Town of Danville

Selectboard Minutes

January 17^th, 2008

The Selectboard met at the Danville Town Hall on Thursday January 17^th, 2008, Michael Walsh called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Selectboard present were Marion Sevigny, Marvin Withers, Doug Pastula, Denise Briggs and Michael Walsh. Also present were Merton Leonard and Budget Committee members Lloyd Paterson and Angelo Incerpi, visitor Karen Remington, and West Danville Community Club Officers Jill Kelleher, Rita Foley, Dianne Baker, and Debra Stresing.

Denise Briggs referred to a statement about the fire departments donations was not correct in the Jan 10^th minutes and requested it be removed. Denise Briggs moved to accept the Jan 10^th minutes as corrected, Marvin Withers seconded the motion, the minutes were approved as corrected.

Members of the Budget Committee were present to discuss the Town’s Municipal and Highway budgets. The Board explained the areas of change in the budget and answered questions that the Committee had. The Committee also requested to have an estimate of the grand list, expected tax rates and the special appropriations request. It was agreed to have the Town-School joint budget meeting on Jan 24^th at the town hall, provided that the School Directors could make it.

Karen Remington was present to request to rent the town hall for Dance Yoga Classes for youth, seniors, and adults and that the Board consider renting the hall to her for a percentage of her income per class. She explained that she is not charging a lot and does not know how many would be attending, but feels that it would be a benefit to the community if this service was provided, close to the school, right after school. After some discussion the Board recommended that she investigate using the school cafeteria, that way the children would already be at the school and would not have to go out and cross Route #2. The Board also had concerns about lowering the town hall rent and regularly scheduled events during office hours.

The West Danville Community Club officers were present to discuss the fate of the old bathhouse at Joes Pond beach. The Community Club request to have it removed so they can replace it with a new open pavilion that is worthy of the beach. After some discussion, the Board decided to have an advertised meeting on Feb 21^st so that input could be receive from all interested parties in town as to the fate of the bathhouse.

Kevin provided a written road report in that he explained the crew experienced a bit of spring weather and muddy roads in between the usual winter snow events, the second week of January. They did apply some gravel and worked to smooth most of the ruts out. With the break in the weather they were able to do some required maintenance on the trucks and equipment, and have it all ready to go for the next storm. Kevin also pointed out the Emergency Management meeting that was recently held, that there was discussion about the town sanding the state roads in a time of emergency, if the fire chief requested it. He wrote that he is not comfortable sanding state roads but would do whatever the Selectboard voted to request him to do. After some discussion Doug made the motion that the board send a letter to the state highway department expressing concern that the rescue personnel are not getting the sand that they need during emergency calls and to request their explanation of their policy and response procedures to emergency situations. Marvin Withers seconded the motion, which was approved. The Board requested Merton draft a letter to be sent by the Board.

Merton reported that Danville Rescue is looking for a member of the town to be selected to serve on their board of directors. He also presented an appropriation request from the Danville Historical Society to go on the warning for town meeting. After some discussion, Denise Briggs moved to place the Historical Society Appropriation request on the warning for town meeting, Marion Sevigny seconded the motion which was approved. Merton explained that the VT Painted Curtain Group will be working on the restoration of the old theater curtain recently obtained from a private individual. A temporary arrangement will be made to hang the curtain on the back stage wall for restoration in the second week of February. George Cahoon has donated his collection of the Route #2 construction slides to the town, which he had taken before and during the construction. The Board was very appreciative, and Merton will obtain a slide projector to view them on. A letter was received from Gates Salvage offering a dumpster to the town to collect scrap metal in. The Board was concerned where it might be placed, that it might need supervision, and that it might be filled with other objects that were not metal.

Michael reported that he had measured the Fire Department roof and it is 24 ft by 84 ft each side and it will cost about $4500 to $5000 for new metal roofing to replace it at today’s prices. He will be looking for volunteers to help install it.

The Board set a special meeting on the budget for January 24^th to begin after the Budget Committee hearing on February 24^th.

With no further business, the Board adjourned at 8:31PM.

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.