TOWN OF STAMFORD
SELECTBOARD MEETING
November 21, 2013
(UNAPPROVED)
Present: Selectboard: Christopher Dargie, Chair, Olaf A. Aase, Nancy Bushika. Thomas Houghtaling and David Bugbee were not present
Visitors: Nancy Dargie and Dawn Windover.
David Tatro, Road Commissioner.
David Fierro, Treasurer.
Lori Shepard, Administrative Assistant/Town Clerk.
Chris Dargie called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
HEARING OF VISITORS
None.
MINUTES
MOTION by Olaf Aase to accept the regular meeting minutes of November 7, 2013 as written. SECONDED by Chris Dargie. All in favor. Motion APPROVED.
SELECTBOARD ORDERS
The Selectboard reviewed and approved the following orders:
WARRANT #45 $ 4,689.02 payroll
WARRANT #46 $11,792.83 accounts payable
ROAD CONDITIONS
1. Last week gravel was spread on Sparrow Drive and Maltese Road.
2. The last of the summer projects have been completed and all equipment is ready for winter weather.
3. There was a hydraulic leak in the Ford yesterday which needed repair.
4. The board received a verbal complaint about an old mattress on East Road. It may be that the homeowner left it out for trash pickup. No action will be taken at this time.
5. Nancy Bushika picked up the Scenic Route 100 Byway signs in Wilmington, VT and was informed that they cannot be posted within the state’s 25’ road right-of-way. Dave Tatro will check with Russell Carrier about this. In another year the state should be installing Byway signs. The town also has a limited supply of window decals for local businesses free of charge. Please contact the town clerk to pick up a window decal.
GREEN MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST
David Rubin from Park Forestry bid on the 351 acres owned by the City of North Adams in the Town of Stamford. The City has 30 days to review the bid and decide whether they will accept it. After discussion the board will wait to see if the bid is accepted.
EMPLOYEE POLICY
MOTION by Chris Dargie to accept the latest draft of the employee policy handbook. SECONDED by Olaf Aase. All in favor. Motion APPROVED.
DOG ORDINANCE
The board will have Lori Shepard make the requested changes and send to Garrett Baxter at the Vermont League of Cities and Towns for review.
DELINQUENT DOGS
In a final effort to reach the remaining delinquent dog owners, a letter will be sent by certified and regular mail offering to waive the $500.00 civil penalty previously imposed if dogs are licensed by December 6, 2013. If dog owners do not comply, the Selectboard will have no alternative but to impound the dogs and rehome or euthanize them.
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL REPORTS
The Selectboard reviewed income and expense sheets. David Fierro was asked questions about some of the line items. Late charges were noted on a couple of the bills. Dawn Windover, Assistant Treasurer, feels that some companies take up to a week to process payments so a payment sent timely may not be applied timely. The Treasurer did not have answers and asked Nancy Bushika to formally write up the questions and concerns and he will look into it.
KLONDIKE ROAD BIRDGE
Conceptual Plans received from the VT Agency of Transportation were reviewed and signed by the board. A public hearing was scheduled for Thursday, December 19, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. Abutters will be notified.
SALT SHED
Deferred until next meeting.
FOREST WARDEN
Lars Lund at the Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation will be contacting Mr. Klein to conduct an interview. He would like to see Charles Dolle promoted to Fire Warden and Harry Klein appointed as Deputy Warden. Mr. Lund will be in touch.
MAIN ROAD HOUSE
Olaf Aase has received complaints about a multitude of junk and old cars behind the Main Road house. Ron Plock will be contacted concerning zoning violations.
HHW PROPOSALS
Michael Batcher from Bennington County Regional Commission forwarded several proposals he received to host Home Hazardous Waste Collection days. The board will trust his decision as to which proposal is best.
HEALTH INSURANCE
The Vermont Health Connect system continues to give us trouble. Dave Tatro’s health insurance is incomplete. We may need to enroll directly with Blue Cross Blue Shield.
SCHOOL BUDGET
The school may be facing a large change in the budget after the annual town/school meeting in March but before the tax rate is set. They may need to plan for a second school meeting.
COMPLAINT
Patrick Gray sent a complaint to the board but did not identify any incidents which required action by the board. No action will be taken.
MOTION to adjourn by Chris Dargie. SECONDED by Olaf Aase. All in favor. Motion APPROVED. The meeting was adjourned at 8:48 p.m.
Chris Dargie
CD/las Clerk pro tem
REMINDERS
1. New recycling punch cards are available at the Town Office.
2. The town office will be closed on Thursday November 28, 2013 and Friday, November 29, 2013 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.
3. Call the town clerk today to pick up your Scenic Route 100 Byway window decal free of charge!
TOWN OF STAMFORD, VERMONT
Chartered 1753
986 Main Road Stamford, VT 05352 Tel: 802-694-1361
SELECTBOARD MEETING
STAMFORD TOWN OFFICE
Thursday, December 5, 2013
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)
Administrative Officer, former Raedel house on Main Road
READING AND APPROVAL OF RECORDS AND ORDERS
Minutes of November 21, 2013
Selectboard’s Orders
ROAD CONDITIONS
Clayton Avenue turn around area
-
RECYCLING
DISCUSSION
Employee Policy Handbook
Delinquent dog owner update
Jepson Road condition
Town/School annual town meeting
Preliminary budget discussion
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
ACTION
CORRESPONDENCE
OLD BUSINESS
Salt shed update
Fire Warden and Deputy Fire Warden appointments
NEW BUSINESS
ADJOURNMENT