TOWN OF SALISBURY
SELECT BOARD MINUTES
April 14, 2009
SELECT BOARD PRESENT WERE: Jack Beasley, Martha Sullivan, Jim Eagan and Jackie Devoid
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Joyce Cameron
OTHERS PRESENT WERE: Tom Barker, Pedie O’Brien, Barbara Andres, Wayne Rawsenberger, David Nuceder, Deb Brighton, Heidi Willis, Kim Schroeder, Ann Dittami and Eloise Crane.
Jack Beasley called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and led in the pledge of allegiance.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
MINUTES
Jackie Devoid moved to accept the minutes of March 24, 2009 as written. Motion carried, unanimous.
OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Constable Report
Kim Schroeder reported attending the training at the police academy with Constable Frank Dittami. They learned about writing tickets enforced by the Judicial Bureau. New Ticket books are being printed but the old ones are still usable. They also received information about animal cruelty and abuse.
Town Clerk Ann Dittami reported:
- postage going up May 1st. Would the Board like her to purchase “forever” stamps? Jim Eagan moved to allow Ann to purchase 400 “forever” stamps. Motion carried, unanimous.
- Joanne Bagley had called and asked if the town wanted clean up which is not part of the mowing contract.
- Passed out information on a web site for town documents since the state does not do micro filming anymore.
- There is another $5000 handicap grant available and she would like to apply for the two handicap doors for the office entrance. The Board did not to object to her applying.
Road Foreman’s Report
Tom Barker reported:
- worked with Cornwall on a tree that fell on the covered bridge.
- money for Bridge #6 should be coming soon. (near Branbury State Park)
- the contractors are a little ahead of schedule on the Lake Dunmore Road Project and the first installment of $67,000 was paid out.
- he’s trying to work with the state on the bridge in the village that needs repair.
- The town has to pay for the Kelsey Road 911 sign ($38.00).
- VLCT insurance inspection – In follow-up letter flammable liquids must be put in a special metal cabinet that cost around $800. Jackie Devoid suggested talking with them to see how important it was.
Landfill Committee
Pedie O’Brien stated that:
- Brian Ashley would like to be on the Landfill Committee. Joyce will research if the committee should only have a certain number of members and the terms.
- gave the Board copies of the metal agreement. There is no cost for the box and they will pay us
$20.00 a ton for the metal.
- The committee is meeting on April 27, 2009 to discuss the pros and cons of purchasing a packer.
Conservation Commission
Heidi Willis:
- passed out copies of a brochure called “Salisbury’s Town Forest”.
- announced the “Meet and Greet” taking place this Sunday at the school.
- asked for a Liaison from the Select Board for the Conservation Commission since Brian Ashley is no longer a Board member.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Wayne Rawsenberger from the mosquito district appealed to the Board for two members of the town to serve on the Mosquito District. They should contact Dr. Ben Lawton at 247-3114.
Barbara Andres told the Board that the Library Trustees have talked to two architects about painting the Town Hall. They have received a paint grant that has to be used by September and will use some of the Whitney money. There is a meeting tomorrow at 4PM. They would like to hire local people to do the job. Anything the town could contribute would be appreciated.
Pedie O’Brien said that she would have felt put down if she were a Board member when Martha Sullivan’s letter came out in the paper. She stated that none of the Select Board phone numbers are published in the Town Report. She suggested the sheet “Salisbury at your fingertips” provide phone numbers and e-mail addresses for all town officials and could be sent to all current residents in the Landfill Newsletter. She also felt the newsletter could be changed to Town and Landfill Newsletter.
Ann Dittami passed out her response to a letter she received from Mary Ann Sullivan. (added as amended)
CORRESPONDENCE:
Jack Beasley announced correspondence from: Jackie Larocque (complaint about the Fire Warden), letter from Ernie Coburn (interested in being Fire Warden), VT State Forest and Parks, (re: appointment of Fire Warden) Conservation Commission “Meet and Greet” announcement, copies of letters from Mark Wilch, Zoning Administrator, Grant writing workshop, VLCT Insurance inspection, Contract with Humane Society, Thank you from the Counseling Service, Highway Summer work Plan, Judicial Bureau, Sec. of State “Municipal Law Basics”, Tom Drew resignation from DRB.
OLD BUSINESS:
Junk Yards
Jack Beasley has done some research on junk yards and he will make this information available to the Board.
New Unified Regulations action
After discussion it was decided to have a third hearing on the Unified Development Regulations. Copies will be available at the town office at no charge and available as a pdf file on the website www.townofsalisbury.org. The town will also send post cards out to every person who resides in Salisbury. The wording on the post card will read:
On Tuesday May 19, 2009 at 7:00 PM, in the Salisbury Community School the Select Board will hold a third hearing on the proposed Unified Development Regulations. A copy can be downloaded on the town website townofsalisbury.org . If you do not have access to the internet, paper copies are available free of charge at the town office during regular hours. This will be the last hearing, we encourage your input. Signed the Salisbury Select Board.
Jim Eagan moved to adopt the language that will be on the post card. Motion carried, unanimous.
Deb Brighton gave the Board a new sheet that will be in the regulations in response to Zoning Administrator’s Mark Wilch questions.
2008 HRRR Improvements
Jim Eagan moved to submit a letter of Intent to VTrans for the sign project from RT 7 to Branbury State Park. Motion carried, unanimous.
Salisbury v. Stone
This item will be on the next agenda.
NEW BUSINESS:
Contact With The Press
Jack Beasley stated that traditionally contact with the press has been through the Select Board Chair. When a Board member writes a letter to the press, it creates the impression that it is the opinion of the Board. Past policy has been that any Board member in contact with the press should emphasize that they not be identified as “Select Board Member” unless specifically authorized by the Board.
Humane Society Contract
Jack Beasley moved to accept the Humane Society Contract choosing option two. Motion carried, unanimous.
Spring Clean up
Being no objection the board will allow Bagley’s to do Spring and Fall clean up. Joyce Cameron will call Bagley’s to see why the charge is more in the Fall.
Noise in Jim Ploof’s Gravel Pit
Martha Sullivan stated that she has had a number of calls about the noise of dirt bikes in Ploof’s pit on the weekends. She feels that he has a conditional use permit to extract gravel and he could be in violation of his permit. She would like the Zoning Administrator to look into this. Joyce will call Mark Welch to look into this matter.( added as amended).
Time Sheets
The Board would like to see more information on time sheets. Joyce will work with Jack to draft a memo to go to all employees.
The Select Board signed the warrants
ADJOURNMENT
Being no objection the Board adjourned at 9:42 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Joyce Cameron