October 21, 2002

Members present: Brad Reed, Eric Osgood, Blaine Delisle, Howard Romero, Selectman, Steve Smith, Road Foreman, Duncan Hastings, Administrator, Delvin Gallagher, Walter Pomroy, Greg Stefanski, George Pearlman, Ben Hogwood, Anne Trombley, Kevin Stearns, Brian Stearns, Bo Patch, Rachel Patch, Teresa Manning, Johnson Boy Scout Troop #894, Rosemary Audibert, Clerk.

Eric called meeting to order.

Board viewed and signed orders.

Brad moved to accept meeting minutes from September 3, 16 and Dog Hearing for September 16, 2002, Blaine seconded, so voted.

Steve stated that the ditching is done for Clay Hill, Collins Hill and Ober Hill.

Steve stated that on September 25-27 did a culvert survey for the Town. Roughly have 406 bridges and culverts not including driveway culverts. Have a GIS map that shows the culverts. Over half need to be replaced over time. Map shows the grade of the culvert, excellent, good or poor. Replacing culverts with a plastic culvert for the smaller ones, they work out real well. One disadvantage is that a loader can break them.

Steve stated that getting the trucks ready for winter. Have tried out the new truck with sander on the side dump works well.

Steve stated that the dead end sign has been order for Creamery Road.

Steve stated that the brush hogging has been done for the year; also the recreation field mowing is done for the year.

Eric to call Rocky Hooper regarding his on site sewer permit and driveway permit.

Eric stated that it is time for Steve’s six month review. Eric stated that Steve is doing a terrific job with all the flooding, good leadership. Work is done in a timely manner. Blaine stated that Steve is doing an excellent job. Highway department. has improved this summer. Seeing fewer potholes, seeding and mulching are getting done. People are happy. Duncan stated that any complaints are being handle quickly. Howard stated that he has no problems with Steve. Brad stated seems like more work is been done on the back roads. Steve stated that Duncan has been an asset to him. Blaine stated that this has been the easiest summer to deal with. Blaine moved to make Steve Smith the permanent Road Foreman, Brad seconded, so voted. Howard moved to increase Steve wage to $16.87, Blaine seconded, so voted.

Duncan to advertise for a part-time highway person. Applications due by November 4, 2002. Blaine is available to work every other Thursday.

Steve thanked Board.

Howard moved to go into executive session at 7:25 for a personnel issue. Board came out of executive session at 7:50 p.m.

Joshua Audibert made a presentation for the Johnson Boy Scouts Troop 894 regarding the building uses for the talc mill office. They have cleaned up the main meeting room; have put up posters and flagpoles. They wanted to know what there rights and responsibilities are towards the building. Would like to empty and use the room that currently has mattresses in it. Would like to use the room for storage for heavy equipment and gear as it has an outside door. There are some repairs that need to be done in the basement like a leaky pipe and an electrical box needs to be replaced. Boy Scouts meet every Monday unless school is out. They meet in the upstairs room on the left. They were in the space that the food self uses now. Recreation also uses the building for storage. Howard stated that would like to have a tour of the building next Monday night. Boys Scout meet between 7 – 8 p.m.

Josh stated that there are more than two boy scouts who need to do a service project to help out the Town, needs to be a hands on project for about 4 to 6 hours. Board suggested painting the fence at the Municipal building. Howard suggested that should be painted on warm days.

Eric stated that have a troop project for next spring, brush needs to be cleared out at the old cemetery. Work can be done with clippers. Howard explained the cemetery situation. Town needs to have a survey done first.

Boy Scout would like to use the room with the mattress for the bigger equipment like tents, etc. Would keep the room neat, organized and presentable. There is a door into the storage room. Would not affect anything that the recreation has in there. Board stated that would have the basement wiring looked at. Basement windows are broken, would like to have help on the material to replace them. There was a round of applause for the presentation.

George Pearlman stated that the Vt Studio School has been doing Art Classes at the elementary school for the past dozen years. The Art School has paid all cost. Have applied for grant money but have not been successful. Have classes two days a week, with volunteers and supplies. Have classes at the elementary school and the yellow house. Would like to see Art School off the tax roles for the statewide property taxes would pay all local share and municipal taxes. Would make a pledge to pay the same amount to the elementary school. Johnson would get back more money from Act 60 would have a lower tax base. Have a great program, need to have funding and not increase taxes.

Duncan stated that Property Valuation and Review might not allow this. Towns have voted to take property off the grand list. Make an application to the listers and BCA agreed but the State put them back on the Education Grand List.

George stated that pay about $40,000.00 in taxes and would make a pledge to pay the same amount. Art program costs between $15,000.00 to $20,000.00 a year. Would be willing to put this is writing. Eric stated that should think about the future. George stated that could take to court and have the property off the grand list. This will not raise taxes. Duncan stated that there is a loophole for private non-profit to get around this for education and charity purposes values would come off the grandlist. Could receive more state aid due to having a lower grant list. But the State could put back on the grand list to figure state aid. George stated that the church, town hall, legion and cheasmore buildings were not on the grand list to begin with. Board would like Duncan to look into this more. George stated that a class is provided to all students. Howard stated that would like to have a written proposal to take to the attorney.

Walter stated that Johnson Works went to a Wal-Mart meeting in Morrisville. Ames is closing going though bankruptcy. Space is 50,000 square feet. Kinney Drug is looking into building a new building and that would free up more space. Wal-Mart stores usually have about 100,000 to 150,000 square feet. Morrisville is actively recruiting a Wal-mart or Target. Most merchants in Johnson are against a large Wal-Mart or Target in Morrisville. Area does need a department store, if stayed the same size as Ames. What worries merchants is what comes next, is this going to be the next Taft Corners. Rutland is fighting a Home Depot there. There will be an impact on the traffic on Route 15 that will kill downtowns. LECD and LCPC works for the county not just for Morrisville and they should be reminded of that. This may limit business that may come to Johnson and could affect current business. Morrisville is still working on the bypass. Eric asked what is the position of Lamoille Valley Camber of Commerce. Walter did not know their position.

Walter stated that on December 7, 2002 would have Christmas type activities from the merchants downtown.

Greg Stefanski stated that the Main Street Committee is meeting monthly. Looking at the utilities on Main Street. Very preliminary figures are in the millions of dollars. VEC has agreed to do research to get rough figures; they are working with the Trustees. VEC is not going to charge for this. Received a grant to continue the study on Main Street and to other areas in the Village. Working on Welcome Signs in the Village. Looked at three or four sign companies, selected Dave Cough Signs. Board reviewed design. Would like to move the exiting sign on the west end of the village to Route 100C. New signs would be placed at the bottom of Gulf Hill and the west end of the village. Silent policeman did an effect of the speed on Main Street, sign got hit several time. Cost for two signs is $4,000.00; College is willing to pay for ½ of the cost up front. Trustees have agreed to pay for a portion. Looking for $2,000.00 between the Town and Village. Price may come down some Bob Selby is doing some of the design work. Working with AOT on guidelines for the placemat of the signs. Hoped to have this done by fall, probably won’t be done until spring. Eric stated that there is no line item in the budget for this. Eric stated that would like to see a budget so that could put money into the Selectmen’s budget. Board to work with Trustees to see who is going to pay what.

Duncan’s Reports

Brad stated that the Vermont Old Cemetery Association has a book out from 1991 and that is the current edition stating that Johnson has 10 cemeteries. Has a map that show where the cemeteries are.

Eric stated that had a meeting with the homeowners regarding the old cemetery on Railroad Street. Would like to put up a dead end sign on Creamery Street. Would like to hire surveyor to find out where the 4 acres are. Next spring get the under brush cleared out. Continue discussions with UVM. Meet again with the property owners. Property owners could have a cloud on title to the land when selling the property or trying to refinance. Can be cleaned up though deeds. Duncan stated that UVM should be able to do the survey work, laying out the boundaries. On site assessment would cost $3,000 to $3,500.00. Can look into additional funds sources like the Old Cemetery Association and Historic Preservation, etc.

Duncan stated that Dick has tried numerous times unsuccessfully to serve the written decision and impound the dog per warrant. Judge would not issue a search warrant without holding a hearing. Sent copies of the written decision by certified mail, which they pick up. Spoke with Mrs. Miller and there is no way they are giving up the dog for adoption or to the Town. Disputes all of David Burnor claims. Would like to re-open the hearing. Howard stated that the dog has not bitten anyone. Eric stated that they have every chance to come to the hearing; they are the one who decided not to pick up there mail. Can take it to court and let the judge decide. They have ignored the Board orders. Duncan stated that one option is to re-open the hearing, let them have a chance to be heard. Then can reconsider the decision if the Board wants to. Eric stated that he sees no gain in having other hearing; they have ignored the Board orders. Blaine stated that if goes to court could loose, the dog hasn’t bitten anyone. Duncan stated that Dick could go and pick up the dog; Millers would have to go to court and get an injunction. Blaine stated that the dog is young and play full, Howard feels the same way. Would like to have the Animal League look at the dog to see if it if aggressive. Board decided not to re-open the hearing.

Howard moved to accept letter of resignation from Sandra Bender from the Library Board of Trustees, Blaine seconded, so voted.

Received letter from VLCT PACIF regarding claim paid would like to be reimbursed for the deductible. Letter was made out to the Village, have asked for a new letter. Howard moved to pay bill when receive letter, Brad seconded so voted.

Letter from Lamoille County Planning Commission regarding their position on the Green Mountain Club Act 250 bridge, they are deferring to the Johnson Planning Commission.

Letter from Lamoille Valley Insurance regarding Worker Comp. Policy. Legion is in a worsening position and she recommend we convert Worker Comp. To VLCT. Town has not paid the last bill that was sent, thought they would cancel the policy. VLCT coverage started June 28, 2002.

Have renewal application from PACIF which needs to filled out and returned.

Letter from Deborah Alexander regarding the display at the Power House Bridge, would like to see it there all the time. Howard stated that it was photos taken by Bill Jaspersohn and Howard. Howard to work on this.

Received a draft budget from Lamoille Regional Solid Waste Management District.

Vt Interactive TV will have training on the new Vermont Septic rules on October 28, 2002 at Johnson State College.

Duncan and Rosemary to work on ways on making the budget more effective. To look at the NEMRC software to help with the budget reporting.

Blaine moved to adjourn, Brad seconded, so voted.

Meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by

Rosemary Audibert, Clerk