Wallingford Selectboard Minutes

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

November 16, 2009

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

Visitors: Joyce Barbieri, Chris Schmelzenbach, Tom Phillips, and Sandi Switzer

Chair B. Brooks called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.  B. Brooks made a motion to move to executive session at 6:30 p.m., with Mr. Schmelzenbach present; motion seconded by C. Angel.  Motion carried a (3-0).  [J. Gilman arrived at 6:35 p.m.]  The Selectboard came out of executive session at 6:52 p.m. B. Brooks made a motion to hire Christopher Schmelzenbach as Zoning Administrator at a rate of $18 per hour, working seven hours per week; motion seconded by J. Gilman.  Motion carried (4-0).  

Minutes.  A motion was made by B. Brooks to approve the November 2, 2009 minutes. The motion was seconded by J. Crowley.  Motion carried (4-0).   

Selectboard Orders.  J. Barbieri asked that the payment of $71,582.97 to the Wallingford Fire District #1 be added to the pay order.  This amount represents one-half of the fire protection budget of $84,717, the new fire truck payment of $37,761.46, the down payment for the air packs of $13,204.78, and the first payment for the air packs of $7,482.71.  Joyce does not have to borrow to cover expenses at the present time.  B. Brooks made a motion to approve the pay orders totaling $135,159.78.  C. Angel seconded the motion.  Motion carried (4-0).   

Credit Card Application Request.  Joyce found that in order to establish a credit card account in the Town’s name, they require her personal credit history.   Therefore, she applied for a debit card that will enable her to have the cost of purchases charged directly to the Town’s general checking account.  The Selectboard was in agreement with her decision.  

Energy Committee Appointments.  In Tim Chila’s absence, the Selectboard reviewed his recommendations and on a motion made by B. Brooks, which was seconded by J. Gilman, the following were appointed to serve on the Energy Committee (increasing the membership from 5 to 9):  Tim Chila, Joyce Barbieri, and Ken Welch for a three-year term; Bert Jones, Jay White, and Doug Blodgett for a two-year term; and Ralph Nimtz, Tony Esposito and Ed Safford for a one-year term.  Motion carried (4-0). 

Wallingford Fire District #1 Agreement.  B. Brooks summarized the discussion held at the last Prudential Committee meeting that he and J. Gilman attended.  While there is additional research to be done to determine if people outside the district can vote on the fire protection budget, the Selectboard agreed to sign a new agreement to insure fire protection services next year.  A motion was made by J. Gilman, and seconded by B. Brooks, to sign the agreement and submit it to the Prudential Committee.  Motion carried (4-0).  

The Selectboard agreed to hire an attorney for a legal opinion on what the fire district’s charter and amendments specify regarding fire protection.  J. Gilman made a motion to hire an attorney to review the charter and amendments in order to determine the method for which the Town can assume the fire protection budget from Wallingford Fire District #1, at a cost not to exceed $2,000.  Motion seconded by J. Crowley.  Motion carried (4-0).

Objectionable Noise Complaint.  Julie asked whether noise from children playing outside would constitute “noise in general”.  The Selectboard did not feel that it would qualify under the ordinance.  

Public Comments.  Tom Phillips reported that the pedestrian bridge will be ready for foot traffic this weekend.  The Selectboard agreed to hold a bridge opening ceremony on Sunday, November 22^nd at 1 p.m.  Mr. Phillips also reported that the contractor will stockpile the stone in the pit that they had put down for the temporary roadway on the field.  

Mr. Phillips reported that Shannon Pytlik has written a grant to improve the drainage at the Elfin Lake beach so that it would drain into a rain garden.  The Selectboard briefly reviewed the grant application.  The $2,000 required match will be in-kind.  B. Brooks made a motion to approve this grant application in the amount of $4,300; motion seconded by J. Gilman.  Motion carried (4-0).  

There was discussion on Phil Baker removing the berm at the pit this week and getting Bill Burke down for a site visit.  There was also discussion about the small piece of road along Waldo Lane that is actually owned by Tom Phillips.  Joyce explained the history of that road, and Mr. Phillips stated that he had no problem with the town owning the entire road.  

Mr. Phillips led a discussion on the pending rec projects and reported that the committee is considering installing a gazebo at both the rec field and lake for protection from the rain. 

FY11 Capital Budget.   The Selectboard reviewed a list of the Town’s Notes Payable on Bridges through FY12.  5701·Elm Street Bridge’s fourth of five payments was budgeted at $11,350.  5709·Route 140W Bridge’s final payment was budgeted at $13,200.  The Town must fund $75,000 for Phase II for the Route 140W Bridge, and $35,000 was budgeted in FY10.  A new expense account for the pedestrian bridge will be created because the Town’s responsibility is $28,020.  The Selectboard will decide at a later date whether to spread the payments for these two bridges over 2-3 years.  5707·Building Fund was budgeted at $16,800, which is offset by the yearly cell tower income. 

FY11 Insurance Budget.  Premiums for health insurance rates have not been received yet.  This item was deferred. 

FY11 Town Government Budget.  5112·Election & Meetings will increase from $300 to $2,000 because of two elections during FY11. 5113·Town Report will remain at $500.  5114·Office Expense increased $1,500 to account for a new PC for Joyce and because expenses reached over $10,000 in FY09.  5114-A·Del. Collector Office Expense will remain at $300.  5115·Legal Expense will remain at $5,000.  5116·Planning & Zoning Notices will remain at $200 unless notified otherwise. 5117·Ads & Warnings will remain at $300.  5118·Seminars & Meetings will remain at $150.  5120·Recreation Field Mowing will remain at $3,500.  5123·Memorial Day expense will remain at $250. 5125·VLCT Dues will increase $51 to $2,600, although no notification has been received yet.  5126·Rutland Regional Planning Commission dues will remain at $750.  5131·Septic Inspections are no longer done on the town level and will have no budget.   5150·Transfer Station was not changed until further research is done on additional expenses.  5151·Town Hall Operating expenses increase $1,000 because of the new HVAC.  5151-A·Town Hall Maintenance expense will remain at $1,200.  B. Brooks would like to add back the $2,000 for sidewalks.  Joyce explained that the original purpose of this donation was for sidewalk replacement.  She stated that since the fire district received a significant grant for sidewalk replacement a few years back, there has been no further work done nor has she seen a plan to enhance sidewalks.  J. Gilman would rather see the money put towards paving, adding that Route 140W needs resurfacing.  No decision was made on 5151·Sidewalks.  5153· Cemeteries will remain at $1,000.  $17,000 was put in for 5155·Rutland County Tax, and 5157·Conservation Commission will remain at $500.  

Other Business.  C. Angel asked that when someone comes in to talk with the Selectboard and is not on the agenda, he/she should be limited to 5 minutes.  

Correspondence.  10/5 Planning Commission minutes, and Sheriff and Constable Reports.  

The meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m.

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