Wallingford Selectboard Minutes

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September 19, 2011

Present:  Bill Brooks, Nelson Tift, Josh Gilman, and Rose Regula  

Others Present:  Julie Sharon, Charlie Woods, Jane Duda‚ Charlie Angel‚ Charlie Gauthier and Jeff Duchesne  

Chair B. Brooks called the public hearing to order at 6:30 p.m. and read the public hearing notice, which is to receive comment on and to consider adopting the Flood Hazard Area Regulations.  These regulations were designed to meet the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements.  Planning Commission held their public hearing on July 18th.  There was little discussion.   The public hearing ended at 6:38 p.m.  

Chair B. Brooks called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:40 p.m.  

Minutes.  The minutes were approved on a motion made by N. Tift and seconded by R. Regula. Motion carried. (3-0). J. Gilman abstained. 

Selectboard Orders.  B. Brooks made a motion to approve the pay orders totaling $62‚995.09, which was seconded by J. Gilman.  Motion carried (4-0).  

Road Commissioner’s Report.  B. Brooks commended the road crew for working tirelessly from dawn to dusk through the weekends to repair the damage from Tropical Storm Irene.  Charlie Woods explained the work that has been done on the many roads‚ culverts and bridges that suffered damage. The Town garage was also flooded as well the recreation field.  They will be working on the Seward side of Sugar Hill for the remainder of this week‚ making repairs and improvements to roads as well as grading and ditching.  The Forest Service has contacted the town and will provide 100% funding for repairs.  They are hoping to inspect it soon at which time a cooperative agreement will need to be signed by the Selectboard.      

R. Regula reported that a neighbor asked the Town to fill in her driveway that was washed out near the road.  The Selectboard was in agreement that this does not fall under the Town’s responsibility.  At the recommendation of the town’s insurance company‚ G. W. Savage can be hired to dry out the town garage by removing the damaged wall and wet insulation.  The Selectboard was agreeable to having this restoration work performed.  

Van Wyck/Creek Road Bridge Immediate Repairs.  The Selectboard reviewed the assessment damage report from DuBois & King Inc. that resulted from the flooding associated with the storm.  The Van Wyck bridge needs concrete work.  Since the road crew is not familiar with this work‚ bid requests will be mailed immediately to various contractors.  FEMA requires 3-5 bids for this type of work.  The recommendations for the Creek Road bridge can be done by the road crew.  J. Gilman pointed out D&K’s recommendation that the bridge be opened to one lane of traffic immediately until the repairs can be performed.  

Paving/VTrans Grants.  The Selectboard reviewed the road assessment report from Steve Jerome at Vermont Local Roads concerning the north end of Hartsboro Road.  This report details the work that should be on the road before it is paved.  Because the town is facing a substantial financial loss due to the damage to the roads and bridges‚ paving of Hartsboro Road was deferred until next year.  

Charlie Woods reported on the asphalt damage on River Street.  Following some discussion‚ the Selectboard agreed to defer road paving until next year.  In the meantime strategic patching will be done this fall to include River Street‚ Creek Road‚ Mill Street‚ Elm Street‚ North End Drive‚ Prospect Street‚ and possibly Hull Avenue.  Quotes will be sought for review at the next Selectboard meeting.  

Coin Drop – WVFD.  Jeff Duchesne and Charlie Gauthier requested permission to hold a coin drop on Saturday‚ October 8th (rain date October 9th).  R. Regula asked how the donations are used.  The fire department relies on the funds for conservation camps‚ training‚ etc.  B. Brooks made a motion to approve the coin drop‚ which failed due to lack of a second.  Following further discussion on what the fire district budget covers vs. the fire department’s budget‚ B. Brooks again made a motion to approve; motion seconded by N. Tift .  Motion failed (1-3).  N. Tift is not in favor of coin drops because of safety concerns‚ and J. Gilman requested more accountability and reporting.  

Sand/Hauling/Salt Bids.  On a motion made by J. Gilman, and seconded by N. Tift, Phil Baker and Sons will haul 1,000 tons of sand from Pike and 2,000 tons of winter mix from SLC.  Pike’s sand is $7.50/ton; SLC is $5.75/ton and Baker’s hauling rate is $1.95/ton from Pike and $1.65/ton from SLC.  E. Erickson Excavating bid $2.70 per ton to haul.  Motion carried (4-0).  B. Brooks made a motion to purchase winter salt from Cargill at $63.68/ton; motion seconded by J. Gilman.  Motion carried (4-0). 

Quigley/Baker Dog Report.  The Selectboard reviewed the report from Myrna Milani, BS, DVM regarding the 8-week training program for the dogs.  They agreed to send copies to Mr. Jaquay and the Jaquiths and ask for their comments by October 3rd.

Backhoe Financing.  B. Brooks made a motion to execute loan documents with Merchants Bank for a loan of $49,000 at a fixed interest rate of 2.57%, with principal installments of $12,250 plus interest commencing 9/19/12 through 9/19/15.  Motion seconded by R. Regula.  Motion carried (4-0).  People’s United Bank quoted 3.10%, and TD Bank would not bid.

VT Historic Preservation Grant Application.  The Selectboard approved submitting the completed application in the amount of $10,000 for painting the clock tower on a motion made by J. Gilman and seconded by N. Tift.  Motion carried (4-0).  If the town receives approval, the Town’s match of $5,000 will be budgeted next year.

Town Garage Engineer Selection.  The Selectboard reviewed the two bids for preparing a cost benefit analysis to either renovate the existing building or build new.  Robert Carl Williams PC from Pittsfield quoted $2,750 for the report, plus 9.5% of the cost of construction for new ($34,500) and 11.5% of the cost of construction for renovating ($28,500).  NBF Architects quoted $3,000 for the report, plus $22,000 new or $19,000 rehab.  Comparing the total costs through construction, N. Tift made a motion to hire NBF, which was seconded by R. Regula.  Motion carried (3-0).  J. Gilman abstained.

Creek Road Bridge Engineering.  DuBois & King submitted a revised quote to evaluate the bridge conditions and determine rehabilitation needs, costs, etc. for a cost of $15,000.  B. Brooks made a motion to hire DuBois & King Inc. at a cost of $15,000 to prepare this engineering study.  J. Gilman seconded the motion pending the receipt of projected phases and tasks.  Motion carried (4-0).

Health Officer & Lister Appointments. Trisha Nash was appointed Health Officer on a motion made by B. Brooks and seconded by N. Tift.  Motion carried (4-0).  B. Brooks made a motion to appoint Jane Quigley as a Lister; motion seconded by J. Gilman.  Motion carried (3-0).  N. Tift abstained.

DRB Resignation.  The Selectboard unanimously accepted Charlie McClafferty’s resignation who resigned because of his new employment.  He will remain as an alternate until the vacancy is filled.

Other Business.   The Selectboard unanimously agreed to sign the Vermont Emergency Relief and Assistance Fund State Share – Match Incentives form that qualifies the Town for increased sate funding (15% of the project costs vs. 12.5%).   

The Selectboard also signed a letter addressed to the Natural Resources Conservation Service seeking Federal assistance for landowners through the Emergency Watershed Protection Program.  This program responds to emergencies created by natural disasters such as debris-clogged stream channels and undermined and unstable stream banks.  NRCS will contact the Town to assist these landowners who have suffered damage from the storm.  

Mill Street resident Jane Duda discussed the cement retaining walls that channel Roaring Brook along the elementary school and Mill Street properties westerly to Route 7 that incurred damage from the flood.  Portions of the wall have collapsed and the area has undermined beneath the walls.  Julie is researching who is responsible for maintaining these walls that were installed by the US Army Corps following floods in 1976. 

On a motion made by J. Gilman and seconded by R. Regula, the Flood Hazard Area Regulations were adopted following the final public hearing held earlier this evening.  Motion carried (4-0).  

A motion was made by B. Brooks, and seconded by N. Tift, to enter executive session with J. Sharon present, at 8:35 p.m. to discuss a legal issue.  Motion carried (4-0).  The Selectboard returned from executive session at 9:00 p.m. with no action taken.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

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