Members Present: Eric Osgood, Blaine Delisle, Franklin Hooper, Daryl West, Brad Reed, Selectmen, William Jewett, Road Foreman, Bruce Butler, Senator Susan Bartlett, Rebecca Machia, Rosemary Audibert, Clerk.

Blaine called meeting to order.

Board viewed and signed orders.

Brad moved to accept meeting minutes from meeting held on July 17, 2000, Rocky seconded so voted.

Willie stated that have been working on replacing culverts and putting gravel on the roads. Should be able to start winter sand pile next week by the pad at Tatro’s.

Willie stated that when he went up to the dump to bring some old culverts up there, the locks on the gate had been changed. And the Town does not have any keys. Have no key for when they come to sample the wells. Town owns the land. Had to call Donnie to let him in the back way. Blaine to call LRSWD tomorrow to get a key

Willie stated that have been working on ditching for project impact.

Willie stated that Jim Smith is looking into getting some money for the Ben Ober Bridge. Problems started this spring with the bridge. Jim Bradley did the cement work.

Blaine stated that have talked to Gerald Tatro about removing the bank behind the Town garage for a sand pile. He would be willing to take the very fine sand. Will have to remove several thousand yards. If run into any good sand will keep that. Eric stated that there are some title issues on the Prindle lot so that has not gone though yet.

Brad stated that he would order the fence for the Evergreen Ledge Cemetery. To order enough fence to do the front side and one section on each side. Town to remove old fence. Agway will install the fence for $200.00.

Brad stated that he received a price from EF Hart to replace the 10 broken rails at the Whiting Hill Cemetery of $87.90. Contacted Round Hill Fence in Irasburg can get the same thing for less than $50.00. Willie stated that the Town guys can pick up the rails.

Eric stated that the millennium committee is looking the close down School Street on September 29 and 30. Willie stated that the Town does have road-closed signs. Parade on September 30 is to start at the Co-op building on Route 15 and end at the school. Will detour traffic up Foote Brook road to 100C. Rocky moved to close School Street at 6:00 p.m. on September 29 until the end of the street dance and on September 30 between the hours of 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, Brad seconded so voted.

Bruce Butler here regarding the revision of the Town Plan. Town Plan expires this year. Hired a land use planner at LCPC to make revisions. The Johnson Planning Commission has adopted the plan and have handed the plan over to the Selectmen. Planning Commission held a public hearing after which there were no substantial changes made to the plan. Select board needs to set a hearing date. Would like to have the plan adopted by the Lamoille County Planning Commission by October 10, 2000, so that the Village can apply for grants funds to do their plan. Bruce stated that the planning commission will start working on the Village plan and after that will start Village Zoning.

Daryl moved to hold a public hearing on the Town Plan on October 3, 2000 at the Municipal Office Building at 7:00 p.m., Rocky seconded, so voted. Can adopt the plan that night if warned. Can make minor changes to the plan, any substantial changes the plan would have to go back to the planning commission for review. Bruce stated that should send planning commission members a copy of the notice of hearing.

Bruce stated that the planning commission needs some more members. Have 5 members now and one lives in Belvidere, which is legal. There is no requirement to live in Johnson. Mike is willing to fill out his term.

Brad moved to accept school board resignation from Kim Plante and to place an ad in the newspaper, Rocky seconded, so voted.

Susan Bartlett here regarding the Railroad. Would like to know how the Board feels about the railroad. Blaine stated that the railroad should give the tracks to the Town of Johnson. Susan stated that the State would never give up the right of way. Susan stated that there is going to be a meeting for turning rails into trails on Wednesday. Susan stated that if the railroad could be economical viable would be a good thing. AOT is working on a study now. The railroad people say that can bring the tracks up to grade for $1,000,000.00. Susan stated that she doubts that figure, may the tracks but not the bridges. The outside appraisal should be done by mid September.

Blaine stated that would have a problem with Lendway Lane if the railroad did come back.

Blaine stated that the State says that the Town has to moved the sand pile that is on the tracks even if the railroad doesn’t come back. Susan stated that she would talk to Richard Bowen about this.

Susan stated that Bombardier has expressed some interest in coming to the Morrisville area.

Susan stated that State is ready to buy the lease. Clyde Forbes is having problems with the tax department, until that is cleared up he won’t sign.

Susan stated that the farmers have some concerns about the trails doing though their fields. Trails would be an economical boom to Lamoille County. There is a lot of federal money available for multi purpose trails. People would come from all over the country and world.

Blaine stated that the League of Cities and Town would like to hold a meeting in May at the garage. Board stated OK.

Daryl asked about closing in a building for cold storage. Blaine stated that received estimates in the range of $45,000.00. Would be cheaper to build a new building with the Village. Equipment is still outside.

Brad stated that all the stones are repaired at the Evergreen Ledge Cemetery. Will start on the Whiting Hill Cemetery next.

Board filled out questionnaire for Vt. Electric Co-op Act 250 Application.

Brad moved to adjourn, Rocky seconded, so voted.

Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by

Rosemary Audibert, Clerk