2007 Selectboard Minutes Archive
Approved Minutes
Braintree Selectboard Meeting
December 18, 2007
Present:
Jocelyn Stohl, Chair Brian Jones, Resident
Walt Palmer, Selectboard Member Janice Thresher, Treasurer
Sharon Liebert, Acting Admin. Assistant
1) Ms. Stohl called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
2) Mr. Palmer made the motion to approve the minutes of December 4th, Ms. Stohl seconded the motion, and all were in favor.
3) Citizens’ Comments: None
4) Reports
· Treasurer’s Report: Ms. Thresher reported that a continuing shortage of funds, due to the flood repair expense, necessitates renewing our municipal line of credit loan. The interest rate of 3.335 is slightly lower than it was last year. Ms. Stohl made a motion to authorize the Town Treasurer to borrow on a line of credit note, Mr. Palmer seconded the motion, and all were in favor. Ms. Stohl and Mr. Palmer signed Mascoma Bank’s loan document.
· Ms. Thresher advised that a State loan on our 2005 dump truck has recently been paid off, and the title has been received.
5) Old Business
· 12/10/07 Merriman letter to Environmental Court re Merusi Variance Application and Merusi Application for Waiver: The Board has received written notification that the matter has been resolved.
· ECFibernet background info. and FAQs: Board members reviewed the information packet provided by ECFibernet. Since Burlington Telecom has indicated that they will not be serving rural areas, it is unclear just how the ECFibernet project will move forward. After discussion, Board members agreed that at this time they are not comfortable adding this as an article on the Warning for Town Meeting.
· Holden Agency insurance quote: Bob McAdoo has quoted a figure of over $20,000 annually, which is not competitive with the $15,812 VLCT PACIF quote for the Town’s property and casualty and workers’ comp. insurance for 2008. The VLCT PACIF cost and coverage information was reviewed, and there was brief discussion about increasing the property and casualty deductible. Since the amount of premium saved would be small, it was agreed to keep the present deductible ($500). The first quarter’s premium will be paid in early January.
· Question about bill pending from Vermont Agency of Transportation: Mr. Palmer advised that the September bill for $3,146.74 was for extensions for the temporary bridge on Menard Road. Ms. Stohl suggested that we contact Trevor Starr of the Agency of Transportation to ask about paying this balance off in installments of $500 per month over the next several months. She also commented that Mr. Starr has offered to assist us with applying for grant funding to help with the design and construction of a new bridge at the Menard Road location.
6) Other Business:
· Copy of Notice of Determination for land owned by Yankee Forest, LLC: This notice of a “proposed heavy cut” will be posted on the public notice board out front.
· Kevin Geiger of TRORC has provided a short list of suggestions for how Braintree can begin the process of identifying the hazards (and solutions) that will become part of our Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan. Ms. Stohl plans to call him with some follow-up questions.
7) Approval of Payment Orders: Mr. Palmer made the motion to approve the payment orders; Ms. Stohl seconded the motion; and all were in favor.
8) New Business: The rest of the meeting was a work session devoted to preparing the 2008 Town budget. Additional information will be gathered, and this work will continue at the next meeting on January 2nd.
9) Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Liebert
Approved Minutes
Braintree Selectboard Meeting
December 4, 2007
Present:
Jocelyn Stohl, Chair Brian Jones, Resident
Walt Palmer, Selectboard Member Marcia Dustin, Resident
George Gray, Selectboard Member Janice Thresher, Treasurer
Cora Benoir, Delinquent Tax Collector
Holly Jarvis, Administrative Assistant
Sharon Liebert, Acting Admin. Assistant
1) Mr. Palmer called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
2) Mr. Gray made the motion to approve the minutes of November 20th, Mr. Palmer seconded the motion, and all were in favor.
3) Citizens’ Comments: Marcia Dustin inquired about the compensation rate for the auditor’s position to which she was recently appointed. Ms. Stohl responded that the rate is $10.50 per hour.
4) Reports
· Treasurer’s Report: Ms. Thresher commented on the large ($1.15 million) education tax payment that is now due, and she asked if we are required to pay 100% of it or if we can hold back 20% of the amount for a short time, so that we won’t have to borrow funds. Mr. Gray will call Robin Pembroke of the Superintendent’s Office to get an answer to that question.
Ms. Thresher reported that the State has provided a list of taxpayers who neglected to file their homestead declaration forms, and they’ve asked that revised tax bills including penalty fees be sent out. The total of the penalty fee amount is $46.94, and individual taxpayer’s fees range from $0.29 to $9.99. Ms. Stohl proposed that the listers prepare their customary errors and omissions list by December 31st and then these penalty fees should be written off.
Ms. Thresher reported that Jen Bauman has been making progress with the audit of our 2006 financial records. She will talk with her about checking the capital equipment fund. Mr. Gray advised that he would like to see the financial statements, and he plans to review the auditor’s changes.
Ms. Thresher noted that we are almost out of money and may need to get a loan. She will call Mascoma Bank about the status of our line of credit loan, to determine if it is still active or requires renewal. She will hold off on paying the annual special appropriations for a couple of weeks. Approximately $10,000 is expected to be turned in this week from delinquent tax collections.
· Delinquent Tax Collector’s Report: Ms. Benoir reported that $46,245.08 was collected through 2006; and $9,098.76 has been collected in 2007, out of $74,000. She outlined the procedures she uses in her efforts to collect delinquent taxes, and she provided examples of some problem cases.
Ms. Stohl suggested that we begin to transition to a different process, one that would use NEMRC for record-keeping/information on the delinquents and that would establish a different compensation arrangement for the delinquent tax collector. Ms. Benoir indicated that she would be receptive to such a plan, recognizing that a change had potential to add to the Town’s income stream. Ms. Thresher and Ms. Benoir will work out the specifics of the change-over and agree on a date.
5) New Business
· Reschedule January Selectboard meeting date(s)? (First Tuesday is Jan. 1):
The first January Selectboard meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 2nd.
Ms. Liebert will post the required notices to warn this change.
· Generator quotes: Mr. Palmer commented that installation fees add significantly to the cost of a generator, and he said that we will be unable to purchase one this year. He asked that the information be kept on file. Grant money may become available again at some point in the future.
· VLCT Onsite Land Use Workshops: There was brief discussion about the list of workshops that can be offered onsite to town officials and paid for through Municipal Education Grants. There are several topics of interest and potential benefit to Braintree. Ms. Liebert will ask the Planning Commission to recommend their choice of workshop and to inquire about exactly what it would cost.
· VACE CIGNA Health Insurance Plan Info: CIGNA health plan information and premium rates were reviewed. Large percentage increases in Blue Cross/Blue Shield premiums are expected for the coming year. After comparison of the rates, out-of-pocket costs and change in benefits for the two companies and additional discussion, it was agreed that Braintree will stay with Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
· East Central Community Fibernet would like to be on Warning
for Town Report – Does Selectboard have questions for their representative?
Ms. Stohl advised that more information is needed about this program before it can be brought to Town Meeting. There are reports that Burlington Telecom may have decided against serving rural areas, so that may leave the status of this project in question. The group’s representative will be invited to a future Selectboard meeting.
· Meetinghouse restoration – assistance with format of request: There was discussion about the meetinghouse preservation project and the types of repairs and funding needed. In addition to the “preservation” of the structure, there are ongoing expenses for general upkeep. It was suggested that the Town Meeting request be carefully worded -- for example, “to appropriate $10,000 to the Braintree Historical Society restoration fund.”
· Solid Waste Implementation Grant; Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days: Information was reviewed and will be retained on file. According to Ms. Jarvis, posters usually arrive in the spring to publicize the Hazardous Waste Disposal dates.
· 2008 National Directory of Fire Chiefs and EMS Administrators: Ad for this publication was reviewed. Ms. Stohl noted that there are other good sources of information on fire and emergency services contacts.
· FYI Copy of 11/19/07 letter from Zoning Administrator to Merusi: Copy of letter was reviewed. Mr. Gray commented that there has been action since the date of the letter.
· Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police luncheon Jan. 8, 2008: Invitation was reviewed; no one will attend.
6) Old Business
7) Other Business: Ms. Stohl asked that the December 18th meeting agenda be kept open for budget work.
8) Approval of Payment Orders: Mr. Palmer made the motion to approve the payment orders; Mr. Gray seconded the motion; and all were in favor.
9) Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Liebert
Approved Minutes
Braintree Selectboard Meeting
November 20, 2007
Present:
Walt Palmer, Acting Chair Brian Jones, Resident
George Gray, Selectboard Member Janice Thresher, Treasurer
Jocelyn Stohl, Selectboard Member Mr. Lefebvre, Road Foreman
1) Mr. Palmer called the meeting to order at 6:05 pm.
2) Mr. Gray made the motion to approve the Minutes of November 6th Mr. Palmer seconded the motion. All were in favor. Ms. Stohl arrived. Mr. Palmer made the motion to approve the minutes of October 6th, Ms. Stohl seconded the motion. All were in favor.
3) Citizen’s Comments: None.
4) Reports
· Delinquent Tax Collectors Report: none
· Treasurer’s Report: Ms. Thresher reported that she had collected 1,378,606.41, leaving 74,454.51 in delinquent taxes. That is compared to the $119,000 that was left last year.
5) New Business
· Ancient Roads Survey: The Selectboard reviewed and the survey will be passed along to Julie Haupt and the others who were working on the Ancient Roads.
· Delinquent Taxes Collection Policy Review: The policy was reviewed. Discussion ensued to the timely depositing of any collected funds, and now that the town has purchased and uses a NEMRC program real-time data is readily accessible in day-to-day needs of any citizen. Options will be looked into and this will be discussed further at a later time.
· Fair Housing workshop: reviewed; no one will be attending from Braintree.
· FYI to town from Vermont Environmental Court: The status of the Merusi case with information received from town counsel was reviewed. No action necessary.
· FYI: The notice for the anticipated VLCT fees for 2008 has been received. As customary this amount will be factored into the budget.
· Park and Ride: Blaktop, Inc.’s quote was reviewed. It was higher than expected. The town is in the process of getting other quotes.
· Review of Budget: Highway and Health Insurance. Discussion with Mr. Lefebvre regarding what his role is in creating the highway budget. Mr. Lefebvre left the meeting with a better understanding of how to proceed, and Mr. Palmer is planning on meeting him sometime next week (depending on the weather) to help put it together. Ms. Stohl encouraged that the town review and update a planned road maintenance schedule that was created quite a few years ago. This schedule inventories all roads and would include a schedule of culverts needing replacement; estimated costs could be determined for future budget needs and dates that they will need to be replaced.
The health insurance quote by BCBS was reviewed; the rates project a 20% increase in premiums. The Selectboard will look into an option with Cigna.
· Town Health Officers’ Workshop: was reviewed, the Selectboard hoped that Ms. Cook will be able to attend the workshop.
· Two Rivers drafting Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plans: Ms. Stohl made the motion to approve Two Rivers to draft a Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan for them. Mr. Palmer seconded the motion. All in favor.
· USDA: Loans and grants available notice. An inquiry about whether a grant would be available for generators for the emergency shelters will be made.
6) Old Business – None
7) Other Business – None
8) Mr. Gray made the motion to go into Executive Session for Personnel Issues. Mr. Palmer seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Mr. Gray made the motion to come out of Executive Session. Ms. Stohl seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Ms. Stohl made the motion to give a merit pay increase effective the first full pay period of December for Holly Jarvis. Mr. Gray seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Ms. Stohl made the motion to give a merit pay increase retroactive of the first full pay period after Charles Farrington’s anniversary date.
Mr. Gray made the motion to appoint Marcia Dustin as Auditor. Ms. Stohl seconded the motion. All were in favor.
9) Approval of Payment Orders: Mr. Palmer made the motion to approve the payment orders as amended. Mr. Gray seconded the motion. All were in favor.
10) Adjournment: Mr. Palmer made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Gray seconded the motion. All were in favor. Adjournment was at 8:20.
Respectfully submitted,
Holly Jarvis
Approved Minutes
Braintree Selectboard Meeting
November 6, 2007
Present: Brian Jones, Resident
Walt Palmer, Selectman Bob McAdoo, Holden Agency
George Gray, Selectman Robert Moyer, DRB Chair
Nancy Gray, DRB Member
Sharon Liebert, DRB Member
Janice Thresher, Treasurer
Joan Richmond Hall, DRB Member
Charles L. Merriman, Town Attorney
Norman Illsley, DRB Member
Holly Jarvis, Administrative Assistant
1) Mr. Palmer called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
2) Mr. Gray made the motion to approve the minutes of October 16th and October 24th. Mr. Palmer seconded the motion. All were in favor.
3) Citizen’s Comments - None
4) Reports
· Treasurer’s Report: George inquired about the amount the town will be getting from the Federal and State for flood work. The packet of information has been received and reviewed for errors but the numbers have not yet been complied into an easy to read format. Mr. Gray reviewed the financial reports and asked if the all the tax anticipation loan has been paid back. Ms. Thresher advised that it has all been paid. Mr. Gray advised that it looked like the town is in good shape financially.
5) New Business
· Holden Agency is currently interested in providing quotes for municipalities. All they need to prepare a proposal is the renewal application from VLCT PACIF. Mr. Gray made the motion to obtain a quote from Holden Agency. Mr. Palmer seconded the motion. All were in favor. Mr. McAdoo will contact Ms. Jarvis for the required information.
· Mr. Palmer made the motion to go into Executive Session to meet with town attorney to discuses a legal matter, Mr. Gray seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Mr. Palmer made the motion to come out of executive session. Mr. Gray seconded the motion. All were in favor.
The DRB members were thanked for the great job they had done since the zoning board structure had been changed. Discussion ensued regarding a specific issue that had come before the DRB board in the last couple of months resulting in a permit that had been “deemed approved. ” The town’s options regarding this outcome were discussed. No further action was taken at this time by the Selectboard.
The DRB Board was encouraged to contact Town Attorney Charlie Merriman if they had questions in the future regarding specific or unique situations that they may be presented with.
Mr. Palmer made the motion to go into executive session to discuss a legal matter.with Mr. Merriman. Mr. Gray seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Mr. Palmer made the motion to come out of executive session. Mr. Gray seconded the motion. All were in favor. No decision was made. Mr. Merriman will look into some questions that the Selectboard has before they decide how to proceed with the legal matter.
· Park and Ride Grant: was reviewed and signed.
· Generator Grant discussed: with the 50% town match requirement Mr. Gray didn’t see how the town could afford to do this. Mr. Palmer agreed that it will mostly be too expensive. He will look into it to find out how much it would cost. A decision will be made at the next Selectboard meeting as to whether to apply for this grant.
· Dubois & King Grant: At this time, it does not appear that the town has any projects that would meet the grant criteria.
· Budget/Town Report: the Selectboard will discuses this more at a later date.
· Senecal Vehicles: Mr. Palmer advised that after the letter was sent to Mr. Senecal there have been more vehicles within the right of way of the road not fewer. Ms. Jarvis will ask Ms. Stohl if there is anything the State Police could do about it. Further discussion was postponed to a future meeting.
· Review of Upper White River Integrated Resource Project: Reviewed. No action needed to be taken.
· E-911 System updating letter reviewed: Ms. Thresher advised that Ms. Hawley does a good job keeping the E-911 system updated. The letter will be passed along to her.
6) Old Business - None
7) Other Business: The Selectboard is in receipt of Norman Illsley’s resignation from the PC. Mr. Gray made the motion to accept Mr. Illsley’s resignation. Mr. Palmer seconded the motion. All were in favor. Mr. Gray made the motion to appoint Malcolm FritzPatrick to the PC to the same term that Mr. Illsley had held. Mr. Palmer seconded the motion. All were in favor. (Mr. Fritz Patrick had been serving on the PC as an alternate, and Mr. Illsley will remain on the DRB.)
8) Payment Orders were reviewed. Mr. Palmer made the motion to accept the payment orders, Mr. Gray seconded the motion. All were in favor.
9) Mr. Palmer made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Gray seconded the motion. All were in favor. Adjournment was at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Holly Jarvis
Approved Minutes
Braintree Selectboard Meeting
October 24, 2007
Present:
Jocelyn Stohl, Chair (arrived during meeting) Charles L. Merriman, Town Attorney
Walt Palmer, Acting Chair Maggie Gilmore, Zoning Administrator
George Gray, Selectman Holly Jarvis, Admin Assistant
Mr. Palmer called the meeting to order at 2:10 p.m.
Mr. Palmer made the motion to go into executive session to discuses a legal matter, Mr. Gray seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Mr. Palmer made the motion to come out of executive session, Mr. Gray seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Mr. Gray made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Stohl seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Adjournment was at 3:20 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Holly Jarvis
Approved Minutes
Braintree Selectboard Meeting
October 16, 2007
Present:
Walt Palmer, Acting Chair Janice Thresher, Treasurer
George Gray, Selectman Sharon Liebert, Resident
Danny Whooley, VTC Student learning
Holly Jarvis, Admin. Assistant Brian Jones, Resident
1) Call to Order at 6:07
2) Approve Minutes from October 2, 2007: postponed
3) Citizen’s Comments: none
4) Reports
· Treasure’s Report: The switch in the way the taxes are entered into Quick Books isn’t complete yet. Ms. Thresher printed one of the financial reports and realized that they don’t really show anything right now so those will be reviewed at a later time. Mr. Gray asked how tax collection is going, and Ms. Thresher’s response was it was going well.
Ms. Thresher advised that there is a check in the payment orders for 75,000 to pay against the principle of the town’s credit line. After this check there will be $ 80,873 left for the town to pay back.
The bank reconciliations aren’t finished for last month because in the middle of the month one of the accounts changed to a true sweep account and Ms. Thresher is having a hard time determining how to reconcile with the switch. Ms. Thresher and Mr. Gray spoke about this for a few minutes and Mr. Gray decided that he will come in to help in the next few weeks.
NEMRIC is now working, so Ms. Thresher will be entering the taxes into that now.
· Delinquent Tax Collector’s Report: The reports which shows who paid and how much in the last month had been emailed, and Ms. Benoir had advised in the email that she was still in the process of getting her computer recovered from the problems she had had earlier. Therefore tax sales are on hold for the time being. She will come in with the payment outlined in the report sent in the next few days. The Selectboard is concerned with the length of time it takes for people’s property to go up for tax sale, and would like to get procedures in place to have the process be more consistent.
5) New Business
· Appointment to PC: Mr. Gray made the motion on the recommendation of the PC to appoint Malcolm Fitzpatrick as an alternate on the PC.
· Discussion with Sharon Liebert about filling in as Admin. Assistant. Payroll, Accounts Payable, Minutes, and Agendas were mentioned as items that Ms. Liebert would take care of in Ms. Jarvis’ absence. Items mentioned that other people will take care of include printing of financial reports which will be handled by Ms. Thresher, Town Hall Rentals which will be handled by Mr. Liebert, and the Selectboard will pick up some of the projects that they would normally give the Admin. Assistant to do.
· Budget work: not ready to do yet
· Consider attendance for “Managing the Municipal Highway System” workshop. Ms. Jarvis is to ask Mr. Lefebvre if he is interested in attending the workshop.
· Consider putting ad in paper for an Auditor. It was decided that putting an ad in the paper most likely wouldn’t spark any interest. Mr. Liebert will be asked if he would mention the need for an Auditor in his clerk notes, in the hopes that it will generate some interest in the position.
· Review VLCT PACIF Renewal Application: the application was reviewed and tentative replacement values of the buildings were decided on. A quote will be obtained from VCLF with these values to see if the premium is reasonable.
6) Old Business
7) Other Business
· The Highway crew is putting rip raping into the washed areas this week; they are also adding a top surface to the roads which washed out in the flood. Mr. Gray commented on how nice the ditches are up near where he lives. He noted that Mr. Lefebvre and the road crew are doing a great job.
8) Approval of Payment Orders. Mr. Gray made the motion to approve the payment orders, Mr. Palmer seconded the motion. All were in favor.
9) Adjournment. Mr. Gray made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Palmer seconded the motion, all were in favor. Adjournment was at 7:45.
Respectfully Submitted,
Holly Jarvis
Approved Minutes
Braintree Selectboard Meeting
October 2, 2007
Present:
Jocelyn Stohl, Chair Brian Jones, Resident
Walt Palmer, Selectman Maggie Gilmore, Zoning Administrator
Holly Jarvis, Administrative Assistant
1) Ms. Stohl made the motion to call to the meeting to order at 6:35 pm
2) Mr. Palmer made the motion to approve the minutes from the meeting of September 18th. Ms. Stohl seconded the motion. All were in favor.
3) Citizen’s Comments – none
4) Reports
· Flood Update: The board reviewed the amounts being requested for reimbursement from FEMA for work already complete. Along with the purposed amount for work still to be completed. All the numbers still could change. Mr. Palmer advised that rip rap hauling will be going out for bid next week.
· Zoning Administrator’s report: There have been about 10 permits, no houses, since Ms. Gilmore started work as the ZA. The job is going well, and Ms. Gilmore is settling in to well. She reflected that Ms. Jarvis has been a help in building forms.
5) New Business
· Park and Ride Grant acceptance. Ms. Stohl made the motion to accept the grant for $12,000 from the State of Vermont Program Development Division for a Park and Ride located at the Town Hall. Mr. Palmer seconded the motion. All were in favor. The grant will hopefully pay for paving, lighting, and signs for the parking lot.
· Vermont Transportation Board hearing letter was reviewed, no decision was needed.
6) Old Business
· Mears car damage: The bill for from Bruce Mears totaling $751.09 for damages done to his car that he alleged was due to rocks on the road after the flooding was reviewed. Ms. Stohl made the motion to not pay the bill. Mr. Palmer seconded the motion all were in favor. Ms. Stohl will draft a letter to Mr. Mears.
7) Other Business
8) Approval of Payment Orders: Mr. Palmer made the motion to approved payment orders. Ms. Stohl seconded the motion. All were in favor.
9) Adjournment: Mr. Palmer made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Stohl seconded the motion. All were in favor. Adjournment was at 7:40 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Holly Jarvis
Approved Minutes
Braintree Selectboard Meeting
September 18, 2007
Present
Jocelyn Stohl, Selectboard
Chair Janice
Thresher, Treasurer
Walter Palmer,
Selectman
Brian Jones, Resident
George Gray, Selectman Cora
Benoir, Collector of Delinquent Taxes
Holly Jarvis, Administrative Assistant
1) Ms. Stohl called the meeting to order at 5:59 pm.
2) Mr. Gray made the motion to approve the Minutes of September 4th as corrected. Walt seconded the motion all were in favor.
3) Citizen’s Comments
4) Reports
· Treasurer’s Report: The tax bills were sent out yesterday and two tax payers have already come in and paid their taxes this morning.
There have been two glitches with NEMRI, the first one has been corrected, and the second is being worked on. NEMRI has told us that we need a program which will allow them to access our system through the internet which will cost $99. Mr. Gray asked if it had to be that program because there are a few free versions. Ms. Thresher will speak with NEMRI about it.
Yesterday we got $6,400 from the state from late filers, but we don’t yet know whose taxes the monies should be credited to.
· Menard Bridge Report: Mr. Palmer advised we are going to have to fill out an application in the spring for a grant to replace the bridge. Ms. Stohl wondered if the yearly town fair would be a good place to talk to contractors about bids, so that the town can get an idea of the costs. Ms. Stohl advised that she has emailed Maggie to look into what the area’s zoning would allow as far as development to help determine the needs of the bridge, and that we may need an engineer to come in and plan the bridge because of the problems Aries brook has.
Currently an additional 10 foot section is being added to the temporary bridge by the State. Because of this our rental rate for the bridge will be going up for next years. Henry and Norm Illsley are going to remove the old bridge’s structure from out of the brook so that it won’t cause flooding issues. Norm is helping because he wishes to have the beams from the old structure.
· Delinquent Tax Collectors Report: Ms. Benoir was served a summons because a property which has two years delinquent taxes on it is being foreclosed. She asked that the town attorney be asked to create the response to this. Ms. Stohl made the motion to approve Paul Gillie, the town attorney, to respond to the summons having to do with the property of 3258 Braintree Hill Road. Mr. Palmer seconded the motion all were in favor.
Ms. Benoir advised that everything else is moving along. Most of the big amounts are being taken care of. Mr. Gray asked how many property looks as if they will be going up to tax sale. Ms. Benoir estimated about ten.
5) New Business
· Better Back Roads Grant: the grant was reviewed and it was decided that Henry the Road Forman should get a copy of the application to determine if there are any areas which this may be useful for.
· Budgeting for next year: Mr. Palmer made the motion to except the terms of the letter from Gillespie for a locked in rate for fuel this coming winter. Mr. Gray seconded the motion. All were in favor. Mr. Gray asked about what the law says about surpluses in the Highway budget having to be used for the highway budget. He elaborated on his concern asking what would have to happen if the highway uses 10,000 less than it is budgeted for but the surpluses in income is only 5,000, then would the additional 5,000 still need to be available to the Highway the next year. Ms Stohl advised that the law Mr. Gray was referring to covers only monies which are designated as Highway funds, not just budgeted amounts. Any designated Highway funds not used in one year must carry over as Highway funds for the next.
· Grant for the Planning Commission: Bob Moyer the chair of the Planning Commission has presented a 2008 Municipal Planning Grant proposal. The grant is through the State of Vermont of Community Affairs. The proposed request is for $14,675.00 just under the 15,000 maximum for each town, it would fund rewriting the zoning regulation. Mr. Gray made the motion to appoint Bob Moyer as the Grant Administrator, Mr. Palmer seconded the motion. All were in favor. Mr. Gray made the motion to approve the application for the 2008 Municipal Planning Grant. Mr. Palmer seconded the motion. All were in favor. The Resolution was signed by all three Selectboard Members and Mr. Moyer.
· Holden Agency: request of appointment review. Ms. Jarvis will set up a meeting.
· Personal Policy Review- to be disused in executive section
· Service Contract Renewal for the copier was reviewed and is to be renewed.
· State Subgrant Agreement: Mr. Gray made the motion to approve the agreement between the State and the Town of Braintree necessary to receive the reimbursement for the disaster costs from the flood of July 9th through the 11th from FEMA. Mr. Palmer seconded the motion. All were in favor.
· Stormwater Grants information was reviewed and it was decided that the town didn’t have any projects that would warrant as much work as this sort of grant required.
· Vermont State Infrastructure Bank: reviewed and is to be filed with the Menard Bridge information so it will be reviewed when applying for a grant next spring.
6) Old Business
· West Street Resolution: The Selectboard considered signing it, but they have decided not to sign the resolution until they know what the Town of Braintree’s part in the project would be and how much FEMA will provide.
7) Other Business
· Mr. Moyer advised that the DRB and Sharon Liebert would like her to be an alternate on the board and the PC and Joan Richmond Hall would like her to be on the PC along with keeping her place on the DRB. Ms. Stohl made the motion to appoint Sharon Liebert as an alternate to the DRB. Mr. Gray seconded the motion. All were in favor. Ms. Stohl made the motion to appoint Joan Richmond Hall to the PC. Mr. Gray seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Mr. Gray made the motion to go into Executive Section to discuses the personal policy. Mr. Palmer seconded. All were in favor. Mr. Palmer made the motion to come out of Executive Section. Ms. Stohl made the motion to “Effective September 18, 2007, Full time Town employees are permitted to accumulate compensation overtime earned in lieu of cash at the overtime rate of one and half times for each hour. Full Time Town Employees will be allowed to accumulate up to a total of 40 hours of straight time compensation in the current year. The period for accumulation of compensation time will commenced on the first full pay period in January and will cease accumulation at the end of the last full pay period of December for the current year. Compensation time will not be allowed to be carried over into the next year. Any unused earned compensation time will be paid to the employee at the end of the calendar year. Any prior policy regarding overtime compensation is considered null and voided.”
8) Mr. Gray made the motion to approve the payment order. Mr. Palmer seconded the motion. All were in favor.
9) Adjournment: Mr. Palmer made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Gray seconded the motion. All were in favor. Adjournment was at 7:36 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Holly Jarvis
Approved Minutes
Braintree Selectboard Meeting
September 4, 2007
Present:
Jocelyn Stohl, Chair Brian Jones, Resident
George Gray, Selectman Janice Thresher, Resident
Walt Palmer, Selectman John A. Lutz,
Holly Jarvis, Admin. Assistant
1) The meeting was called to order by Ms. Stohl at 6:09 pm
2) Mr. Gray made the motion to approve the minutes from August 7th meeting. Ms. Stohl seconded the motion. All were in favor.
3) Citizen’s Comments
There were no comments made.
4) Reports
· Delinquent Tax Collectors report: Mr. Gray noted that the report that Ms. Benoir provided doesn’t say who is still outstanding, just who has paid what. It was asked what is going on with tax sale currently. No one at the meeting had heard. Ms. Benoir will be asked for a report of who still owes taxes and at what point the tax sales are at.
· Treasurer’s Report: Ms. Thresher and Mr. Bowen had been working on setting the tax rate, and they have come up with suggested rates. Biggest question was wither a beginning balance would be used, and if so where to find it. The Selectboards Handbook doesn’t use a beginning balance when calculating the tax rate. Therefore Ms. Thresher and Mr. Bowen didn’t use one. In calculating the rates they subtracted the EEGL Study amount and the Restoration Fund from the Total Income making the income $87,108. The Town’s budgeted expenses were $292,439 and when the $87,108 is subtracted it equals $205,331. The Highway budgeted amount was $407,955 and when reimbursements of $116,251 are subtracted it equals $291,695.42. The Grand List and Education Grand List are both $803,126.16. This means that according to these calculations the Town tax rate is .2557 and the Highway rate is .3632. Discussion ensued as the Selectboard sorted out their concerns and questions. Mr. Gray made the motion to approve town rate of .2557 and the Highway rate of .3632 for 2007. Mr. Palmer seconded the motion. All were in favor.
5) New Business
· John A. Lutz- municipal telecommunication system presentation: The purposed project would include up to 15 Central Vermont Towns in a legal entity to lease a Fiber Optic Network. This network would provide phone, cable television, and very fast Internet to anyone who wishes to subscribe in those towns. The towns would then lease it to Burlington Telecom who would design, build, maintain, and operate the network. Money would be borrowed to cover the lease payments until subscription revenues take over, and then they would go toward paying for the lease. After the lease is paid then the revenues would go back to the towns.
This network would give residents an option other than Version or Comcast and would be able to reach more homes than either one of these companies have currently. The plan would be to reach every home that currently has a phone or electric line. It would also create three to four more jobs for technicians is the area and it would also keep the income from the network in the area instead of sending it to other places. The hope is that there will be no out of pocket expense for towns that between the loan and the fees for using the service expense of the lease will be completely taken care of.
Mr. Gray asked if the price of the service will be competitive. Mr. Lutz advised that with the path they are taking there still will be a slight advantage in the price for the service.
Randolph Connects is having a meeting with RACDC to discuss the possibility of having them represent Braintree, Brookfield and Randolph in this agreement is being considered. Mr. Gray wondered why the organization was being involved in the plan. Mr. Lutz explaining that they are looking for a way to have the towns gives input without have an unwieldy process. We are hoping to have a meeting before Town Meeting to let the communities know what is being considered and give them a change to give their thoughts about it. It could be an item to be voted on.
· Bridge #12 on TH #23 (Menard bridge): what to do about damage: The letters were reviewed. It was noted that in at least in one of the letter it said that the bridge was the towns but this is not correct. The bridge has been rented from V-Trans for a number of years as it was on a list of bridges waiting federal funding to be replaced. The temporary bridge was set up over what was left of the old railroad stringer bridge, which in the high waters on July 11th shifted dramatically leavening very little to support for the bridge on one side. V-Trans recommended posting the bridge for 3 tons (cars only) and then extending the length of the bridge along with new bearing pads. The posting will be done and a letter will be drafted to explain to V-Trans that the bridge is actually theirs not the towns.
· Census recommendation: which option should the town chose. The Selectboard decided to go with the recommendation not to participate in the Census update because it was going to take a lot of unfunded hours. The town would not benefit enough for it to be worth wile.
· Civil War Home Front Sites: reviewed may be looked at more later, but will be passed on to the Historical Society.
· Emergency preparedness trainings: Ms. Stohl will review, and make suggestions.
· Laddie Lushin’s resignation: Mr. Gray made the motion to regretfully accept Mr. Lushin’s resignation. Mr. Palmer seconded the motion. All were in favor. An advertisement will be made, and the current auditors will be asked to find out if they know of someone who is interested in being an Auditor.
· Office Systems of Vermont’s letter about buying a copier: to be reviewed at a later time.
· Personal Policy Review: to be reviewed at a later time.
· Review Connolly property letter: reviewed.
· Review Emergency Watershed Protection Program pamphlet: to be reviewed at a later time.
· Stormwater Grants: to be reviewed at a later time.
· West Street Resolution: The Selectboard decided not to sign the West Street Resolution until they find out if FEMA will go along with the plan or not. If FEMA is willing to work with the three towns plan than they are inclined to sign the resolution. The resolution will allow Randolph to be the town doing the Administrative work for the project and would allows them to get the financial allotment for doing the work.
6) Old Business
7) Other Business
8) Mr. Gray made the motion to approval the payment orders. Mr. Palmer seconded the motion. All were in favor.
9) Mr. Palmer made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Gray seconded the motion. All were in favor. Adjournment was at 8:56 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Holly Jarvis
Approved Minutes
Selectboard Meeting
August 7, 2007
Present:
Jocelyn Stohl, Selectboard Chair Brain Jones, Resident
Walter Palmer, Selectman Janice Thresher, Town Treasurer
George Gray, Selectman Rich Liebert, Town Clerk
Norman Illsley, Resident
Holly Jarvis, Administrative Assistant
1) The meeting was call to order by Mr. Palmer at 6:07 P.M.
2) Mr. Gray made the motion to approve the minutes from July 24, 2007. Mr. Palmer seconded the motion. All were in favor.
3) Citizen’s Comments
· Mr. Jones advised that there was an accident on his road. Mr. Palmer asked if it had anything to do with road conditions, and Mr. Jones advised that it didn’t.
4) Reports
· Treasurer’s Report: Ms. Thresher advised that Mr. Bowen and her self had started work on the tax rate. They were taking into account the budget changes voted and approved at town meeting along with the special appropriation to Chandler. Ms. Thresher also advised that for tax rate purposes the EEGL (reappraisal fund) and restoration fund needs to be taken out of the anticipated incomes. Discussion ensued and it was decided that this was correct.
Ms. Threshers also advised that Mascoma has done an analysis of the town’s sweep accounts and determined that even though there is a charge because the minimum balances are not being maintained in the A/P and Payroll fund the town will be stay ahead because of the interest being earned in the General Fund.
· Road Report: Mr. Palmer advised that Mr. Chase and himself went and looked at Ms. Frazer’s driveway a while back and determined that the driveway washing out was not an issue for the town to pay for. The culvert which is causing problems is not in the road right of way at all and when they went to see it there was evidence that more water was washing from the house side of the driveway than the road side. Because the road is higher than the entrance to the drive way it may be advisable for the Frazers to raise the level of the entrance to avoid the possibility of future washouts. .Ms. Stohl will write a letter.
Mr. Illsley is interested in purchasing the culvert on West Street if the town decides to take it out and they don’t wish to reuse it somewhere else. The Selectboard was interested in this offer, although it is not known yet if the culvert is going to have to be replaced.
Mr. Illsley is also interested in starting a quarry. Mr. Palmer suggested that he talk to Mr. McCullough about what he had to do to start one, because there are additional requirements than just the towns when starting one.
5) New Business
· Recreational and Educational Facilities Grant Program: The town doses not have any projects at this time which could qualify for this grant.
· Mears damage to car complaint-pending a formal complaint from the Mears no action will be taken at this time as far as a response goes.
· Town Hall Custodian and procedures. Discussion ensued about how to handle the need for someone to check the hall after rentals. Mr. Jones was asked if he wished to do this. He seemed interested, so Ms. Jarvis will speak to him about what the job entail. If he isn’t interested Ms. Stohl has offered to check on it when needed.
· Appropriation for VCIL: do they need a petition? No a petition is not required.
6) Old Business
· Connolly Property: Discussion ensued about what would happen if the town was to clean up the property and be awarded a lien on it property. This would not be in the best interest of the town because if the property went up for tax sale (there are delinquent taxes on it) the lien would not be paid. The town would have to buy the property to have any chance of recuperating the money spent.
· VLCT town fair: Someone may attend but it was decided not to appoint a specific representative.
7) Other Business
8) Approval of Payment Orders: Mr. Palmer made the motion to approve payment order. Mr. Gray seconded the motion. All were in favor.
9) Adjournment: Mr. Palmer made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Gray seconded it. All were in favor. Adjournment was at 8:27 P.M.
Restfully Submitted,
Holly Jarvis
Approved Minutes
Selectboard Meeting
July 24, 2007
Present:
Walt Palmer, Acting Chair Brian Jones, Resident
George Gray, Selectboard Member
Jocolyn Stohl (arrived later), Selectboard Member
Holly Jarvis, Administrative Assistant
1) Mr. Palmer called the meeting to order at 6:02 pm
2) Mr. Gray made the motion to approve the minutes of July 10th, Mr. Palmer seconded it. All were in favor.
3) Citizen’s Comments - none
4) Reports
· Delinquent Tax Collector’s report – reviewed Ms. Gilmore’s answer to the question brought up in a previous meeting about the legality of denying building permit for property on which there is back taxes owed. In a memo to the board she advised that although is not specific case law against it, it would most likely not stand up in court. It will be looked into further.
5) New Business
· Town report planning: The Selectboard reviewed the purposed schedule for putting the town report together, and considered changing to an 8.5 by 11 inch book instead of the smaller size. It will be cheaper and easier, and the Selectboard liked the idea.
Mr. Gray reported that he had met with the Auditors and they came up with a plan to review 2006 financials. Also in the 2007 town report there will be two columns one for 2006 revised financials after being reviewed by the auditors and one for 2007 financials reviewed by the auditors.
· Response to the SWIP: Mr. Gray and Mr. Palmer discussed what the wording for Braintree’s resolution regarding disposal of solid waste should be. When Ms. Stohl came in it was discussed in more detail. Ms. Stohl made the motion to accept the SWIP resolutions as dictated to the Admin Assistant and to be signed once finalized. Mr. Gray seconded the motion. All were in favor.
· License agreement to use the Marshall and Swift Cost Tables: Was reviewed and signed by Mr. Palmer.
· Nominate voting delegate for VLCT annual business meeting: will be considered at a meeting in the future.
· Road up date: Mr. Palmer reported that the town is currently waiting for FEMA to come and inspect the effected areas before much more can be done. That should happen in the next few weeks. Discussion ensued about the process that will take place once FEMA comes back.
· It had been brought to the Selectboard’s attention that a request for expense reimbursement for fixing a culver which was washed out in a driveway has not yet been formally answered. This will be taken care of.
6) Old Business
7) Other Business
· Ms. Stohl made the motion to approve an excess weight permit for WB Rogers, Mr. Palmer seconded the motion. All were in favor.
· Mr. Palmer accept the resignation of Maggie Gilmore form the PC as of July 12, 2007 and DRB as of July 26, 2007 with sincere appreciation for all the work she has done as chair of both boards all the years she has served.
8) Payment Orders were reviewed Mr. Palmer made the motion to approve payment orders. Mr. Gray seconded the motion. All were in favor.
9) Executive Session: Personnel Issues
Mr. Palmer made the motion to go into executive session, Mr. Gray seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Mr. Gray made the motion to come out of executive session, Mr. Palmer seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Ms. Stohl made motion to appoint Maggie Gilmore as the Zoning Administer effective Friday July 27, 2007. Mr. Gray seconded the motion. All were in favor.
10) Adjournment
Mr. Gray made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Palmer seconded the motion. All were in favor. Adjournment was at 8:05 pm
Respectfully Submitted,
Holly Jarvis, Administrative Assistant
Approved Minutes
Selectboard Meeting
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Present:
Walt Palmer, Acting Chair Richard Bowen, Lister
George Gray, Selectboard Member Julia Haupt, Resident
Brian Jones, Resident
Holly Jarvis, Administrative Assistant Janice Thresher, Treasurer
Richard Liebert, Town Clerk
Scott Warren, Maintains computers
1) Mr. Palmer called the meeting to order at 6:03 pm.
2) Mr. Gray made the motion to approve the minutes from 6-19-07 and 6-25-07. Mr. Palmer seconded the motion. All were in favor.
3) Citizen’s Comments
· Ms. Haupt spoke about the monies available for Ancient Roads Research. The town will be applying for 2,500. The maximum that can be applied for in this second round of funding. The people doing most of the research will be volunteers Ms Haupt indicated that the grant funds could be used for anything ROAD related. Ms. Haupt inquired about who the contact person should be. Ms. Thresher will be the primary contact person. Mr. Palmer and Mr. Gray will be secondary contacts.
4) Reports
· Treasurer’s Report. Ms. Thresher advised that the vehicle capital reserve has been paid back the amount that was owed it. The financial reports were reviewed and discussed. The main points of conversation included line items in the financial reports that appeared to be going over budget.
· Listers’ Report. The Treasurer has received the first installment of the property payment. We have finished the grievances or property changes for this year. The Listers had two grievances. By the end of July Ms. Thresher and Mr. Bowen will be able to get together and create a tax rate for the Selectboard to review in August.
Mr. Bowen advised that this year there are already a few bugs that need to be worked out from the property tax process. The main one is that 10 people in town (mostly from the park) who are receiving more money back in their refund than they have to pay in property tax and currently it is unclear when that money needs to be given back to those individuals. Next year this problem will be compounded even more because the schools will be receiving the refunds and will need to deal with them.
5) New Business
· Networking options for NEMRC. The good news is that the Listers can print using the Treasure’s printer again, the problem has been fixed. Mr. Warren advised that our best option would be to get a server, we are a growing town and our computer system is out growing its home network set-up. NEMRC can theoretically be shared between computers with out a server, but the concern is that the computers we have might not be able to handle it. Discussion ensued, and it was decided that because a server was not budgeted for this year so it will have to wait and be discussed for next year. In order to maintain functionality for this year a memory upgrade will be installed in the Listers’ and Treasurer’s computers, as well as the Admin Assistances computer along with a new hard drive because its hard drive is starting to fail.
· Murphy road traffic survey and report put together by Two Rivers was reviewed and the Selectboard decided to follow the recommendations of the report. The recommendation was to ask the residence on the road to get a license plate number of the person or persons found by the survey to be driving at speeds above the posted limit. On the little back road. With this information the Selectboard can write them a letter indicating recognition of the problem..
· The Town Hall Rental agreement was reviewed the Selectboard agreed that the Vermont League of Cities and Towns had done a good job rewriting the agreement. Mr. Gray made the motion to approve it and start using it immediately. Mr. Palmer seconded the motion all were in favor.
· The following were reviewed. No decisions were needed:
1. Randolph Fire Response Activity Report
2. Department of Health cutbacks letter
3. Tax Rates letter
4. Judicial Bureau complaint fee notice
5. Draft Amended General Permit 3-9020 from Agency of Natural Resources Water Quality Division
· Consider Municipal Planning Grant. It was decided that this grant should be apply for to assist in the rewrite of the Zoning Regulations.
· The Access permit for Kevin Hall was reviewed and approved.
6) Other Business
· Mr. Gray made the motion to officially hire Thomas Brown on June 19, 2007. Ms Thresher noted that this decision had not been reflected in any prior meeting minutes. Mr. Gray acknowledged the oversight and made the motion. Mr. Palmer seconded the motion. All were in favor.
7) Approval of Payment Orders
· Discussion ensued as to whether paid sick time, and or holiday pay should be considered hours worked when determining when to pay overtime. Mr. Gray made the motion that sick time shouldn’t be included in hours work for determining when over time will be paid. Mr. Palmer seconded the motion. All were in favor.
· Mr. Gray made the motion to approve the payment orders. Mr. Palmer seconded the motion. All were in favor.
8) Mr. Gray made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Palmer seconded the motion. All were in favor. Adjournment was at 8:35 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Holly Jarvis, Administrative Assistant
Approved Minutes
Braintree Selectboard
June 25, 2007
Present:
Jocelyn Stohl, Selectboard Chair Maggie Gilmore, Chair of DRB and PC
Walter Palmer, Selectboard Member
George Gray, Selectboard Member
Holly Jarvis, Administrative Assistant