Wallingford Selectboard Minutes

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

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July 16, 2007

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

Visitors:  Bastian Fagginger-Auer, Ann Miller, Eric Davenport, A. Jay Kenlan, Rob Barker, Tom Phillips, Dennis Smith, Bob Durfee, Lisa Charbonneau, and Sandi Switzer  

Chair B. Lohsen opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m.  

Minutes.  G. Gilman made a motion to approve the minutes of June 18^th; motion seconded by F. Bruce.  Motion carried (4-0).  

Selectboard Orders.  Pay orders for $81,884.20 were approved unanimously.  

Wallingford Rescue Squad Fundraising.  Following up on his report to the Selectboard in April, President Bastian Fagginger-Auer returned with a proposal for funding their building campaign.  Mr. Auer briefly reviewed the contents of the proposal, which included a request from the town for $150,000.  He mentioned if they ever dissolved, the property would be turned over to the Town.  B. Lohsen said the request could be brought before the voters next March.  

Route 140W Bridge Project Status.  Bob Durfee of DuBois & King reviewed the drawings for the bridge repairs.  He gave a detailed description of all the planned improvements.  He noted that repairs are not necessary for the sidewalk as it is in excellent condition.  The west end of the bridge is in better condition than expected.  VTrans reported daily traffic of 1,400 vehicles of which 5% is truck traffic.  The project is expected to take two-three months, depending on the contractor.  Work on the deck is only expected to take three-four weeks maximum.  As traffic signals are expensive, a flagman will be used during the day when a lane has to be closed.  Should a lane have to remain closed during the evening as well, temporary traffic signs would be installed.  Otherwise, both lanes will remain open to traffic.  

An updated construction cost estimate totals $132,709, plus a 15% contingency, for a total of $152,615.  The engineering design, bid phase, and construction administration totals $46,750 for a total budget of $199,365.  The Selectboard agreed unanimously to have the plans go out to bid immediately.  The project must be completed by April 3, 2008 .   

There was discussion on how these repairs may affect any long term rehabilitation plans.  The Town is applying for a transportation enhancement grant for full repair and rehabilitation.  Mr. Durfee has offered to assist with this grant application at a cost not to exceed $500.  The Selectboard agreed unanimously to approve this expense.  

Planning Commission.  Jay Kenlan reported on his meeting last week with B. Lohsen where they discussed the issues between the boards.  Mr. Kenlan stated that the Planning Commission would be willing to tape the public hearings only and will work towards preparing more thorough minutes of regular meetings.  They hope to issue a response to the Selectboard regarding the recommended changes to the zoning regulations by their September meeting.  G. Gilman asked what their objection is to taping every meeting.  Mr. Kenlan responded that they set their own rules, and they’ve never taped their meetings because they found it stifles open discussion.   

Mr. Kenlan also gave an update on the Orton planning grant stating that nothing has moved forward; however, they hope to use the software.  He also stated that this program should not affect the proposed regulations regarding potential for growth.  There was discussion about the Planning Commission’s request for a resume from Lisa Charbonneau.   

Public Comments.  Dennis Smith asked that the “no parking” sign in front of Dr. Baasch’s office in the northbound lane be put back where it was before the sidewalk/paving project last summer.  Julie stated that the State re-installed it according to the town ordinance that states 150 feet north of the intersection. She recently received the same request from Fintan Whitty.  F. Bruce noted that he continues to find it difficult to exit Florence Avenue on to Route 7 when vehicles are parking along Route 7.  He asked that the road crew remeasure the location of the “no parking” signs.  Julie will follow up on these two items.  Mr. Smith mentioned how the pulloff parking area in the southbound lane on Route 7 south of his property has grown back in.  

Mr. Smith also voiced his opinion with the Planning Commission’s handling of permit requests.

G. Gilman made a motion to remove A. Jay Kenlan from the Planning Commission.  Motion seconded by C. Angel.  Motion passed (4-0).  C. Angel made a motion to remove Robert Barker from the Planning Commission.  Motion seconded by F. Bruce.  Motion passed (4-0).  Chair Lohsen polled Selectboard members individually.

Fuel Bids.  Requests were mailed to Ultramar, Macs, Rutland Fuel, Hugh Duffy and Irving .  Irving quoted a fixed price while Ultramar quote a fluctuating price.  B. Lohsen moved to accept Irving ’s bid for #2 oil at a fixed price per gallon of $2.519 and a fixed price per gallon of $2.737/gal. for diesel fuel.  The motion was seconded by G. Gilman.  Motion carried (4-0). 

Sexual Harassment Policy.  A loss control review conducted by VLCT of Elfin Lake could not determine if a harassment policy was in place, nor could Julie locate a policy adopted by the Town.  Therefore, VLCT provided a boilerplate policy that would pertain to all departments and employees.  B. Lohsen moved to approve the policy; G. Gilman seconded the motion.  Motion passed (4-0).

Proposed Flood Insurance Rate Maps & Studies by FEMA.  FEMA has issued new digital flood insurance rate maps and flood insurance studies for communities in Rutland County .  They plan to hold a public meeting on July 24^th at 1 and 7 p.m. at the Asa Bloomer Building in Rutland.

FYE 07 Preliminary Results.  On behalf of Joyce Barbieri, Julie reported that the unaudited bank balance as of June 30^th was $15,532.39.

Paving Projects.  Expecting a surplus in the paving fund, only $22,000 was budgeted for FY07-08.  Estimates for Meacham Street and Wickham Lane will be sought.  The culvert near Bersaw’s property on Meacham will need to be repaired before any paving is done. 

Correspondence.  6/11 Planning Committee minutes; 6/19 Recreation Committee minutes; June Sheriff Activity Reports; April & May Sheriff Law Incident Summary Reports; Dept. of Health Update; and Pike Industries Quarterly Report.

Route 140W Bridge 2008 Enhancement Grant Application Report.  Julie announced that the Town is applying for a $300,000 transportation enhancement grant for rehabilitation of the Route 140W Bridge .  The Town of Tinmouth will be a joint applicant, in name only, as it is an equally important passage to the residents of Tinmouth.  It is a 70’ long, 24’ wide historic truss bridge that was built in 1949.  Repairs planned include removal of concrete deck, replacement of deck, and repair/replace deteriorated steel.  Deck joints will be replaced, bearing repaired and painting of the entire bridge.   

Other Business/Announcements.  Julie reported on the several minor acts of late-night vandalism that have occurred in the village recently.  Each incident has been passed on to the State Police, Sheriff as well as the two Vermont State Police Advisory Committee members.  Sheriff Craig Hansen and Ltn. Donald Patch met with Julie today to discuss the vandalism and requested that any suspects be reported to them.

Regarding the letter sent to VTEL seeking reimbursement for the road crew’s wasted time on Hawkins Road recently, Julie reported that VTEL is willing to pay the invoice; however, they will begin charging the Town each time a line is accidentally cut.  The road called Dig Safe and was given permission; however, they found buried telephone lines that were no longer used.  The Selectboard asked Julie to contact VTEL to discuss how a similar incident can be avoided in the future.

VTrans inspected the drain at the corner of Route 7 and 140 and reported the drain is beyond the white line, so theoretically cars should not be driving on it.  However, they will try to reset the top of the drain, which may possibly require the pavement to be cut that will, unfortunately, leave a pat ch.

Funding from the 2006 Better Backroads Grant project is now in place.  Therefore, the Town has been authorized to proceed with stabilizing a portion of the river bank on the west side of Otter Creek on Hartsboro Road . 

Julie read a thank-you to the road crew from Gerald Leach for grading Parker Road .

Public Comments.  Tom Phillips hired Stephanie Lorentz to represent him in the Act 250 appeal.  She needs a copy of the Town Plan and zoning regulations.  He gave an update on the appeals process.  

B. Lohsen made a motion to move into executive session to discuss legal matters; motion seconded by C. Angel.  (Motion carried 4-0).  Board members entered Executive Session at 9:05 p.m. with J. Sharon .  The Selectboard came out of executive session at 9:25 p.m.   B. Lohsen made a motion to accept Dennis Smith’s counteroffer regarding the Town vs. Dennis Smith on his Route 7 property.  The motion was seconded by C. Angel.  Motion passed (4-0).  

The meeting adjourned at 9:26 p.m.

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