Wallingford Selectboard Minutes

Selectboard Minutes Index
Home

January 17, 2011

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

 

Visitors:  Joyce Barbieri, Bill Lohsen, and Jay Kenlan  

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

Minutes.  B. Brooks made one correction under “executive session” to substitute F. Bruce’s name with another as he was not at the meeting.  The minutes of January 3rd were approved with one correction on a motion made by J. Gilman and seconded by J. Crowley.  Motion carried (4-0).  F. Bruce abstained. 

Selectboard Orders.  F. Bruce made a motion to approve the pay orders totaling $12,737.07, which was seconded by C. Angel.  Motion carried (5-0).  

FY12 Town Warning.    The Board reviewed a draft of the articles with Jay Kenlan.  Joyce requested that Jay ask all town volunteers to stand up and state their affiliation, and she will ask some of the sixth graders to hand out pins.  J. Gilman would like to add a non-binding article about merging the town with the fire district.  B. Brooks gave a recap for Jay on what had occurred last spring when the fire district voters handed in a petition to the Prudential Committee.  Jay recommended using a mediator who will assist the parties in reaching an  agreement.  This issue may be brought up under “other business” at town meeting. 

Town Garage.  Following up on a request to provide some estimates for plumbing and heating for a new garage building last summer, Bill Lohsen toured it last week with a rep from Giancola Construction.  He pointed out all the issues and expenses that arise with building new vs. rehabbing an existing building.  Giancola can provide a rough estimate to empty the garage, paint it, reinsulate the building, install new insulated garage doors, a new bathroom, radiant heat flooring (including resloping the floor), and new electrical system.  Bill anticipates the cost to be approximately $150-200M.   

At this point, the Selectboard hasn’t discussed whether the level of investment needed to rehabilitate the existing building may or may not rival the cost of new construction.  They recently asked the Energy Committee and Building Committee to merge, study the options and make a proposal.  The cell tower income will be now be set aside for the town garage to avoid additional financial burden on the taxpayers.  Mr. Lohsen spoke with Energy Committee member and architect Jay White who questioned whether the building was structurally sound.  Following further discussion, a motion was made by J. Gilman to have a structural analysis done on the Town Garage at a cost not to exceed $900.  Motion seconded by J. Crowley.  Motion carried (5-0).  

FY12 Budget & Town Warning Approval.   The Selectboard reviewed the proposed FY12 budget, which totals $870,547.02.  There were no other options to boost revenues other than, at Joyce’s suggestion, to consider using some of the principal from the Fernfield Farms investment towards reducing current property taxes.  However, this matter will have to be discussed at a later time. There was no response from the Delinquent Tax Collector on the status of pending tax sales and estimated taxes to be collected next year.  Current property is proposed at $559,761.66, which equates to a two-cent increase to the property tax.  The major drivers contributing to the nearly $40,000 increase is the backhoe replacement ($13,500) and paving (+$25,000).  

There was more discussion on the Constable’s budget request of $6,000.  J. Gilman reiterated that he does not want to send the message that the Town is in it for the money by funding the budget in order to generate income.  The public safety budget should be for more than speed control.  J. Gilman made a motion to increase the Sheriff’s budget by $340, the motion was seconded by C. Angel.  B. Brooks stated that as an elected official, the Town cannot reward the constable any other way than to reimburse him for his time and would like to do so.  The motion carried (3-1) with B. Brooks voting no and J. Crowley abstaining.  

Quarterly Financials.   The Selectboard were in receipt of the 6-month quarterly financial statements.                                    

Town Report.   The Selectboard made changes to the draft of their annual report.

Unpaid Judgments.   Since the neighbors were agreeable to the ongoing clean up at the Dawson property on River Street last August, a motion was made by B. Brooks and seconded by F. Bruce to dismiss the six judgments that remain unpaid through the Judicial Bureau for Defendant Clifford Dawson.  Motion carried (5-0).                   

B. Brooks moved to enter executive session at 8:06 p.m. with J. Sharon present, to discuss a contract.  F. Bruce seconded the motion.  Motion carried (5-0).  The Selectboard returned from executive session at 8:24 p.m. 

The Selectboard will not be forwarding a letter Mr. Phillips as discussed at the last meeting.  The Selectboard will respond to a letter from Permit Compliance Officer J. Wakefield who is asking for an update on the status of the reclamation.

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

Home     Hours & Meetings     Town Officers     Selectboard     Town Clerk   Phone & E-Mail 
Transfer Station     Recreation    Roads     Planning & Zoning     Conservation Commission    
Gilbert Hart Library 
Ordinances
    Town Info.     Community         FAQs      Links     Site Map    Web
Site Policy 
       Wallingford Elementary School    Mill River Union High School
     Wallingford Historical Society    Wallingford Rotary Club
  Recreation Development Committee      Wallingford Fire District No. 1          Wallingford Senior Activities       
    Energy Committee   Little Red Schoolhouse     Town Auditorium Rental   Wallingford Boy's Camp (The Lodge)

Questions and/or Comments about this Web Site:  Webmaster
Town of Wallingford
75 School Street
Wallingford, VT  05773
(802) 446-2872

 © Copyright 2010 Town of Wallingford, Vermont