Wallingford Selectboard Minutes

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

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December 17, 2007 

Present:  Bill Lohsen, Charlie Angel, Gene Gilman, Christine Davenport, Frank Bruce and Julie Sharon

Visitors:  Tom Phillips, Charlie Woods, Shannon Pytlik, Stanley Seward, Jr., Don Green, Ann Tiplady, Dennis Smith, Joyce Barbieri, Eric Davenport, Bastian Fagginger-Auer, and Sandy Switzer  

B. Lohsen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  

Minutes.  The December 5th minutes were approved on a motion made by G. Gilman, and seconded by C. Angel.  Motion carried (3-0-1).  F. Bruce abstained. 

Selectboard Orders.  Pay orders were approved in the amount of $33,927.55 on a motion made by F. Bruce, and seconded by B. Lohsen.  Motion carried (4-0).  

Highway Budget.   Charlie Woods attended the meeting to offer input.  All expenses were budgeted the same except for the following:  5302-Equipment-Misc.will increase from $1,300 to $1,500, but will combine 5311-Tools/Equipment which had a budget of $500 last year.  5305-2001 Ford 550 Truck increased $500 to $2,500.  B. Lohsen recommended that Charlie look into pricing for a ditching bucket for the backhoe.  [C. Davenport arrived at 7:11 p.m. ]  5315-Diesel Fuel will increase $3,500 to $20,000.  5325-Paving will increase $3,000 to $25,000.  5327-Traffic Control Devices will increase $200 to $700.  5330-2003 Sterling Truck and 5331-2006 Sterling Truck budgets will be done at the next meeting.  Charlie mentioned that the roof needs work and will find out the potential cost.  

There was discussion about the clean up after the weekend storm.  Recent repairs done on the trucks were discussed.   

Proposed Zoning Regs.  The recessed public hearing held December 10^th reconvened at 7:35 p.m.   Resident Shannon Pytlik read the attached letter as a follow up to her comments at the public hearing.  She stated again that the new regs increase the industrial zone in the village of East Wallingford that is currently zoned residential.  The historic properties would become pre-existing non-complying uses and structures under the new regs, which would create a burden to the landowners if they wished to alter their property.  The same would be true of those properties along River Street in Wallingford .  Ms. Pytlik pointed out that this change differs from the Town Plan.  A lengthy discussion followed.   

The Selectboard discussed their options – approve, reject or take no action.  Joyce recommended that the Selectboard turn it back over to the Planning Commission with their concerns, which would give them time to consider the issues and then hold a town wide vote in March.  Don Green was surprised at the minimal public turnout at the hearings and urged the Selectboard to alert all property owners of these zoning changes.  It was agreed that there are a lot of good things in the proposed regs and the size of the document increased mainly because of the telecommunications and flood regulations.  

F. Bruce made a motion to reject the proposed zoning regulations based on questions about the increased industrial zone in the now residential district in East Wallingford , and whether waiving information for site plan review, conditional use, and PUD’s at the discretion of the appropriate municipal panel is appropriate.  C. Angel seconded the motion.  Motion carried (5-0).  Once these items are addressed, the Selectboard would like voter input.  

Wallingford Rescue Department Contribution Request.  President Bastian Fagginger-Auer reported that they have received a grant from the state in the amount of $11,000 towards their new building.  They have been approved to borrow up to $200,000 but must maintain their checking account balance.  The Selectboard discussed ways to give them $150,000 for construction costs.  Consideration must also be given to the fact that they will need to replace an ambulance in 2010.  Eric Davenport stated that they can only use the interest on the Stafford money ($158,093). Joyce was asked to investigate financing alternatives and discussed her findings, noting that there are still many unanswered questions. It was recommended that the both the Town and Tinmouth’s annual contribution be increased significantly. It was questioned whether the Town can borrow $150,000 for this purpose.  Following further discussion, B. Lohsen made a motion to place an article on the warning at town meeting to contribute $150,000 to the Wallingford Rescue Squad.  The Town will borrow this amount over a period of 10 years.  F. Bruce seconded the motion.  Motion carried (4-0-1).  C. Angel abstained.  

Insurance.  The Selectboard compared property and casualty insurance coverage proposals, including workers comp, from VLCT and Kinney Pike.  Quotes submitted were not based on identical amounts; however, Kinney Pike’s limits were lower ($1MM vs. $2MM), their deductibles were higher ($1,000 vs. $500), and their premium was higher at $18,519 vs. 16,302.  B. Lohsen made a motion to accept VLCT’s proposal as it provides the best cost/benefit to the Town; motion seconded by F. Bruce.  Motion carried (5-0).  

The Selectboard reviewed 2008 health insurance rates and plans.  Town employees are currently enrolled in Cigna’s Open Access Plan, which has a $500 deductible, the cost of which will increase 10% in 2008.  The annual cost to the Town will be $44,252.35, which excludes the 10% premium paid for by the employee.   

The Selectboard reviewed the High Deductible Health Plans available.  The annual cost to the Town for the $1,500 deductible (per person) plan would be $34,974.72, which would be a cost savings of $9,277.63.  B. Lohsen explained how the plan works as he offers this type of coverage to his employees.  To help with the high deductible, he opened a checking account for each employee in the amount of $500.  The money can be used to pay for qualified medical expenses.  Joyce asked that the Selectboard go into executive session to discuss personnel first, before making a decision.  

The 2007 Leader Program Results.  Julie announced that VLCT sent a check in the amount of $472 for the Town’s first year’s participation in the Leader Program.  The money will be used to offset health insurance premiums. 

Route 140W Bridge Project.  Julie reported that she mailed the paperwork to the State today requesting our grant monies in the amount of $150,000.  The bridge is considered substantially complete.  DuBois & King forwarded two changes orders, which changed the amount due the contractor by an additional $460.    B. Lohsen made a motion to sign the change orders, which was seconded by C. Angel.  Motion carried (5-0).

Town Report Bids.  Julie reviewed the bids received for the printing of the town report and recommended approval of Repro Digital’s bid in the amount of $1,385.  F. Bruce moved to accept the $1,385 bid, which was seconded by C. Angel.  Motion carried (5-0).

Bill H.140-An Act Relating to Sharing Fines. The Selectboard signed a letter of support addressed to Rep. David Sharpe concerning a bill that proposes the state and a municipality or sheriff’s department share fines equally when assessment of a fine is the result of enforcement action by the municipality’s police department or sheriff’s department.

Rutland County FY09 Budget.  Significant increases were noted in court staff wages and training expenses.

Rutland Co. Solid Waste District FY09 Budget.  Overall revenues are increased by 10.5% and expenditures by 14%.

Correspondence.  Reports for November:  Sheriff law incident summary report; Sheriff activity report; and ordinance income report. 

Other Business/Ann ouncements.  The Town received a check from RCSWD for $299 for the metal revenue sharing for October and November.

The Town received $4,525.36 for the Better Backroads grant reimbursement for the Hartsboro Road project.

Julie received approval to purchase $25 gift certificates from the Wallingford Locker for the town employees.

B. Lohsen made a motion to move into executive session at 9:42 p.m. with J. Sharon and J. Barbieri present to discuss personnel; motion seconded by G. Gilman.  (Motion carried 5-0).  The Selectboard came out of executive session at 10:02 p.m.

B. Lohsen made a motion to offer Cigna’s $1,500 High deductible health plan and open a Health Savings Account for each employee covered under the plan in the amount of $1,000.  F. Bruce seconded the motion.  Motion carried (5-0).

The meeting adjourned at 10:03 p.m.

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