Fairfax Selectboard Minutes of 06/05/06

Selectboard members, Jeff Blake, Judy Cleary, Bill Ormerod and Charlie Swanson were present at the meeting. Also present were Erin McSweeney, Donna Meunier, Skip Taylor, Chelsey Mills, Chelsea Desilets, Tommy Wallace, Ted Cantwell, Sam Hudson, and Leebeth Ann Lemieux. These minutes are unofficial until approved by the Board at the next regularly scheduled Selectboard meeting.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm. Donna Meunier presented 3 quotes from accounting firms to assist with the town's auditing. The quotes were submitted by Fothergill, Segale and Valley located in Montpelier, Sullivan, Powers and Co., also from Montpelier, and A.M. Peisch and Co., located in St. Albans. Judy motioned to select A.M. Peisch and Co., and Bill seconded. All board members voted in favor. Once the choice is confirmed, a contract will be drafted.

Skip Taylor, Zoning Administrator, distributed an activity report. Skip informed the board that scheduling for the DRB is into November at this point. Skip and the members of the Selectboard discussed ideas which may help make the process less lengthy and therefore allow for less lead time. According to the activity report, for the period of May 16-June 5, 2006, 18 building permits, 2 Certificates of Compliance, and 1 Certificate of Occupancy were issued.

Bill Ormerod motioned to go into Executive Session at 7:14. Judy seconded. The board came out of Executive Session at 7:45.

Ann Lemieux addressed the board regarding changing the classification of her mixed-use building located at 1108 Main Street. She would like Labor & Industry to visit the building and find out what the costs associated would be, and she would then determine if the change is feasible. Jeff informed her that there is a moratorium on water allocations and there are no sewer allocations available. Charlie made the motion to accept if Labor & Industry will allow the building to have one bathroom (which already exists in the building). Judy seconded the motion. Charlie rescinded the motion upon further questions from other board members. There were 3 members opposed to the motion to let Labor & Industry visit the building and assess the costs associated with changing the use. Motion was denied.

Judy Cleary made the motion to re-appoint Skip Taylor to Zoning Administrator for another 3 year term. Charlie seconded. All board members voted in favor.

Judy made the motion to appoint Ted Cantwell to the position of Town Constable until March. Charlie seconded. All board members voted in favor.

Bill made the motion to accept the minutes with 3 amendments. Charlie seconded. All board members voted in favor.

OTHER BUSINESS: The town received a receipt from APT Environmental for charges stemming from Household Hazardous Waste Day. The school's portion of the invoice totaled $3908.00 and the town's portion was $1285.00. The board discussed looking at companies that would handle the administration of the Household Hazardous Waste Day. There was also a purchase order for $50,703.00 submitted by Don Pigeon for a concrete bridge for the River Road project. CSI, the vendor, requires a 25% deposit. The town will send payment for this deposit and then submit a reimbursement request to the State of Vermont.

The board reviewed an additional e-mail from Michael Webb regarding the change in use for his Bed & Breakfast on Fletcher Road. The board will draft a letter addressing the questions he has posed in his e-mail.

Bill discussed details of his first meeting of the Community Advisory Board. He also informed the board of a meeting he had with Myles Calhoon and 5 contractors for the Recreation Path project bid opening. The lowest bid of $150,594.20, was submitted by GW Tatro of Cambridge. The Selectboard has been asked to give preliminary approval. VTrans will also have to give approval because $120,000 of the funds will be coming from an Enhancement Grant.

Judy informed the board that there are 8 fire hydrants left to be painted, and she hopes to finish by July 4th.

Sam Hudson, Don Pigeon and Judy have a meeting on Friday morning at 7:00 to discuss the Forest Management Plan.
Judy read a letter from the Franklin County Humane Society stating that the organization has reduced its staff to cut costs and is seeking donations to help curb rising costs.

Jeff informed the board that Pierre Menard submitted an Act 250 application for The Steeple Market. Pierre completed the Municipal Impact Questionnaire on April 17th. The board will review the application.

PUBLIC INPUT: Sam Hudson would like some clarification from Danielle Fitzko from the State of Vermont regarding the grant application for the Forest Management Plan. Sam also expressed concern that there has been no reduction in speeding through town. Bill offered that the Sheriff's Department may have to alter their schedule and be here in town during different times each day. The contract between the Sheriff's Department and the town is for 40 hours a week.

The board began to discuss the Zoning By-laws.

The Selectboard meeting was adjourned at 10:25PM.

____________________________________ Erin McSweeney, Selectboard Administrator