November 4, 2002

Members Present: Eric Osgood, Brad Reed, Howard Romero, Selectmen; P. Stephen Smith, Road Foreman; Duncan Hastings, Administrator, Rosemary Audibert, Clerk.

Eric called meeting to order at 6:20 p.m.

Board viewed and signed orders.

Steve stated that the sanders and plows are on the trucks. Have sanded 3 times and salted once.

Steve stated that the Ober Hill job is all done except for replacing the culvert on the Johnson/Eden town line. Eden put in a 15-inch culvert instead of an 18-inch.

Steve asked the Board how long into the night do they want the main roads to be plowed. Brad stated that if there is a need to 10 p.m. Board stated that Steve to use his best judgment.

Steve stated that the dead end sign is up on Creamery Road.

Brad stated that should look at the Power House Bridge to see if can make a boardwalk for pedestrians. There is no place for walkers to go when there is a car going though the bridge.

Steve stated that it is time a Chris Perkins 6 month valuation. Chris is a valuable member of the highway crew. Takes excellent care of equipment. Takes pride in the work that he does. Blaine gave his report to Steve to give to the Board. Chris is going a fine job and has no complaints. Eric and Howard both stated that Chris is going a fine job. Brad moved to make Chris Perkins a permanent employee for the road crew, to receive all benefits and to receive the same wages as the road crew. Howard seconded, so voted.

Duncan stated that have received applications for the part-time road crew from Mike French, Mark French and Alex Nadeau. Steve stated Mark works full time for Squash Valley Produce, don’t know about availability, has a class B CDL. Steve stated that Alex has a class A CDL. Alex is available anytime after 4:30 p.m. and all weekends and if there is an emergency during a weekday. Duncan stated that this is not going to be a regular part-time position, to be an on call position. Mike French to be laid-off soon this, job could mess up his unemployment. Don’t know if he is aware that this is on call position. Howard moved to accept application from Alex Nadeau as the part-time highway position, Brad seconded, so voted. Pay rate to be the same as highway crew no overtime.

Duncan stated that the Railroad Street Bridge has been pushed back until 2004 and the other two bridges are not in the budget. Board questioned if Pearl Street Bridge can last other three years. Board discussed the possibility of reducing the traffic to one lane. Rails are in very bad shape. Board should write letters to senator and representative after the election to see what can be done about this.

Duncan stated that Scribner Bridge roof repairs and beam work is completed. RTD did a good job.

Duncan stated that Steve and Duncan met with a Stream Alternation Engineer last week and looked at the FEMA projects that are left to do. In Codding Hollow the engineer recommends not to put back, only have a problem with high water events. Would need a 48’ culvert or a multi plate. Estimate of at least $4,000.00 and the water will still go around it, because of the lay of the land. Codding Hollow is a class 4 road have to maintain bridges and culverts. Tried to reclassify the road to a trail but there was public opposition. First step is to have a hydraulic study done to see what size the culvert should be. Howard explained how bridges and culverts are built in New Mexico. Stream in Codding Hollow is a high elevation stream and doesn’t support fish. Culvert is almost to the Waterville Town line. Board doesn’t need to make a decision now.

Engineer also look at Wilson Road, which is a major project rough estimate $100,000.00. River is eating into riverbank. On the left side of the road is ledge.

Duncan stated that have a draft culvert and capital budget from the Better Back Roads program. Town has done a good job at replacing culverts. Out of 395 culverts 50 culverts are listed in poor condition, which is 13% that is a good rate. Vast majority of the culverts are 15 to 18 inches. Town can keep replacing 10 to 12 culverts a year with no increases in the budget.

Broad discuss driveway culvert. Homeowner puts the culvert in and the town maintains and replaces culvert. Steve to mark culverts. Driveway culverts were not part of this grant.

Board discussed stop sign ordinance. Only three roads were listed in the ordinance. Village has an ordinance for roads in the Village limits. Steve made up a list of roads that should have a sign for total of 22 roads. Steve and Blaine to work on priority list.

Duncan to check on speed limit requirements for placement of signs.

Brad moved to accept meeting minutes from October 7 and 21, 2002, Howard seconded, so voted.

Duncan stated that have one bid from Newport Ambulance for ambulance service at this time.

Duncan stated that the Miller dog has bitten the Burnor boy on the foot there was no injury. Have not talk to the Town Attorney to tell him all the facts; he may say to hold other hearing. To Duncan’s knowledge Dick has not served the warrant. Eric stated that Dick is not going to make any more special trips. If he goes by and see them home then will try to issue warrant.

Duncan stated that had a complaint from one of Lisa Guyette neighbors. Her animals are doing property damage. Lisa spoke to her in an unprofessional manner. Board to ask Dick to investigate. Duncan asked for a written complaint.

Duncan stated that he has not had time to set up the office review by the Vt. Clerks and Treasurer Association.

Duncan stated that would receive a letter from Bob Hoag engineer regarding the sewer permit.

Duncan stated that meet with Chip from NEMRC regarding new budget format ideas. Structure for the chart of accounts will be the same as the Village. Village fiscal year ends on January 31 and the Towns fiscal year ends on June 30, so will work on the Village first.

Duncan stated that with Town budgets voters can change a specify line item in the budget. Board will have to make a decision if they want to continue to have 20 separate articles for things like law enforcement, recreation, ambulance and all the other organizations.

Duncan stated that NEMRC has a cash receipts module which will be helpful in reducing time to process payments. Cost is between $3,000.00 to $4,000.00 to get set up. This would be split with the Village. Majority of the money handled is from the electric dept. This should be negotiated between the boards.

Duncan stated that the Village would like to go out to bid on dumpsters. Village has a contract with Casella and it not up for several years and there is a heavy penalty up to six months to break the contract. Working to get agreement from them to release the Village if they can bid on all contracts. Ken and Steve have agreed to share a dumpster. Board gave ok to continue.

Green Up Coordinator for next year is Gail Longley.

Board signed contract from Vt. Appraisal Company for the reappraisal.

Duncan stated that have been approved for an Act 200 Planning Grant for $12,000.00 for a Capital Budget. To go out to bid for the whole package, Trustees will have to kick in money for water and sewer if the bids come in over $12,000.00.

Howard stated that he has meet with Karl Jurentkuff, Floodplain Management Engineer. Look at the site for the proposed Long Trail Bridge. Karl stated that there would be no piers in the river; Johnson is supposed to prohibit floodway encroachments.

Howard moved to adjourn. Brad seconded, so voted.

Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by