Wallingford Selectboard Minutes

The official copy of these minutes can be obtained at Wallingford Town Hall.

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January 26, 2009

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

Visitors: Tony Esposito, Joyce Barbieri, Jay Kenlan, and Tom Phillips  

The meeting was called to order by Chair B. Lohsen at 6:05 p.m.  

Approve Town Warning.  The Board reviewed a draft of the Articles. The Board received a petition signed by 95 registered voters requesting that an Article be added to the Warning for March Town Meeting as follows:  “Shall the Selectboard take the task of representing the petitioners to relocate the Wallingford Post Office from its present location to a safer more accessible location”.  Town Moderator Jay Kenlan changed the wording, which was read by B. Brooks, to the following: “Is it the sense of the meeting that the Selectboard should evaluate, pursue and support the relocation of the Wallingford Post Office from its present location on North Main Street, to a safer more accessible location?  This is a non-binding Article.  B. Lohsen was concerned that this may open the Town to potential liability situation because we are stating it is “unsafe”.  Jay Kenlan said there would be no legal liability for making that statement.  B. Lohsen also did not feel that the Town has power over another government body.  Mr. Kenlan stated that the Selectboard should not lead the discussion on this article, rather it should be lead by the voters who signed the petition.  

The final articles, as presented, were reviewed and discussed by the Board.  The Selectboard discussed how the voters have the ability to increase or decrease the proposed budget during a floor vote.  Jay answered that it’s allowable to go up or down a small amount, i.e. 1-2% only.  Joyce stated that she has difficulty preparing the town meeting minutes because it is not easy to hear the questions asked by members of the audience.  Jay believes the minutes have been too detailed and recommended that she summarize each discussion.  On a motion made by B. Lohsen, and seconded by F. Bruce, the town warning was approved with a slight change in the wording for Article 6.  Motion carried (5-0).  

Approve FY 10 Budget.  In the absence of a response as to what sidewalk improvements occurred during 2008 and their associated costs, the Selectboard read an excerpt from the January 14^th Prudential Committee meeting minutes that stated the Prudential Committee wants the $2,000 that was budgeted by the Town in FY09, since the sidewalk in front of Town Hall appears in order.  Joyce had recommended using the money to pay for repairs and improvements to the “walkway” that was damaged to some extent during the installation of the front stairs.  B. Lohsen thought that the donation has always been for sidewalk improvements, not snowplowing, and that this expense has always been a conflict with Fire District #2 ( East Wallingford ) residents who don’t benefit from it.  B. Brooks argued against keeping the money, calling attention to the fact that since the Town wants to eventually take over the fire district, this is a small step towards gaining mutual respect between the Boards.  C. Angel added that although WFD #2 taxpayers are assessed fire protection taxes, the contract prohibits them from voting on the budget.  B. Lohsen made a motion not to fund the $2,000 line item; motion seconded by F. Bruce. Motion carried (4-1) with B. Brooks opposed.  It was recommended that it be explained that the money is intended for repairs and improvements to the sidewalks and since no improvements were made last year, the funds will be spent on improving the Town Hall’s walkway.   

Next topic discussed was whether to include $2,000 in the FY10 budget.  Since the budget has been pared back as much as possible, B. Lohsen also made a motion not to budget any amount for 5151 – Sidewalks.  Motion was seconded by F. Bruce.  Motion carried (4-1) with B. Brooks opposed.  

B. Brooks recalls that the 5402 – First Constable Expense was increased by $3,000 to $3,250 rather than budgeted at $3,000.  The Selectboard agreed with this change.  J. Barbieri reviewed the latest figures based on the changes she’s made to the budget since the last draft. $15,000 was added to 4503 - Ordinance Revenue; $2,000 was added to 4514 – Transfer Station Permits; ($38,000) deficit added to 4526 - Previous Year’s Balance; $500 was added to 4540-P Passports; 5113 – Town Report was decreased by $1,000; and 5151 – Sidewalks was changed to zero.   

Julie recommended increasing 5002B – Lister Expenses by $200 to $2,200 based on annual expenses and increasing 5002A – Lister Salaries by $1,000 per Dave Ballou’s original request.  C. Angel reported on his meeting with Spencer Potter of Vermont Municipal Assessor regarding the Selectboard’s discussion at the last meeting.  Mr. Potter confirmed in writing that he will inform the Listers when he is in Wallingford so that they can meet once a month for up to two hours to answer questions from the Listers.  He also agreed to put the Grand List data on a CD and give it to the Town Clerk on a quarterly basis when he submits his report.  Joyce added that the Lister training funds that come from the State each year could be used for the seminars that are held at the Holiday Inn, which are not as costly as the annual training workshops.  The Listers budget was approved as follows:  Salaries $1,500; Expenses $2,200; Tax Map Update $1,400; and Professional Services $11,000 for a grand total of $16,100.  B. Brooks recommends canceling the contract with Vermont Municipal Assessor. 

B. Lohsen made a motion to warn a total budget of $783,080.56 and to raise an amount not to exceed $522,225.63 in property taxes for its general operations for fiscal year 2010; motion seconded by F. Bruce.  Motion carried (5-0).  

The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.

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