TOWN OF STAMFORD
SELECTBOARD MEETING
July 3, 2014
(UNAPPROVED)
PRESENT: Selectboard: Christopher Dargie, Chair, David Bugbee,
Nancy Bushika and Sheila G. Lawrence.
Thomas Houghtaling was not present.
David R. Tatro, Road Commissioner.
Lori A. Shepard, Administrative Assistant.
Visitors: Michael Batcher from the Bennington
County Regional Commission,
Nancy Dargie, Bill Levine and CJ Vadnais.
Chris Dargie called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and opened with the pledge of allegiance.
HEARING OF VISITORS
1. Michael Batcher provided the Selectboard with a draft Hazard Mitigation Plan which summarized various hazards, assessed their likelihood, and proposed actions to mitigate each event. Nancy Bushika and Bill Levine suggested a few more actions and identified the responsible parties.
2. Michael Batcher discussed recycling issues and will contact the Windham Solid Waste District to follow up on the town’s behalf. He also advised that the state would like to see towns create and enforce an ordinance that would require all private haulers doing business within the town to use the pay-as-you-throw system. The Selectboard questioned how that could be enforced.
3. An Open Meeting Law workshop has been scheduled for August 6, 2014 in Arlington. Nancy Bushika will attend.
4. CJ Vadnais asked if there is no public access to Poplar Drive since it is a private road. The Selectboard agreed that the town does not govern private roads. Date Tatro recalled learning that a private road is still a public way. It would seem that the property owners share a right-of-way but full control of the road would be held by the owner of the road.
5. CJ Vadnais questioned whether a sign on the north end of town was properly permitted. He was advised to discuss the matter with the town’s Administrative Officer, Ron Plock.
6. CJ Vadnais questioned a couple camps built around Sucker Pond and stated that most of the town’s water comes from that area. The board was aware of the camps and said they have been there for a while.
OPEN MEETING LAWS
1. The Selectboard discussed the state’s revisions to the Open Meeting Laws and how it would affect the website. After much discussion, it was agreed that the website is not and has never been an official town website. CJ Vadnais will add a disclaimer to that effect.
2. Lori Shepard spoke with Trish Carlson who gave permission to allow municipal agendas and meeting minutes to be posted at the Library.
MOTION by Chris Dargie to utilize the Library, the Town Office and Bilmont’s Country Store as the three posting spots for agendas and minutes. SECONDED by Dave Bugbee. All in favor. Motion APPROVED.
MINUTES
After reviewing the notes from the June 23, 2014 emergency meeting, it was determined that the 2nd sentence of the salt shed paragraph should read, “Sheila Lawrence spoke to Jim Sullivan at the BCRC who advised that an engineer needed to approve the salt shed plans…” Dave Bugbee corrected the 6th sentence with the underlined addition: “Dave Bugbee did not feel workers compensation was necessary for a sole proprietor or a partnership without employees, but said if the board wanted it, the bid specifications should be revised to allow the winning bidder 10 days to obtain the coverage.
MOTION by Nancy Bushika to accept the emergency meeting minutes of June 23, 2014 as revised. SECONDED by Chris Dargie. All in favor. Motion APPROVED.
MOTION by Dave Bugbee to accept the ancient roads site visit minutes and public hearing meetings, both of July 3, 2014, as written. SECONDED by Nancy Bushika. All in favor. Motion APPROVED.
MOTION by Dave Bugbee to accept the regular meeting minutes of July 3, 2014 as written. SECONDED by Nancy Bushika. All in favor. Motion APPROVED.
SELECTBOARD ORDERS
The Selectboard reviewed and approved the following orders:
WARRANT #28 $ 5,831.48 payroll
WARRANT #29 $20,379.74 accounts payable
ROAD CONDITIONS
1. Dave Tatro received a quote from West Oil Co. to lock in the diesel fuel price at $3.529. Last year’s rate was $3.599. The board authorized Dave Tatro to lock in the price.
2. The 2006 Freightliner will be going to Zwack, Inc. next week for the wing plow installation. The highway crew has been invited to Zwack’s upcoming truck and equipment show and they may attend.
3. Dave Tatro spoke with Ernie’s about the Chevy truck and they will get back to him soon.
4. The Agency of Transportation contacted Dave Tatro about painting yellow lines on the roads this summer. The board preferred not to have any lines painted. Dave Tatro will get in touch with the AOT representative to decline line painting this year.
5. There is a big ash tree leaning toward the power lines on Jepson Road. Dave Tatro contacted a tree worker who suggested he call the electric company. The electric company will come down to remove the tree and another dead one near it without charge.
6. The road crack sealing is scheduled for the second week of August.
7. Barry Berard will be doing the rock hammering the week of August 25, 2014. Dave Tatro intends to close the road, but will make arrangements for the school bus.
8. Next week John Bohl will assist with digging ditches on Mill Road.
9. Nancy Bushika asked for the status of the driveway culvert on Sportsmen Road. It has been removed.
10. A complaint was received that the hedges at the end of Mill Road made pulling out dangerous. Dave Tatro spoke with the property owner who will trim them back.
RECYCLING
Nothing to report.
DELINQUENT DOG LIST
Marcia Evans, the Dog Officer, has contacted the delinquent dog owners. Colleen Cahoon has registered her dogs. Jean Kurpiel and Missy Lawrence will take care of it in the next couple weeks. Robert O’Neill is in the process of registering his dog. Eric Mirke had intended to license his dog this past Wednesday but did not come in. The board asked Lori Shepard to follow up with the veterinarian.
Numerous complaints have been received recently about dogs running loose on Jepson Road. A letter will be sent asking the dog owners to abide by the town’s dog ordinance and leash law.
KEY POLICY
MOTION by Chris Dargie to amend the Key Policy to include the Chair of the Cemetery Commission. SECONDED by Dave Bugbee. All in favor. Motion APPROVED. The board signed the revised policy.
Nancy Bushika was asked by a resident why each group isn’t given their own alarm codes to enter the school building. The question could be discussed with the principal. The board suggested a sign in sheet for board members who come in for non-meeting business when the town office is closed.
SNOW AND ICE POLICY
Dave Tatro made a few minor revisions to the policy. The updated Snow and Ice Policy will be reviewed at the next meeting.
DESIGNATION OF NEWSPAPERS
The town was inadvertently quoted $144.15 to publish the bid advertisement in the Bennington Banner, and when the advertisement was corrected to run in the Berkshire Eagle, the price jumped to $264.09. The board will stay with the Berkshire Eagle as they feel it is more widely circulated in this area.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
1. Bill Levine has not had a chance to work on the big generator yet.
2. There is an LEPC meeting scheduled for July 31, 2014 in Bennington. He and Sheila Lawrence will attend.
TAX BILL
The town clerk received a request from Chip Dunn to provide separate 2014 tax bills for his properties even though they are connected. The Selectboard felt they could not grant his request since the grand list has already been finalized for 2014.
SIDEWALK
Sheila Lawrence spoke with the Agency of Transportation representative. The preliminary plans are still in the process of being finalized.
CAUTION CHILDREN SIGN
At the last meeting Sheila Lawrence requested a Caution Children sign be placed on Lincoln Road. Dave Tatro found the paperwork from the state received in connection with 2010 Jepson Road Class II Grant stating that he should remove the cautionary signs since they provide a false sense of security. Sheila Lawrence wanted the sign to be put up anyway. Dave Tatro said these signs are not compliant with the federal MUTCD laws but would place signs if the board wanted. The board suggested he discuss this matter during the AOT annual highway budget meeting.
SALT SHED
1. Dave Bugbee will be bidding on the project and wanted to address any conflicts the board had. Sheila Lawrence suggested that he recuse himself and leave the room. Dave Bugbee plans to recuse himself but intends to sit as part of the audience. He has read the section on conflicts in VLCT’s Handbook for Vermont Selectboards and said they are only guidelines and recom-mendations. He could remain on the board and cast a vote, but feels it is not in his best interest to do so.
2. Tom Houghtaling will participate in the special meeting scheduled for next Thursday, July 24, 2014. Dave Bugbee is willing to visit with him to bring him up to date on the salt shed project. He asked if the board was agreeable and asked Dave Tatro to come along as a neutral third party.
FENCE COMPLAINT
Sheila Lawrence spoke to Sue Law about the orange construction fence and she agreed to take care of it.
INSURANCE
1. Dave Bugbee confirmed with the board that they agree to now require the insurance coverage outlined by VLCT from all contractors and if workers compensation is not needed, the contractor must sign a non-employee work agreement. The insurance requirements will have to be discussed with school personnel for the contractors they hire as well. Dave Bugbee asked that Sheila Lawrence obtain the appropriate insurance prior to commencing any future mowing work.
2. Nancy Bushika asked the town clerk to review the certificates of insurance on file.
3. VLCT will be contacted to see if they have a model insurance policy for review.
HIGHWAY LIASON
Dave Tatro asked if a board member has a problem with him or a road-related issue, if they could contact the highway liaison, Dave Bugbee. That way he’s not getting direction from five different people.
MOTION to adjourn by Chris Dargie. SECONDED by Dave Bugbee. All in favor. Motion APPROVED. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Sheila G. Lawrence
SGL/las Clerk
REMINDERS
1. The due date to license dogs was April 1, 2014. Please come in as soon as possible if you have not yet licensed your dog.
2. An invitation to bid package for the building of the salt shed is available at the town office. Sealed bids will be due July 24, 2014 at 7 p.m.
TOWN OF STAMFORD, VERMONT
Chartered 1753
986 Main Road Stamford, VT 05352 Tel: 802-694-1361
SELECTBOARD SPECIAL MEETING
STAMFORD TOWN OFFICE
Thursday, July 24, 2014
7 p.m.
Welcome to a meeting of the Stamford Selectboard. If you have a matter to discuss that is not included on the Agenda, you may do so by addressing the Chairperson and stating your name and address.
CALL TO ORDER
HEARING OF VISITORS (time allowance: 5 minutes per visitor; 15 minutes per topic)
7:05 Opening of Salt Shed Bids
READING AND APPROVAL OF RECORDS AND ORDERS
Minutes of July 17, 2014
Selectboard’s Orders
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
ADJOURNMENT