Selectmen’s Meeting

May 21, 2001

Members Present: Blaine Delisle, Eric Osgood, Brad Reed, Daryl West, Franklin Hooper, Selectmen, Louise Von Weise, Peter Moynihan, Terri Callahan, Casey Romero, Howard Romero, Brooke Cole, Andy Romero, Will Cole, Emerson Rocheleau, Mike Stafford, Stuart Rowe, Chris Parker, Kenneth Harvey, Mike Patch, Jeff Greenblood Rosemary Audibert, Clerk.

Board viewed and signed orders.

Andy Romero presented a petition to the Board of about 200 students for the Skateboard area & BMX Bike Trail. One half of the siguratures are from Johnson Elementary students. Asked that this could be done as soon as possible. Casey stated the Terri O’hear is checking on insurance to see if the coverage can extend across the river. Have spoken to Ken Harvey about this he would require a hold harmless letter from the town. Would get the park started the donations and donated materials. Kids would have to sign a contract to use the park, would have a work schedule for the parents to supervise the park.

Eric stated that the Town will not have ownership of the land until late summer at the earliest. Ken’s property now, will have to agree to any conditions that Ken may place. Eric stated that he is encouraged to see students and parents here. Don’t want to see vandalism that happened at the school and village properties. Casey stated that looking at working with the Johnson Recreation Committee to see if someone could be hired to oversee the park maybe a work-study student at the college. Rocky stated that need to get a legal release from Ken Harvey, Ken will still be liable if anything should happen, he still owns the property. Casey stated that are working on all the details. Brad moved to support the getting the skateboard park open, pending receiving insurance coverage and Ken Harvey’s rules, Blaine seconded, so voted.

Mike Stafford made a presentation on the power in Lamoille County. There are nine utilities in the area. New power plants have to go though Act 248 instead of Act 250. Criteria are about the same need to prove that a new plant would be cleaner than what is out there now. There are no transmission lines in Lamoille County, only sub transmission line 34 KV lines, need 150 KV lines. By the year 2009 the State will be low on power. Need new power contracts. Need to build new power plant facilities. Possible plants include the use of solar energy costs are about 24 to 48 cents per kwh. wind is about 1 cent per hwh, hydro plants, gas turbine plants have the cheapest capital but the cost of natural gas is volatile, wood chip plants cost about 6.5 to 9.5 cents per kwh. Use proper forest management, existing forest lands are under utilized. Can be cost effective when run with a fossil fuel. Nuclear power is about 3 to 7 cents per kwh. Vermont Yankee is set to close in 2012. Would need 12 wood burning plants to replace Vermont Yankee. State claims that new growth can be met by conservation through the Energy Efficient Programs. There are several spots that could generate power by wind which include, Lake Eden, Elmore, etc. The wind study is due in a year. Need to build transmission lines in the area to add another 115 KV to the line. Need to have a power plant in the Johnson/Jeffersonville area like a chip burning plant that would produce 20 to 25 KW. Peak loads are in the winter times due to the snowmaking at the ski areas. Need to have a detail engineering study done on the area.

Ken Harvey stated that the note agreement is for one year. Working on getting permits and the water and sewer lines. Would like to receive a six-month extension. Need to define the property lines. Park would be under construction for two years. Daryl moved to approve the six-month extension on the mortgage, Blaine seconded, so voted. Eric signed agreement. Ken stated that if there were a law suits on the skateboard park both the Town and he would be liable. Plan is to remove the power cables, water line, sewer pipe and tanks in the lower part of the park. Ken stated that Barb Farr would like to open the request for proposals for the archaeology study on Friday. Daryl stated that he could attend. Should have the permits by the 1st of September and the sewer line in. Would like to relocate the homes that are there now. Costs are coming in more than what was budgeted. Cost is about $600,000.00 only having about $250,000.00 left in the grant. If dig up Route 15 would have to pave the whole road where it was dug up. The present water system is usable. Would be more feasible in the long run to do both now. Have received permission have the state to place both water and sewer lines in the same ditch with 18 inches apart.

Chris stated that the Village is looking into hiring Paul McGinley for the Administrator temporarily. Paul is coming to the next Trustee meeting on June 11 @ 4:00 p.m. Presently he is working with Morristown part time and they are very pleased with the work that he is doing. He is going to work a couple days per week to get the job set up with a job description and doing some ground work. Will put an ad in the paper for a permanent person.

Chris stated that skateboarders have broken into the sewer plant. Blaine stated that is have never seen any kids down there.

Chris stated that need to build a handicap ramp for the mill house. Eric stated that the building needs to be painted also. Board stated that this will have to wait until after July 1st for the budget.

Brad stated that the Board has given permission for a connection to the east Johnson sewer line. Chris stated that the Village is working towards getting allocation to the Town. Village is looking into this for a possible hardship case.

Chris stated the Donald Garrett has been doing the lawn maintenance, now he is the only person working at the plant. Chris asked could the Town do the trimming. Donnie can still mow the lawn. Blaine stated that the Town doesn’t have the equipment. Board decided that the lawn maintenance should go out to bid.

Chris asked was there any bids to paint the fence. There were no bids. Chris stated that the Trustees thought this would be a good Boy Scout project.

Casey stated that with the help from LCPC the survey totals are done. Bridge received the highest priority. Should look into a planning grant to do a study on the bridge. Sidewalk connection was the second highest priority. Low impact projects include boat access, craft fair, farmers market, dirt bike track, music concerts, etc.

Casey stated that the letter to the commissioner for the boat access is complete, would include research, photos and a sketch where the board access would be. Will get a disk to Rosemary so the letter can be sent out. Casey stated that looking for things that can be done at low to no cost that can be done fast which include the parking area and ramp. Brad moved to approve letter, Rocky seconded, so voted.

Peter Moynihan stated that he has had problems with kids on skateboards. Young kids are crossing School Street to Pearl Street on their bikes at an angle, have spoken to the kids about this, has not done any good. The kids have no supervision. Blaine stated that have been to the school to talk to the kids. Have met with the parents.

Peter stated that he is tried of seeing a lot of trash behind the Hotel building. He has talked to Laura Lehouilier about this and she said there is a lot of illegal dumping in there dumpster and that is why the trash is all over. Went to see Laura’s tenants to see if they are recycling to cut down the amount of trash. He learned that there are 4 buildings using one dumpster which is being picked up once a week. Lockey Fluery also has one dumpster for all his buildings and trash is overflowing. Rocky stated that he would look into the situation to see if it is a health issue.

Peter explained what happen last Monday night with the skateboarders. Should be able to walk the street and not feel threaten. Had a big argument on the street, will defend himself when threaten. Blaine stated that there are no ordinances against skateboarders. Peter stated that have talked to several people about this and they are all so upset. Mike suggested that if the people are that concerned should start a petition.

Appointments

Lamoille County Planning Commission Members - Letter received from LCPC stating that Doug Molde has attending 9 out of 9 meetings. Bruce has attended 4 out of 9 meeting. LCPC would like people to attend 2/3 of the meetings. Board would like to ask Rhonda Fitizgerald if she would consider being on the board. Appointments tabled until next meeting.

Library Trustee – Received one letter from Joan Manship. Blaine moved to appoint Joan Manship to the Library Trustee Board, Daryl seconded, so voted.

Solid Waste District Supervisor - Received one letter from Richard Lemay. Board stated that Dick has not been attending the meetings. Mike Patch suggested that should share the position with Eden’s supervisor, David Whitcomb. Daryl stated that would be giving the vote to Eden, he doesn’t go along with that. Mike suggested that invite both Dick and David to the next meeting. Appointment tabled until next meeting.

Mike Patch stated that the Long Trail runs though the Gomo Lot. Need to make a place for a parking lot so that people can go up there and hike. Would take the Town guys a day to construct. Board stated that they would look at the area.

Jeff Greenblood stated that when he was in Oregon there was a dog park. Suggested that the Town consider combining a skateboard park with the dog park. All it would take is a fenced area. Dogs could play together, would bring people together. Dogs won’t fight because not there territory. Board asked Jeff where he lived; he stated that he lived in Morrisville for 5 months.

Received a letter from Lamoille County Fields Days for a noise waiver for their annual event. Blaine stated that never received a complaint on the event. Blaine moved to approve noise ordinance waiver, Rocky seconded, so voted.

Bids for mowing Evergreen Ledge and Whiting Hill Cemeteries, received two bids. King’s Mowing Service $1500.000 and Pamela Byrne $2,000.00. Blaine moved to accept the bid from King’s Mowing Service for $1,500.00, Daryl seconded, so voted.

Eric stated that the listers recommend going out to bid now for the reappraisal for 2002-2003. There is a two-year waiting period for firms who do the work. Board stated OK.

Blaine stated that he has not had a chance to check on a third constable position.

Blaine stated that he would have the guys pick up the green up bags that are along the road side.

Blaine moved to approve meeting minutes dated April 16, 2001, Brad seconded, so voted.

Board signed Lamoille County Sheriff’s contracts for dispatch and patrol.

Board reviewed plans for guardrails for the Power House Bridge. Only a temporary fix and to go with the cheapest way. Blaine to call AOT to find out why three different plans. Board decided to go out to bid for the project.

Rocky stated that had a dog bite on the Plot road. Has had a ten-day waiting period. Dog broke the chain. Dog bite a neighbor, did not want to peruse the matter.

Board stated that would like to send a letter to the seniors regarding the pretty pictures on the walls.

Brad moved to adjourn, Blaine seconded, so voted.

Meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by

Rosemary Audibert, Clerk