Fairfax Selectboard Minutes of 07/21/08

Selectboard Members present: Judy Cleary, Bill Ormerod, Bob Horr, and Randy DeVine. Staff Members present: Don Pigeon, Road Foreman, Erin McSweeney, Administrative Assistant to the Selectboard, and Katrina Antonovich, Parks & Recreation Director.
Public Present: Nancy Patch, Peg Stewart, Melissa Beerworth, Sam Hudson, Jr., and Gordon Raymond.

1.Call to Order

Judy Cleary, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 7:01PM.

2. Minutes

Bill motioned to accept the minutes from the meeting on July 14, 2008. Randy seconded. 3 board members voted in favor, and one abstained.

3. Items on the Agenda

A. Nancy Patch, Franklin and Grand Isle County Forester- Nancy Patch attended tonight's meeting to offer her assistance at no cost to the Town in creating a Forest Management Plan for the 100 acre woods located in North Fairfax. She indicated that she has been updating the University of Vermont's database of community forests. She is also working on a Forest Management Plan for St. Albans City. She distributed copies of plans that she has worked on for different towns.

Don indicated that he, Sam Hudson, and Judy have been working on the Forest Management project and have witnessed the boundary lines. Don indicated that they would like to focus on removing the dead trees before the forest is accessible to the public. Sam added that witnessing the property lines is a significant accomplishment. Nancy indicated that she would like to walk the forest. Judy will let Nancy know the next time she, Don and Sam will be walking the forest.

B. Don Pigeon - Don discussed VLCT's Road Salt Purchasing Collaborative. Don has contacted George Barrett, who will submit a price for salt. Don indicated that he does not have the capacity to hold more than 60 tons of salt. He would prefer to get a quote from Barrett's and Morton's rather than enter into the collaborative.

Don and Erin will attend a training session sponsored by VLCT regarding drug testing for CDL drivers. Don has been drawing winter sand from Ormond Bushey's sand pit. Don indicated that he and the Road Crew have been removing fallen trees.

C. Randy DeVine - Randy reviewed the following reports for June: the Phosphorus Monitoring Report, the Permit Monitoring Report, the Operations Report for the Aerated Lagoons, and the Quarterly Report for Sludge Activity. Randy indicated that the Sewer Discharge Report needs to be corrected.

Randy has prepared a written response to the State's comments regarding the Sanitary Sewer Survey. He also gave a summary of activities for the week, including, but not limited to, read meters at the Fairfax Green Senior Housing building, delivered the Consumer Confidence Reports to the senior housing units that are occupied, and he followed up with Skip Taylor regarding the number of certificates of occupancy for the senior housing building. He informed the board that Betty Poulin expressed concern regarding the expenses in the Utility Department. He and Paul Langelier have begun flushing the water system. He has sent the certificate of delivery of the CCR's to the State.

Judy informed Randy that Ultramar has sent a proposal for propane at the water control building on Fletcher Road. If the propane is pre-bought, the price for the fuel is $2.82 a gallon.

Bob motioned that the board should make every effort to purchase propane for the Water Control Building from Ultramar, not to exceed $3.00 a gallon. Bill seconded. All board members voted in favor. Erin will contact Ultramar.

4. Other Business

A. Bill gave an overview of the Town's proposed project for the Transportation Enhancement Grant. If the grant is awarded, the Town would like to install 2,900 feet of sidewalks beginning at the top of Hunt Street and ending just past Fairfax Family Physical Therapy on the west side of Main Street / Route 104. Bill indicated that a feasibility study has been completed for the project. The board will hold a public hearing regarding the grant application during its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, August 4th, beginning at 7:30PM.

B. The board signed a line of credit.

C. Randy informed the board that he received a phone call from Ernie Blodgett who had been bitten by a neighbor's cat. Peter King, the Town Health Officer, has been contacted.

D. Bob indicated that Bob Perry of All Cycle expressed concern about the trash on Wheezy Way; Bob Perry informed Bob that there is often loose trash that the All-Cycle drivers have been picking up. Erin will send a letter to the residents of Wheezy Way advising them that trash should be put out the morning of the day that trash is picked up, and should be put in an animal proof container; loose trash will no longer be cleaned up by All-Cycle.

E. Bill reviewed the monthly report from the State Police.

5. Public Input

A. Melissa Beerworth attended tonight's meeting to find out what is going on in Town.

B. Peg Stewart informed the board that the School board will be attending their annual retreat.

6. Executive Session

None.

7. Adjournment

Bill motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:02PM. Bob seconded. All board members voted in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:02PM.

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Erin McSweeney, Administrative Assistant to the Selectboard