Wallingford Selectboard Minutes

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

Selectboard Minutes Index
Home

March 19, 2007

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

Visitors:  Joyce Barbieri, Sandi Switzer, Steven Coote, Stephanie Shaw, Christopher Schmelzenbach, and Ed Crelin

Selectboard Reorganization.  Town Administrator Julie Sharon opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. and asked for nominations for the Selectboard Chair.  F. Bruce nominated Bill Lohsen to serve as Chair, which was seconded by G. Gilman.  With there being no other nominations, J. Sharon closed the nominations. The Selectboard chose B. Lohsen to be the Chair with three members in favor and one abstaining (B. Lohsen).  Regular meetings are to be held monthly on the first and third Mondays at 7:00 p.m. at the Wallingford Town Hall .  The Selectboard agreed to Roberts Rules of Orders.  B. Lohsen asked for nominations for the Vice Chair.  B. Lohsen made a motion to nominate Gene Gilman as the Vice Chair, which was seconded by F. Bruce.  With there being no other nominations, B. Lohsen closed the nominations.  The Selectboard chose G. Gilman to be the Vice Chairperson with three members in favor and one abstaining (G. Gilman).   

Minutes.  B. Lohsen does not believe that the Selectboard is obligated to have all future bylaws amendments voted on by the voters if the initial bylaws are done that way.  The minutes should be changed as follows under Proposed Zoning Bylaws: substitute “petitioned by voters to hold a meeting to”, with “the Selectboard decide to have the voters”.   Julie was asked to clarify this with Mark Blucher first.  B. Lohsen also asked that “no action taken” be inserted following the executive session held. F. Bruce moved to approve the February 26th minutes with the corrections noted.  G. Gilman seconded the motion.  Motion carried (4-0).  F. Bruce moved to approve the March 5^th minutes; G. Gilman seconded the motion.  Motion carried (4-0).

Selectboard Orders.  F. Bruce moved to approve pay orders in the amount of $14,143.32; motion seconded by C. Angel.  Motion carried (4-0).

Public Comments. Vermont State Police Officers Steven Coote and Stephanie Shaw introduced themselves, who are visiting with Selectboards in the towns that they patrol.  There was a brief discussion on the break-in last summer at Elfin Lake .

Route 140W Bridge .  B. Lohsen reported that he, F. Bruce and J. Sharon met with the three engineering firms who submitted qualifications for the Route 140W Bridge project.  The Committee recommends awarding the project to DuBois & King, as they have experience with truss bridges and presented two scenarios with hard numbers for short and long term rehabilitation. 

Coin Drops.  Robert Minter called to point out that the Selectboard does not have authority to allow coin drops to take place under 750’ from the intersection.  The Rotary Club will be reminded of the State’s strict requirements.

Proposed Zoning Regulations.  The Planning Commission will be submitting additional changes.  The Selectboard discussed holding a special meeting inviting a cross-section of residents and a few Planning Commission members to review the regulations and provide feedback on how it might affect their neighborhood.  The meeting was set for April 30^th at 7 p.m.

Vermont Municipal Assessor Quarterly Report.  They reported one commercial property left to inspect.  VMA is getting the records ready for the Listers to review in April.

Planet Aid Clothes Collection Program.  Wallingford has been asked to host a drop-off box for the collection of used clothing at no cost to the town.  Their website states that the clothes are resold to raise funds for development projects such as schools and health programs in Africa , Asia and Central America .  Rutland Co. Solid Waste has boxes at their facility and has reported no problems to date.  The Selectboard agreed to this request.

2007 Liquor License Renewal Applications.  Applications for the Victorian Inn, Mac’s, Cumberland’s, Wallingford Country Store, Mobil, and The Pub were reviewed and approved on a motion made by F. Bruce, and seconded by C. Angel.  Motion carried (4-0).

VTrans Annual Financial Plan.  Julie met with Tom Roberts to complete the plan, which is based on the town’s budget.  B. Lohsen moved to approve the plan; motion seconded by F. Bruce.  Motion carried (4-0).

Route 140W Bridge .  The Bridge Committee recommends hiring DuBois & King based upon the above recommendations.  [C. Davenport arrived at 7:37 p.m. ]  The Selectboard reviewed the two scenarios presented: partial repairs totaling $143,800 and full rehabilitation totaling $367,100, both excluding engineering and contingency costs.  D&K reported that most of the repairs proposed under the $150,000 grant would still be done if the Town chose to fully repair the bridge. They also stated that the bridge is not in as bad of a condition as believed.  F. Bruce made a motion to proceed with the partial repairs; motion seconded by B. Lohsen.  Motion carried (5-0).  B. Lohsen volunteered to meet with the Tinmouth Selectboard to discuss a joint venture to secure additional grant funding.

Zoning Issue.  E. Crelin relayed his recent experience with the Zoning Administrator concerning his selling a lot off his property.  He provided the Selectboard with exhibits to argue his case (see attached).  He was given a 1-4 lot subdivision application to complete that requires a $57 fee, plus a recordable plot plan with surveyor’s seal.  Mr. Crelin researched the town’s zoning and subdivision regulations and could not find that a survey is a requirement in this case. He pointed to the Planning Commission minutes of February 2006 that granted the Z.A. authorization to approve 1-4 lot subdivisions, questioning if the Planning Commission had the power to allow this authority.  He found subdivision rules defined as “division of land creating 5 or more parcels”.  Therefore; Ed cast doubt on whether he is obligated to file a permit and pay for a costly survey.  He claimed ordinances are being followed that are not ordinances.  

Mr. Crelin plans to attend the next Planning Commission meeting to describe his encounter with the Z.A., to show them the “subdivision application” created by the Z.A. and to recommend that they rewrite the subdivision definitions if that is the intent of the Planning Commission.  The Selectboard agreed to notify the Z.A. that until the matter can be discussed with the Planning Commission, zoning permits for 1-4 lot subdivisions are on hold. G. Gilman volunteered to attend that meeting as well.

Joyce Barbieri relayed her discussion with the Planning Commission on March 12^th concerning home occupation permits.  Lawrence Jenney paid $57 for computer sales of Herbalife, and Joyce requested that the money be refunded to him. Since the Planning Commission agreed to make home occupation exempt from a permit requirement and fee, B. Lohsen approved of this refund; which was seconded by C. Angel.  Motion carried (5-0).

Appointments.  Bill Brooks, Don Green and Dave Ballou expressed interest in becoming a Lister to fill Jay Johnstone’s vacancy.  It was felt that Mr. Ballou would be the best qualified in getting us through the reappraisal process as he was a past Lister.  F. Bruce made a motion to appoint Dave Ballou as Lister, which was seconded by B. Lohsen.  Motion carried (5-0).

Correspondence.  2/21 ZBA minutes; 2/27 Recreation Committee minutes; 3/7 ZBA Minutes; 3/12 Planning Commission minutes; February Sheriff’s Activity Reports, and Proposed “Tire Bill”.

Other Business/ Ann ouncements.  Joanne McKenzie’s destroyed house was demolished today.

G. Gilman asked if the road crew knew about the snow shields available for snow plows mentioned in the Vermont Local Roads newsletter.

Speaking on behalf of the Dog Warden, Julie reported on the phone calls Ben Morgan received over the weekend because Frank Johnston’s dog was running loose in the neighborhood.  He hopes to catch the dog and impound it at his house or the Rutland County Humane Society because it’s too cold to kennel it at Town Hall or the Transfer Station.  The Selectboard was agreeable to either option as long as the Johnston ’s pay the pound keeper and licensing fees per the ordinance.

Road Commissioner’s Report.  The road crew complained that John Seward is plowing snow into the roads, ditches and culverts in E. Wallingford .  F. Bruce will obtain a list of the others that are doing the same, and letters will be sent advising them that it is unlawful to plow snow across a town highway per state statutes.

B. Lohsen made a motion to move into executive session to discuss personnel; motion seconded by C. Angel.  (Motion carried 5-0).  Board members entered Executive Session at 9:05 p.m. and were joined by J. Barbieri and J. Sharon .  The Selectboard came out of executive session at 9:42 p.m.   

B. Lohsen made a motion to offer part-time employment to Edwin Colvin as a Transfer Station Attendant at $8.50/hr. effective April 4^th, replacing Bill Keyes.  F. Bruce seconded the motion.  Motion carried (5-0).

A memo will be issued to all staff that effective immediately, to prevent the loss of any Town files and records, originals of any kind should not leave the building. Copies should be made instead.

The Selectboard requested a status report on the Bernier court case from the Zoning Administrator.

The meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.

Home     Hours & Meetings     Town Officers     Selectboard     Town Clerk
Transfer Station     Recreation    Roads     Planning & Zoning     Conservation Commission    Gilbert Hart Library  
Ordinances    Town Info.     Community     Phone & E-Mail     FAQs      Links   
Site Map        Wallingford Elementary School Agenda & Minutes
Mill River Union High School
The Little Red Schoolhouse        Wallingford Fire District No. 1          Web Site Policy  

 © Copyright 2001 Town of Wallingford, Vermont