Wallingford
Selectboard Minutes
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Hall
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May 21, 2007
Present:
Bill Lohsen, Charlie Angel, Gene Gilman, Christine Davenport, Frank
Bruce, and Julie Sharon
Visitors:
Ann
Miller, Sandi Switzer, Sue Duskiewicz,
Rodney Ward
, Tom and Kim Phillips, Dennis Smith,
Keith Shelvey
and Vermont State Police Officer James
Wilborn
Chair B. Lohsen opened the meeting
at
7 p.m.
Minutes. F. Bruce moved
to approve the May 7th minutes. G.
Gilman seconded the motion. Motion
carried (4-0).
Act
250 Permit Update. Tom Phillips
reviewed the dialogue that occurred at the last Planning Commission meeting.
He presented his case on how he believes the reclamation of the gravel
pit and his land into potential recreation use ties in with the Town Plan.
Mr. Phillips asked for a letter pointing out items found in the Town Plan
that would support this project. Discussion
went back and forth; however, there was no resolution. B. Brooks attempted to
make a motion that the Town Plan fit the plan presented by the applicants to
rehab and revegetate the area. The
motion was seconded; however, the vote did not carry any further.
It was recommended that the Selectboard compose a letter.
Therefore,
the Selectboard reviewed a draft response to the District Environmental
Commission. Tom Phillips was asked for input.
[C. Davenport arrived at
7:23 p.m.
] Mr.
Phillips announced he may begin a petition for the project to document voter
support.
Sue
Duskiewicz stated that a good recreation department/program adds value to
properties. The site has been a
dangerous situation for years. It’s
been a longtime dream to see the land turned into something useful.
B.
Lohsen submitted the recommended amendments to the proposed zoning regs to the
Planning Commission on May 14th.
Public
Comments.
Rodney Ward
displayed photos of the sidewalk near the
concession stand at
Elfin
Lake
slated for repair.
The road crew and General Electric volunteers will be involved in this
project. There was a lengthy
discussion on ways to perform the job. B.
Lohsen will discuss this further with Charlie and John.
The
new dock for
Elfin
Lake
will be delivered May 29th.
The old dock will be moved to the Boy’s Camp in exchange for a row boat
that was donated by Mrs. McClure. S.
Duskiewicz recommended that the Town obtain a liability release form from the
Fire District.
The
Selectboard reviewed a pamphlet that was distributed at the elementary school.
A camp is being offered by Ian Akin with afternoon swimming at
Elfin
Lake
the weeks of June 18th and 25th.
S. Duskiewicz stated that Rec Committee was not contacted about this to
discuss lifeguard coverage, daily admission fees and insurance coverage.
C. Davenport recommended that a notice be put on the town website
regarding groups wanting to use
Elfin
Lake
. Julie was asked to
notify Mr. Akin of the procedure.
The
recreation field was vandalized earlier this month with graffiti sprayed on the
dug outs, north building, and several signs.
S. Duskiewicz reported the suspect’s name to the Vermont State Police.
K. Shelvey stated that the dug outs will be painted this weekend.
There was discussion about kids loitering there at night.
K. Shelvey talked with some of the neighbors and apparently there use to
be a light on the pole near the tennis court.
He observed the lighting on the Fire District building, which doesn’t
seem to get harmed. He requested
permission to reinstall on that pole with a shield on it so that it would be
directed only on the building. B.
Lohsen made a motion to authorize the installation, which was seconded by F.
Bruce. Motion carried (5-0).
Trooper Wilborn encouraged calls from residents with any problems and to
request extra patrols. He agreed
that the lighting would deter kids from gathering at the field.
Key
Request.
F. Bruce made a motion to approve Dave Ballou’s request for a key to
the Town Hall and Listers’ Office.
G. Gilman seconded the motion.
Motion carried (5-0).
Underground Storage Tank Compliance.
The Town received notification that
effective July 1st, the existing
float vent valve on the tank at the garage will need to be removed and replaced
with a overfill prevention drop tube. Quotes
were sought from Beardsley in
Springfield
for $698.75 and from Star Construction of
Castleton for $600-700. Star
Construction recently performed the testing that is required every three years.
B. Lohsen moved to accept the quote from Star Construction; which was
seconded by G. Gilman. Motion
carried (5-0).
Selectboard
Representative for Orton Planning Grant.
No one volunteered to serve in place of Charlie Angel at this time;
therefore, this issue was tabled.
2008
Transportation Enhancement Grant Update.
B. Lohsen and C. Angel received a warm welcome from the Tinmouth
Selectboard last Tuesday. Tinmouth
agreed to become joint applicants on a grant application in the amount of
$300,000 for a full repair of the
Route
140W
Bridge
as it is a vital link for Tinmouth
residents. However, they do not want
to pledge any funds towards the repairs. A
draft of a Letter of Intent to the VAOT was reviewed.
Although the Selectboard would prefer that Tinmouth financially support
this project, the Selectboard decided to send the letter and submit an
application. F. Bruce made a motion to sign the Letter of Intent, which was
seconded by C. Angel. Motion carried
(5-0).
Zoning
Administrator Job Description. The
Selectboard reviewed the roles and responsibilities of a Zoning Administrator,
which included reference to Chapter 117, Title 24 V.S.A. as well as taping the
meetings. F. Bruce moved to approve
the job description, which was seconded by G. Gilman.
Motion carried (5-0).
FEMA
Update. C. Angel attended the
mandatory briefing held last week for communities that
wish to apply for federal disaster aid following last month’s nor’easter
storm. FEMA funds can be used
to cover up to 75% of the costs that was incurred to recover from the damage.
A Request for Public Assistance form was faxed to FEMA last week.
J. Barbieri has calculated nearly $7,200 in storm damage costs. C.
Angel summarized the information discussed at the meeting. Additional paperwork
will be mailed upon completion by F. Bruce, C. Woods, and J.
Sharon
.
Correspondence.
4/30 Planning Commission minutes; April Sheriff Activity Reports;
VLCT Policy Committee Nomination Form; Resignation Letter from Planning
Commission Chair Rick Smith; and 5/16 Recreation Committee minutes.
Emails from
Gerald Leach
and Curtis Conover regarding the condition
of
East Wallingford
roads were discussed.
The Selectboard discussed the possibility of arranging training for the
road crew on grading roads.
Other
Business/
Ann
ouncements.
VAOT confirmed that they’re aware of the Towns concern/request to
install Guardrails on Route 140 W, just west of the
Church Street
intersection. Requests
for fuel bids were mailed last week.
A
request for a 60-day extension to file the grand list was mailed May 17th
to the State. The Selectboard discussed the reappraisal timeline.
Delta
Dental issued their new rate effective July 1st.
Julie will attend a Tax Administration Seminar hosted by NEMRC on June 11th
on printing tax bills with the credits on them, processing HS 122 payments and
downloads, etc.
Julie
received a request for a “children at play” sign for
Homerstone Road
. She
advised the caller that the Town does not issue these signs.
An alternative would be to post speed limit signs.
F. Bruce made a motion to install two 25 mph signs on
Homerstone Road
, which was seconded by G. Gilman.
Motion carried (5-0).
On
behalf of Karen Dutko, resident of 1436 Route 140W, Julie requested a “no
parking” sign be installed at the pull off across from Mrs. Dutko’s
property. The request was denied;
however, Mrs. Dutko will be given the option of purchasing a “no parking”
sign, and the Town will install the sign, on a motion made by F. Bruce, and
seconded by C. Angel. Motion carried
(5-0).
Executive
Session. B. Lohsen made a motion
to move into executive session at
9:02 p.m.
, with J.
Sharon
present, to discuss legal issues and
personnel matters; motion seconded by F. Bruce.
(Motion carried 5-0). The
Selectboard came out of executive session at
9:29 p.m.
B.
Lohsen made a motion to offer Bill Brooks the position of Zoning Administrator.
F. Bruce seconded the motion. Motion
carried (3-2), with G. Gilman and C. Angel voting no.
The job description will be forwarded to Mr. Brooks.
The
meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. |