Wallingford Fire District No. 1

 MINUTES OF THE PRUDENTIAL COMMITTEE MEETING
 September 12, 2007

The official copy of these minutes can be obtained at Wallingford Fire District #1 Office.

Called to Order:

Chris Rabtoy called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.   Also present were Chris McPhee, Rose Regula and Stephanie Biagini/Clerk-Treasurer.    

Visitors:  Warren Allen, Jeffrey Allen, Don Emery, Fred Thurlow and Scott Sendra  

Street Light on South Main Street :  Mr. Thurlow the 1^st Commander with the American Legion and Mr. Emery came before the committee to discuss the street lights on Main Street and possibly having a light installed that would face the Veterans Park and illuminate the area.  Mr. Rabtoy recommended they receive quotes from CVPS on how much it would cost to have electricity fed to the pole and the approximate monthly cost for electricity.  C. Rabtoy made mention that the Fire District currently budgets $17,000 for street lights.  C. Rabtoy also said that the fire district may possibly present the suggestion and information at the annual meeting.  

Fire Truck Ballot:  A draft ballot was presented by W. Allen and by the next meeting a ballot will be finalized and approved by the committee.  Once the ballot is written, VLCT will be contacted for any suggestions.  

Truck Financing:  R. Regula sited the rates for a USDA Loan at 4.25 or 4.5, but wasn’t sure.  The treasurer obtained an updated informational packet from USDA and is beginning the process.  C. McPhee contacted GE Capital and they wanted a long list of information and they are really geared towards large communities.   

Fire Department Vehicle Maintenance:  W. Allen mentioned that is was that time of year to have the fire vehicles serviced.  The treasurer suggested to the chief that it would be to the department’s best interest to not put off purchases until the end of the fiscal year.  C. Rabtoy made the motion to have the fire vehicle maintenance commence.  C. McPhee seconded the motion.  No further discussion.  Motion carried (3/0).  

Mac Steel Invoice: W. Allen brought to the committee’s attention an invoice that was submitted from Mac Steel for about $100.00.  The fire department will be building steel bars that will be helpful in holding up overturned vehicles for accidents, if bought already constructed they would cost about $1,000.00.   

Elm Street Fire Hydrant:  W. Allen brought to the board’s attention that there was a hydrant plug needed.  He thinks it may have gotten hit by a snowplow or bucket loader.  A part will be ordered to fix it.  

Election for Fire Chief:  W. Allen informed the committee that he would not be running for Fire Chief next year.   

Helicopter Test Landing:  W. Allen said that there would be a helicopter test landing at the Meadow Street field.  C. Rabtoy said that John West would need to be notified due to the water/sewer lines underground.  

Approval for Minutes:  C. Rabtoy made the motion to approval the minutes for August 17, 2007 as presented one correction was made: 2^nd page under Fire Hydrant near Railroad Tracks - True Temper not Tempers.  C. McPhee seconded the motion.  No further discussion.  No further discussion.  Motion carried (3-0).   

C. Rabtoy made the motion to approval the minutes for August 22, 2007 as presented, one correction was made:  the word by not my on the 3^rd page under Tent Rentals.  C. McPhee seconded the motion.  No further discussion.  Motion carried (3-0).  

C. Rabtoy made the motion to accept the minutes for August 8, 2007 as presented.  C. McPhee seconded the motion.  No further discussion.  Motion carried (3/0).  

Fire Hydrant Replacement: The replacement of the fire hydrant and the installation of a water release valve on School Street took place on Monday, August 27, 2007 .  An additional hydrant and an extension were purchased without prior approval by the contracted plumber. The district had purchased two identical fire hydrants earlier in the year. The only thing that was needed was an extension for the hydrant and the cost was under $500.00.  There was a discussion as to why a new hydrant was purchased by the plumber and from what budget line items would the cost come from.  John West had provided written documentation as to other uses of a fire hydrant other than putting out fires.  The hydrant is used for water distribution, system line flushing and air release, etc.  C. Rabtoy made the motion that we take the remaining monies associated with the project out of the sewer fund under hired labor and equipment ling item under.   

C. McPhee seconded the motion and added that it should be very clear that future contractors must obtain a purchase order and prior approval from the fire district before making any purchases.  R. Regula said that there was bid for $4,900 and contractor knew what they were getting into.  Why doesn’t the contractor have any responsibility in this matter?  C. Rabtoy agreed and in addition we furnished the materials and supplies.  Motion was seconded by C. McPhee.  No further discussion.  Motion Carried (2/1).  R. Regula feels that we are not responsible for the extra charges incurred for the purchase of the additional fire hydrant and extension.  

Prudential Committee Pay Order:  C. Rabtoy made the motion to approve the pay orders as presented.  C. McPhee seconded the motion.  No further discussion.  Motion carried (3/0).  

Old Business:

Deerfield Drive Water Leak:  C. Rabtoy made the motion to contact Steve Sanders and Kevin Ruane to evaluate the leak.  C. McPhee seconded the motion with the stipulation if there are purchases to be made the clerk would be able to authorize charges up to $500.00 and amounts above the minimum the committee will be notified for approval.  No further discussion.  Motion carried (3/0).

Wallingford Lodge Taxes:  C. Rabtoy made the motion to turn the deed over to Attorney Paul Kulig for a written opinion and a draft offer to be presented to the select board.  Motion seconded by C. McPhee.  No further discussion.  Motion carried (3/0).

TA Loan and Budget Transfers:  The treasurer informed the board that the TA Loan was scheduled to be paid on September 14, 2007 .  Only the Sewer Fund needed to repay back monies borrowed ($46,820.00) that included interest.  All other funds that had borrowed money had paid the General Fund back as of last year.  The other transfers that needed to occur were for Water/Sewer Administrative Costs and Office Equipment. 

New Holland Tractor:  The committee discussed what line items that would need to be charged for the tractor maintenance.  At the end of the discussion no funds where allocated until the bill comes in.  The coordination for maintenance services will be done by M. Breznick.

South Main Street Sewer Hook Up:  R. Regula was to follow up with C. Dunigan about the construction of his new building and ask how many bedrooms he may have.  She said that she had forgotten and that she would get the information. 

Haley Resident Tree Removal:  C. Rabtoy checked with some people and they weren’t available to commit to the project at this time.  In the meantime, M. Breznick and Dale Whitemore have offered to remove the brush and the stumps off the property.  They will be paid out of the Water Fund under hired/labor and equipment.

Electric Analysis for Fire Department:  Central Vermont Public Service (CVPS) will be conducting an energy saving analysis for the fire department on Thursday, September 27^th @ 1:00 p.m.

Meacham Street Issue:  C. Rabtoy reported that On Target has not returned his call and will put another call into them and try to resolve this issue. The issue was DIG Safe not properly marking lines for digging on Mr. Csizmesia’s property.

Bill Cobleigh Project:  R. Regula offered to contact P. Baker a call and request the information at last meeting.  She said that she wasn’t aware that she was asked to call P. Baker.  She said that she would follow up.

Hillside Resident Water Meters:  R. Regula was going to investigate it and knows who to call.  When asked if she had found anything out, she said that she forgot.  The clerk said that she worked with M. Breznick which in turn spoke to the resident and they are currently hooked up to the sewer system only.  The clerk provided a draft letter/bill out lining your district use and charges that have incurred respectfully.

Water/Sewer Ordinances:  The committee discussed the ordinances and the penalties that may have been imposed that weren’t in the past.  C. McPhee said the idea of having a tax collector is that as soon as a bill is late it’s supposed to be turned over for collection.  C. Rabtoy said the ordinances need to be reviewed and updated to reflect the same past due dates.  Currently one ordinance reads late after 15 days and other 30 days late and penalty and interest will incur.

Public Comments:  No comments.

Other Business/Announcements:  

Forcier Aldrich & Associates Introduction:  There a civil & environmental engineering organization offering assistance on State programs including water, wastewater and storm water.  At this time John West oversees those areas of operations and if he feels that we need their assistance, he would contact them.

Constituent Request:  The office received an e-mail from Barbara Traskas of the Highland Beach Assoc. requesting to be placed on the agenda for the next meeting to discuss billing procedures for their water supply.

Get Well:  C. Rabtoy suggested that the Fire District send W. Allen’s wife flowers due to her recently taking ill.  R. Regula said that we never have done that before.  C. Rabtoy said that it would be a kind gesture and we have money in the budget.  C. McPhee offered to take care of ordering the flowers and the cost.  For the record no charges will be incurred on the Fire Districts budget.

Executive Session:  None.  Clarification was made as to when, who and why the committee can call an executive session was researched and clarified with the VLCT.  Title 1: General Provisions Chapter 5: COMMON LAW; GENERAL RIGHTS 1 V.S.A. § 313. Executive sessions TITLE 1 General Provisions CHAPTER 5. COMMON LAW; GENERAL RIGHTS subchapter II. Public Information § 313, Executive sessions (4) & (b). 

Next Meeting:  The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Prudential Committee will be held at on September 26, 2007 @ 7:00 p.m. – Town Hall.

Adjournment:  C. McPhee made the motion that the meeting be adjourned.  C. Rabtoy seconded the motion.  No further discussion.  Motion carried (3-0).  Meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted:

Stephanie P. Biagini - Clerk/Treasurer                                       Date Approved:   September 26, 2007

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