Wallingford Selectboard Minutes

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December 19, 2011

Present:  Bill Brooks, Frank Bruce, Nelson Tift, Josh Gilman‚ and Rose Regula  

Others Present:  Julie Sharon, Joyce Barbieri‚ Bonnie Gainer‚ Charlie Woods‚ Bastian Auer‚ and Sandy Switzer  

Chair B. Brooks called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.  

Minutes.  The minutes were approved on a motion made by F. Bruce and seconded by R. Regula. Motion carried (4-0).    

Selectboard Orders.  [J. Gilman arrived at 6:31 p.m.]  F. Bruce moved to approve the pay orders totaling $75‚890.31; motion seconded by N. Tift.  Motion carried (5-0).   

Grader Expenses.  The Selectboard discussed the recent repair bill for replacing the grader brakes and compared it to similar repairs performed in July 2010.  Charlie Woods said that Winmill could not explain why the brakes went so fast.  This is not a common problem and everyone is concerned about the significant cost.  It was also pointed out that the cost of brake pistons went from $429.09 each in 2010 to $764.55 each in 2011‚ which seems like an exorbitant increase compared to the other parts purchased.  Following further discussion‚ N. Tift made a motion to send a letter to Winmill asking for an explanation of why the brakes failed again‚ if the parts were defective and could be covered under warranty‚ why the jump in pricing‚ and if they would discount the labor costs; motion seconded by F. Bruce.  Motion carried (5-0).  

FY13 Highway Budget.   Charlie Woods participated in the highway budget discussion.  He reported that it costs $4‚800 to cover one mile of road with 3” of gravel cost‚ and Wallingford has 42 miles of gravel roads.  This would total over $200,000; therefore, the gravel budget should be increased.   J. Gilman would like to see a 5 or 10-year plan for ditching‚ cutting back to the right of way and adding 3” of top coat for each road.  This would give the Town a lot stronger infrastructure and cut back on gravel waste.  Charlie has added 3” of gravel to many of the roads impacted by Tropical Storm Irene.  A wood chipper will be needed to clean out the ROW’s‚ and there is $4‚000 in this year’s budget to purchase one.  The Town could rent one or N. Tift recommended contacting Clarendon to see if we could rent their machine.  

Further discussion resulted in the following preliminary figures for the FY13 budget (all other budget items will remain the same):  5302 Equipment Misc. $500; 5308 2011 Caterpillar Backhoe $13‚500; 5315 Diesel Fuel $22‚000; 5321 Culverts $2‚000; 5323 Gravel $35‚000; 5325 Paving $30‚000; 5327 Traffic Control Devices $500; 5330 2003 Sterling Truck $2‚500; 5332B Radios $700; and 5332C Special Projects $10‚000.  Julie stated that $27‚300 must be budgeted for the 30% match on the two Class II paving grants, each in the amount of $31‚850, that expire June 2013.  The Selectboard discussed the paving that needs to be caught up on next spring.  Funds were budgeted in Special Projects for rebuilding a portion of the base on Hartsboro Road and cleaning and/or repairing catch basins.  

FY13 Expenditures Budget.  Bonnie Gainer‚ representing the Gilbert Hart Library‚ asked for the same donation amount of $34‚000 and reported on the operations of the library.  The Selectboard reviewed their proposed FY12 budget.  B. Brooks made a motion to approve $34‚000; motion seconded by F. Bruce.  Motion carried (5-0).  

Bastian Auer‚ representing the Wallingford Rescue Squad‚ asked for the same donation amount of $10‚000 and said that they are in need of volunteers.  B. Brooks made a motion to approve $10‚000; motion seconded by F. Bruce.  Motion carried (5-0).  

The Selectboard reviewed the list of donation requests.  New requests from the American Red Cross for $1,000 and Northern VT Resources Conservation (replacing the dissolved George D. Aiken Council) for $250 were also received.  Three agencies have not sent their requests and the Preservation Trust of VT’s request was received today.  J. Gilman proposed dropping those at $250 to $200 denying those that aren’t involved in Wallingford‚ and level funding the rest.  Further discussion resulted in all amounts remaining the same except for: Rutland Co. Humane lowered to $100; zero for BROC VT Adult Learning‚ and Rutland Co. Parent Child‚ $100 for Rutland Nat’l Resources‚ $100 for the Wallingford Merchants (flags) ‚ $100 to Preservation Trust‚ Northern VT Resource Conservation and American Red Cross.  

FY 13 Insurance Budget.  The Selectboard reviewed the 2012 rates for four full-time employees currently insured under the BlueCare CDHP (HMO) that has an “out of pocket” maximum $2‚500 individual deductible‚ a $5‚000 family deductible‚ and a vision rider.  Property & Workers Comp‚ Unemployment‚ and Dental insurance premiums were also reviewed.  Included in the worksheet were insurance expenses for a possible third highway worker.  J. Gilman recommended either hiring another part-time worker or job out the work, i.e. the sand hauler can mix in with the winter salt.  Following more discussion on this concept, the Select board voted to budget the insurance at $72,700 (not including a new full-time highway worker) on a motion made by B. Brooks and seconded by F. Bruce.  Motion carried (5-0).  The Hired Equipment budget in the Highway Department will need to be revisited at the next meeting to allow for this additional expense.  

Resignations.  The Selectboard accepted the resignation of Bert Jones from the Energy Committee and Hans Huessy from the DRB.  Mr. Huessy is moving out of Wallingford .  

Dept. of Taxes Equalization Study.  The Department of Taxes equalization study report showed the Town’s equalized education property values at $221,688,000, a coefficient of dispersion of 12.23%, and a common level of appraisal of 107% effective 1/1/12.  Last year’s figures were $225,606,000, 11.50% and 104.54% respectively.  

Receipt of Proposed Town Plan.  The Selectboard was in receipt of the new proposed Town Plan from the Planning Commission whose public hearing was held on November 14th.  The Selectboard agreed to hold its public hearing on February 20th.   J. Gilman noted some errors on the Wallingford Village map.                                            

NBF Contract.  In anticipation of tomorrow night’s meeting with NBF to review the town garage proposed renovation, Joyce asked if their $19,000 fee would be lowered if the cost of the town garage was lowered from $300,000.  There was discussion about installing an above-ground tank.  Signing of the contract was deferred until Tuesday’s meeting.  

Other Business/Announcements.  On behalf of the Wallingford Fire District #1, Julie asked for permission for them to use the town’s mailing permit for their annual report.  B. Brooks made a motion to approve this request; motion seconded by R. Regula.  Motion carried (5-0).  

Julie received the USDA-Forest Service Coop Agreement for repairing Wallingford Pond Road this afternoon.  On a motion made by B. Brooks and seconded by F. Bruce, Mr. Brooks was given approval to sign the agreement.  Motion carried (5-0).  

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

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