Wallingford Selectboard Minutes

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December 20, 2010

Present:  Bill Brooks, Joan Crowley, Charlie Angel, Frank Bruce, and Julie Sharon

Visitors:  Joyce Barbieri, Bonnie Gainer, Bastian Auer, Charlie Woods, Nelson Tift, and Sandi Switzer  

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

Minutes.  C. Angel made the motion to approve the minutes dated December 6^th, which was seconded by J. Crowley.  Motion carried (4-0). 

Selectboard Orders.  B. Brooks made a motion to approve the pay orders totaling $53,682.53, which was seconded by F. Bruce.  Motion carried (4-0).  

Gilbert Hart Library Donation Request.  President Bonnie Gainer presented the library’s proposed FY12 budget, asking for town funding of $34,000.  The $2,000 increase will help fund their most pressing issue next year, which is to become automated.  The total cost is approximately $4,000 plus an annual maintenance cost of approximately $1,200.  

In FY12, they are projecting total expenses of $51,055, total revenue of $52,100, and a surplus of $1,045.  F. Bruce questioned next year’s salary budget, and Bonnie reported that salaries were reduced from $37,570 to $21,000.  Kudo’s were given to the Library board members for their efforts in turning around last year’s proposed budget deficit of $15,817.  Bonnie reported they raised nearly $1,500 from the silent auction.  

FY12 Proposed Public Safety Budget.   Questions were asked of Constable Tift who is requesting a budget of $6,000 this year, an increase from $3,250 last year.  

FY12 Highway Budget.  There was a lengthy discussion about replacing the failing 20-year backhoe with a comparable piece of either new or used equipment.  Information on various used backhoes found on the internet was reviewed.  More details will be obtained from a dealer.  Discussion was held on the deficiencies at the 50+ year-old town garage as reported by our insurer, VLCT, and the energy audit that was performed last summer.  J. Barbieri recommended earmarking the cell tower income towards a loan payment for a new garage so that it won’t affect the tax rate.  The paving budget may be increased slightly as there have been discussions on partially paving roads such as Bear Mountain and Hawkins in order to eliminate the amount of road grading that is needed each year on those roads.  The Selectboard discussed with Charlie Woods the possibility of hiring a third man.  Charlie Woods’ budget recommendations were given to Julie and further discussion will take place at the next meeting.  

Wallingford Rescue Donation Request.  President Bastian Auer requested a donation of $10,000, no change from last year.  He discussed their goals for next year.  

FY12 Charitable Requests Budget.  The Selectboard reviewed the list of donation requests totaling $53,210.  New requests from the Wallingford Little League for $500 and American Red Cross for $1,000 annually for the next three years were also received.  Four agencies have yet to send us their requests.  Julie proposed giving $250 to all existing agencies, excluding the Wallingford agencies.  After further discussion, a motion was made by F. Bruce and seconded by B. Brooks to approve charitable requests of $51,300.  Motion carried (4-0).  This figure excludes the town scholarships that are offset by income.  

Health Insurance.  Julie sought quotes from MVP and BCBS as Cigna’s rates are increasing 17% next year.  Total health insurance for calendar year 2011 would cost $48,264.  A comparable insurance plan though BCBS would cost $34,618, which is a savings of $13,646.  The deductibles and out-of-pocket maximum is $2,500 per individual and $5,000 family.  It was noted that the policy for withdrawing from the VLCT Health Trust makes us ineligible to participate again for two years.  After further discussion, F. Bruce made a motion to switch to BCBS BlueCare CDHP (HMO), which is a HSR/HRA compatible plan; motion seconded by J. Crowley.  Motion carried (4-0).  

Road Commissioner’s Report.  F. Bruce and Charlie Woods met with Tom Roberts of VTrans to inspect the Maple Street ditch.  70% of any repairs would be eligible through the State Town Highway Class 2 Grant program.  Mr. Roberts recommended that we hire someone to put it back as it was or do something different such as concrete walls.  He wouldn’t recommend enclosing the structure as we would want to be able to take surface water off the road. He thought there is enough room to stone-line an open ditch in the upper half if we wanted to be able to get at the ditch to clean it.  No decisions were made.  

F. Bruce is looking into the possible acquisition of a brush chipper that would have to be budgeted in FY12.  

F. Bruce moved to enter executive session at 7:55 p.m. with J. Barbieri and J. Sharon present, to discuss contracts.  J. Crowley seconded the motion.  Motion carried (4-0).  The Selectboard returned from executive session at 8:24 p.m.  No action was taken.  

F. Bruce recommended a $25 holiday bonus for each employee.  Motion seconded by J. Crowley.  Motion carried (4-0).  

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m.

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