Members Present: Franklin Hooper, Brad Reed, Eric Osgood, Blaine Delisle, Howard Romero, Selectmen; Duncan Hastings, Administrator; P. Stephen Smith, Road Foreman; Franklin Manchester, LRSWMD Supervisor, Christopher Bidwell, Roger Kelly, Rosemary Audibert, Clerk

Eric called meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Board viewed and signed orders.

Howard moved to accept meeting minutes from October 20, 2003, Blaine seconded, so voted.

Steve stated that have had 7.7 inches of rain and a little bit of snow since the last meeting. Are working on getting the sanders and plows on the trucks. Have put some equipment into the new building. Replaced a culvert on the Tree Farm Road. Vt. Electric Co-op replaced the entrance culvert, town paid for the culvert. Still have no radio contact with the sheriff's department.

Blaine stated that would like to see the roads posted for a lower amount. In the springtime having problems with log trucks using the roads. In Wolcott the load limit is 66,000 pounds. Trucks are haul more now and with heavier weights, which is causing more wear and tear on the roads.

Blaine stated that he had a logger call him about a road on Ober Hill that goes towards Eden by the Foster place, road was call the County Road. Savoie's don't want anybody using it. In Eden it is a class 4 road to the town line. Duncan stated that he has not had time to look to see if the road has been discontinued. Logger has proof of insurance, to pay for any damages done to the roads. Can't make improvements to roads without permission from the Town. Duncan stated that in the 1960's and 1970's State Statues changes the road classes. Did an inventory of the roads and there classes. There are records here or in St. Albans. Duncan stated that other towns have gone back into the land records and tried to plot on a map the two and three road roads.

Duncan stated that with DEW regarding the library ramp there position is that they did what the contract calls for. Primed the rails and put on one coat of black flat paint. DEW wanted an additional $800.00 for a second coat of paint and the Library Board thought that was too much. Duncan looked at the rails and he thought it looks like only one coat of black flat paint is on them. Sub - contractor stated that they where primed and painted with black flat paint. Library Board has not gotten back to Duncan as to what they want to do now.

Frank Manchester here regarding compensation from the Solid Waste District for the use of the town land for the transfer station. Eric asked do other towns charge for transfer stations. Frank stated that Johnson is the only one in the county that accepts construction material and tires. There is a liability if the tires catch on fire. Solid Waste District claims that they don't make any money. Frank stated the in Franklin County in Coventry they are proposing a landfill there. Should check with other solid waste districts to see if they are charge. It is not unreasonable to get compensation. Town pays for the former landfill to be monitored. The Solid Waste District is like a municipality and should provide liability insurance. At least should have a bond and a certification of insurance. Town to come up with a proposal.

Brad stated that the Ambulance Board is having a budget meeting tomorrow night. Looks like they are going to decrease the budget by $10,200.00. They are getting more work than anticipated.

Duncan stated that is nothing new to report on stop sign ordinance, old cemetery and independent review of office.

Duncan stated that Bob Hoag has constructed a sewer system and has submitted signed certifications. Louise to sign final approval when she gets back into town. Health order can be released. Dave Barr has filed a motion do dismiss the suit. Mr Hatala has hired a consultant to develop a new plan and file an application. Michael Berry has hired AJ West and gave him a copy of the application. Sterner stated that he is living there and if getting his mail there. Rocky to check it out.

Duncan stated that Chris Brunelle stated that was a great solution for the Codding Hollow culvert and will support it. Will need to get a stream alteration permit from the State because will be pouring concrete.

Duncan stated that still waiting for reimbursement from the Town Highway Emergency Funds for last years storm.

Duncan stated that all is going well with the computer server upgrade.

Duncan stated that received a check for $4000.00 for the emergency toolbox.

Board reviewed the personal vehicle policy. Duncan stated that a lot of towns pay mileage or a stipend. Other towns pay mileage and place a cap on the insurance deductible. Eric stated that change from mileage to a stipend a few years ago for the constables. Can require documentation, by a simple certification form also need to have a valid operators license and registration, and the minimum insurance coverage required by law. Brad moved to approve the Personal Vehicle Policy, Blaine seconded, so voted.

Duncan stated that had a meeting regarding the Pearl Street Bridge with the State and do have the agreements in place for a placement for a temporary bridge. Still working on finalizing all the legal issues and the rights of way. Final design drawings are about gone. Have to wait until the money is available.

Christopher Bidwell and Roger Kelly here regarding the Wood Drive extension development. Chris wanted to know what needs to be done to bring up the road to class three standards so the town will take over the road. Tom Wood stated that he would do the dirt work. The road association would have to pay for the pavement. Now Tom Wood doesn't want anything to do with the road. He has one last lot still to sell and is working on that. Tom told Roger many times that the road was at the town specs. Blaine stated that shouldn't pave a road at that level and not have problems later. Blaine stated that need a least one foot of bank run gravel to raise it up. Wood Drive may have enough gravel. Chris stated that graded Wood Drive Extension two times and have graded off the crush gravel. Chris would like something in writing to take back to the association. Duncan stated that could get a consultant to go over the road and dig to measure the amount of gravel to see what is there. Randy Reed from AOT may be willing to do this. Blaine stated that would like the town to grade at no charge to the association to make sure it is done right and would have to wait one year before paving. There is an Act 250 permit on the property that states road guidelines to go by A76. Board stated that Tom is bond by the terms and conditions of the permit. Chris stated that Road was to be called Wood Drive Loop but was named Wood Drive Extension. There are 5 or 6 residence on that road would have to change the 911 and mailing address. Easier not to change the road name now. Duncan asked who owns the road they need to give permission to do the borings. Chris stated that there is no legal association yet, states in the deeds to have a 30 feet right of way. Tom Wood owns the right of way now, Tom to deed the rights of way over to the association. Need to have Tom Wood permission to make improvement to the road. Duncan stated that if the town grades the road that would be working on a private road and should not do that.

Blaine stated that would like to do an inventory of the roads. Duncan stated that this is not going to be cheap, could do over a ten year period.

Board discuss damage done to Dick Lemay truck. Brad moved to pay Dick Lemay according to the new personal vehicle policy, which is 50% of the deductible up to $250.00. Howard seconded, so voted.

Eric stated that need to start working on budget goals would like to stay to the cost of living. Voters on Town Meeting Day, with the reappraisal won't know what there taxes are going to be. Board agreed to send out a letter to the non-profits that the Johnson Board would like to see level funding from them.

Board would like to set up a work session meeting with the trustees to discuss 10 cents on the grand list, fire contract. Would like to see what ideas the planning commission would have on the Tatro property.

Board approved Gail Longley as the Green up coordinator.

Eric signed to quarterly progress report and request for funds for the Economic Development Study CDBG grant.

Board reviewed a budget status report.

Duncan stated that Rose Warner stepped on a nail while listing; she did get a tetanus shot.

Duncan stated that when the Town sold the Town Hall to the St. Studio center the town did reserve the right for the weathervane. Weathervane higher than 50 feet.

Duncan stated that have a letter from Department of Housing and Community Affairs advising that there site monitoring visit for CDBG Harvey Mobile Home Park grant went well and run a good grant and documentation. Also a letter stated that there are no audit issues preventing the issuance of a grant completion certificate.

Duncan stated that there is a railroad lease agreement with Tatro. Duncan to check on this.

Brad moved to adjourn, Blaine seconded, so voted.

Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by

Rosemary Audibert, Clerk