Wallingford Selectboard Minutes

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

October 19, 2009

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

Visitors: Diane Cooney, Robert Pusilo, Joyce Barbieri, Christine Bannerman, Robert Battles, Peter Cooney, Tom Phillips, Rose Regula, Jim Regula, Lee Perry, Melissa Whitmore, Charlie Gauthier, and Sandi Switzer  

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

Minutes.  B. Brooks pointed out that the new Energy Committee will consist of five members, not four as noted in the minutes.  J. Crowley made a motion to approve the minutes dated October 5th with one correction, which was seconded by C. Angel.  Motion carried (4-0) with F. Bruce abstaining.   

Selectboard Orders.  The pay orders of $16,830.77 were approved on a motion made by J. Gilman and seconded by J. Crowley.  Motion carried (5-0).   

Wallingford Historical Society.  It was made clear there is an existing agreement in place with the WHS, not a lease, valid through 12/31/13.  B. Brooks explained that he found there was never a formal vote taken by the Selectboard after listening to some tapes of the Selectboard and Building Committee meetings.  WHS President Chris Bannerman wrote a letter to the Selectboard requesting a lease for their designated space for a term of as long as the Society exists.  Mr. Brooks felt it made sense for WHS to be housed upstairs and following further discussion, F. Bruce made a motion to approve a lease so that the WHS, as well as the Wallingford Alumni Association, have a permanent home at the Town Hall as long as the Society exists.  Motion seconded by C. Angel.  J. Gilman asked that the Building Committee oversee the usage of the space.  Motion carried (4-1); J. Gilman opposed.   

Tax Sale Policy.  Since the DTC has to obtain Selectboard authorization to hire an attorney for assistance with tax sales, the Selectboard asked Lee Perry to revise his policy in order to speed up the tax sales process.  Mr. Perry reviewed his policy that would shorten the timeframe from 24 months to 90 days after the April due date, excluding those that have an agreed upon payment schedule.  Mr. Perry promised to forward an updated report of delinquent taxes to the Selectboard.  The Selectboard will review the policy at the next meeting.  

Green Hill Lane Speed Complaint.  As a follow up to the speeding complaint heard last month, a Rutland County Sheriff spoke to the parents of the alleged speeder.  The neighbor has seen an improvement and is satisfied the matter has been resolved.  

Public Comments.  Residents Robert Pusilo, Rose and Jim Regula, and Robert Gaiotti made a complaint to the Selectboard about the junk and possible unregistered vehicles/trailers stored on property owned by Clifford and Marlene Dawson on River Street that are visible from the road and the neighbors’ properties.  Photographs of the Dawson property were provided to the Selectboard.  The neighbors take pride in their properties and feel that the Dawson property looks like a junkyard although it is not permitted as one.  A health concern was brought up about burning that is taking place in an outside container.  Messrs. Pusilo and Gaiotti brought up other issues, including a right of way and trees, which do not fall under the Town’s responsibility.   Following further discussion, a motion was made by J. Gilman, and seconded by B. Brooks, to request that the Sheriff inspect the vehicles for valid registrations before a notice of violation is issued.  Motion carried (5-0).  

Wallingford Rotary Club Coin Drop Request.  On behalf of the Rotary Club, Charlie Gauthier requested permission to hold a coin drop on Saturday, July 17, 2010 from approximately 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.   On a motion made by B. Brooks, and seconded by J. Crowley, approval was given to hold a coin drop on Saturday, July 17, 2010 with a rain date of Saturday, July 24, 2010.  Motion carried (5-0).  

The Pit.  Tom Phillips reported that he is about done with his permitted activities on Waldo Lane and has 6,000-10,000 yards of overburden that he would like to donate to the Town to be put around the wellhead.  However, supposedly no overburden can be brought in until the reclamation plan is in place per Bill Burke.

B. Brooks indicated that the Selectboard has to develop a reclamation plan and feels there are three options:  1) Purchase the property from Mr. Phillips and push the gravel down the hill; 2) Purchase a quantity of material from Mr. Phillips and push it down the hill; or 3) Use the material on the town’s property (behind and to the south of the Transfer Station) and move it around the corner.  It is assumed that all of these options may require Act 250 approval.  Missy Whitmore will pass on the name of an engineer she knows who specializes in weighing all factors and proposing the best possible solution.   

C. Angel thought if the town moved the material behind the Transfer Station, it would allow the Town to expand that facility.  Mr. Phillips did not believe there would be enough material available behind the Transfer Station.  He estimated 100,000 yards would be required to reclaim the property, which would be cost prohibitive to the Town.  Mr. Phillips said this would also involve lowering the slope on his property 20 ft.  There was also discussion on whether or not the sand on Mr. Phillips property could be used by the Town for winter sand if the Town purchased the property.  Mrs. Whitmore pointed out that the District Commission ruled that no more extraction is allowed on that property.  Mr. Phillips noted that the Town is permitted to remove 3,000 yards annually if the property is not in violation.  J. Gilman recommended discussing all of this with Bill Burke to get his opinion.  There was discussion about the concrete face along Waldo Lane, bridge concerns, and possibly budgeting for engineering services.  It was evident that much more discussion is needed.  

Gilbert Hart Library Request.  B. Brooks received a call from Connie Johnson, president of the Board, requesting that a portion of their donation be given to them now instead of waiting until December because they are short on funds.  Following some discussion, the Selectboard agreed to issue a check for $5,000 with the understanding that this will be a one-time occurrence, on a motion made by B. Brooks and seconded by C. Angel.  Motion carried (5-0).  

Route 140W Bridge Sidewalk.  An email was received last week from Bob Durfee of DuBois & King recommending to the Town that the sidewalk be closed immediately to any traffic, pedestrian or otherwise, until repairs are undertaken.  The Highway Department closed the bridge sidewalk on October 13th.  Julie advised the Selectboard that Mr. Durfee confirmed that these repairs are included in the Phase II project that is planned for next summer and is being funded by a VTrans enhancement grant.  

Wallingford Fire District #1 Agreement. B. Brooks recapped that he obtained copies of WFD #1’s charter and subsequent charter changes from the State.  However, VLCT would not give a legal opinion about changing the agreement because WFD #1 is also insured through them.  It was their opinion that if both entities were agreeable, the agreement could be modified so that all voters in the town, other than in Fire District #2, would be able to vote on the fire protection budget.  VLCT recommended having any proposed agreement reviewed by legal counsel.  

J. Gilman recalled that there was an overwhelming vote at Town Meeting in favor of the town acquiring the WFD #1 fire protection budget.  He would like to see this change take place soon because there are some issues going on with the fire department.  J. Barbieri offered the Town’s assistance with obtaining grants, purchasing, etc. so that the volunteers can concentrate on training and responding to fires.  B. Brooks and J. Gilman agreed to work on a revised agreement and present it to the Prudential Committee at their next meeting.  

Other Business.  Tom Phillips reported on the latest vandalism at the lake and rec field.  Security cameras will soon be installed at both properties.  

Correspondence.  8/27 DRB minutes; 9/21 DRB minutes; 9/28 Conservation Commission minutes; 9/28 Rec Development Committee minutes; VMA Quarterly Report; Pike Industries Quarterly Report; American Funds Quarterly Report; Dept. of Forests, Parks & Rec/ANR Letter; Letter from Rutland Town Selectboard; September Report of Fines Collected; Constable Report 9/17-10/15; ANR Letter to Sherman V. Allen Real Estate; and Letter from Stephen Bromley.  

F. Bruce made a motion to move into executive session at 8:30 p.m. to discuss personnel issues, with J. Sharon present; motion seconded by J. Crowley.  (Motion carried 5-0).  The Selectboard came out of executive session at 8:36 p.m.  

F. Bruce made a motion to hire Charles E. Woods again for the temporary position for the Highway Department at $12 per hour with no benefits for snow removal only.  Motion carried (5-0).  

C. Angel reported that he won’t be able to attend the upcoming RRTC meeting.  The meeting is being held at the RRPC where there is no air conditioning, and he suffers from CPD.  He will participate by conference call; however, he will have to resign if they continue to hold the meetings at RRPC.  

The meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m.

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