Wallingford Selectboard Minutes

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November 7, 2011

Present:  Bill Brooks Frank Bruce, Nelson Tift, and Rose Regula  

Others Present:  Julie Sharon, Mark Tessier‚ Charlie Woods‚ John Tiffany‚ Bill Seward‚ and Sandy Switzer  

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

A motion was made by F. Bruce, and seconded by B. Brooks, to enter executive session with J. Sharon and J. Tiffany present, at 6:30 p.m. to discuss a contract.  Motion carried (4-0).  The Selectboard returned from executive session at 6:55 p.m. with no action taken.  

Minutes.  The minutes were approved on a motion made by F. Bruce and seconded by R. Regula. Motion carried (4-0).  

Selectboard Orders.  F. Bruce moved to approve the pay orders totaling $38,901.67‚ which was seconded by B. Brooks.  Motion carried (4-0).  

Public Comments.  Mark Tessier‚ who lives in fire district 3‚ asked if there has been any more discussion about fire protection 1 merging with fire protection 3 since the 2009 town meeting.  He’s interested in reducing his fire protection taxes and would like to see the Town and Fire Department initiate a joint purchasing program.  Mr. Tessier also would like the right to vote on fire protection issues.  The Selectboard urged the fire district 3 voters to attend the prudential committee meetings to voice their concerns.  

Board of Tax Abatement Chair Bill Seward discussed the properties that had flood damage. He wants to be certain that every property is inspected by Spencer Potter of Vermont Municipal Assessor so that Mr. Potter is prepared to explain how he arrived at these figures for the abatement meeting.     

Road Commissioner’s Report.  Charlie Woods reported that the grader parts have arrived and he’s hoping to have it back this week.  The Selectboard discussed hiring Dan Allard to grade for two days.  F. Bruce asked if Charlie could crown the roads better to which Charlie responded that more gravel is needed but our gravel budget is not sufficiently funded.  The Selectboard agreed unanimously to hire Mr. Allard‚ and Charlie can decide where best to use him.  F. Bruce asked the Selectboard to consider closing Dugway Road during the winters.  

The Selectboard reviewed a request from Felix Orbe of Dugway Road to fix the clogged bridge on his property that was caused by road gravel and rocks that washed downstream by the flood.  Unfortunately‚ they determined that it is not the Town’s responsibility to clean up damage on private property caused by Tropical Storm Irene.  Mr. Orbe will be urged again to contact FEMA to apply for disaster assistance and also the ANR about their Emergency Watershed Protection Program.  

Julie reported that she did not put the correct type of gravel to be used for the Wallingford Pond Road forest project in the bid proposal.  She asked for authorization to choose the winning bid once she receives revised bids later this week.  B. Brooks made a motion to allow Julie Sharon to choose the lowest bidder from the three bidders who responded.  Motion seconded by F. Bruce.  Motion carried (4-0).

The last pressing issue from the storm is the cement retaining walls along Roaring Brook behind the school.  Charlie inspected the site with our FEMA rep.  Based on the assessment report prepared by DuBois & King‚ our FEMA rep recommended that the walls be repaired as soon as possible.  Charlie feels that rip rap stone should be inserted along with grouting beneath the walls.  There are four areas that need repair and each portion may be bid as separately so that the most critical repair is done first.  Charlie and Julie will prepare the bid documents.

Proposed Animal Control Ordinance.  The Selectboard reviewed the second draft of the proposed animal control ordinance that includes fines for dog owners who do not clean up after their dogs.  The ordinance was adopted on a motion made by R. Regula and seconded by N. Tift.  Motion carried (3-1).  F. Bruce voted no.

Street Name Change Request.  The Selectboard reviewed a letter from Amy Beauchain who asked that Butterworth Road be changed back to Beauchain Road .  She explained that her father raised his family on property on Beauchain Road‚ which was deeded to him by his in-laws (Bulley).  Sometime after it was sold to Mr. Butterworth‚ the road name was changed. 

Land records were researched to show that the Bulleys owned the property for 31 years and then the Beauchains held the title for 23 years.  The property was purchased by Butterworth in 1958 and Mr. Butterworth’s daughter‚ Faith Kidwell‚ now owns the property.  After some discussion‚ the Selectboard agreed not to change the street name on a motion made by N. Tift and seconded by F. Bruce.  Motion carried (4-0).  N. Tift pointed out that a name change involves more than changing the sign; i.e.‚ 911 emergency agencies‚ police and fire agencies‚ post office‚ utility and phone companies‚etc. must also be notified.  

USDA Forest Service Road Project Agreement.  The Federal Highway has promised that funds are coming shortly; however‚ no official approval has been received.  John W. Kamb, PE‚ of the USDA Forest Service asked the Selectboard to authorize signing the agreement post meeting based on the agreement draft and winning bid numbers.  F. Bruce made a motion to authorize Julie Sharon to sign the USDA Forest Service Road Project Agreement‚ which was seconded by N. Tift.  Motion carried (4-0).  

Other Business/Announcements.  Since the 250^th celebration of Wallingford ’s charter was cancelled on August 28^th because of Tropical Storm Irene‚ the Selectboard agreed to hold a small celebration on Sunday‚ December 4^th at 2 p.m. upstairs at Town Hall.  Desserts and beverages will be served during the program.  

On behalf of Janine Rodgers of Prospect Street‚ Julie asked how to deter motorists from using Prospect and Hull Avenue as a bypass to avoid the traffic light.  She is concerned with the number of young children that walk in the road to school.  She suggested installing either “children at play” signs‚ speed bumps or a sidewalk.  She was told that these types of signs are no longer used and referred her to the Fire District concerning a sidewalk.  However‚ the Selectboard feel that the road is so narrow in areas that a sidewalk may not work.  

Julie passed on a satisfactory post-construction report from DuBois & King for the Van Wyck Bridge repairs.  

F. Bruce moved to enter executive session with J. Sharon present, at 8:10 p.m. to discuss a contract; B. Brooks seconded the motion.  Motion carried (4-0).  The Selectboard returned from executive session at 8:31 p.m.  

The Selectboard discussed the contract with Vermont Municipal Assessor.  B. Brooks made a motion to notify Spencer Potter of Vermont Municipal Assessor in writing that as of November 10‚ 2011‚ the Town is invoking its 90-day notice to terminate its contract with the company.  In addition‚ the Selectboard would prefer‚ if he is amendable‚ to terminate the contract immediately and pay him $1‚400; otherwise‚ services will be provided to the Town until February 10‚ 2012.  

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m.

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