Wallingford Selectboard Minutes

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January 21, 2008

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

Visitors:  Jay Kenlan, Joyce Barbieri and Sandi Switzer  

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

Minutes.  The January 7th minutes were approved on a motion made by G. Gilman, and seconded by F. Bruce.  Motion carried (4-0). 

Selectboard Orders.   F. Bruce made a motion to approve the Pay Order in the amount of $19,153.77, which was seconded by C. Angel.  Motion carried (4-0).  

Town Warning Draft.  Town Moderator Jay Kenlan reviewed the proposed town warning, pointing out a couple of changes he made to clarify the articles.  [C. Davenport arrived at 7:12 p.m. ]  There was a lengthy discussion on the Vermont Coalition of Municipalities’ proposed resolution regarding education finance and property tax reform.  The Selectboard agreed to let the voters decide on this resolution.  There was discussion on the correct wording for the proposed zoning regulations' article to be voted on by Australian Ballot.  The Selectboard preferred to include the wording that the Selectboard had not approved the regulations.  

Curbing at 137 North Main Street .  Tammy Ellis from VTrans wrote that the current owner has to apply for an access permit or produce an existing permit if there is one.  Julie passed this information on to Mr. Tracy Taylor.  Julie was asked to follow up on the buckling of the Creek Road bridge that was reported to Tom Roberts.  

Budget Request for Flag Replacement.  The Merchants Association submitted a request in the amount of $200 for replacement and maintenance of the flags that were placed along Route 7 last summer.  While there was general agreement that the flags are a wonderful addition to the village, the request does not benefit all of Wallingford .  F. Bruce made a motion to approve a $200 contribution next year, which was seconded by B. Lohsen.  Motion failed (2-3).  G. Gilman, C. Davenport and C. Angel voted no.  Following further discussion, B. Lohsen made a motion to approve a $100 contribution in FY09 and urged the Merchants Association to put up some flags in both East and South Wallingford; motion seconded by F. Bruce.  Motion carried (3-2).  G. Gilman and C. Davenport voted no.  

Use of Town’s Mailing Permit.  F. Bruce made a motion to approve requests from Wallingford Fire District #1 and the Wallingford Rescue Squad to use the town’s mailing permit; motion seconded by G. Gilman.  Motion carried (5-0).  

Health Officer Appointment.  Since no one has volunteered to be appointed Health Officer, the Chair is chosen to fill the position.  F. Bruce made a motion to appoint Bill Lohsen as Health Officer effective February 1st, which was seconded by G. Gilman.  Motion carried (4-0-1).  B. Lohsen abstained.  

2008 Certificate of Highway Mileage.  B. Lohsen made a motion to sign the Certificate of Highway Mileage for year ending 2/10/08 , which was seconded by F. Bruce.  Motion carried (5-0).  

Act 250 Appeal.  Tom Phillips is urging the Selectboard to have the Town's attorney, John Liccardi, attend the Act 250 merits hearing for reconsideration of the permit denial on February 14th.  The Selectboard previously approved a spending limit of $1,000 in legal fees; however, the amount needs to be increased to $3,000 for the additional time.  B. Lohsen felt Mr. Liccardi's presence is important as well.  B. Lohsen made a motion to approve up to $3,000 in legal fees, which was seconded by F. Bruce.  Motion failed ( 2-2-1 ).  C. Angel and G. Gilman voted no; C. Davenport abstained.  

Selectboard Report for Town Report.  The Selectboard approved the final draft of the report.  

Quarterly Financials.  The Selectboard received the quarterly financials.  

Adoption of FY09 Budget. The Selectboard reviewed additional budget adjustments.  There was discussion on whether to include the $7 for each grand list parcel, sent by the State each year, as revenue. These monies would help offset the monthly fee paid to Vermont Municipal Assessors. The Selectboard ultimately agreed to continue depositing the State monies in a CD as has been done over the past 20+ years.  5002-A Listers Salaries was reduced $1,000 to $1,500, as the Town remains under contract with VMA, who provides the majority of lister services.  5002-D Professional Services will be budgeted at $12,000.  B. Lohsen questioned the Zoning Administrator's proposed salary of $5,000, compared to $9,000 last year.  Joyce explained that based on his current posted office hours of 7 hours per week, plus a monthly meeting, salary expenses should not exceed $5,000.

Julie reported on the quote she received (for budget purposes) for state-mandated changes that must be made to the underground storage tank at the garage.  The existing suction line flexes must be isolated from the soil, a dispenser sump and monitor must be installed, and the fill bucket must be replaced.  The project total came in at $9,522.  No decision was made.  5115-Legal Expenses were reduced by $1,000.  The Selectboard reviewed recommendations to reduce the budget.

B. Lohsen led a discussion on the Recreation Budget ($4,000 for salaries and $1,500 for port-a-potties), stating that the number of children attending the summer program has declined over the years, down to about a dozen, and basically we're servicing Danby now.  Times are changing and camps offering sports, academics, etc. have become more popular. He would like to eliminate the rec budget entirely.  The Rec Committee had recommended $10,500 for resurfacing the tennis courts.  The Selectboard couldn't be certain that these courts are used very often.  Unfortunately, the Selectboard had to trim some of the budget at the 11^th hour and agreed to eliminate the entire Recreation budget without notice to the Rec Committee.  B. Lohsen will notify Sue Duskiewicz that she can concentrate her efforts on Elfin Lake as we are fortunate to have this resource.  She can share the $7,500 in salaries with a second person, since there is no legal requirement that the Town provide lifeguards at Elfin Lake .  The State eliminated 99% of their lifeguards over 15 years ago.

The Selectboard reviewed quotes for budgetary purposes for a 2008 Ford 550 with plow and sander, to replace the 2001 Ford 550.  Discussion took place on the features of the new truck and improvements made since 2001.  The Selectboard will attempt to sell the truck outright to make more money rather than by just trading it in.  Projecting a worst case scenario, the new truck cost would be $62,800 minus $10,000 for the 2001 truck, $16,500 was budgeted annually for four years. 

With the above changes, Joyce estimates current property taxes for FY09 not to exceed $538,000 and will finalize the numbers tomorrow.  B. Lohsen made a motion to warn a Budget of approximately $785,000, with no more than $538,000 to be raised by property taxes, for consideration at Town Meeting in March, along with the 11 other articles in the warning. F. Bruce seconded the motion. (Motion carried 5-0).

Correspondence.  Pike Industries Quarterly Report; Municipal Legal Services Offer from Attorney Cindy Hill; and December Sheriff Reports.

Other Business/Announcements.  The Selectboard accepted the resignation of Kevin Mulholland who served on the Fire Protection Budget Committee.  F. Bruce made a motion to appoint Robert Minter who's expressed interest, which was seconded by G. Gilman. Motion carried (5-0).

Julie reported on the VLCT-sponsored seminar she attended on "CDL Controlled Substance & Alcohol Testing”.  They have changed contractors, which requires more work on the part of the municipalities.

F. Bruce discussed the outcome of his talk with the road crew concerning the use of the wing plows.  C. Davenport requested that the road crew sand all of Haven Hill Road .

C. Angel reported on his discussion with the Secretary of State regarding the proposed zoning regulations.  He learned that the Selectboard can make major changes; however, a new public hearing must be warned.  The Selectboard was under the impression that they could only make minor changes.

The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.

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