Wallingford Selectboard Minutes

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

January 4, 2010

Present:  Bill Brooks, Charlie Angel, Frank Bruce, Joshua Gilman, and Julie Sharon  

Visitors: Joyce Barbieri, Shannon Pytlik, Tim Chila, Debbie Scranton, Tom Phillips, Ralph Nimtz, Kim Blodgett, Russ Lattuca, Keith Shelvey, Jim Marquis, Connie Johnson, Bastian Auer, Cheryl Maniery, and Sandi Switzer  

Chair B. Brooks called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.    

Minutes.  F. Bruce made a motion to approve the minutes dated December 21, 2009. The motion was seconded by B. Brooks.  Motion carried (4-0).  

Selectboard Orders.  Pay orders totaling $37,293.64 were approved on a motion made by F. Bruce, and seconded by C. Angel.  Motion carried (4-0).

Property Tax Prebate.  Jim Marquis came back to follow up on his property tax prebate request.  B. Brooks explained that the Selectboard needs to hear from the Commissioner of Taxes first; however, they have not received a reply.  Mr. Marquis asked that his April tax payment be adjusted.  J. Barbieri reiterated that the Town does not calculate the prebate amount.  It’s been confirmed that the taxes cannot be abated per Vermont statute, and that the correction had to have been made by December 30, 2008.  It was agreed that the Commissioner will be contacted by telephone.  

Trailways Grant.  Shannon Pytlik and other Conservation Commission members sought approval to submit a grant application to the Vermont Recreation Trails Program in the amount of $18,222, with a 20% ($7,122) in-kind match required.  The purpose of the grant is to upgrade, mark, and widen existing trails, improve drainage and install kiosks at the “pit” on Waldo Lane.  Shannon explained that the grant will fund the hiring of the Vermont Youth Conservation Corp, who will work with local volunteers. A large map of the Wallingford Recreation area showing the trails, etc. was displayed.  T. Phillips added that some trees will need to be cut back along the existing tree line near the river along the proposed pat h at the baseball field.  S. Pytlik reported that a permit may be required to perform this tree work.  She also mentioned that the proposed boardwalk will not be added this year.  Following further discussion, a motion was made by J. Gilman, and seconded by F. Bruce to approve the submission of this grant application, along with an application to VYCC.  Motion carried (3-0).  C. Angel abstained.  

Julie informed the Selectboard that the voters approved an article at Town Meeting in 2004 to appropriate $5,000 for recreational development of what is commonly known as “the pit”.  However, property owners have never been taxed for these funds.  In light of this information, the Selectboard agreed to delete the article asking for $10,000 for certain activities reported on the master plan for the pit and Elfin Lake. 

Gilbert Hart Library Contribution Request.  Library Board members Connie Johnson and Russ Lattuca requested approval for $35,000, a $3,000 increase from last year.  The Selectboard questioned the budget deficit of $15,817, up from last year’s deficit of $9,108.  Although Mrs. Johnson explained that investment income was down while fuel, books and other costs went up last year, it is the Selectboard’s belief that now is the time that the Library Board decrease costs that they have control over such as salaries +$4,355 or 13%, equipment +$300, total postage +$375, administrative +$500; and books and audios +$1,000.  B. Brooks stated that times are tough all over and pointed out that the Town’s donation of $32,000 is nearly half of their operating expenses.   

The Selectboard asked if the Board has given any serious consideration to generating additional income.  C. Angel stated that there is no reason not to charge a library fee to non residents; however, Ms. Johnson felt that outside donations would decrease.  B. Brooks thought that charging every library cardholder a small annual fee would not be out of line. The Selectboard agreed that increasing the town’s donation isn’t the answer because the deficit increases every year.  J. Gilman stated that giving salary increases is not an option in this economy.  Questions were asked if the staff were paid hourly or salary and what the policy was regarding comp time.  

Additional suggestions to close the $15,817 gap were offered as follows:  reduce equipment expense as new PCs were recently purchased, remove A/Cs from window to save on heating expense, pass on the postage cost to patrons who want inter-library books, ask the Prudential Committee to waive the water and sewer charges, and put a freeze on book, audio, etc. purchases for one year.  

The Selectboard questioned the Board’s level of oversight for expenses incurred at the library.  C. Angel recommended that an external audit be done to see what expenses need better control.  The Selectboard fully support the library; however, given the economic times, the donation should be level funded.  Some members did not support putting a special article for $3,000 on the warning because there are too many holes in the budget.  J. Gilman said that the budget is not fiscally responsible because it does not address the deficit.   

Wallingford Rescue Squad Contribution Request.  President Bastian Auer discussed their contribution request of $15,000, explaining that the amount was recommended a few years back by a former Selectboard member when they had asked the Selectboard for a capital contribution to build their new facility.  There was a lengthy discussion on their financial status, operations, fundraising ideas, membership, ambulance replacement, etc.  F. Bruce made a motion to approve a donation of $10,000; motion seconded by J. Gilman. Motion carried (4-0).  

Pedestrian Bridge Final Inspection Report.  Upon review of three minor changes that the contractor must finish, B. Brooks made a motion to sign VTrans form acknowledging the project to be acceptable, which was seconded by F. Bruce.  Motion carried (4-0).  

Dept. of Taxes Equalization Study.   The Department of Taxes equalization study report showed the Town’s equalized education property values at $229,951,000, a coefficient of dispersion of 12.80%, and a common level of appraisal of 102.45% effective 1/1/09.  Last year’s figures were $227,269,000, 12.84% and 103.51% respectively.    

Special Weight Limits for Highways & Bridges.  There are no special weight limits for any highways or bridges in Wallingford that need to be reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles.  

Tentative Agenda for 2/1 Meeting on Fire Protection.  The Selectboard reviewed J. Gilman’s proposed letter and agenda for the public hearing on February 1^st.  It was agreed to mail a special invitation to the Wallingford Fire District #1 Prudential Committee, Wallingford and East Wallingford Fire Departments, the Wallingford Rescue for their input as well as the public.  Bob Soule will be asked to moderate the meeting.  

FY11 Revenues, Administration, Expenditures, Insurance & Recreation Budget.   All revenues were budgeted the same as last year except for:  4503-Ordinance Fines $10,000; 4507-Share of Town Report $200; 4514-Transfer Station Permits $20,000; 4515-Scrap Metal/Recycling $2,000; 4521 1% Interest $12,000; 4522-Earned Fin. Mgmt & Svgs $1,000; 4526-Delinquent Property $75,000; 4533-Green Mtn. Passports $20; 4540I-Fire District Reimbursements $200; 4540L-Land Use Reimbursement $15,000; 4540P-Passports $2,500; 4540R-Recreation Summer Program $12,500; 4540T-Lease Payment $16,800; and 4540Z-Elfin Lake Concession $1,000.  The following accounts were left blank until further information is forthcoming:  4524-Previous Year’s Balance; 4527-Fernfield Farms and 4528-Ralph Stafford Scholarship.  Julie recommended only sending one “50-hole” punch card (=$50) with the tax bill instead of two cards in August to increase the levels of recycling at the Transfer Station.  After discussion, the Selectboard agreed to send one 50-hole and one 20-hold punch card in August.  

All Administration expenses, excluding salaries, were budgeted the same as last year except for: 5002C-Tax Map Update $1,375; 5004-Zoning Administrator Salary $6,500 (to reflect new ZA’s salary and hours); and 5540P-Passports at zero.  

Charitable requests were budgeted the same as last year except for: George D. Aiken $100; Gilbert Hart Library $30,000; BROC $100; Wallingford Rescue Squad $10,000; Rutland Co. Women’s Network – zero because no request was received; and ARC - $100.  

The insurance budget was increased $3,000 to $67,000 to reflect the increase in premiums.  

$1,000 was added to the Maintenance Budget and $400 to the Capital Budget for Recreation in order to complete that budget.  

B. Brooks noted that consideration should be given to increasing the paving budget for portions of Route 140W.  A decision will be made once the draft of the budget is reviewed.  

Two changes were made to the Selectboard Report draft for the town report.  

J. Gilman moved to enter executive session at 9:40 p.m. with J. Barbieri and J. Sharon present, to discuss personnel.  B. Brooks seconded the motion.  Motion carried (4-0).  The Selectboard returned from executive session at 10:10 p.m.  The Selectboard agreed unanimously that all salaries will remain the same, except for the Zoning Administrator that was established earlier.   

Correspondence.  November Sheriff Reports; VLCT 2010 Legislative Priorities; and VLCT’s announcement of new PACIF Grant Funding Program.  

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