Wallingford Selectboard Minutes

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February 22, 2011

Present:  Frank Bruce, Joan Crowley, Charlie Angel, Joshua Gilman, and Julie Sharon

Visitors:  Lee Perry and Cheryl Maniery  

Vice Chair F. Bruce called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.  

Minutes.  J. Gilman approved the minutes of February 7^th; motion seconded by C. Angel.  Motion carried (4-0). 

Selectboard Orders.  F. Bruce made a motion to approve the pay orders totaling $21,206.72, which was seconded by C. Angel.  Motion carried (4-0).  

Tax Sales.  Delinquent Tax Collector Lee Perry was present to report that there is only one out of four properties left for tax sale on March 7th.  Three accounts have been paid, and he expects the fourth account, which has a past due balance just under $1,650, may also be paid by then. By unanimous agreement, the Town will bid on this one property at the Tax Sale if there are no other bidders, and Julie Sharon will attend the Tax Sale to represent the Town.   Mr. Perry will have no additional tax sales until after the April tax payment.  

2011 Wallingford Summer Recreation.  Kim Maniery will appear at a future meeting as she had a scheduling conflict.  Cheryl Maniery gave feedback to the Selectboard in response to the Herald’s article about increasing the fee for non residents to $75.  Several parents, who have 2-3 children in the program, stated they cannot pay an extra $15 per week per child.  No decision has been made yet; however, J. Gilman encouraged that these parents contact their Selectboard and request financial assistance.  Cheryl reported that Clarendon has committed to pay for one field trip this summer, and that the new RSSU Superintendent may have found a loophole in providing bus transportation.  The bus driver will still require a stipend however.  In regard to extending the program to six weeks, Cheryl stated that there is minimal attendance by the fifth week, especially after the children have attended four weeks of summer camp plus the RSSU camps.  The high school and college staff are also getting ready for sports practice and/or have to return to school.  

There was discussion on having the fees paid directly to the Treasurer; however, no decision was made.  It was suggested that in the future, the Director and Treasurer meet weekly to review financial records.  Cheryl stated that Kim keeps detailed records and can be contacted to verify the amount paid for childcare expenses for tax purposes. Cheryl offered to provide a sample scholarship application form that could be included with the summer rec information.  The Selectboard agreed that the Director and Treasurer could also select the scholarship recipients.  A notice will be put in the Town newsletter seeking scholarship donations (preferably $95 to cover one week of camp, plus registration and field trip fees).  It was agreed that these funds should be kept in a separate account and rolled over and accumulated year to year if not spent.  

Cheryl announced that she has a friend who is willing to write a few grants for the town, which would benefit the summer rec program (i.e. supplies, tables, paddleboats, etc.) at no cost to the Town.  The Board gave Cheryl and/or the grant writer permission to contact the Treasurer to obtain information needed to prepare the grant applications (i.e. financial, tax ID, etc.) on a motion made by J. Gilman and seconded by J. Crowley.  Motion carried (3-0).  C. Angel abstained.                                   

AVCC Grant  – Conservation Commission.  On behalf of the Conservation Commission, J. Gilman sought approval to submit a grant application to the Association of Vermont Conservation Commission for a mini grant of $500.  The purpose of the grant is to showcase the Stone Meadow recreation area to the townspeople at the Town’s 250^th anniversary celebration in August.  The funds will be used to print trail maps, clean up branches and downed trees from the trails, trash collection, and brush hogging the 3.5 acre parcel.  J. Gilman requested that the road crew help with moving stone piles and larger stumps/trees (less than one-half day of work).  Following further discussion, a motion was made by F. Bruce and seconded by J. Crowley to submit the application.  Motion carried (4-0).    

Security Policy Annual Review.  Pursuant to the Security Policy adopted in February 2004, the Selectboard reviewed and unanimously approved the list of all persons who have keys to Town Hall.  It was pointed out that Constable Nelson Tift should be asked to return his key.  

Town Road & Bridge Standards & VTrans Town Highway Grant Programs.  Act 110 of the 2010 legislative session – an act relating to establishment of natural resources’ river corridor management program – was enacted to revise the standards to include practical and cost-effective practices for the construction, maintenance and repair of all existing and future state and town highways in order to address pollution caused by transportation – related stormwater runoff.  As a result, VTrans and ANR revised these standards that were last adopted in 2001.  Adoption of these standards will provide an extra 10% state funding for municipal projects.    A motion was made by F. Bruce and seconded by J. Crowley to adopt these standards.  Motion carried (4-0).  

Julie reviewed the Town Highway Grant programs available that are limited to $175,000 for any one project. The Selectboard discussed whether to apply for a Class 2 paving grant to continue on Route 140W or the Creek Road .   If the grant is approved, the Town would have two years to complete the work and could budget the town match in the next fiscal year.  There was also discussion on whether to apply for funding to reconstruct the retaining wall along Maple Street .   J. Gilman did not feel we are ready to apply for structure funds for the Creek Road Bridge until receipt of an engineering study.  Once that is done, the Town could apply for a grant through the Transportation Enhancement Program, which is limited to $300,000 for any one project. 

Julie pointed out that state funding would increase another 10% if we had a complete infrastructure study, which includes culverts, bridges, retaining walls and roadways.  These inventories have to be kept up-to-date and be less than three years old.  There is an inventory of culverts that was created over three years ago on file.  This would be an excellent project for the Road Commissioner to oversee completion in the next year.           

Other Business.  F. Bruce brought up the town garage renovations and feels that new construction would cost less than renovations.  J. Gilman reported on the recent joint meeting of the Energy and Building Committees concerning the town garage.  He feels that the Town would have a much better quality building through renovation vs. new construction at a lesser cost.  Discussions are still at a preliminary stage. 

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