Board
of Abatement
Members present: Brad Reed, Eric Osgood,
Blaine Delisle, Selectmen, Helen McElroy, Rose Warner,
Rosemary Audibert, Clerk.
Eric called meeting to order.
Paul and Shirley Mclure have submitted
a request to abate the interest for the 97-98 taxes.
It was Mclure's belief that 97-98 taxes were included
in the trustee's bankruptcy payments.
Rosemary stated that no late notices
were sent to the Mclure because she thought this was
included in the bankruptcy amount. It is forbidden to
send notices to anyone in bankruptcy for amounts owned.
Anne contract Sharon Green office several time to get
the paperwork and never received anything. With both
Helen Neill and Bill Milo deceased, I really didn't
know what was going on with it. After payments had stop
from the bankruptcy court, Anne sent out a notice of
the taxes plus interest for 97-98 tax year, Paul Mclure
Jr. came into the office to discuss this he thought
some of the taxes where included in the bankruptcy.
After his attorney did some research, he came to the
conclusion that the taxes are still owned for that tax
year. Since this was a "mix up" on all parts; the McLures,
Sharon Greene, and the Town of Johnson, I feel that
it would be best to abate the interest.
Tax Due $3953.54
Interest Due $3690.29
Penalties $ 317.38
Brad moved to abate the amount
of $3,690.29 from Paul and Shirley Mclure tax bill for
the 97-98 tax year, Blaine seconded, so voted.
Brad moved to adjourn, Blaine seconded,
so voted.
Meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted by
Rosemary
Audibert, Clerk
Selectboard Meeting
Members present: Franklin Hooper, Brad
Reed, Eric Osgood, Blaine Delisle, Howard Romero, Selectmen;
P. Stephen Smith, Road Foreman; Duncan Hasting, Administrator,
Matt Goodyear, John Sullivan, Terry Bailey, Bill Shirpo,
Karl Erickson, Camille Lehouillier, Leslie White, Ben
Hogwood, Rosemary Audibert, Clerk.
Eric called meeting to order at
7:00 p.m.
Brad moved to approve meeting minutes
from April 21, 2003, Rocky seconded, so voted.
Steve stated that have 6 inches
of snow since the last meeting and had to plow on the
higher elevations. All the equipment is painted. Replaced
the dump body on Ray's truck. Truck is over 8 years
old and had been welded three times. Going to start
screening gravel tomorrow.
Steve asked about the location of
the salt and sand pile. Duncan stated that is still
pending on the rail/trail in the legislature. Need to
have federal government to approve rail banking. If
can pull up the tracks and sell the rails would make
the project more feasible. Vast has 7 million for trails.
Don't know yet all the requirements for the sheds. Howard
stated that should wait until know more, no need to
move twice. Send a letter to Richard Bowen to AOT/Rail
Division asking to use the same spot. Blaine stated
that need to come up with a plan.
Steve stated that have a bid from
James Bradley for the retaining wall by French Hill.
$4534.00 for 85 feet long by 4 feet wide. Rocky ask
about water and sewer lines to check with Ken about.
Steve stated that have order some
stop signs.
Duncan to call Gil Newberry about
getting the sidewalks painted on Main Street.
Howard stated that there is a mess
on the Dubra field where the trees were cut and it is
ugly and if something is not done about it will have
complaints. Eric stated that there is a mess and asked
Steve to clean it up.
Matt Goodyear here regarding renting
the Tatro building. Matt stated that he has been renting
the building for a couple of years and would like to
stay for a couple of months. Duncan stated that should
have a closing by the end of the month. Board had no
objections asked that Matt put his proposal in writing.
Brad stated that the Co-op is trying
to build a 10,000 square foot building on Route 15 by
the 1st of September. They are going to do
this whether they sell the building or not. John Sullivan
has asked that the ambulance service sign a five year
lease. Newport Board and the oversight committee to
review the lease. What are the odds that the towns will
change ambulance service? Duncan stated that this is
a one year contract with the option of four additional
contracts. Ambulance service to put an ad in the paper
about subscription service and the money to be sent
directly to Newport.
John Sullivan stated that would
like to run fiber optic cable to the co-op building,
LEDC is working on purchasing the co-op building. Will
look to the Town and Village to apply for a CDBG grant.
There is a meeting on May 29, 2003. Brad moved to send
a letter of support from the board for this project,
Howard seconded, so voted.
Terri Bailey stated that Green
Mountain Technology & Career Center would like to
be the home for Public Access TV and to have a central
editing place for TV production. Terry gave an overview
of the programs that are offered at the Tech Center.
Public TV access would work well with the Multimedia
& Design and Technical Electronics programs. Presently
Adelphia serves 30% in Johnson, 31% in Hyde and 32%
in Morristown households and the are being forced to
build out in the rural areas. To form a non-profit (5-1(3)c)
corporation to be know as the Lamoille Valley Community
Television (LVCTV) for public education government cable
access service. LVCTV board to consist of:
3 appointed by Selectboard
2 appointed by School Board - Morristown
and Lamoille Union
1 appointed by Regional Advisory
Board
1 appointed by Workforce Investment
Board
1 Adelphia area cable subscriber
approved by Adelphia Community Affairs
Ex-officio, non-voting members
to support the board.
To have an operating studio with
tech support to offer training and will have office
support. To bring real experience to high school and
adult students.
Funding comes from Adelphia subscribers
with a 2.5% tax per bill. The PSB has verified that
Adelphia has $70,000.00 in the fund for this. Using
some of the monthly fees now to put programming on the
Montpelier station.
Requesting that Johnson support
for GMTCC proposal to bring community access TV to the
area to Adelphia Cable. There will also be live web
broadcasting available to communities if they chose.
Have spoken to Morristown and Hyde Park. Looking at
a 5-year contract agreement with Adelphia. Brad moved
to send a letter of support for Public Access TV for
GMTCC, Howard seconded, so voted.
Karl Erickson stated that he is
a pastor of a church in Johnson. Looking at building
a church along Route 15. Would like to have safe access
for people coming and going. Have gone to all the business
and people in the area to sign a petition. Karl gave
petition to Selectboard. Camille stated that there have
been many near accidents there all the time. Would like
to lower the speed limit down to Foote Brook Rd, in
many places there is not good line of site. Looking
at a piece of land that is owned by Camille Lehouillier
next to Silas Jones. Camille stated that have a permit
to building a road their and that area has a high volume
of traffic. Eric stated that would like the bring this
up to the planning commission to see if this is a good
idea before the Town puts in a request to the State.
Howard stated that the planning commission is looking
into traffic calming. Selectboard to forward petition.
Duncan stated that Dick Lemay would
like the Town to purchase a stun gun for problem dogs.
Blaine stated that need to found what training is available.
Rocky stated that this would cost about $600.00 and
only the veterinarians have the drugs. Board agreed
that the town would not purchase a stun gun. Duncan
stated that Dick and Lisa had to go after a vicious
dog. Dick did purchase welding gloves at Duncan's suggestion.
Eric stated that have meet with
UVM regarding the cemetery, looked at the site. UVM
is working on the research, looks like the Hunt cemetery
was private. Hunts also deeded land to the Town for
a cemetery. UVM to put together a report and will work
with the landowners. To hold a meeting with UVM and
the landowners.
Duncan stated that Rocky has meet
with David Barra and it is Dave's opinion that Hoag
needs to come into compliance.
Duncan stated that the Committee
is to meeting with the employees on Wednesday for there
comments. So far the response has been fairly positive
to the draft. Have concerns about health insurance and
highway department has concerns about changing the work
week to 40 hours. Blaine stated that if cut back to
40 hours will need to hire another full time person.
Board to look at this at there work meeting in June.
Duncan stated that he award the
mowing contract to Bowen.
Duncan stated that prepared draft
changes to the Skatepark bylaws. Warrant to be signed
by the selectboard and committee to submit a budget.
To submit these changes to the Recreation committee
and Skatepark for there approval. To approve at the
June meeting.
Duncan stated that he has looked
to the Emergency Management draft ordinance and has
some concerns about it. Have asked the League of Cities
and Towns to look at it. Have concerns about section
4 about promulgating regulations in the event of a disaster
seems a questionable. Questions whether or not adopting
one ordinance grants you the authority to promulgate
a "regulation that has the effect of and ordinance as
in suggested in (b) 4. Duncan stated that already have
the authority though State Statue except that can't
assess fines. Eric stated that to hold off on until
to see what the League says.
LCPC Board appointment. Eric stated
that Bruce Butler is not interested have served for
10 to 15 years. Have until June 30 to make an appointment.
To put an ad in the paper for interested persons to
be interview by the Board.
Monuments to be moved from the
old Town Hall to the Municipal building in about two
weeks. Blaine stated that it might be possible to move
the base with the monuments.
To place an ad in the paper for
painting the Mill house. To have a joint meeting with
the Trustees to pick a contractor. Duncan stated that
there is some dry rot and some clapboard that need to
be fix. Need to put in a ramp, there is a problem with
the door not wide enough for a wheelchair. Eric stated
that he would send a message to the Trustees and if
don't hear anything from them will draw up a bid proposal
Howard stated that would work on
the Town and Village merger as soon as basketball is
done.
Brad stated that need to get bids
on replacing the Whiting Hill fence. Board stated that
should check with Barry Simays to find out what happened
to the replacement rails that there given in Dick.
Received a complaint letter from
Tammy Horner about a dog. Believe the dog is from the
Putvian trailer. Blaine stated that he thought the renters
were moving out. Need to have more information, like
a description of the dog, owner, etc before any action
can be taken.
Duncan stated that asked the Agency
of Transportation to send copies of the Road Standards
identified in the Town Road Policy A21 through A26 &
A76, received a letter back stating that the State no
longer uses theses standards and in fact does not recommend
that towns use some of them either. A21 and A22 requires
only a 12 " sub base. The development road policy refers
to A76. Duncan suggested that delete A21 through A26
standards and use the A76 standard as the basis of design
and allow the Board to reduce the travel width for roads
serving smaller amount of traffic. Duncan Steve and
Blaine to look at.
Duncan stated that received one
letter for Health Officer from Dick Lemay. Rocky stated
that the State has contacted him and they will reappoint
him as health officer now that have a new commissioner.
Howard moved to appoint Franklin Hooper as Health Officer,
Brad seconded, so voted.
Duncan stated that have received
a letter from the Agency of Transportation regarding
the right of way of Pearl Street in the vicinity of
the bridge. Letter stated that have been unable to find
records establishing the width of the road when laid
out and unless the Board objects they are going to assume
it is a 3 rod road. Howard moved that Pearl Street as
far as the Selectboard knows is s 3 rod road, Blaine
seconded, so voted. Duncan to send letter.
Howard moved to approve liquor
license from Plum and Main, Brad seconded, so voted.
Board signed application.
Brad moved for Eric Osgood to sign
the Quarterly Progress Report and the requisition for
$6871.00 for the Economic Development Study for Lamoille
County, Howard seconded so voted.
Howard moved to recommend Duncan
Hastings to the VLCT Legislative Policy Committees to
the Transportation Committee, Brad seconded so voted.
Duncan stated that Sharon Green
is going to issue a corrective deed to Brent Tomlinson;
which is a reasonable way to handle this since Brent
is not going to cooperate by signing a quitclaim back
to the tax collector. Sharon to begin the process.
Better Back Roads Grant could be
place to replace the culvert on the Fox Lot road.
Howard stated that have sent a
letter to John Hancock. Keith Morse is the tenant and
he look at the flood maps and the trailer is not in
the flood way maybe in the 500 year flood way. Howard
looked at the map and thinks may be ok should have Karl
Jurentkuff make a determination. The building is a travel
trailer used a farm office.
Peter Moynihan handed the board
his proposal for use of the upstairs for entertainment.
Peter asked to have a decision next month.
Brad moved to adjourn, Rocky seconded,
so voted.
Meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted by
Rosemary
Audibert, Clerk |
