Danville Vermont
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Danville Vermont
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~DRAFT~ Town of DanvilleSelectboard Minutes January 21st, 2010 Michael K Walsh moved to accept the minutes of the January 21st meeting as written; Steve Larrabee seconded the motion; Denise Briggs pointed out an incorrect name in attendance, it should be Lamont not Lamothe, the minutes were approved as corrected. Shirley Richardson was present to discuss the Pope Library's recent upgrades, including the basement work on water and mold abatement, and the grant for the new furnace and duct work. This year they plan to work on remaining problems of water and mold under the siding and other areas. They are also working on a grant to upgrade or replace the windows, as their work is ongoing. Keith Gadapee was present representing the Danville Fire Dept. He presented a budget request of $20,400.00 for next year, which was $848.00 less than the three previous year's budget requests. They did have a mechanical problem with the engine on one of their trucks that utilized more of the budget for maintenance then expected, but otherwise had a successful year last year. Fernand Theroux was present to request that the Board allow their Disabled Veterans appraisal deduction to appear on the Town Meeting warning even though they did not get enough signatures. The Board responded that they have never accepted fewer signatures then required for any appropriation request, but would take it under advisement. Scott Palmer was present to express his views on the highway department. He feels if the crew is going to be allowed to deposit their trash in the dumpster, they should be asked to contribute to the cost of dumping it. He feels that a lot of it could be recycled to reduce the cost of dumping as well. He also feels that the crew should only work 8 hours a day, and not be guaranteed a half hour per day over time, when it is not needed. He also noted chloride being spread on a class 4 road near Joes Pond near Labor Day Weekend. Steve Larrabee noted that the cost of rubbish removal was reduced by 50% this year by changing haulers, they are pleased with that. Kevin noted that it has been the practice to work 8 1/2 hr days long before he came here, and that they do not in the summer time when they go on four day weeks. As for the rubbish it has also been a practice for the employees to use the dumpsters, as they do not charge by the amount, but by the pickup. The amount of maintenance on class four roads is up to the town, and it usually depends on usage. He usually does some maintenance on the Joes Pond Class four roads when requested, as many of the properties have become year round homes, with no other access. The Board next reviewed the town highway budget, quickly skimming each item as they went through the budget line by line, feeling the Highway budget was in good shape. The most discussion again centered on the reconstruction of Hill Street and to the extent of the work that needs to be done. Kevin presented two options for the Hill street construction, as well as other areas of Class 2 needed repairs. Next the board reviewed the Municipal budget that still showed an increase in the amount of taxes required. The Board went through the budget line by line removing a few dollars here and there until they arrived at the taxes required being the same as last year. Both budgets now have exactly the same amount of taxes required for this year as last. There was some discussion over the increase of appropriation request of about $17,000 over last year. The Board decided not to add these to the Budget at this time, but would leave it up to the voters to decide whether to increase the budget by adding them at Town Meeting. Kevin reported in his road report that things are rather quiet at the garage, waiting for the next big storm. They have been doing some wood cutting, as well as cleaning up and rearranging the Garage. Kevin noted that they did have an issue with the smoke stack on the wood boiler, that had to be replaced, which was all under warrantee. The backhoe will be getting some scheduled repairs next week. Merton reported that he has received the quote on the preliminary engineering for extending the sewer line down the other side of Hill Street to the vicinity of Calkins camp Road. The plan would include all of the remainder of Hill Street, and is priced at $2256 from Stantec, the original designers of the sewer system. There is rumor of more stimulus money that will be available this year, so it would seem like a good investment at this time. A question came up to include Crystal Avenue as well, Merton will check into it. After a brief discussion, Michael K Walsh moved to approve buying the preliminary engineering for extending the sewer line to the vicinity of Calkins Camp Road including Crystal Avenue for $2256 from Stantec Consulting Services with payment to come from the Waste Water Treatment Account. Steve Larrabee seconded the motion which was approved. The Board reviewed the expenditures and signed the orders. The Listers had discovered an error in the land use entry of Bryce and Deborah Gonyaw resulting in a property tax error of $1000. The Listers requested the Board to approve a $1,000 property value reduction and the resulting Grand List reduction of $10.00 and approve a refund of overpayment of taxes of $16.74 to the property owners. Michael K Walsh move to approve the requested changes put forth by the listers on the Gonyaw property ID# SA002-053.000, Doug Pastula seconded the motion which was approved. The Board reviewed VTrans annual highway mileage statement of the Danville town roads which showed no change from last year. Michael K Walsh moved to approve the unchanged Danville Highway Mileage statement as presented by VTrans, Denise Briggs seconded the motion which was approved. Merton brought up a question on the new cemetery sexton as to whether that was a permanent position or if it was to be rebid every year. The general consensus of the Board was that he is a replacement for the previous sexton and would continue until circumstances arise that would cause it to be rebid. The Board discussed the shortage of signatures on the veteran's petition for a tax reduction, and Mr. Theroux's request for the Board to accept it with less. After some discussion, the General Consensus of the Board is that they would set a president by accepting a petition that failed to present the required number of signatures required by law and was met by all the other petitioners. Michael K Walsh moved to accept all the petitions for printing on the Town Meeting Warning that had the required number of signatures, Denise Briggs seconded the motion, which was approved. The Board was reminded that there will be a joint budget meeting with the school directors and the budget committee on Tuesday Jan 26th. With no other business, the Board adjourned the meeting at 9:00pm. Respectfully Submitted, Merton Leonard Clerk of the Selectboard |
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