to provide Public Access TV. Aldelphia is offering pennies on the dollars. Offering $15,000.00 he thinks it should be $40,000.00. Would like Johnson to become an interested party with the Public Service Board. Howard to call the Public Service Board to become a interested party.

Brad moved to adjourned, Rocky seconded.

Meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by

Rosemary Audibert, Clerk