Members Present: Daryl West, Blaine Delisle, Brad Reed, Franklin Hooper, Eric Osgood, Selectman; Casey Romero, Steve Reber, School Board Members; John Sullivan, LCDC; Lori Wells, Grace Adams, Recreation Committee; Rose Warner, Lister; Gordon Smith, Fire Chief, Joe Salerno, Planning Commission; Adam Howard, Rosemary Audibert, Clerk.
Blaine called meeting to order.
Board viewed and signed orders.
Brad moved to accept meeting minutes from last month dated November 26, 2001 as written, Rocky seconded, so voted.
Board opened bids for the reappraisal.
Douglas McArthur without data entry $92,300, with data entry $97,000
Vt. Appraisal Co. without data entry $94,500
Rose stated that she knows both companies. Have worked with Douglas McArthur on the Merchants Bank tax appeal. Doug also did the reappraisal for Johnson in 1985. Have worked with Sandy Ross on the Grand List for Johnson and she works for Vt. Appraisal Co. Rose feels that the listers can do the data entry, would be good training for them, when the reappraisal is done. Selectboard would like listers to review the bids and give the Board their recommendation before they make an award.
Rosemary stated that Eric asked the Recreation Committee to come to the meeting to explain what the committee is going to do with the recreation balance of about $30,000.00. Lori Wells stated that the committee is looking into paving a basketball court at the recreations fields, would also like to build a bathroom and would like to see the roads paved at the fields. Tried to do a basketball court this fall but the price for paving was too high. Grace stated that they do not know where to start with bathrooms. Would like to locate bathrooms close to the village water & sewer lines. Would shut off in the wintertime and would be locked. The portables cost $100.00 per month, for May though the fall. Casey stated that Howard has a rough design for a bathroom for the skate park. Going to used lumber from the town wood lot. Going to take the design to Parker and Stearns for an estimate. Board stated that would have to add maintenance for the bathrooms in their budget. Lori stated that they would like to purchase sand for the diamonds for the baseball fields. The only place where they have found to purchase the sand is in Southern New Hampshire. Cost for trucking is about $500.00 which they feel is too high. The sand is called Jock Sand and it packs very hard. They use this sand in Hardwick and Stowe. Lori stated that they are also going to drop the budget. Blaine asked could Nadeau make this sand? Rocky stated that should check with other schools like Lamoille Union and Morristown to see where they get their sand. A full size basketball court cost is about $10,000.00 for paving. Lori stated that need to do something about the dust at the fields. Blaine stated that the town could help with that will put down some good gravel and will use more chloride.
John Sullivan here regarding a Regional Strategic Development Plan, looking for a lead community. There will be no cost to Johnson. Apply for a planning grant. Goals of the plan include:
To identify economic development strategies specific to the needs and circumstances of individual sub-state regions of Vermont.
To mobilize local leadership around well-informed and thoughtfully developed strategies in support of regional and community plans.
To encourage and foster collaboration among individual, groups, and other stakeholders of each region.
To establish benchmark information required measuring the economic development results related to the specific implementation strategies pursued.
Brad moved to accept resolution for VCDP Grant Application Authority, Rocky seconded. John stated that Jeff Carr would be working on the plan. He would do a countywide assessment, looking at the standard of living, industry, agriculture, wood products, manufacturing and tourism. Daryl asked when is this going to benefit Johnson? Johnson needs to attract more businesses. John stated that the first thing that needs to be done is to find an economic base, which this plan will do. Board voted to approve resolution. Board signed resolution.
John asked if LCDC could be exempt from a petition for an article in the town meeting warning. LCDC is a small organization. Daryl stated that a petition is not too much to ask for if they want money from the town. John stated that other towns only asked for petitions if they are requesting more money. Daryl stated that should have a petition for this year and the Board could look at this policy for next year. Blaine agreed.
John stated that at the business meetings have about one half dozen people attend. Have had a total of 4 meetings. Have received money from the Union Bank and Merchants Bank.
Steve Reber stated that the school has a facility policy for the gym and library. Have 5 levels of priority.
Not for profit organizations for youths
Not for profit organization for residents of Johnson (no religious groups)
Level 5 pays a fee of $20.00 per night. Polly Lehouillier has a group that plays volleyball in the winter at the gym. The game is opened to all but it is not publicized. She has stated that at one time this was a town-sponsored sport. Lori stated that she has asked that the recreation committee sponsor to the volleyball group. Lori stated that the recreation committee could not take this on due to the lack of volunteers. Recreation is for the youth of Johnson. If sponsored one group than would have to sponsor all groups. Lori suggested that Polly come to the Town and ask that they create an adult recreation program. Casey stated that they figure that the extra cost for facility use is between $6,000 to $10,000 per year for heat, lights, janitor services and wear and tear on the building. This is going to be a tough budget year. Does the Board cut facility use or a teacher s aid? The Johnson After School Program can seek grant money for facility use. Board asked is there other grant monies available for this. School will check into this.
Joe Salerno stated that phase 1 has been completed for the traffic-calming project. Have a design plan and cost estimates. All parties need to get together to plan for the future of Johnson. Need a member from both boards to be involved in the committee. Other committee members are from the planning commission, college and VSC. Plan to meet in early January. Blaine volunteered to be on the committee.
Joe stated that Dave Pelletier from LCPC has been working with the state on the process of a drafting traffic calming policy. Policy to include traffic calming devices that the state would accept.
Joe stated that the planning commission was approved for a $10,000.00 grant for phase 2 of the master plan that goes belong Main Street, no matching funds required.
Planning commission is working on village zoning and the town sewer allocation ordinance.
Gordie Smith stated that the bomb incident bill is about $16,000.00. Village to send a bill to the town. Have checked with the Agency of Natural Resources since there was no spill, doesn t qualify for reimbursement. Gordie will work with Eric in January to see that all the paperwork is done to submit to the attorney general office.
Gordie stated that the Village is working on a contract rate for fire calls for Johnson Waterville and Belivdere. The price would be the same for one call or 100 calls. Would be good for both the Town and Village. Village would know the amount of revenue for each year and the Town could budget for the expense. Daryl stated that looking for a rate on the grand list for each town. Currently the town budgets $22,000.00, which is 2.8 cents on the grand list. Town of Morristown is 6 cent on the grand list and Hyde Parker is 9 cents on the grand list. Village taxes on the fire department are $28,000.00; $8,000.00 for expenses and $20,000.00 for truck payment, which is about ½ of the village budget. Gordie stated that the average calls per year are about 50 to 60; this year had 88 calls. Village is looking at $30,000.00 to start with, which is 3.2 cents on the grant list. Village has level funded the fire department for the last four years. Johnson is one of the few towns that bill for accidents.
Brad moved to accept the stop sign ordinance for the Town of Johnson, Blaine seconded, so voted.
Brad moved to accept the speed limit ordinance for the Town of Johnson, Blaine seconded, so voted.
Blaine moved to appointment Jean Engel as Town Auditor until Town Meeting day, Daryl seconded, so voted.
Blaine gave the road foreman report. Blaine stated that would like to postpone buying 911 signs for class 4 roads until after June. Blaine stated that the highway funds might be cut by $10,000.00 as a middle year adjustment by the legislature. Working to get the funds back into the budget. Blaine stated that the winter roads budget would depend on the amount of mud we have this spring. Blaine stated that the ditching on Maple Hill has paid for by Project Impact. Larry and Bruce are working on a log of culverts. Have talked to Bill Moulton from Morrisville regarding the road policy need to have GPS mapping. Cost may be more than what could get out of it.
Rocky asked why the trees where cut back by the covered bridge. Blaine stated that was one of the maintenance items required by the State.
Board reviewed letter from Liberty Post and Beam. Board decided no reconsideration on bid.
Rosemary stated that a yoga class is interested in using the upstairs of the building. Board stated no because they charge people to attend the class.
Rocky moved to appoint Gail Longley as Green Up co-coordinator for Johnson, Brad seconded, so voted.
Board read resignation letter from Matt Collins as deputy health officer. Blaine moved to accept resignation. Brad seconded so voted. To place ad in paper.
Board signed liquor license for Rastas, Inc.
Meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by