Members present: Eric Osgood, Blaine Delisle, Franklin Hooper, Daryl West, Brad Reed, Selectmen, Michael Patch, David Crossman, John Sullivan, Howard Romero, Richard Lemay, Robert Philbrook, Chad Guyette, Lisa Guyette, Richard Lemay, Andrew Harm, Neal Kidney, Rosemary Audibert, Clerk.
Eric called meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Board viewed and signed orders.
Brad moved to accept monthly meeting minutes for December 17, 2002.
Mike Patch asked the board to check to see if the petition for the speed limit is legal. Can a petition for one road be changed to all roads? He feels 35 mph is too slow. Rocky stated that speed limit is for all including emergency vehicles. Mike feel 40 to 45 would be better; people go faster than 35 mph. Eric stated that the ordinance went through the Town attorney. Petition was not legal there was not 5% of the voters. Petition contained the names of the people who lived on Gould Hill. Mike asked can you write an ordinance for one road when the petition was for other road. Townspeople can turn in petition to disapprove the ordinance. Then the selectmen will have to warn a special meeting to vote on the ordinance. Cannot extend the 45 days for the petition to be turned in. Brad stated that the police don t pay any attention unless people are going more than 5 mph over the limit.
Blaine gave the road foreman report. Town crew is plowing and sanding the roads.
Eric stated that Liberty Post and Beam called him to see if they received the letter and would the board would reconsider the bid vote. Eric told him that the Board accepted Blow & Cote bid and there would be no reconsideration on the bid vote.
Mike stated that the logging on the Prindle lot is done. Took three loads of logs to Heath Saw Mill for a total of 10,818 feet of timber. 2,890 feet to be custom sawed by Tommy Horner for the bathrooms. Logs were not long enough for the gazebo. Cut a total of 51 trees. Timber was wet, there was a lot of rot, had to cut up six to eight feet up on the trees. Need to have a forest management plan for the property, so that can do a select cut, there are hard and soft woods on the property. Property should not be sold for $5,000.00 or $10,000.00. Cut about 10% of the timber, worked from the back to the front of the property, did not cut anything under 18 inches. Should receive a check from Heath in the amount of $2115.00. Heath bought the logs 10,818 feet of hemlock and spruce. Heath to sell lumber to Blow & Cote. Raymond Hutchins donated his time and trucking of the logs. He made four trips to the sawmills. Board should reimburse him $100.00 for fuel cost. Rocky moved that to pay Rod & Son $100.00 for Raymond Hutchins for fuel. Daryl seconded, so voted.
Mike stated that when Kent Hanley was on the Board the recreation committee sent out surveys asked the people what they wanted to see happen at the ball fields. They wanted to see walkways, paving, lights and bathrooms. The recreation committee has saved money over the years, which they would like to use on a 50x100 basketball court, bathrooms, fencing, new sand for the ball fields, paving of the parking lots. Would like to see pressure treated 4x4 post with cables from the State to keep cars off the fields. Lendways are complaining that cars are parking in the road. Blaine stated that could put up no parking signs. Daryl stated he doesn t agree with paving the parking lot because it is very expensive, should try different things first. Blaine suggested experimenting with staymat first. Town crew can help with that.
Eric stated that he has written a response letter to Dr. Rogers regarding the health grant. Dr. Rogers feels that this doesn t need to be studied, have enough doctors in the area. Eric stated that the study is not just for primarily care, will be looking at dentist, eye doctors, mental health doctors, etc. Need to find out what the needs are in the Johnson area.
John Sullivan stated that the business group would like to purchase silent policeman to be placed on walkways. Two local businesses would like to purchase two and would like the Town and Village to purchase two for a total of 4. Cost is $155.00 each. Daryl asked where they would be place. They would be place in the cross walk on Pearl Street and Railroad Street. Local businesses will monitor them; will take them in at night. Brad moved to purchase one silent policeman, Blaine seconded, so voted.
Board received a letter from Linda Molde stating that she would like to be appointed as lister. Brad moved to appoint Linda Molde as lister, Blaine seconded, so voted.
Received no letters for Deputy Health Officer.
Eric stated that he has driven by Bidwell's and saw no junk cars.
Mike stated that he and Mark Woodward are working on an article for the Burlington Free Press for the covered bridge project. Would like to include pictures, from beginning to end. Will get board approval before article is printed in paper. Bill Jaspersohn will help write article.
Chad stated that two days before Christmas he was working on his house, saw a black longhaired dog in front of the chicken house. He yelled at the dog and the dog turned and came up to him wagging its tail, Chad reached for the collar and the dog bit him on the hand on the top and bottom. Chad called for Lisa to use the pole on the dog to get the dog into the truck to take to the kennel. After they went to the kennel they went to the hospital to get the wound cleaned out. Have been to the doctors 4 or 5 times. Having surgery tomorrow morning, have a severed nerve. Eric stated that Dick Lemay should deal with this so that there is no conflict of interest. Mike asked why is this a Town problem. Eric stated that anytime there is a dog bite; need to hold a hearing to see if the dog should be declared vicious. Rocky stated that he received a dog bite report from the hospital on December 24. Animal was defending himself. Lisa stated that the owner of the dog is Shelly Wheelock and no ticket was issued. Board set up a hearing for January 28, 2002 at 7:00 p.m.
Dick Lemay stated that have several complaints on a dog last year on Collins Hill and Maple Hill could not find out who the owner of the dog was. Neal Kidney stated that have had a dog bark at his house at 3:00 in the morning when his dog was in heat. Tried to get rid of the dog also tried to find out who owned the dog. Dick stated that was able to track the dog to Andrew Harm house. Andrew stated that he lives on Collins Hill at the former Hill sugarhouse; he does have a 12 year old male dog that is not neutered. He is under control by voice and hand controls. The dog has lost his family structure this past year. Andy works two jobs, haven t been spending the time he should with the dog. Dog does get out and when he gets home from work he goes and looks for the dog. Dog does have a license and has had his rabies shots. Roommates let out the dog. Dog wasn t formally caught off the property. There are 6 other dogs in the neighbor that could be causing the problems. Have received threaten phone calls from neighbors saying that they are going to shot my dog. Dog has been shot with a 22 gun. Dick gave Andy a copy of the dog ordinance and Dick explained the fees schedule. Dick stated that have received more than six complaints and will waive the $500.00 fine to a $100.00 fine and if happens again will be fined $500.00. Eric stated the need to make sure dog stays home and is under your control. Dick stated that he is sure that this is the dog, track where the dog went in and where it came out.
Blaine stated that received a letter from Jim Smith (retired from AOT) who is starting a Technical Service consulting business would rather spend money on this instead of a part time administrator.
Board worked on budget for year 2002-2003. Officers Salaries $85,000.00; Office Expense $2,000.00; Payroll Fringe $80,000.00; Legal $6,000.00; Insurance $20,000.00; Cemeteries $2,000.00; Winter Roads $140,000.00; Summer Roads $90,000.00; Beautification $500.00; Capital Equipment Fund $55,000.00; Emergency Management $2,000.00; Town Clock $900.00; Town Offices $13,000.00; Dog Account $3,000.00, Tax $15,929.00; Dispatch $46, 675.41; New Equipment $10,000.00; Library $10,000.00; 10 Cent on Grand List $28,000.00; Garage $13,500.00; Fires $30,000.00; Miscellaneous Expense $4,000.00; Tax Mapping $4,000.00; Memorial Day $200.00; Planning Funds $8250.00; Audit $2,000.00; Landfill $7,000.00.
Eric stated that he and Willie worked on a cost estimate for the roads that should be paved. Total cost is $636,000.00 over 20 year plan cost per year $31,800; over 30 year plan cost per year $21,200. Cambridge spends $125,000.00, Hyde Park spends $90,000, Morrisville spends $150,000.00 per year on paving. Blaine stated that they are not good comparison because they have state highways that they maintain. They spend that much to maintain what they have. Blaine stated that should keep the paving amount the same $30,000.00 from the town and $20,000.00 from the State. Eric stated that if don t do something soon will cost much more in the future. What will be the cost of gravel in 25 years, cost of pavement will also go up. Pavement is expensive to maintain. The filter fabric is working very well in mud season. Eric stated that the grader is being worked more and more people are moving to the outlaying areas. Blaine stated that Wilson Road needs more drainage on the Hyde Park side, road needs to be raised.
Board viewed correspondence.
Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by