Members present: Franklin Hooper, Brad Reed, Eric Osgood, Howard Romero, Selectmen; P. Stephen Smith, Road Foreman; Duncan Hasting, Administrator; Dick Lemay, 1st Constable; Lisa Guyette, 2nd Constable, Walter Pomroy, Jan Perkins, Rosemary Audibert, Clerk.
Eric called meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.
Board viewed and signed orders.
Board reviewed meeting minutes for June 17, 2002. Brad stated that on page 3 regarding the ambulance he did not speak to Ken Harvey. Eric stated that he did. Rocky moved to approve meeting minutes for June 17, 2002 with the correction, Howard seconded, so voted.
Steve stated that have been working on fixing the minor washouts from the last storm with the grader.
Steve stated that the new truck has been delivered to Fairfields.
Steve stated that have been working on the winter sand pile. Have put up 4,000 yards so far have another 1,000 yards to do.
Eric stated that President Bush has declared Lamoille County a disaster area from June 5 to the end of June.
Duncan stated have put in a State application for emergency AOT fund reimbursement. Used numbers from FEMA standards. FEMA pays 75% and the local share is 25%.
Duncan stated that he attended a pre construction meeting for the Scribner Bridge this morning. State has let out the bid. State agreed that should have the contractor do the beams if the contractor is able to do. Bids were approved of by the State.
Duncan stated that the Town has been approved for the bridge and culvert and class 2 paving grants.
Rocky stated that he had a complaint from someone on Collins Hill who was told that the Town doesn t have any money to buy speed limit signs. Steve stated that the only person he has talked to was Michele Streeter and told her that buying the signs was in the works. Steve to asked guys if they spoke to anyone. Duncan stated that he has a formal request from the Village Trustees to put up signs on the Village streets. Brad stated that Hubert Beard would like a bind driveway sign. Need signs for the Power House Bridge No Trucks, and Maximum 3 tons. To make a list of signs that are needed by looking at the highway maps. Board approved to start with $500.00 for signs.
Brad stated Scott Griswold has contacted 6 companies who may want to take over the ambulance service. Would like to see State figures to see if Hoag figures are fair. District 4 manager, which includes Hardwick to see if there are interested in serving this area. Should have the figures in a couple of weeks. Brad is concerned that Scott is dragging his feet. Eric to talk with Ken Harvey, Chairman of Hyde Park Selectboard. Howard stated that should call the other towns and express the concerns that Johnson has about the time line.
Walter stated that have lost (stolen) three silent policemen this weekend.
Dick Lemay stated that after August 1, 2002 would like to take a list of unlicensed dogs and investigate why they are not licensed. Should be able to get 75% compliance, the other 25% will not license there dogs. Howard stated that the statues stated that have to go to everybody s house to see if they have a dog. Duncan stated that he knows of every few towns that do that. Board to look into this more.
Board recessed meeting to hold a dog hearing at 7:30 p.m.
Howard moved to go into executive session for a personnel issue at 8:05 p.m., Brad seconded, so voted. Board came out of executive session at 8:20 p.m.
Duncan handed out quotes for Life and Disability insurance from Stowe Insurance and VLCT. Board stated that would review then working on the personnel policy.
Duncan stated that the State Highway Speed Limit and the Town Sewer Ordinance goes into effect on July 19, 2002.
Duncan handed out information regarding the VMERS DC retirement plan. Currently the Town only offers the DB plan to employees. The DC plan is like a 401K, employees can have an active role in where the investments are placed. The DC plan is 100% portable if an employee goes to another job. Board agreed to do this with the personnel policy.
Duncan stated that he has meet with Verizon who is looking for locations for a cell tower. Looked at the Town and Villages properties on Wednesday they will get back to the town if there is a site that is usable. Looked at the Gomo lot, Tatro property, reservoir, filter building. They are more interested in the French Hill area. Eric stated that the county has done a study looking for site for communications.
Brad moved to approve a corrected tax rate of $2.815, Howard seconded, so voted. Grand List as corrected because of a current use error.
Howard moved to approve payment for the PACIF insurance bill of about $12,000.00, Brad seconded so voted.
Duncan stated that Casey Romero brought in the application from the Natural Resources Conservation Services for stream bank repairs for the Gihon River. Howard stated that the riverbank is washing down the Gihon River. Not a problem for the Romero's or the Town. There is a cost share of 25%. Would like to rip rap Bell Brook by the driveway but the State said no. The only place they would recommend to receive rip rap is the clay bank and that is not a threat to the highway. No action taken by the board.
Duncan stated that have received a letter from Charlie Miller apologizing for the letter sent by Richard Bowen regarding the removal of the railroad tracks. To send a letter stating that the railroad tracks where removed before the town purchased the property.
Duncan stated that he hasn't heard anything regarding the Jewett/Warner accident. Rosemary stated that Terri O'hear called and Willie is to receive his deductible back. Duncan to call Terri.
Duncan stated that town highway employees should attend the Stevens driver training.
Duncan stated that have received a letter from the Solid Waste District asking if roadside dumping is a problem. Howard stated that there is some dumping going on River Road before Dog's Head. Board stated that it happens but not a big issue.
Duncan stated that the landfill testing results from Dufense Henry are about the same as in the past.
Duncan stated that have received a bid from Information Vision Services of $3,289.00 for the Better Back Roads grant for GPS mapping. Listers are also interested in getting data parcel maps done. Brad moved to accept Information Vision Service bid of $3,289.00, Howard seconded, so voted.
Eric signed grant agreement for the Lamoille County Economic Study.
Duncan stated that the pilot money will probably be cut, hoping the bridge and culvert and paving grant monies will be safe.
Brad moved to adjourn, Howard seconded, so voted.
Meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by
Members present: Franklin Hooper, Brad Reed, Eric Osgood, Howard Romero, Selectmen; P. Stephen Smith, Road Foreman; Duncan Hasting, Administrator; Dick Lemay, 1st Constable; Lisa Guyette, 2nd Constable, Walter Pomroy, Jan Perkins, David Burnor, Kelly Miller, Kerry Miller, Kristy Miller, Miller, Rosemary Audibert, Clerk.
Eric called dog hearing to order at 7:30 p.m.
Eric stated that have a written complaint from David Burnor regarding a dog owned by Kelly and Kerry Miller.
Eric sworn in David Burnor, Richard Lemay, Lisa Guyette, Kelly Miller and Kristy Miller.
David stated that on June 28, 2002 he was in his backyard with his 12 year old son Wendell and Millers dog came into the yard. Had to stay in one position to hold off the dog. Mrs. Miller came into the yard to get the dog and the dog knocked her onto here back. The dog is chained up and they keep saying to the dog sick them. Dog is being taught to bite. Dog barks constantly. This is not the first time that have had problem with Miller dogs. Dog did not bite Wendell, dog lung and tried to bite. David got between Wendell and the dog. Didn t have any contact with the dog. Dog got away from Kristy.
Dick stated that Lisa followed up on the complaint. Lisa stated that she spoke with them on the phone, and told David that he should write a letter of complaint to the selectboard.
Kelly stated that the dog is not one year old so doesn't have to be licensed. Dick stated that per the dog ordinance dogs have to licensed within six months. Dick stated that David son is afraid of the dog.
Kelly stated that the dog is a blue tick hound, about one year old. Town has already destroyed two dogs owned by Millers. Dog likes to play, does lung at people, dog is aggressive, will have the dog neutered and that should calm him down.
Kristy stated that was trying to bring the dog into the house. Saw David around the tree. David kick the dog in the face. Wendell was on the porch, not on the ground. Dog did go over there. Mother did have a little struggle with the dog.
Kelly stated that Wendell throws rocks at the dog. Dog barks because it is a puppy. Have six cats and the dog plays with the cats.
Kristy stated that she has seen Wendell and Warren throwing rocks at the dog many times.
Kelly stated that training the dog to hunt. Calls get the bird not sick them.
Dick stated that would like to see a compromise and too see the neighbor get along. There is a leash law in town.
Kelly stated that a dog needs to run. Dog doesn't go unto the porch and doesn't try to get into house.
Dick stated that need to keep the dog restrained. Take the dog to a field to run.
David stated that don't want to see the dog destroyed, would like to see a fence for the dog.
Kelly stated that would build a kennel and have a dog restrained. Kelly stated that should have made a video of the kids throwing stones. Kelly left meeting.
Kristy stated that dog will be hooked or inside.
Kerry Miller sworn in. She stated that the dog did not put her on her back when she got the dog. Normally the dog stay inside the house.
Rocky stated that should build a fence out of chicken wire, towards the back of the property.
Miller boy sworn in. He stated that Burnor dog and cats are on there property into the trash.
Eric stated that have no regulation for cats. Need to respect others people property.
Kerry stated that will get the dog netured. The dog and cats play together.
Eric stated that need to get the dog licensed.
Howard offically suggested that Milers should put up a fence.
Kerry stated that in the process of getting a kennel. Door wasn't open so the dog took off to run.
Board order to keep the dog within the property limits.
Howard stated that the fine of $100.00 be waived for an unregistered dog if the dog is licensed by the close of business tomorrow.
Kerry stated that the dog has had its rabies shots a couple months ago.
Howard asked David to look into the stone throwing at the dog.
Hearing adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by