Wallingford Selectboard Minutes

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April 6, 2009

The official copy of these minutes can be obtained at Wallingford Town Hall.

Present:  Bill Brooks, Joan Crowley, Frank Bruce, Joshua Gilman, and Julie Sharon  

Visitors:  Joyce Barbieri, Christine Bannerman, Gary Fredette, Dennis Smith, Sandi Switzer, Ralph Nimtz, Anne Miller, Lisa Marchinkoski, Keith Shelvey, Don Green, Jill Burkett, Kathy Upton, Dave Ballou, and Ann Tiplady  

The meeting was called to order by Chair B. Brooks at 6:37 p.m.  

Minutes.  J. Gilman moved to approve the meeting minutes for March 16; J. Crowley seconded. Motion carried (4-0) with one correction noted. 

Selectboard Orders.  Pay orders totaling $11,858.29 were approved on a motion made by F. Bruce and seconded by J. Crowley.  Motion carried (4-0).   

Heating Bid Recommendation.  The Building Committee met earlier to open the bids for the upstairs heating project.  Bids, which included the cost of air conditioning, from four reputable companies were received as follows:  

                                                                     Heat Only                    Heat & Air

            B. E. McGee Inc.                             $45,580                       $64,700

            GSK Climate Control, Inc.              $35,820                       $45,420

            Vermont Mechanical, Inc.               $39,480                       $62,480

            New England Air Systems, Inc.     $35,000                       $52,000  

There was a length discussion on whether air conditioning is really necessary.  Those speaking against the additional expense couldn’t see the necessity because there’s not a lot of use for the upstairs at this point.  Sporadic use of the system could reduce its useful life, and the ceiling fans upstairs are adequate. J. Barbieri pointed out that there are other building needs that need to be taken care of first, and she agreed to compile a list.  Those speaking in favor felt that GSK’s bid for both systems was a steal in today’s economy, and although the a/c may not be used frequently, human comfort, especially for senior citizens, would be the main benefit.  Wallingford Historical Society President C. Bannerman pointed out that the town would only be spending $10,000 on a $50,000 project (which includes the engineering costs) because the society is donating $40,000 towards the project.   It is the hope that the upstairs would be used more often once it’s heated.  The seniors group would also like to see the basement renovated for their use as well as by others, and it was asked whether the a/c system was expandable.  F. Bruce made a motion to accept GSK’s bid at $45,420; B. Brooks seconded the motion.  (Motion tied 2-2.) R. Nimtz agreed to verify the extension of the system and its warranty information.  J. Crowley made a motion to table the matter until the next meeting; motion seconded by J. Gilman.  Motion carried (4-0).     

Training Request.  Listers Dave Ballou and Don Green sought approval to attend two courses offered by the Vermont Department of Taxes, Property Valuation & Review.  The CAMA basic computer lab costs $75 each and the Fundamentals of Real Estate Appraisals costs $400 each.  The Town receives a small amount each year from the State for lister education.   J. Crowley made a motion to approve the requests; J. Gilman seconded the motion.  Motion carried (4-0).  

Summer Recreation Program.  At the Selectboard’s request, Rec Committee members Keith Shelvey and Lisa Marchinkoski attended to discuss the recreation program proposed for this summer.  K. Shelvey stated that Cheryl Maniery is running the program again this year, and they feel it is best that the employees be paid by the Town.  B. Brooks asked what it would cost the Town for unemployment premiums, workers comp, etc., but J. Barbieri couldn’t answer because the salaries are unknown.  One of the principle concerns discussed was that the summer rec employees received $15 and $20 per hour last year, which is high compared to other town employee salaries.   

Mr. Shelvey distributed a packet that contained a description of the summer rec program for 2009.  J. Barbieri questioned why the program is now open to other towns when the Selectboard was told last year that it was only being offered to Wallingford children.  Mr. Shelvey replied that it is their intent to self fund the program.  Everyone agreed that all fees for the summer camp program will come to the Town, and that the employees will be paid through the Town’s payroll.  J. Barbieri was told by Walter Goetz that the program couldn’t fall under the RSSU umbrella.  G. Fredette stated that it’s a great program; however, he has a problem with all the money going to the employees when Elfin Lake is operating at a deficit.  It was later agreed that some of the income would go towards the lake revenue.  Mr. Shelvey stated that last year’s employees have already been rehired and it’s too late to make any changes.  He was agreeable to lowering the hourly salary next year.  J. Gilman made a motion to close discussions; motion seconded by J. Crowley.  (Motion carried 4-0).  

FEMA Community Assistance Visit.   Regarding the Dennis Smith fill issue on Route 7 South, B. Brooks stated that the Zoning Administrator is going to contact Rob Evans at the State one more time to get more definitive information, although Mr. Evans plans to inform FEMA on this outstanding issue.  B. Brooks explained that it is difficult to prove whether or not enough fill has been removed at the property.  J. Burkett urged the Selectboard to follow through on this serious matter.  

Auditor Appointment.   At F. Bruce’s recommendation, Eileen Holmes was contacted and agreed to fill this vacancy.  F. Bruce made a motion to nominate Eileen Holmes to the position of Auditor; motion seconded by J. Crowley.  Motion carried (4-0).  

2009 Liquor & Tobacco License Renewal Applications.  The Selectboard shall now approve tobacco applications, not the Town Clerk, per a change in the statute.  On a motion made by J. Gilman, liquor licenses for Cumberland Farms and the Pub, as well as tobacco licenses for Mac’s, Midway Oil, Wallingford Country Store & Deli, and Cumberland Farms were approved.  Motion seconded by J. Crowley.  Motion carried (4-0).  

Use of Town’s Mailing Permit.   F. Bruce approved Gilbert Hart Library’s request to use the town mailing permit for their campaign mailing; motion seconded by J. Gilman.  Motion carried (4-0).  

CVPS/VTEL Easement Request.  CVPS/VTEL are seeking an easement from both the Town and the Wallingford Historical Society to install an anchor next to the retaining wall of the brook that is in the Town’s right of way and to cut and trim trees on the property owned by the Wallingford Historical Society on South Main Street.  WHS President C. Bannerman signed the easement request.  F. Bruce made a motion to approve the request on behalf of the Town; motion seconded by J. Gilman.  Motion carried (4-0).  

Quarterly Financial Reports.  J. Barbieri briefly reviewed the YTD expense vs. budget report through March 31^st.  The Highway Department expenses continue to need monitoring.  

Public Comments.  Jill Burkett requested a peddler permit for food concession in Wallingford at special events, ball games, etc.  Mrs. Burkett said she plans to talk with the little league reps about selling food at the rec field.  B. Brooks made a motion to approve the request; motion seconded by J. Crowley.  Motion carried (4-0).  

On behalf of Renaud Brothers, the general contractors for the pedestrian bridge, J. Barbieri requested permission to park their trailer and vehicles near the corner of Route 140W and Waldo Lane, noting they need to be near a telephone pole.  The Selectboard approved this request by consensus, as long as they leave enough distance from the corner so they don’t block the drivers’ view of traffic on Route 140W.  Jill Burkett asked if the Town planned to install fencing along Otter Creek near the rec field.  D. Ballou responded that in the past, the state would not permit fencing because it would hold the debris and obstruct the water flow.  

Hartsboro Road residents Don Green and Ann Tiplady informed the Selectboard of a late-night bonfire party on March 17^th at the neighbor’s residence.  They and their livestock were disturbed throughout the night by noise and weapons being fired.  Police were contacted; however, there are no laws regarding shooting on private property.  Mr. Green called the fire warden about the bonfire and was informed there was not a burn permit issued.  The Selectboard agreed to ask the Sheriff to contact the neighbor, and they will review the noise and firearms ordinances at the next meeting.  J. Crowley urged Mr. Green to contact Constable Tift.  

Reclamation Plan.  The Selectboard reviewed the response from William Burke of the District Environmental Commission regarding the Town’s reclamation plan for the “pit” on Waldo Lane.  The Town will need to submit an Act 250 application as it constitutes a material change.  Julie will attempt to prepare the application with help from the Chair.  

Road Commissioner’s Report.  The general contractor for repairing the Boy’s Camp asked permission to dispose of the fireplace stones that were involved in the fire at the pit.  B. Brooks mentioned there a few pot holes needing repair in the village.  

J. Crowley made a motion to move into executive session at 8:45 p.m. with J. Barbieri and J. Sharon present to discuss contracts and personnel; motion seconded by F. Bruce.  (Motion carried 4-0). The Selectboard came out of executive session at 9:24 p.m.

The Selectboard asked Julie to notify the Recreation Committee that while they support the summer recreation program, applicants for the summer rec program and Elfin Lake positions will now need to complete employment applications. Wallingford residents are encouraged to apply.  The application deadline will be April 30^th.  The Selectboard will review the applications, conduct interviews, hire the employees, and set the hourly wage.  

On a motion made by F. Bruce, and seconded by J. Crowley, a contract with DuBois & King for engineering services for Phase II of the Route 140W Bridge rehabilitation was approved.  Motion carried (4-0).  J. Gilman requested that a breakdown of the cost for each service (D-1 through D-12) be provided to the Selectboard.   

The meeting adjourned at 9:32 p.m.

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