Wallingford Selectboard Minutes

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

 

Visitors:  Joyce Barbieri, Tom Fuller, Jay Kenlan, and Sandi Switzer  

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

Minutes.  C. Angel made a motion to approve the minutes of January 2^nd, which was seconded by G. Gilman.  Motion carried (4-0). 

Selectboard Orders.  $2,000 was added to the pay orders for the sidewalk payment to Wallingford Fire District #1.  Pay orders were approved for $25,190.33 on a motion made by B. Lohsen, and seconded by C. Angel.  Motion carried (4-0).  

Town Warning.  Jay Kenlan was present to discuss the warning and town meeting.  The only concern raised was the tax stabilization request for the Masonic Lodge.  Joyce reported that the Department of Taxes has issued a reminder that when Act 60 was enacted in 1997, locally approved agreements were grandfathered exemption from the education tax for a maximum of 10 years.  She interprets this change to mean that the taxpayers will now have to make up the foregone education tax for certain tax exempt properties beginning with the 2007 grand list.  Jay Johnstone understood it to mean that it would only affect the existing agreements: i.e., Masonic Lodge, Rotary, Mt. Moriah , South Wallingford Grange, and Wallingford Rescue.  The Selectboard talked with Lister Jay Johnstone via telephone to discuss this issue.  Jay was not clear on all the facts and will research it further and meet with Spencer Potter ASAP.  The Selectboard will have to consider whether or not to warn a vote to renew the agreements and add any additional ones, for the Town Meeting.  Action on the town warning was deferred until the next meeting.   

Other Business.  Tom Fuller attended the meeting to discuss the information that must be provided to the District Environmental Commission regarding the Act 250 Hearing on the gravel pit.  VTrans’ response dated January 9^th in regards to the Route 140W Bridge was reviewed.  Since the State performs the inspections and issues the load rating, although it’s a town owned bridge, VTrans will be asked to clarify that the 46,000 lbs. Load rating for this bridge is only 55% of the bridge’s actual capacity.  

Zoning Issues.  The Selectboard read Rick Smith’s response that there is no distinction between residential and non residential subdivision in the zoning regulations.  

Gravel Complaint.  The Selectboard reviewed SLC’s response to our inquiry on whether changes have been made to the gravel mix and whether there are other options available to the Town. This information will be passed on to Charlie Woods to see if he can come up with a better gravel mix.  

Deerfield Drive Culvert.  The Selectboard reviewed a map, prepared by Mark Breznick, of the water and sewer lines.  Mark will be asked to establish which culvert is deeper – the Town’s or Mr. Jenney’s.

Rotary Club Coin Drop Request.  The Selectboard read a request from Jay Johnstone for permission to hold a coin drop on July 21, 2007 from 9 a.m. to noon (rain date July 28).  Following some discussion, a motion was made by B. Lohsen, and seconded by G. Gilman, to approve a coin drop for the Rotary Club with the understanding that they position themselves at least 75’ south and north of the Route 7/140 intersection.  Motion carried (4-0).  

Certificate of Highway Mileage.  G. Gilman made a motion to sign the Certificate of Highway Mileage for the year ending February 10, 2007 with no changes in mileage; the motion was seconded by B. Lohsen.  Motion carried (4-0).  

Selectboard Report for Town Report.  The Selectboard made revisions to the draft report.  They asked for a review of the timeline necessary to adopt the proposed zoning regulations.  The Selectboard discussed what changes can be made to the proposed regulations.  

Quarterly Financials.  Joyce reported briefly on YTD (7/01 – 12/31/06) expenses vs. budget, noting that there is an even cash flow moving along.  She reported on a $30,000 carryover from last year that will help offset the non-budgeted truck payment.  The Highway Department will need to cut back on expenses.  

Highway Dept. Upcoming Projects.  Julie met with Charlie Woods to confirm upcoming projects for the month of January, weather permitting.  A calendar was prepared that showed a list of annual projects by month, in addition to their regular work schedule.  The Selectboard came to the conclusion that a part-time person could be used more effectively by scheduling that person to work the months of December through February, and again from June through August.  

Budget 07-08.  Joyce updated the Selectboard on the latest budget figures, stating that the proposed budget would result in an estimated growth in the tax rate of 2½¢ per $100 of value.  However, this estimate does not include salary increases.  The estimate is also based on current property values; the tax rate will vary as it will be based on new property values levels resulting from the reappraisal that will be completed by April 1^st.
 

B. Lohsen made a motion to move into executive session to discuss legal issues; motion seconded by C. Angel.  (Motion carried 4-0).  Board members moved to Executive Session at 9:04 p.m. and were joined by J. Barbieri and J. Sharon .  The Selectboard came out of executive session at 9:18 p.m.

 

The Town’s motion for summary judgment was granted by the Environmental Court with respect to the change of use violation on Dennis Smith’s property at 2251 Route 7 South.  Based on the meeting held last week with Attorney John Liccardi, Julie Sharon , and Shari Edmands concerning this case, the Selectboard unanimously agreed that subject to clarification with Shari Edmands on the property’s change of use, the Selectboard authorizes John Liccardi to proceed with the filing of an enforcement action in Environmental Court .  They also authorized Mr. Liccardi to proceed with filing the same on the Bernier appeal, if the Court rules in favor of the Town.

B. Lohsen made a motion to move into executive session at 9:22 p.m. to discuss personnel; motion seconded by C. Angel.  (Motion carried 4-0).  The Selectboard came out of executive session at 9:50 p.m.