March 18, 2002

Members Present: Blaine Delisle, Eric Osgood, Brad Reed, Howard Romero, Franklin Hooper, Selectmen; Duncan Hastings, Municipal Administrator, David Crossman, Mike Patch, Mike Miller, Anne Trombley, Greg Stefanski, Rosemary Audibert, Clerk.

Eric called meeting to order.

Board viewed and signed orders.

Brad moved to accept meeting minutes from February 18, 2002 as written, Howard seconded, so voted.

Blaine gave the road commissioner report. Working on the mud holes. Today had two buses off the road on French Hill because of the snow.

Blaine stated that he talked with Eric and Daryl around the end of February about the Town purchasing a one-ton dump truck. Have looked at an International 2 wheel drive dump truck with a small wing and a plow to do the village streets. It takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours to salt the black tops. Have been offered $16,000.00 for a trade in for the Chevrolet truck. Will do a presentation at the next monthly meeting.

Blaine stated that would like to hire a part-time winter employee to do what Daryl West has been going and some more work. Daryl would like to continue. On weekdays when school is in session would like to get the work done before school starts.

Blaine stated that the truck is the same size as a Ford 550. The Town of Cambridge has one of these trucks. No front wheel drive, but has a rugger frame. Will take one pass to do the village streets instead of 2. Would like to trade this summer. Would like to use the money from selling the over run stone and the local fines money for small equipment to replace the capital equipment fund.

Mike Patch stated that the work being done on the ball fields is an excellent job. Town is doing the trucking of the materials, about 1/3 done. The recreation committee went out to bid on three projects. 1. Revitalizing of the ball fields. 2. Walkway. 3. Basketball court. Lowest bid for all three projects came in at $18,100.00. Town and the Village crew are helping to get this project completed. Using good material, sand is compacting. Mike stated that put up a building this past weekend. Village is working on the water & sewer lines. Working with LCPC in hopes to re-cop some of this money in the form of a grant. Recreation Committee received four bids on each project.

Mike stated that on Wednesday or Thursday of this week would meet with a representative of the State Forest and Parks to see is can get some grant money to help revitalize the Gomo Lot. There is $500,000.00 available in grant funds; no matching money is required. There are conservation groups that will do the work. A State forester will do a study of the lot, will show what can be cut, will develop a plan to manage the forest. Blaine stated that he would work with Mike on this.

Board gave ok for the Town crew to do the trucking for the recreation committee.

Eric stated that Blow and Cote has started work on the Power House Covered Bridge.

Howard stated that he attended a Johnson Works meeting, there were about 30 people present. Have formed several committees, which included marketing, events, and linguists. Committee is looking into is this going to be a town committee or a private organization. Looking at now the communications between the different organizations can be improved. Johnson Works is going to put out a newsletter; school board is going to have an article in the newsletter. Howard stated that he would write up an article of what the selectmen are doing that pertains to the businesses of Johnson. Next Johnson Works meeting is on April 17, 2002.

Howard stated that Greg Stefanski is the new chairman for the planning commission. Planning commission would like direction from the Board. Greg stated that the planning commission is wrapping up some big projects. Where would the Selectboard like to see Johnson in the next few years? The village zoning bylaws are about done. Village needs to re-adopt the Village plan. Village plan was missing a map, so the regional planning commission did not accept the plan.

Greg stated that the Main Street group is looking for their first project. Something that is small and that is affordable and easy to manage.

Howard moved to going into executive session at 7:35 to discuss a personnel issue, Blaine seconded, so voted. Board came out of executive session at 8:00 p.m.

Duncan stated that he would try to get the administrator report out by Friday before the Selectboard meeting.

Greg stated that the planning commission has applied for a grant for $10,000.00 there is a 10% match required which will come out of the planning commission budget for a bike/pedestrian project. LCPC has chosen Johnson’s project as #1 to be taken to the state. Need letter of support. Brad moved to send letter of support, to be sign by the Chairman, Blaine seconded, so voted.

Eric, Duncan, Chris Parker, Kenneth Phelps, Donald Garrett meet to discuss the sewer ordinance. Duncan stated that should operate under the Village ordinance and have a contract with the Village. With a Town sewer ordinance there were many questions like administration of ordinance, billing, maintenance, etc. Town would be a service area in the Village ordinance. Applicants would first come to the Town for approval and the Village would have final approval like they do now with east Johnson sewer. Applicants would pay connection and allocation fees to the Village. Village would own and maintain the lines. This would be much easier they having two ordinances. Town would have a block of allocation. Mike Miller asked about the allocation areas, need to have boundaries. Service areas included East Johnson, and Route 15 to include Harvey’s parks. Board viewed a map of the service areas. Mike Patch asked now is this going to generator money for legal issues for the Town when the town denies an application. Mike thought that anyone who borders the Village could connect, thought this was the fairest way to do it. Eric stated that the board has authority to see growth in certain areas of the Town. Blaine stated that tax dollars shouldn’t be use to defend suits need to have some kind of money coming in. Duncan stated that the Town has no right to connect to the Village system. Eric stated that the Town has no responsibility and no need for income. This is no different than the East Johnson Sewer line now. Village has the final say; plant can’t be harmed by effluent. Duncan stated that could have lawsuits by anti growth groups. Mike Miller stated that service sewer areas are legal according to the League of Cities and Towns. Cannot use a sewer ordinance as a zoning tool. Attorney to review contract with the Village. Brad stated that need to keep this as simple as possible. Rocky moved that Duncan is to draw up a draft contract between the Town and Village for sewer allocation, Blaine seconded, so voted.

David Crossman stated that the College would like to donate $500.00 to the emergency management fund.

Rocky moved to accept resignation from Karen Sheehy from the Library Trustee Board, Howard seconded, so voted. Board stated that need to post in the newspaper that have vacancies for deputy health officer and library trustee. Blaine moved to approve JoAnn Benford temporary as Library Trustees, Brad seconded, so voted.

Brad moved to approve $66.25 for replacement of flagpoles and brackets, Rocky seconded, so voted.

Duncan stated that the Town is on a list for GPS mapping for town roads and culverts. LCPC will provide a GPS technician in the fall to help with the inventory of roads and culverts. If the inventory is done the grant match that the town has to come up with will decrease. To ask Willie to see if he would be available to work on this. There is free software available. Inventory needs to be updated every 3 to 5 years.

Rocky moved to approve Verizon petition to moved utility poles on West Settlement road pending Willie’s review as to the placement of the poles, Blaine seconded, so voted. Board signed paperwork.

Brad moved to approve liquor from Bradley’s General Store, Howard seconded, so voted. Board signed liquor application.

Duncan stated that he, Willie and Blaine worked on the grant applications for the agency of transportation for paving on Plot Road, Hogback Rd and to replace a culvert on TH #54. Applications have been sent in.

Board reviewed draft job description for road foreman. Under education/training add or equivalent preferred. Under experience change bridge design and construction to bridge maintenance. Should require at least a regular physical. Blaine moved to accept job description for highway foreman with the changes, Brad seconded, so voted. The application committee to be consisted of Rocky, Blaine, Brad and Duncan.

Duncan stated that there was a meeting with each landowner that owns property next to the Pearl Street Bridge, Chris Parker, Woolen Mill, and Art School. Board stated that when sold the land to the Art School retained a right of way for the bridge. Meeting consisted by utilities, sidewalks and the temporary two lane bridge. Next step is getting the temporary easements.

Blaine stated that need to post a notice that Town would like to pave Crab Tree Lane in the Village.

Howard stated that the administrator should start working on getting information on the pros and cons of a merger between the Village and Town. Voters want this information for town meeting this year.

Meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by,

Rosemary Audibert, Clerk