Members Present: Blaine Delisle, Eric Osgood, Daryl West, Brad Reed Franklin Hooper, Selectmen; Stearns Allen, Rose Warner, Michael Patch, Dave Crossman, Christopher Bidwell, Rosemary Audibert, Clerk.
Eric called meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.
Board reviewed last month meeting minutes, Brad moved to accept as written, Daryl seconded, so voted.
Blaine gave the Road Foreman report. The new Ford pick up truck is in. The new dump truck is in Williamstown getting the equipment installed, should be ready by Christmas.
Blaine stated that the contract work is done on Wilson Road. The old trees have been removed; dont know when the new trees will be planted.
Eric asked the Board what roads they would like to see be paved in the next 10 years and how much money would that take to accomplish. Blaine stated that the rest of Wilson Road should be paved. Hyde Park would like to change Whitcomb Island Road to class 2 and if that is done than that road should be paved. Daryl asked what are the cost benefits to paving. Blaine stated that asphalt is expensive to maintain. Eric stated would like to see the talc mill ball fields roads paved.
Christopher Bidwell stated that his uncle Roger Bidwell on French Hill has a lot of junk on his property and would like to see it cleaned up. Have tried to get his uncle to clean up his property. Junk is beside Christophers driveway. There are at least 8 junk cars, snow machines, car parts, etc. Christopher stated that he has brought this to Rockys attention more than once. Eric stated that the town as no regulations regarding appearance of peoples property, Town has no zoning, the only issue is it a health hazard. Rocky stated that according to State Law that anything over two junk cars needs a junk yard permit, Sheriffs department should know what the law is. Eric stated that he would contact the Town attorney is see what can be done. Mike Patch stated should be able to do something with Act 250 regarding scenic vista though Agency of Natural Resources. Chris asked the board to give him an update on what is happening.
Daryl stated that the bridge committee has interviewed the two lowest bidders. Liberty Post and Beam $99,500.00 and Blow & Cote $139,865. The bridge committee recommended to accept the bid from Blow & Cote. Blow and Cote has more experience in bridge building and that they going to use standard materials like pressure treated wood. Liberty is not on the States pre qualified bid list and that would require more steps to be done. There will be minimum community involvement after the contractor has left the site. Brad moved to accept the bid from Blow and Cote in the amount of $139, 865.00, Daryl seconded. Daryl stated that he would confirm this with JD from the Agency of Transportation. Construction is to start in March and to be completed by July 1, 2002.
Board voted to accept bid from Blow & Cote for the Power House Bridge reconstruction.
Mike Patch stated that he is working on the timber-cutting list for the lumber on the town land. Recreation committee would like to build a bathroom for the ball fields and the skate park would also like a bathroom and they would also like to build a gazebo with this lumber. Will be sawing enough lumber to pay for the trucking.
Rose stated that have a request for proposal for a reappraisal for the Town of Johnson. Conditions are present that a reappraisal is needed, fair market value is at 90% and the coefficient of dispersion is at 16%, which is high. Will need two years to complete the reappraisal. Upper end residences are not appraised high enough and mobile homes are appraised two high. Douglas McArthur did the last outside appraisal in 1985. In 1990 did an in house appraisal. Stearns Allen the State Advisor for Johnson stated that the State does a sales study every year. The study looks at the appraised value vs. the purchases price to determine the common level appraisal. In the last couple of years the market has taken off. Many towns are in the same position that Johnson is in, looking at reappraising. Need to be equitable to all taxpayers. Eric stated that have a cost estimate of $97,000.00. Each year the State sends to the towns $7.00 per parcel for reappraisals, the town now as about $30,000.00. Rose stated that will need to purchase a new computer and software. Need to have a article in this years town meeting warning so that can start after the 2002 grand list so that can be completed for the 2004 grand list. Daryl asked about the average time towns do reappraisals. Stearns stated about every 10 years. Rose stated that properties will be appraised a different way, will go by the Marshall Swift guidelines. Daryl moved to accept the RFP for reappraisal, Blaine seconded so voted. Notice to be placed in the News & Citizen and Transcript and to be mailed to 5 firms from the State list of appraisers.
Mike stated that the grant for the handicap fishing access across the Lamoille River will lapse because the Town doesn't own the land. Committee is working on getting a footbridge to go over the river. Would like to put in a road from where the pavement ends to the river, need to have permission from the Town and Village. Brad moved to send a letter of endorsement, Daryl seconded, so voted.
Mike asked if could store the lumber for the gazebo at the town garage on a concrete slab. Gazebo is to be 20 feet round and six feet off the ground to be made out of rough lumber.
Mike stated that he has contacted several portable lumber mills to cut the logs off the town land. To sell enough logs to pay for the trucking and if there is any left over to be used towards to the Power House bridge Project.
Brad stated that he would like to give the fire department an award for the bomb threat incident. Fireman had their lives on the line. Brad stated that Frontline has a Badge of Courage trophy for $50.00. Rocky moved to purchase the trophy and to have it engraved, cost not to exceed $100.00, Brad seconded. Rocky stated that this is to show that the town appreciated for what they did. Daryl abstained from voted. Motion passed.
Brad stated that the amount for Lamoille Ambulance would remain the same for next year. Should have a contract by June 2002. The following year they may be looking for the subscription fees. Rocky stated that the deal to sell the ambulance service has fall though. Bobby would like to take over Morrisville and Cambridge. Several years ago at Town Meeting the people wanted financial information and the Town has never received anything. Brad to ask Bobby for a report to be submitted for the Town report.
Eric stated that Sharon Burns would the Town and Village to spend $200.00 each for a community holiday party, which will take place at the elementary school. To have slay rides, etc. Rocky moved to approved $200.00 for the community holiday party, Blaine seconded so voted.
Eric stated that the planning commission would like to have a selectboard member on the street calming committee. Blaine volunteered.
Rocky moved to pay each employee a $100.00 Christmas bonus, Brad seconded so voted.
Eric stated that he has a draft speed limit ordinance for all unpaved class 3 and 4 roads. Used Wolcott, Eden and the League of Cities and Towns as a model. Brad moved to have town attorney review the speed limit ordinance, Daryl seconded so voted.
Eric stated that the League of Cities and Towns recommends that the Town have a stop sign ordinance. There have been no cases taken to the Supreme Court. Eric to send draft ordinance to town attorney for review.
Blaine stated that should be able to do the road policy this winter. Need to list improvements and know the improvements will be done. When a bridge is replaced, new bridge will have to be at least two lanes wide. Town share will be only 5% instead of 10% on bridge repairs. On paving grants town share will be 10% instead of two-thirds. Will take one road to see now long it takes to do. Should be able to do this project in house. Need to have a current inventory on each road.
Eric stated the Lamoille County Planning Commission is working on a disaster kits. They will also be having more training classes.
Board signed retirement letter for Jim Smith who his retiring from the Agency of Transportation.
The Library Trustees would like to dissolve the Stearns Trust in the amount of $5000.00. Bank fees are more than the interest that is being made. Library Trustees would like to do some renovations to the library building. Copy of letter on file. Blaine moved to dissolve the Stearns Trust, Brad seconded so voted.
Board reviewed correspondence.
Daryl moved to adjourn, Brad seconded, so voted.
Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.