Town of Danville

Selectboard Minutes

October 15th, 2009

Marvin Withers called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Selectboard present were, Michael K Walsh, Doug Pastula, Steve Larrabee, Denise Briggs, and Marvin Withers. Also present were Wendy Somers, Kevin Gadapee, Merton Leonard, visitors Barb and Gary Fontaine, Ken and Cheryl Linsley, reporter Sally Anderson and Channel 7 News. Michael K Walsh moved to accept the minutes of the October 1st meeting as written; Steve Larrabee seconded the motion, and the minutes were approved as written.

Cheryl Linsley thanked the Board and town employees that helped with this years very successful Autumn on the Green event. She noted that of people that signed the guest book, that 43 states and 22 countries were represented. With the success, there comes the increasing problem of traffic and emergency service access in the area. Everyone agreed that prior to all of next years large events, that a traffic pattern needs to be established with enough manpower to direct it.

Wendy was present to follow up from the Leader Light Health Program she presented at the previous meeting. She had requested input on the four policies that she had distributed to the Board last meeting. The Health and Safety Committee members selected were employees, William Bailey, Donald Lamont, Wendy Somers, Merton Leonard and Board members Denise Briggs and Doug Pastula. Michael K Walsh moved to appoint the selected committee members to the Health and Safety Committee, and to accept the Health and Safety Committee Bylaws as written. Doug Pastula seconded the motion which was approved. Michael K Walsh moved to approve the Sexual Harassment Policy as written, Steve Larrabee seconded the motion which was approved. Michael K Walsh moved to approve the General Harassment Policy as written, Doug Pastula seconded the motion which was approved.

After review and discussion Michael K Walsh moved to approve the Health & Safety Policy and Mission as written, Steve Larrabee seconded the motion which was approved. Michael K Walsh moved to approve the Smoking and Tobacco Policy with the removal of the words "within all Town owned vehicles" and "(e.g., 30ft or more)". Doug Pastula seconded the motion which was approved as revised.

Kevin reported that he had completed his final management class. Kevin chose to write a Controlled Substance and Alcohol Testing policy as his final term paper, which he presented to the Board. Pending review by the Town's Attorney, Kevin would like this policy to be adopted by the Selectboard as a Town Policy. With the flurry of snow that fell, a plow frame was installed on one truck and the others will get any necessary repairs, get their sanders operational, and plows installed. The snow was also a reminder that there is still winter sand to haul and stockpile. He also reminded the contractor on the water project that the roads need to be smoothed up and patched before serious snow arrives. He noted that they have finished the FEMA work on Coles Pond Road and are working to finish up the remainder of the FEMA work.

Merton reported that Ken Mason of VTrans is in town contacting landowners with offers for their property, in connection with the Route #2 project. Notice was received from the Vt Dept of Environmental Conservation that they have received and are reviewing the application for the Route #2 storm water collection basin below the church across from Marty's. Notice was also received from the Act-250 district that the rail trail project ruling on exemption from any Act-250 process has been appealed. As a member of the LVRT Committee, Steve Larrabee offered additional information that it was the Act-250 coordinators that upheld the appeal, that will now open the trail system to the Act-250 process. That could mean that all trail development of the LVRT will be required to have a land use permit. Kevin and Merton attended the monthly water project meeting on Wednesday. Bruce Epstine, the State Consultant to the water project, had sent info on the pavement repair. If the temporary patches are not removed, shim could be added over the full width of the road, with possibly 57% paid for by the stimulus grant and the balance from cost savings from not doing all the individual patching. They will calculate the costs in the project to determine what the costs would be to the town for the extra paving.

At the Autumn on the Green event Merton saw Hertel Boisvert from Danville Quebec. He was the driver of the covered wagon that he and his wife went from here to Danville Quebec, at the 100th anniversary celebration in 1960. That drive simulated the migration of residents from Danville Vt. to Danville Quebec in the 1860's. He presented an invitation for next July 3rd for Danville residents to attend the 150yr anniversary festivities in Danville Quebec. In 1960 there were many towns' folk that journeyed to Quebec for the festivities.

A letter from the Assistant Judges of Caledonia County requested the Board's support to pass a resolution to save their office authority that was established in 1777. The letter informed the Board that there is a possibility that their office will be relieved of all substantive authority if a proposed change in the law places the Supreme Court in charge of all court functions and courthouses. After some discussion, Michael K Walsh moved to approve a resolution in support of the institution of Assistant Judges, and against stripping the judges of their existing judicial and administrative functions. Doug Pastula seconded the motion which was approved.

The Board reviewed the budget and signed the orders.

The Board approved an executive session to discuss personnel, on a motion by Michael K Walsh that was seconded by Steve Larrabee at 6:58pm. The Board returned from executive session at 7:46 with no action taken.

With no other business, the Board adjourned the meeting at 8:05pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Merton Leonard

Clerk of the Selectboard

Town of Danville

Send mail to Mert.Leonard@DanvilleVt.com with questions or comments about this web site.