Town of Danville

Selectboard Minutes

February 21^st, 2008

The Selectboard met at the Danville Town Hall on Thursday February 21st, 2008, Michael Walsh called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Selectboard present were Marion Sevigny, Doug Pastula, Michael Walsh, and Denise Briggs. Also present were Merton Leonard and Kevin Gadapee, Don Lamont, Jeremy Withers, and visitors Bill Cruess, Bert Frye, Jill Kelleher, Rita Foley, Dianne Jejer, Debra Stresing, Barb Fontaine, Phil Gimli-Mead and reporter Sally Anderson Cook.

Doug Pastula corrected a date and to add quotes to words “with no opposition” on the Feb 7^th minutes and moved to accept the Feb 7^th minutes as changed, Denise Briggs seconded the motion, the minutes were approved as changed.

Bill Cruess was present as the possible town representative on the Rescue Squad’s Board of directors. He was invited to come to the meeting and meet with the Board so everyone would have a better idea who Mr Cruess is. He moved from St. Johnsbury to Danville recently into Corso’s former house on Finley Drive, after retiring from his Assistant Headmasters position at ST. Johnsbury Academy. He has served on several Board of Directors in the area, including NVRH, St. Johnsbury Works, Good Shepherd School and Foundation, and is currently the Treasurer of Danville Chamber of Commerce. Marian Sevigny moved to appoint Mr Cruess to the Board of Danville Rescue Squad as the representative of the Town, Doug Pastula seconded the motion, which was approved.

Road Crew Member Donald Lamont was present to request that the hours of comp time that can be stored by the road crew be increased from 50 hours to 80 hours, as being new he does not have any vacation yet, and would like to be able to take some additional time off this summer. This would not cost the town anything, as the time is stored in lieu of receiving overtime pay. After some discussion Denise Briggs moved to increase the stored comp time from 50 hours to 80 hours in the work manual, effective Feb 25^th, 2008, Marion Sevigny seconded the motion, which was approved.

The West Danville Community Club returned to discuss the removal of the bathhouse at Joes Pond Beach with interested community members. The issue was published in the Caledonian Record for three days to give everyone notice to appear at this meeting to express their opinions. The Community Club wishes to remove the bathhouse, as it has not been used for years and was subject to vandalism when it was used. They would replace it with an open pavilion type structure of yet undetermined design, and continue to use the portable toilets. Their first goal is to remove the building, then they would be able to do the landscaping they plan on prior to the swimming season, without having it disrupted with heavy trucks and equipment. Bert Frye had pointed out the building is made with prefab concrete panels that bolt together and could easily be disassembled and reused. He believes if the town can’t use it maybe someone would be willing to buy it, but whatever was done, the site should be cleaned up right. Phil Gimli-Mead and Barb Fontaine were concerned with all the traffic that the rail trail is expected to produce, if anything placed there would be safe from vandals. With discussion waning, Michael Walsh moved to place an add in the paper to accept bids to sell the building only and have the contractor remove the contents and clean up the area, with bids due by the March 6^th meeting. Denise Briggs seconded the motion, which was approved.

Phil Gimli-Mead was also present to discuss the snowmobile traffic and road crossing by his house. He is particularly concerned with the increase of hours of trail operation this year, he says it does not give residents that live near the trail much time to sleep as it now goes from 6am to 11pm. He also has a problem with the snowmobile road crossing with this ice and frozen roads it has created quit a hazard. Kevin will send the grader over the crossing to try to smooth it up. Phil also suggested a stop sign be placed on Kittredge Road at the intersection of Wightman Road as he feels that is a hazardous intersection. The Board will contact VAST about the hours and take the stop sign under advisement.

Kevin’s Road report stated that their work continues to change with the weather that has been real stormy and variable this year with few breaks. When they do get a little break, they are out pushing the banks back to make room for the next storm. The salt crisis has eased a little as he has received several truckloads, although they are still trying to conserve salt use, so the roads may be a little icier that usual. Men continue to work long hours, and use much sand and salt and fuel. Sand is getting down also, will probably have to haul some more soon. He did have to buy a load of firewood as they have not had time to cut any with the weather the way it is. He solicited four local bids and bought the lowest priced wood from Richard Riendeau at $28/ton.

Merton reported that he and Kevin met with the Legislative Transportation committee on the 14^th as they were touring the local road structures to determine the condition for themselves. They met at the Harvey’s Hollow bridge and were impressed that all 12 of them were present and interested in what they had to say. They explained that they put in for a grant last year on this bridge and did not get it, but will put it in again this year. They stated they would hope to get the grant soon, as the bridge has been deficient in at least the past three state bridge inspections, and do not have the funds to rebuild it within our current road program. Later the Legislatures held a hearing in ST. Johnsbury and gave an overview on the states transportation finances, and the state of the transportation infrastructure. The Joint Fiscal Office estimates spending $415 million over the next 30 years would just maintain the existing roads and bridges. However at the current rate, the spending will be only $211 million or about half of what will be needed. Unfortunately, most all the bridges in the state and many roads were built in the years following the flood of 1927, not on a more rotating schedule. The old painted curtain has been mounted on the wall and the Vermont Painted Curtain Group has been working on the paint restoration, it is looking really nice. He received a letter from Jack Donnelly of the Danville Health Center, confirming they will let the recycling employee’s park at the Health Center during recycling, but they are not willing to let us build anything on their property.

The Board approved signing the Public Officials Liability Insurance renewal application, on a motion by Marion Sevigny, that was seconded by Doug Pastula. On a motion by Doug Pastula that was seconded by Marion Sevigny, voted to approve the VAST renewal application for their snowmobile bridge in West Danville. Denise Briggs moved to reappoint Marvin Withers Town Service Officer, motion seconded by Doug Pastula and was approved. They also approved an application for a planning training grant on a motion by Denise Brigs that was seconded by Marion Sevigny.

The board also reviewed the new budget expenditures and signed the current orders. There were three bids from local banks for the Town’s line of credit, the low bidder was the Passumpsic savings bank at 2.79%, Denise Briggs moved to accept the Passumpsic Banks bid, Marion Sevigny seconded it, and was approved. With no further business, the Board adjourned at 7:53PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Merton Leonard

Clerk of the Selectboard

Town of Danville

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